Mark 1:21-28
 ²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

   ²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

 ²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

But why does he go to church?

1. Because he has always been religious, he knows what’s written in the Holy Bible. In fact he is a theologian.

Remember when he tried to test Jesus in the wilderness?
Matthew 4:1-11
¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

 ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”

 ⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

   “‘He will command His angels concerning you, 
   and they will lift you up in their hands, 
   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

 ⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

 ⁸ Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give You,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

 ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’^[e]”

 ¹¹ Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended him.

 2. Because he is looking for prey.

To have ultimate control of a person is his goal.

Luke 22:31-34
 ³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

 ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 ³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

 ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
 ¹³ For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

3. Because he is seeking worship.

Isaiah 14:12-14
 12 

“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer,^[a] son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
¹³ For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’

Matthew 4:9
 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

See Revelation 9-13

Ephesians 6:12
 ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

OUR GREATEST STRUGGLE IS SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE.

We should not be fooled by false teachings.

Credits to Ptr. Rodel Matacot
LLCF
Feb. 19, 2012