First Baptist Church Delray

First Baptist Church Delray

Sermon Application Questions

September 14, 2025

Pastor Steve’s Sermon: “Moonstruck”

Scripture: Luke 9:37-45 (ESV)

Review the Exegesis of the Scripture

Read Luke 9:38–39 

And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.”

1. Since the Greek word for this kind of suffering is “moonstruck,” what might the people of that day believed about the activity of evil spirits at certain phases of the moon?

2. Are all illnesses caused by demonic activity?

3. Why did the boy’s father seek help from Jesus?

Read Luke 9:40-42

(The man continued) “And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 

4. Why couldn’t the disciples cast out the demon from the boy?

5. What does it mean to be faithless and twisted?

6. Why was Jesus able to cast out the demon?

7. What causes humans to be defeated by evil?

Read Luke 9:43–45

And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 

8. What did Jesus prophesy about Himself?

9. What would be the only reason why Jesus would let evil overtake Him?

Make Personal Applications of the Lessons

10. How are you doing against evil? Are you frequently crumbling to sin? Are youmoonstruck?

11. Did Jesus come so that evil could continue to dominate His people? Or did He come so that His people would be saved but be helpless against the wiles of the devil? 

12. Did Jesus come to cheer us on to try harder and use our willpower to win against evil? Did He launch us on our way, but our battle against evil is really up to us? Does Jesus really not care how we live, and we just have to do the best we can?

13. What does the Bible say about how Jesus came to give us a completely new life?​

a. John 3:3 - Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

b. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

14. What does this Luke 9 passage indicate is the basic reason why we fail to stand against evil?

15. What are some examples from your own life of the following consequences of unbelief?

a. It makes us vulnerable to evil.

b. It removes our power.

c. It disappoints Jesus.

16. When have you had some of the following expressions of unbelief?

a. God won’t come through.

b. I have to be anxious about this situation.

c. God’s plan for my life is not a good one.

d. God can’t fix the situation.

e. God will not provide.

f. Evil will win in my life.

g. God’s ways are not good for me.

h. The life God has planned for me is not the life I want.

i. Evil is better than good.

17. What can you do to access your new life in Christ so that your actions honor Jesus?

a. Believe you have a brand-new life through Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

This doesn’t change when you fail against evil. Repent. Get back to living your new life.

b. Believe the Holy Spirit inhabits and drives your new life.

Philippians 2:12–13 - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Ephesians 5:18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

You are different because of what fills you.

c. Choose to live the new life you’ve been given. And set aside the old life.

Romans 6:11 - So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 5:16 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 8:5 - For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 

It takes practice. You have to learn to recognize your old life creeping back in.

18. If we’re not supposed to just TRY harder, how do we choose this new life?

Psalm 37:3–8 - Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. ​​

Psalm 37:40 - The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. 

19. Consider an area of your life where unbelief makes you crumble to sin and put together a strategy using these lessons.

20. Who can you turn to for spiritual encouragement and prayer for this area of your life?