So before we get into tonight's lesson, let's definitely take it to the throne of grace.

So join me in a word of prayer.

Heavenly Father, it is by your spirit that all things are done.

And as your people assemble here tonight, they are here to hear your word.

So I pray that your Holy Spirit will be descended in this sanctuary at this time,

and that you would touch the hearts of everyone here,

including me, teach us with your word. We thank you for that what you are about to do.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

So for tonight, our lesson will be covering the parable of the empty house in eight spirits, or the return of the unclean spirit.

And for this account is captured in the book of Matthew chapter 12 verses 43 through 4045.

But as always, before we read the verses and expound on our text for tonight, I believe that it is really important to be reminded of the truths regarding evil spirits. You know, it's amazing to me how Christians, some of them,

believe that this is mundane.

But evil spirits exist.

And they're problematic.

There's nothing good about them.

This is extremely critical to not only us as Christians, but probably more so,

brand new Christians.

Those who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ recently to understand that this is important.

We almost recognize that the spiritual battle

never ends, and we must keep our defenses up and our armor of God on at all times.

There's no spiritual breaks in this warfare. They do not exist. Demons or devils,

as they're often referred to in the Bible, are real. And this is an area that makes a lot of people uncomfortable

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