LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT
METHODIST CHURCH
SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 22
OCTOBER 2023
MARK 5 VERSES 1 – 20
When the Lord Jesus
ministered on earth he had great concern for individuals as well as
crowds. He often travelled great
distances to meet with one person. He
had compassion on those shunned by society.
We should also show like compassion to those in need. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He calmed the storms, he healed the sick, he
raised the dead and cast out demons. No
situation was too desperate for the Lord to work. The Lord had just calmed the storm and the
disciples asked one another “what manner of man is this, that even the wind and
the sea obey him?” The Lord moves to
another area to meet with one man. The Lord is still in the business of meeting
individuals and transforming lives.
Maybe you have never had that encounter with the Lord. He is interested in meeting with you and
transforming your life.
Notice firstly the man
– verses 2 and 3 “And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met
him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no
man could bind him, no, not with chains.”.
When the Lord comes ashore he meets with this shackled, demon possessed
man, a threat to society at that time.
The men on that day tried to restrain him by putting chains on him but
all failed – verse 4 “Because that he had been often bound with fetters and
chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken
in pieces; neither could any man tame him.”.
This demon possessed man lived among the tombs. In another words he lived among the dead. A picture of every man who is dead in
sin. Colossians 2 verse 13 “and you
being dead in your sins.” The bible also
says we are “dead in trespasses and sins” – Ephesians 2 verse 1. I wonder are you still not saved? On the authority of scripture the bible says
you are dead in your sins. Alive to the things of the world but dead to the
things of God. He was possessed by
demons. He yielded to sin and
Satan. Satan can still get a hold on
lives, cultivate sinful practices. The
more you yield to him the more sin will have a grip on your life. This demon possessed man lost everything –
his home and the fellowship of family and friends, decency and self-control. He was living like a wild animal, among the
tombs. He lost the purpose and peace of
living and he would have remained in that state if the Lord had not come and
rescued him. This sinful man was living
a life of sin. A life when the devil is
in control. Many are living a life
controlled by the devil and the sad reality is they don’t realise it. They think their life of sin will go on for
ever. The devil is so subtle and he can
be so deceitful. He can make you think
that the life you are living is normal. “Then
when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death.” (James 1 verse 15)
Because of the life of the man of Gadara was living he was isolated from
family and friends. If you die in your
sin you will isolated for all eternity in hell.
Sin and Satan will always capture and destroy your life here on earth
and for all eternity. Paul writing in 2
Timothy 2 verse 26 said “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare
of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” I wonder are you still living in your
sin? Are you living a life still
controlled by the devil. Warren Wiersbe said
“never underestimate the destructive power of Satan.
Secondly the master. The Lord Jesus went to great lengths to meet
this demon possessed man. He was not put
off by the devil and evil spirits who controlled his life. God is omnipotent meaning he is all
powerful. The people in that area did
all to avoid this man but the Lord treated him with love and compassion. The great I am is not in the business of avoiding
people but meeting people. “For the Son
of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19 verse 10) In verse 9 we see the demons answered Jesus
back. “My name is Legion for we are
many.” The demons have faith and
believed and because of that they tremble.
James 2 verse 19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe and tremble.” Matthew
8 verse 29 “And behold they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee,
Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”. The demons believe Jesus is the Son of
God. They believe in the coming
judgment, that Jesus has authority over all things and authority to cast them into
hell. What demons believe is more than
what some religious people believe today.
Think of it – do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? One day you will stand before the judgment
seat of Christ. People say “I don’t
believe in all that stuff, it will not happen to me.” You cannot disengage yourself from
reality. Jesus is coming back and
soon. Those who repent of their sin will
go to heaven to be with God for all eternity.
Those not saved will be cast into utter darkness and the lake of fire
for all eternity. Have you made
preparation for eternity? Where will you
spend eternity? That is the question that comes to you and I . What shall your answer be? Where will you
spend eternity? In verse 8 the Saviour
commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. When they were given permission to leave the
man there was a herd of pigs feeding nearby.
The demons entered into the swine nearby and they ran down the steep
place into the sea. The herd of pigs
were used as a vehicle to bring the destructive work of the devil to an
end. The Lord has authority over all
things even Satan. All Jesus had to say
was “come out” and the demons came out.
It takes one word to break the power of sin and from that forgiveness.
Thirdly, the miracle. Verses 14 and 15 “And they that fed the swine
fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was
done. And they come to Jesus and see him
that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed and
in his right mind and they were afraid.”
No doubt cast on the miracle performed.
He had lived among the dead for a long period of time and to see him now
sitting, clothed and in his right mind.
The proof that Jesus has power to transform lives. Society has not yet come up with the solution
to deal with sin and Satan but we have a solution – a person, the Lord. He came into the world to destroy and defeat
and bring an end to the work of the devil.
“For this purpose the son of God was manifested that he might destroy
the works of the devil (1 John 3 verse 8).
Jesus comes and brings order, peace and calm. This man was sitting clothed and in the right
mind. Maybe your life is out of order
because of sin. There is no peace, no
calm. When you come to the Saviour in
repentance, in need of the Saviour you are instantly miraculously saved. A miracle will take place in your life. You become a child of God. He will bring peace and calm to your life. We also see here that there was evidence of a
changed life. Running around wild like
an animal, cutting himself among the dead was now sitting, clothed and in his
right mind. Because of the great change
in his life the people were afraid. The
word “afraid” does not mean they were afraid the evil would come on them. It was reverent fear that fell. They were astonished at what the Lord was
able to do. A contrast from that day to
this day. Very few are astonished at the
works of the Saviour. People have no
fear of God today. Every man is doing
that which is right in their own eyes.
No fear. When the owner of the
pigs arrived at the scene and seen the change in the man’s life and the pigs
gone, verse 16, they asked the Lord to leave - verse 17. “Leave” they said. Why did thy ask that after doing such a
wonderful work in this man’s life? Why
did they not ask him to stay and do much more, to do the same in another’s life? They were much more interested in business
and making money rather than saving the lives of men transformed by the power
of God. They were concerned about the herd
of swine. They had no care or thought
for the man transformed. Change your
priorities – where do your priorities lie?
Nothing wrong with owning your own business but what comes first? Reaching out to dying souls of men and women
or making money? That is the challenge
for us all tonight. After the owner of
the pigs told Jesus to leave he left.
The Lord will not stay where he is not wanted. What an opportunity these people missed. There is an opportunity for you tonight. Are you going to miss it? Don’t miss it. Don’t ask the Saviour to leave again
tonight. I trust you will not be like
the people in this passage and tell the Lord Jesus to leave. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call
upon him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55 verse 6)
Fourthly, the messenger. Verse 19 “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but
saith unto him Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord
hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”. This healed demonic man could think of
nothing better than spending the rest of his life in the company of Jesus. He wanted to do something for him. The commission for him was to go home to his
friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for him. The Saviour knew the best place for the man
of Gadara to work for him was at home.
He could be a witness for Christ among his family and friends. Warren Wiersbe “effective Christian living
must begin at home where people know us the best. If we honour God then we can consider
offering ourselves for service where before we can offer our service
elsewhere.” We must be able to serve the
Lord at home. First go home to thy
friends and tell them. The Lord was
making the man of Gadara the first missionary to the Gentiles. The Lord can take the most obscure individual
to bring glory and honour to his name.
He had a story to tell, a testimony to give and nothing in the world
would stop him. Do you have a story to
tell? Have you got a testimony to
give? Could you stand up and tell of
God’s saving grace in your life? If not
I trust that you will have a story to tell before very long and a testimony to
give of God’s saving grace. From this
nameless man of Gadara we learn that no situation is too hard for the
Lord. Disease, delay and even death is
under his control. Jesus could cry out
“it is finished”. He had conquered
death, hell and the devil for ever.
Satan is a defeated foe. A
hopeless case. He changed his life. An insignificant man to impact others for
him. The Lord had to leave but the man
remained to be a faithful witness to saving faith and power of God. Luke 8 verse 40 “the people gladly received
him.” They were all waiting for
him. What a change. They asked him to
leave but now after the man’s witness and testimony they were waiting for the Lord’s
return. Wonderful. Many of the Gentiles trusted in the Lord
Jesus. It doesn’t matter how desperate
or depressing your situation is tonight, the Lord has power to deliver and set
you free. Will you come to him
tonight? “Come every soul by sin oppressed,
there is mercy with the Lord. And he will surely give you rest. By trusting in his word. Only trust him, only trust him, only trust
him now. He will save you, he will save
you, he will save you now.”
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