The man of the Gadarenes

 

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.”