The story of Mary Magdalene

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 20 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

MARK 16 VERSES 1 TO 9 - MARY MAGDALENE

We have read in verse 9 of "Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven devils." Mary Magdalene was bound by the devil and Jesus set her free. A desperate woman. Is there someone here today and you need the Lord in your life? Is there a man who really needs the Lord today? Is there a young person and you really need the Lord today? This message is for you. There are a number of Mary's in the New Testament. There was Mary the mother of Jesus. There was Mary, the mother of John Mark. There was Mary of Bethany. There was Mary who was married to Cleophas. Mary Magdalene is an important character in the Easter story. She is mentioned 12 times in the gospels. She watched the crucifixion of Jesus. She saw the body of Jesus laid at the sepulchre. She was there at the tomb when the stone had been rolled away. Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to he appeared to Mary Magdalene. She had a past and I want to paint a picture of this woman to you today. There are 3 points to consider. 

She was a desperate woman. "Out of whom he had cast seven devils." Can you picture her torment every day, her agony, the feeling inside her body. How did she end up in this position? What happened to her? We are not told. Magdala was a place of moral corruption, a weeks trade in pigeons and doves. She was bound and fettered by the enemy. She had got herself oppressed. She was helpless, hopeless and hurt in some shape or form. She opened herself up to the devil. Just like Legion in Mark 5 who cut himself continually. In torment. She must have felt awful every single day, dreading to get up and live. Do you know anyone like that? People dreading getting up each day. "The devil offers high wages but he always pays with counterfeit money." Don't let the devil near your home, your family or your personal life. The powers of darkness - anyone involved in the Lord's work knows the attacks of the enemy. Thomas Brooks said "Satan promises the best but pays with the worst; he promises honour and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure and pays with pain; he promises profit and pays with loss; he promises life and pays with death." Never give a place to the devil. "Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." It is important that we take time to read God's word and pray every day. The devil knows we have a weak spot. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Jesus said he beheld Satan fall from heaven as lightning. Think about Mary Magdalene. No surgery could be performed on this woman, no knives could tear the devils from her soul. I am sure her family and friends would have said "no-one can help our Mary." For some people today it is the drink or drugs or occult or gambling or pride or the love of money that has a hold of them. Maybe it is some secret sin. Jesus called the devil a thief. He comes to kill and steal and destroy. Jesus said "I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly." We are not told how long Mary was in that condition but for 24 hours a day the devils were inside her. She was in turmoil every day. Her family and friends could not do anything for Mary. Lily Murray grew up in a Christian home but in her teenage years alcohol took its grip on her. When she became a Christian she said "Jesus Christ dug me up out of the miry pit." She never forgot the pit she was lifted from. When you come to Christ you do not want to sing the songs of the world any more. The Lord has given me a new song. We just want to praise God. David was in a horrible pit, in the miry clay when the Lord lifted him and gave him a new song. John Newton never forgot that he was also lifted from a horrible pit. He had a verse in his study that he looked at every day. Deuteronomy 15 verse 15 "And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord God redeemed thee." If you are Christian you can leave today rejoicing in all the Lord has done for you. He has saved you and kept you and will be there for you in the trials and battles you face. As John Newton lay dying he said "Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly; I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour."

She was a delivered woman. She has met the Lord now. The 7 devils have left her body. Wouldn't you have loved to have seen that? In one single moment Mary experienced love and mercy and grace. She knew peace and power. She had the presence of God living in her. "Whom the Lord sets free is free indeed." Mary was totally delighted. No rehabilitation programmes or 5 point plans, totally transformed. There is a change in her heart and mind. It is repentance and means turning from a life you are living to wanting to serve the Lord with everything you have. If Mary was here today she would be singing 

Once I was bound by sin's galling fetters

Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain

But I received thy glorious freedom

When Jesus broke my fetters in twain

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom

No more in chains of sin, I repine

Jesus the glorious, emancipator

Now and forever, He shall be mine

Freedom from fear with all of its torments

Freedom from care with all of its pain

Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer

He who has rent my fetters in twain

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom

No more in chains of sin, I repine

Jesus the glorious, emancipator

Now and forever, He shall be mine

People who know the Lord has changed their heart for Christ can really sing these words. W P Nicholson referred to tears as holy water and told people never to be afraid to shed a few tears. We can go through all the motions sometimes. It reminds me of the story of the old violin. It was battered and no-one wanted it at the auction. It was only offered a few dollars when a man stepped from the back of the room. He lifted the violin, tuned it up and played such beautiful music. Now everyone wanted the violin bidding up to £3000 for it. The people couldn't understand what made the difference. "It is the touch of the master's hand." That was what made all the difference. Jesus made the difference in many of our lives when he touched us. You will know the difference when the Spirit flows through us. Maybe your life has been marred and scarred by sin, you are lacking direction and you have never invited Jesus into your life. Reach out and touch the Lord as he goes by today. Many of us have experienced it. Jesus gives a peace we never had before. Many in our province need peace. They have tried everything. Jesus said "peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." It all depends how much you want him. Maybe you want to enjoy sin and the world. "You shall seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." When you really want him you will find him. His touch makes all the difference in your life, in the preaching of his word, in the singing of the hymns. Will you ask the Lord to fill you with his Spirit today? Will you ask him to give you his blessing? Are you hungry for Christ today? Mary was a desperate woman and a delivered woman.

She was a devoted woman. She would give everything to have the Saviour - Luke 8 verse 2 and 3 "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward and Susanna, and many others which ministered unto him of their substance."  In the Greek New Testament that word "substance" means goods, wealth, property or possessions. These women were generous to the Lord's work. Modest, pure, upright, clean. Mary gave everything to the man who had changed her life. Has the Lord God got every part of me today? Have you left everything on the altar for the Lord. Have you said "Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee?" We can make it in the world's eyes but not with God. C T Studd who gave up everything to serve the Lord in the Belgian Congo said "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him." Maybe there is a besetting sin that is holding you today? A little fox - remember what the bible says "little foxes spoil the vine." Maybe it is a relationship, worldly pursuits, the love of money, your job. Mary Magdalene was at the cross - John 19 verse 25. Where was Peter or James or Matthew or Philip or Nathaniel? They were afraid, they had abandoned the Lord and were in hiding. She was at the tree. What was she thinking as the Lord hung on the middle cross? Mary was among the crowds that gathered around the cross. She took her stand while the rest were afraid. Do you take your stand for the Lord? In your workplace, in your school, college, university? When Jesus is blasphemed do you take your stand for him? Do others know you belong to him? Mark 8 verse 38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Is Jesus coming back again soon? Who will be left behind? Only you know if you will be left behind. Are you ashamed of him? The Lord appeared to Mary first in Mark 16 verse 9. Not his disciples. Mary Magdalene gave him everything. What became of her? What was her life after the resurrection? Was she in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost? Did she travel with the other apostles? There is a touch of sadness now Jesus was gone. She would never forget the day she met Jesus and her life was transformed. I pray that many would be like Mary. That they would have their lives transformed. I am looking forward to meeting Mary in heaven. "Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven devils." Maybe you are hungering for more from God. Maybe you want that touch. Maybe God has a call on your life. Never think you are too far from God. Look at Mary - many would have said she was a lost cause. The Lord can deliver and save the lost causes. Where would you be if the Lord hadn't changed you? You could me in the den of iniquity today. Maybe recovering from the night before. Press on with the Lord. Thank him for what he has done. Let's have a love for lost perishing souls. Remember "when he saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion."