Follow Jesus Series #10

Jesus Brings Freedom

Text: Matthew 8:28-34

Introduction

We must not forget that Jesus braved a terrifying storm to confront these demons. Jesus had no fear and was confident within Himself of who He was; the Christ; God in flesh.

Don’t forget the things we learned about Jesus’ through the storm:

Jesus was confident in His connection to the Father.

Jesus was never doubted who He was as Sovereign creator and Lord.

Jesus never doubted His preeminent omnipotence.

1. Jesus Arrives With Purpose (v28)

Verse 28

Jesus will always arrive where He is needed.

Jesus is not directed by the culture, but by your condition.

Let’s review this man/men’s condition:

He was possessed by a demonic legion

He was living in isolation

He was beyond human capability to be healed

He had reached the point of cutting himself in effort to find freedom

No sooner did Jesus plant both feet on the ground, this demon possessed man/men came to Him.

Now, it wasn’t the freedom of the man that brought him to Jesus, it was the demon’s who directed him to bow before Jesus.

The demon’s knew good and well that Jesus came with a purpose; a purpose that centered on freedom. He came as a friend to the man and as a warrior toward the demons.

Practical Truths:

Jesus knew very well your great need of Him! That is exactly why He is with us today through His Spirit.

You are primarily in need of Jesus because of your condition of separation from Him by sin.

Your condition before believing on Jesus was not much different from that of the man in this story:

Every unbeliever is a child of the devil if not a child of God.

Your sin has isolated you away from God.

There is nothing humanity can do for you regarding your eternal destiny. Man can’t produce what you need most!

If you continue to fail to turn to Jesus, you will find yourself slipping into a hopeless state of mind.

Just as Jesus arrived on the shores of Gadara to provide freedom for this man, He came to earth over 2000 years ago to carry your guilt to the cross and face the justice of God upon His own flesh so you too could forever be freed from sin.

As soon as I have said that, the devil and his demons are quickly trying to snatch away that good seed and help you downplay that truth.

Just as the demons knew that day who Jesus was and what He could do, they still know who He is and what He is willing to do to all who call upon him for deliverance.

Let us look deeper into God’s word and understand how much we are in need of Jesus when it comes to demonic warfare:

Ephesians 2:2 “2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

2 Cor. 10:3-4 “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

2 Cor. 2:11 “11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

2. Jesus Arrives With Power (v29-32)

Verse 29-32

Where Jesus goes, His power remains with Him!

If you are a believer, you have to get excited to see how these demons respond to Jesus’ arrival.

First, lets look back and remember the power they had on this man/men.

They contained him wherever they wanted him; the tombs; around death, the unclean and hopelessness.

They surpassed all that human strength threw at them.

This man came to the place of taking his own life. If he could’t escape these demons down here, then maybe in the life after this one.

You know, it doesn’t take much to hear and see the hold the devil and his demons has on this world.

You witness the progressive move regarding what is regarded as a living human being, LGBTQ & transgender movement (we are coming for your children), and many more.....

Let’s gain a better understanding of the work and purpose of Satan and his army of demons:

Demons are fallen angels, divinely created supernatural beings who, under the leadership of Lucifer (Satan), rebelled against God.11 Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Demon, Demon Possession,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 610.

Spirits may be identified by their specific role or function, such as a spirit of murder, suicide, lust, depression, fear, lying, etc., associating them with various sins or attitudes contrary to God, the kinds of things that the Bible lists under the “works of the flesh” (Gal 5:19–21).11 Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Demon, Demon Possession,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 610.

What Demons Do. Angels were created to worship and praise God, to serve him, and to act as his messengers. The Bible states that they are “ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation” (Heb 1:14). The fallen angels have a similar function, but a different master. Their allegiance is to the devil, whom they serve out of fear and delusion. They desire to work with human beings, but their purpose is to carry out the schemes of Satan and to oppose God. They tempt, deceive, and delude people so as to bring them to eternal damnation. In opposing God they attack, oppress, hinder, and accuse the people of God. Since Satan is not omnipresent, he uses his demonic hosts to execute his will. 11 Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Demon, Demon Possession,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 611.

Let’s pay close attention to the dialog between these demons and Jesus:

Satan may have been their master, but they knew they were ultimately under the authority of God.

Read Luke 8:31 “31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.”

abyss n. — a supernatural, unfathomable, bottomless gulf or pit regarded as the antithesis to heaven; most often for the detaining and punishment of demons.

Matthew 25:41 “41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Revelation 12:9 “9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Notice the desperate plea they make to Jesus about where He would send them.

Anything and everyone whom the demonic possess is heading toward a jumping off point of despair.

The message Jesus has for you is this: RUN TO HIM!

Notice what only the power of God can do

Turn to: Mark 5:1-17

3. Jesus Leaves Without Praise (v33-34)

Verses 33-34

This land was mostly populated by Jews. However, this particular area Jesus sailed too was inhabited by pagans.

Notice how it wasn’t until the pig farmers told everyone what happen to their pigs did they begin begging Jesus to leave their land.

These pagans thought they needed their pigs more than they needed to power of Jesus the Christ!

The destruction of 2,000 pigs fails in comparison to the fact Jesus delivered these men from the power of Satan!

Psalm 50:10-11 “10 For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: And the wild beasts of the field are mine.”

Matthew 12:12 “12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”

Jesus removed the trouble these men had caused this community.

They had a choice between Jesus and pigs.

Before you quickly shake your head at the choice of these people, what have you chosen over God this week?

What have you sold out your worship for?

What have you sold out your time of prayer for?

What have you sold out your time of Bible reading and devotion for?

What have you sold out your giving to, sacrificing for Christ?

Some of you here today are choosing pigs over Jesus!!!

As Joshua said, “Chose you this day whom you will serve!”

In other words, “Make up your mind!”

Jesus did leave, however he left a living witness behind to tell the truth about Jesus and what He did for him.

Conclusion

Jesus is dealing with you today because He desires to set you free.

Jesus is calling you today because you are in great need of His power.

Will you be like the people of this community and push Jesus away? He may very well leave and never return!!!