In chapter four, Jesus has just finished a confrontation with a storm in nature. Now, in chapter five; He is confronted with a storm inside a man.

Chapter five introduces us to an unnamed man, who has been living among the tombs. I don't know much about this man except he has be overtaken by demons and not he is unable to control his actions. As a result, he is driven, manipulated, controlled and maneuvered by powerful self-destructive tormenting impulses. This man is confined to a lifestyle that has him naked, bleeding, wild and suicidal. Basically, this brother is messed up!

My brothers and sisters, we must be cautious not to be too hard on or critical of this man in our text. Honestly, we all have the potential of making some choices that will land us in some terrible places, etc....

This man in our text, of whom many in town have said there is no hope for and is out of his mind, but the text says

I. He saw Jesus!

My brothers and sisters, I don't know how long he has been in this condition. Don't know how severe his wounds. What I do know is what Jesus said in Jn 10:10, "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." I want to encourage someone who may be struggling with something today. No matter where you are or how bad life seems: Jesus will show up! Do I have a witness in the sanctuary who's glad Jesus showed up in your life? Hymn writer said, "You can't hurry God, no you just have to wait. He's a God you can't hurry; He'll be there don't you worry. He may not come when you want Him to, but He's always on time."

Isaiah said in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint."

Ps 24:7-8, "Lift up your heads, o gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle!"

Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble."

Can you see Jesus coming?

When this man saw Jesus text says:

II. He ran to Jesus!!

I don't know if he already heard how Jesus healed a man with an unclean spirit and cleansed a leper in chapter one. Don't know if he heard that Jesus healed a paralyzed man in chapter two. Or, how Jesus restored a withered hand in chapter three. From his vantage point he may have seen Jesus calm the storm. Whatever it was he recognized Jesus was the only person who could turn his life around!

My brothers and sisters, with whatever free will this man had; he said, "I've got to get up from here and get to Jesus!" As long as he remained where he was, he would have to deal with the same stuff. I don't know about you, but there is some stuff I'm sick of dealing with. I'm not going to walk to Jesus, like the man in our text, I'm going to run to Jesus. I realize, the faster I get to Jesus; the quicker he can deal with my issue.

III. Jesus can take care of anything if you will come to Him!

This man did not ask for anything, text says he just made it to Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 6:8, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

IV. Jesus told him to tell his story!

v.19 Jesus said, "Go home and tell everybody how the Lord has had mercy on you."

Is there anybody here with a testimony of God's goodness?

There was a story of an ophthalmologist fresh out of college and new to town. He had no friends and no one was frequenting his business. One day he saw a blind man sitting near his window. He said to the man, "Why don't you come into my office and have your sight recovered?" The man walked into the office and the doctor began the surgical procedure. When the surgery was over, the man's sight was completely recovered. He looked at the doctor and said, "Doc, thank you for the surgery. There is just one problem: I don't have any money to pay you." The doctor said, "Sir, you have payment enough. You can walk out of this office and tell everybody you see what I have done for you!"

Celebration