From Madness to Mission

Mark 5:1-20

Introduction

Two movies that changed my life for the worse…

1990’s film Arachnophobia

2005 film called The Exorcist of Emily Rose

Demons and Angels have so much mysticism surrounding them.

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight.” - C.S. Lewis.

Only Jesus has the power to save and transform a person from the bondage of satan and sin to a life of joy and purpose! And when Jesus transforms a persons life He then equips them to go and share His story of salvation with the world!

Saved - Delivered by Jesus (Mark 5:1-14)

Explanation

The Goal of the Enemy

He comes to Steal, Kill, and destroy

John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

He will steal your innocence , Kill your intimacy with God, and destroy your life

He is a liar and a murderer

John 8:44 “44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Note: The demons had to ask permission of Jesus… clearly He is the superior and the demons know it! It was completely one-sided

Satan had this man in his grips

possessed by Legion 6k soldiers

4 signs of madness (Talmud)

walking about at night

spending the night on a grave

tearing one’s clothes

destroying what one was given

Defile the image of God in man

touching of a dead body was a great act of defilement

Deface the image of God in man

Lived in the tombs

life of filth, loneliness, and terror

people feared him because of his strength but they did not respect him

Destroy the image of God in man

This man tried to kill himself… this was the agenda of the demons!

A few clues to this… he cut himself

The demons do to the pigs what they tried to do in the man…

This man was in desperate need of a Savior!

Argumentation

Apart from Jesus all of humanity is in the same boat!

Born sinners… Romans 3 No one is righteous… all have fallen short of the gospel

We cannot save ourselves!

Illustration

Many times in my life I tried to fix myself and get right with God on my own…

I would make promises that I could never keep.

Change my surroundings, change my friends… I would even on occasion read my Bible..

When I finally came to Jesus

Admitted that I was a sinner in need of His saving grace

Confessed Him as Lord!

I realized that only Jesus can save me!

Application

Only Jesus has the power to save people from the power of satan and the consequences of sin.

Sanctified - Transformed by Jesus (Mark 5: 15-17)

Explanation

The Word sanctified means to be set apart or consecrate

To be set apart by Jesus and for Jesus there is a transformation that takes place! Those who are transformed by Jesus have a desire to be with Jesus!

Before his encounter with Jesus

Naked

Out of his mind

Because of Jesus

clothed

in his right mind

How do we know that we have been transformed by Jesus?

By a desire to be with Him!

This man revealed that… He begged to go and be with Jesus!

Argumentation

Do you have a desire to be with Jesus? Do you long for Him?

Illustration

The Apostle Paul… hated Jesus… sought out to persecute Christians.. Met Jesus and everything changed! He spent the rest of his life telling others about Jesus!

Philippians 1:23–24 “23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

How do you know that you have been saved?

Do you have a deep desire to be with Jesus?

Do you long for Him?

Well, Ive accepted Him into my life… have you given Him your heart… have you surrendered your all to Him as Lord?

The man in this story came to Jesus and bowed the knee… but it was not in worship of Jesus… it was in respect to his authority…

Do not fall into the trap of acknowledging Jesus as Lord but not surrendering your life to Him as Lord!

you can acknowledge Jesus as who He is and still fail to worship Him as Savior

The evidence of a life that has been transformed by Jesus is a desire to be with Him and life for Him

You cannot put Jesus on the shelf and just acknowledge Him. He must be all to you!

Colossians 3:1–11 “1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but…”

There are 3 beggars in this passaged…

The demons begged Jesus to not send them to the abyss but to the pigs… it revealed His authority

The saved man begged Jesus that he might go with Him…. this revealed his mission and plan

The town begged Jesus to leave… This revealed their fear… which may also indicate a reality for us… Jesus will not stay where He is not wanted…

We have as much as Jesus as we desire…

Application

Those who have been transformed by Jesus have been set apart and they have a deep desire to be with Jesus!

Sent - Commissioned by Jesus (Mark 5: 18-20)

Explanation

Why did Jesus not permit him to stay…

Gentile.

He was commissioned to share!

Argumentation

Every person who meets Jesus and is transformed and set apart and has a desire to be with Jesus… but there is also something else that happens… they have a longing to share Jesus with others about what Jesus has done for them!

Go home and tell your friends…

Not only did he go home… he went and proclaimed it in the Decapolis!

He proclaimed what Jesus had done for him… and everyone marveled!

Illustration

Well I don’t have a testimony like you

If you know Jesus then you have a testimony!

Application

Those who have been saved, have been and are being sanctified, and they are sent.

Invitation

Who then is this? The Son of the Living God… Only He can save you!