The Essence of Thanksgiving

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THE ESSENCE OF THANKSGIVING

TEXT: Mark 5:1-20

INTRODUCTION: How thankful are we when we have received a blessing from despair?

1) THE DESCRIPTION OF OUR DESPAIR

a) A man with an unclean spirit. v2b Mark 5:2 (KJV)   "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately  there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,"

b) Dwelling Place.... v3a Mark 5:3 (KJV)   "Who had his dwelling among the tombs;

c) No one could control him...v3-4 v3. and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:"

Mark 5:4 (KJV)   "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."

d) His Actions... v5 Mark 5:5 (KJV)   "And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones."

2) He SAW JESUS COMING 6-14

a) Everybody knows Jesus

i) Demons v7 Mark 5:7 (KJV)   "And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not."

ii) The Man v6 Mark 5:6 (KJV)   "But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,"

b) No one can serve two masters!

C. Jesus can do any thing if we ask.

3) HERE WE SEE THE ESSENCE OF THANKSGIVING...HE ASKED

a) Everyone wanted to see the change v15         Mark 5:15 (KJV)   "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:

i) Sitting...

ii) Clothed...

iii) In His Normal Mind.

b) THEY WERE AFRAID v15  -17   v15b and they were afraid."

Mark 5:16 (KJV)   "And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine."

Mark 5:17 (KJV)   "And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts."

4) A REAL THANKSGIVING HOMECOMING vv18-20

a) A Real Man...Changed, in the mind of Christ....

b) Our thanksgiving is any day that one comes to know Christ.

INCLOSING: Are you thankful enough to God that you would like to spend the rest of your life following HIM?