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?

I. 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."

II. He SAW JESUS COMING 6-14

A.     Everybody knows Jesus

1. 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."

B.     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! Matt 6:24

                C. Jesus can do any thing if we ask.

III. 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:

1. Sitting...

2. Clothed...

3. 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."

IV. 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?