One Mighty Son, Many Fearful Demons, and Lots of Wet Bacon

On February 23rd you read for your devotions & . The Employment Point was: Wait Upon God’s Leading In All Matters. Tonight we are going to look at .

You will be given time to study and work-through the passage using the F.I.R.E. method

We will review your findings together

I will show you my “work” on setting this passage on F.I.R.E.

I will quickly take you through the passage verse by verse looking at some employment points & principles.

You will learn what this passage teaches about God, and how you should react based on that information

Pastor Ken created the method of F.I.R.E. in order to understand a passage.

The letter F stands for familiarity.

This is when you read the text and ask questions to better understand the passage. read, ask questions, and become familiar with the passage

The letter I stands for interpretation.

This is when you try to understand the meaning of the text. You answer the questions you asked which interprets the author’s intent for this passage. simply explain the passage

The letter R stands for relationship.

This is when you look to see the relationship of this passage with other passages. how does this single passage relate to it’s context, book, and entire Bible

The letter E stands for employment.

What is the timeless truth in this passage. How can we take that truth and employ it in our everyday lives?how can I employ the timeless truth from this passage?

Michael Card: Mark: The Gospel of Passion

David Jeremiah: The Jeremiah Study Bible

John MacArthur: MacArthur Study Bible & The MacArthur NT Commentary (On loan from Pastor Ken)

Merrill Tenney: The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible

Walvoord & Zuck: The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Warren Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary

btw: feel free to bring your own books or resources!

John MacArthur: MacArthur Study Bible

Merrill Tenney: The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible

btw: feel free to bring your own books or resources!

We have more time tonight, so try to work through this passage!

Feel free to use any resource you want - but if you use a resource simply cite it.

Important!

For familiarity - Read the text before you try to understand it. Don’t take shortcuts.

For interpretation - Don’t be afraid to ask hard question (but make sure they are relevant.)

For relationship - ask yourself how this text applies today?

For employment - don’t base the timeless truth off of your feelings - base it off the passage!

Familiarity

Where is “the country of the Gadarenes?” Verse 1

Where is “the country of the Gadarenes?” - Verse 1

What is a definition of an “unclean spirit? - Verse 2

Why does John Mark go into such vivid detail about the demoniac living among the tombs? - Verses 2-5

Why does the demoniac worship Jesus? - Verse 6

Why does the demoniac ask Jesus not to torment him? - Verse 7

Why does the demon not come out immediately when Jesus commands him to leave? - Verse 8

If Jesus knows all - why does He ask the demon his name? - Verse 9

Does the demon’s name “Legion” have any importance? - Verse 9

Why does the demon not want to be sent out of the country? - Verse 10

Why did the demons want to be sent into the pigs? - Verse 12

Why does John Mark refer to the demons in both the singular (demon) & plural (demons)? - Verse 8 & 12

Why did the demon possessed pigs kill themselves? - Verses 13

Why did many of the people come to see Jesus? - Verses 14-15

Why were the people afraid of Jesus and ask Him to leave? Verses 15-17

Why did Jesus forbid the man from traveling with Him? Verses 18-20

Where is “the country of the Gadarenes?” - Verse 1

How to Say It - Gadarenes is pronounced as “GAD uh reens”

GAD uh reen

There is some debate about where this is located. Walvoord gives us some insight,

Greek manuscripts are divided on the precise location involved, citing three names: Gadarenes (), Gergesenes (from Origen), and Gerasenes. (See comments on ). Reliable evidence favors the name Gerasenes which probably referred to the small town Gersa (modern Khersa) located on the lake’s eastern shore. Most of its inhabitants were Gentiles (cf. , )

Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 122). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Below is a map of where we believe the Gadarenes are located

So it appears that Jesus just braved a terrible (or even demonic storm) in order to reach the shores of a gentile village.

What is a definition of an “unclean spirit? - Verse 2

The word for unclean is “ἀκάθαρτος” (akathartos) which is an interesting word. The root of the word is kathaírō which means to cleanse or be clean

akáthartos (an adjective, derived from "not" and 2513 /katharós, "clean, purged") – properly, not pure (because mixed.)

Uncleanness or impurity is basically defined as that which is a threat to or opposes holiness, and hence must be kept separate from that sphere. On the relationship of purity and impurity to the profane (i.e., nonholy or common) and holy

Freedman, D. N. (Ed.). (1992). Unclean and Clean. In The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 6, p. 729). New York: Doubleday.

As we will see in our passage these spirits are demons. Demons are fallen angles who rebelled against God and joined Satan (; .) Therefore, they are unclean angels. For those of you who studied demonology and angelology may remember how we dug deeply into this topic, but for time sake this information is enough.

Why does John Mark go into such detail about the demoniac living among the tombs? - Verses 2-5

Why does John Mark go into such vivid detail about the demoniac living among the tombs? - Verses 2-5

John Mark wanted to show the terrible, unrelenting torture this man was facing due to the demons inside of him.

Notice the details about this torture,

He lived among the tombs

Supernatural strength that broke the chains of those trying to help control him

No one could tame him - he was like a wild animal

He was constantly lurking the tombs yelling and screaming

He would cut himself with sharp stones.

Notice the demoniac’s love of death (hanging in the tombs) & violence (destroying his chains and cutting himself.) All of this was due to the king of darkness! After all. Satan deepest desire is to kill and destroy (.)

Wiersbe gives us more details about the torture this man felt

They lost their homes and the fellowship of their families and friends. They lost their decency as they ran around in the tombs naked. They lost their self-control and lived like wild animals, screaming, cutting themselves, and frightening the citizens. They lost their peace and their purpose for living, and they would have remained in that plight had Jesus not come through a storm to rescue them. Never underestimate the destructive power of Satan.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: The Servant Conquers! (Mark 4:35–5:43)

They lost their homes and the fellowship of their families and friends. They lost their decency as they ran around in the tombs naked. They lost their self-control and lived like wild animals, screaming, cutting themselves, and frightening the citizens. They lost their peace and their purpose for living, and they would have remained in that plight had Jesus not come through a storm to rescue them.

Never underestimate the destructive power of Satan.

They lost their homes and the fellowship of their families and friends. They lost their decency as they ran around in the tombs naked. They lost their self-control and lived like wild animals, screaming, cutting themselves, and frightening the citizens. They lost their peace and their purpose for living, and they would have remained in that plight had Jesus not come through a storm to rescue them. Never underestimate the destructive power of Satan.

Never underestimate the destructive power of Satan.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 125). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

This demoniac was tortured by the unclean spirits - and John Mark wanted to give his reader’s a glimpse of how ugly this looked!

Why does the demoniac worship Jesus? - Verse 6

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke 2. Healing the Demon-Possessed Man (5:1–20)

NIV correctly translates prosekynēsen autō as “fell on his knees in front of him” rather than “worshiped” (KJV). It was an act of homage rather than worship. The demon shows respect because he recognizes that he is confronted with one greatly superior to him.

Wessel, W. W. (1984). Mark. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 657). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

“This reverence was not motivated by repentance (since demons cannot repent) but out of the horrifying recognition of their heavenly Sovereign (cf. .) Compelled by sheer dread, the demons were utterly subdued before their judge. What no human could tame, even through the use of ropes and chains, Jesus restrained with nothing more than his presence.”

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (2015). The MacAuthur New Testament Commentary: (electronic ed., p. 243). Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.

As Christians, we worship God out of love, thankfulness, and dependency.

This demon, who had rebelled knew the power of Jesus and feared that He may torture him for what he had done to the demoniac. All he could do was beg!

“This reverence was not motivated by repentance (since demons cannot repent) but out of the horrifying recognition of their heavenly Sovereign (cf. .) Compelled by sheer dread, the demons were utterly subdued for their judge. What no human could tame, even through the use of ropes and chains, Jesus restrained with nothing more than his presence.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (2015). The MacAuthur New Testament Commentary: Mark 1-8 (electronic ed., p. 243). Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.

All he could do was beg!

adds “I implore you,” which shows the demon tried to have Jesus soften the severity of his inevitable fate. Cf. .

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (2015). The MacAuthur New Testament Commentary: Mark 1-8 (electronic ed., p. 243). Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.

Why does the demoniac ask Jesus not to torment him? - Verse 7

This demon spoke through the man and recognized Jesus as the Son of the Most High God.

This demon knew he was in big trouble!

He knew Jesus and understood that Jesus had the authority to punish him!

He begged Jesus not to get what he deserved!

Why does the demon not come out immediately when Jesus commands him to leave? - Verse 8

It appears that Jesus gave a command followed by a quick question.

He commanded the demon to leave, and then quickly asked “what is your name?”

As the demon told Jesus his name, he took this opportunity to beg for mercy once more.

The demon seemed to stall - not out of disobedience, but for one more chance to find mercy. After all, he feared that Jesus was about to torture him and send him to the abyss!

If Jesus knows all - why does He ask the demon his name? - Verse 9

MacArthur writes,

Most likely, Jesus asked this in view of the demon’s appeal not to be tormented. However, He did not need to know the demon’s name in order to expel him. Rather, Jesus posed the question to bring the reality and complexity of this case into the open.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1468). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

In Middle Eastern culture, a name was usually used to represent the character of the individual (think of people in the Bible who have been renamed such as Abraham (Father of a multitude - ) or Israel (One who contends with God - .) Jesus revealed to those around Him the nature of the demon(s) by revealing it’s name!

Does the demon’s name “Legion” have any importance? - Verse 9

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 5

indicated the strength of the demons. A Roman military legion consisted of about six thousand soldiers (cp. the number of pigs in v. 13). The name “Legion” thus serves to indicate a large number (because we are many), explains the supernatural strength of the man, and magnifies the fact that Jesus was the “more powerful” one (1:7) who could “enter a strong man’s house” and tie him up (3:27).

The CSB Study Bible: Notes gives us the answer

My name is Legion indicated the strength of the demons. A Roman military legion consisted of about six thousand soldiers (cp. the number of pigs in v. 13). The name “Legion” thus serves to indicate a large number (because we are many), explains the supernatural strength of the man, and magnifies the fact that Jesus was the “more powerful” one (1:7) who could “enter a strong man’s house” and tie him up (3:27).

McLaren, R. H. (2017). Mark. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 1566). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

This man was tortured by many demons as represented through the name legion!

This man was tortured by many demons as represetned through the name legion!

Why did the demon not want to be sent out of the country? - Verse 10

The Bible does not give us much information to answer this question.

Perhaps they wanted to stay in the same area to continue the Devil’s work?

It could be that demons are territorial as we see in ?

These are some possible answers to the question - but we cannot give an authoritative answer.

Why did the demons want to be sent into the pigs? - Verse 12

Demons are unclean spirits, and pigs were unclean animals ( ) - it was a match made in Heaven - or in this place - Hell.

) - it was a match made in Heaven - or in this place - Hell.

Zuck gives us more insights,

“the farmers on the east side of the Sea of Galilee with its predominantly Gentile population raised pigs for the meat markets in the Decapolis, “the 10 cities” of that region (cf. ).The demons (cf. v. 9) specifically begged Jesus to send them among the pigs so that they might go into them as their new hosts.”

the farmers on the east side of the Sea of Galilee with its predominantly Gentile population raised pigs for the meat markets in the Decapolis, “the 10 cities” of that region (cf. ).

5:12–13. The demons (cf. v. 9) specifically begged Jesus to send them among (eis here suggests movement toward) the pigs so that they might go into them as their new hosts.

Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 123). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Why does John Mark refer to the demons in both the singular (demon) & plural (demons)? - Verse 8 & 12

This is simple to answer based on what we learned from the name Legion - there were many demons in this man (plural), and yet they all united under one name, Legion (singular.)

Why did the demon possessed pigs kill themselves? - Verses 13

According to His sovereign purposes Jesus allowed the demons to enter the pigs and destroy them—the text offers no other explanation (cf. ; ). By doing this, Jesus gave the man a graphic, visible, and powerful lesson on the immensity of the evil from which he had been delivered.

Jesus gave them permission. According to His sovereign purposes Jesus allowed the demons to enter the pigs and destroy them—the text offers no other explanation (cf. ; ). By doing this, Jesus gave the man a graphic, visible, and powerful lesson on the immensity of the evil from which he had been delivered.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1468). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

Why did many of the people come to see Jesus? - Verses 14-15

They had tried to control the demon possessed man and could not! They were coming to see the one who healed the demoniac!

They could have also been intrigued by the death of the pigs too.

Why were the people afraid of Jesus and ask Him to leave? Verses 15-17

This is the sad part of the story...

The people cared more about the money they lost with their pigs than the man who had been healed!

There should have been a party and celebration - instead there was an eviction of the Son of Man.

Jesus would never return to this area again!

Why did Jesus forbid the man from traveling with Him? Verses 18-20

Jesus told him to go to his home (immediate family) and family (lit., “to yours,” your own people) from whom he had been estranged and report to them all that the Lord, the Most High God (cf. 5:7; ) had done for him and how He had shown mercy on him. The man obeyed and began to proclaim (cf. , ) in the Decapolis (a league of 10 Gr. cities all but one east of the Jordan) the wonderful things Jesus (cf. “Lord,” 5:19) had done for him. Those who heard him were amazed (ethaumazon, cf. “astonished”; 6:6a; 12:17; 15:5, 44).

Where is Decapolis (the place the man went?) - Verse 20

Jesus told him to go to his home (immediate family) and family (lit., “to yours,” your own people) from whom he had been estranged and report to them all that the Lord, the Most High God (cf. 5:7; ) had done for him and how He had shown mercy on him. The man obeyed and began to proclaim (cf. , ) in the Decapolis (a league of 10 Gr. cities all but one east of the Jordan) the wonderful things Jesus (cf. “Lord,” 5:19) had done for him. Those who heard him were amazed (ethaumazon, cf. “astonished”; 6:6a; 12:17; 15:5, 44).

Since this man was a Gentile and his preaching activity was confined to a Gentile area where Jesus was not welcome, Jesus did not give His usual injunction to silence (cf. 1:44; 5:43; 7:36).

Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 124). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Three simple relationship points I want to show you

The context - Jesus had just gone through a storm to simply reach this demon possessed man (.)

According Matthew (chapter 8) and Luke (chapter 8) there were two demon possessed men in this story. They were also naked. Immodesty typically is a trait that goes along with demon possession.

This Historical account fits in with the rest of Scripture and teaches that Jesus has authority over everything (!)

Tell Others About Jesus, the One Who Has Power Over Every Spiritual Force!

One Mighty Son, Many Fearful Demons, and Lots of Wet Bacon

What You Read

Tonight’s Outline

Using F.I.R.E.

Available Books in My Library I Recommend For This Lesson!

Set On F.I.R.E.

Pastor Kenny’s F.I.R.E.

Familiarity

Interpretation

Interpratation

Interpretation

Question #1

Question #2

Question #2

Question #3

Question #4

Question #5

Question #5

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

Question #10

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Question #13

Question #14

Question #15

Question #15

Relationship

Employment