Mark 5:18-20 An Unlikely Ending

Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

Pray

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

Mark 5:18-20

Mark 5:18-20

Mark 5:18–20 NASB95

As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

Introduction and Review:

The beginning of Jesus Ministry

The Gospel message

His healing and teaching ministries

Building the kingdom of God - soils, the Lord’s crop, The parable of the mustard seed

Faithbuilding exercises

The storm at Galilee - Jesus controlled the weather

Casting out demons

Today:

The gospels don’t often tell us what became of those Jesus ministered to

We read of amazing miracles that Jesus did for people, but what becomes of the person who received the miracle, the Gospel doesn’t tell us - we are left to wonder

There are some very interesting cases, in which we learn what became of the person who was healed - the case of the man from Gadara is one of them

These verses tell us a story. This text is short, but it is full of some great lessons for us

#1 The Lord knows better than we do where we ought to be.

Sometimes this is a hard lesson, but Jesus is God, and He knows better than we do where we ought to be and what we ought to be doing.

Often times our pride confuses us about what we ought to be doing for the Lord

“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:18). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

We can understand this request - we can understand how it may have seemed logical to this man. He was grateful for the change Jesus worked - full of love for the man who saved his life

Afraid the demons might return

Desiring to learn more from the Master

Strangely, Jesus would not have it - “And He did not let him,” it says

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:19). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Lord had other work for Him to do - saw what the man needed to do to glorify God the most and fulfill His will

but He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”

Two great lessons from this

The place that we would prefer to be, is not always the place that is best for us

The work we have or want, if we had our own way, is not always the work that Jesus would have us do

This is a really important lesson for new believers

Often don’t know what is really for their own good

New believers are enthusiastic and excited

Full of new views from teaching and the Bible

Excited about being new creatures in Christ

They are sometimes dazzled - Seeing everything in a new light since the Holy Spirit opened their eyes

They havent learned about the dangers posed by Satan, his power, and their own weaknesses

All they know is that a short while ago they were blind but, because of Christ’s mercy, they now see

They mean well, but they are prone to mistakes in planning, choices, their jobs

Forget that what we like best is not always best for our souls

God’s will for us may be hard at times - the seed of faith needs to go through both winter and summer, cold and heat, to get it ready for glory in heaven

We need to pray God will guide us in all ways after we are saved/converted

not allow us to make mistakes in our choices and decisions

The best place and position for us is one that keeps us humble, most taught by our own sins, drawn most to bible and prayer, led to live by our new faith, and not by sight

Where we are may not be what we like, but Christ placed us there and so we should be in no hurry to leave. Let us stay, and draw close to the Lord

The best thing, is to leave aside what we want, and do what Jesus would have us do.

#2 Our home should be our first preference

The Lord’s response to this man is surprising

He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:19). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.Bringing it home

This man’s friends had probably not seen him for years, and then only when he was demon possessed

Most likely he was dead to them, or worse than dead - they thought of him with trouble, worry, and sorrow

He needed to go home and tell them what Jesus had done for him - an amazing testimony, living witness of the love of Christ

He needed to forego the joy of being with Christ’s physical presence, so that he can do higher work for others

“And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:20). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Jesus words should always stir our hearts and move us to action

Our ministry is right where we are

Go home and tell your friends!

Talk about Clarence Larson

Home is where we ought to try to do good

Discussion of home

Home is where we are seen and known and where the work of Christ can be demonstrated

Home can be where we are tempted to backslide

Home is where we should be a witness to Christ

Home is where we did the most harm before we came to follow Christ

Home is where we can be a living billboard or signpost for Christ

Lets not be hypocrites - saints when we are away from home and wicked when we are in our homes - talkers but not doers

Bringing it home

We need to ask ourselves: Have we anything to tell others?

Can we testify to the work of Christ in our hearts?

Has our faith given us the power to turn from the power of the world, our own sins, the devil?

Have we experienced the love of Christ?

If we have never been born again, made new creatures, we will have nothing to tell

If this is the case with you, and you want to change, then today could be the day of your salvation - please see me after the study

If we have something to tell about our relationship with Christ, then let’s tell it.

Let’s not be silent, if we have found peace and rest in the Gospel

Lets tell everyone, relatives, friends, families, neighbors as we have the opportunity

We are not all called to be preachers/ministers, but

We can follow in Christ’s footsteps, and in the steps of Andrew, Philip, the other apostles, and all those Christ has loved and saved

Happy is he who is not ashamed to say to others:

Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ps 66:16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Prayer

Discussion