Christ Makes The Eternal Difference

"CHRIST MAKES THE ETERNAL DIFFERENCE"

Text: Mark 5:19

Intro: The silver lined clouds are breaking up over

the eastern section of the Sea of Galilee.

Bright red rays of the setting sun reflect

brilliantly off the now calm waters.

A while ago, a sudden storm, boisterous and angry,

and raging; as if sent by an unseen enemy. Sent

to prevent the small ships from reaching the safety

of the shore.

Desperate cries of the panic stricken had been heard;

until a sleepy-eyed figure, wading through shin deep

sea water, had spoken the words, "Peace, Be still [be

muzzled]."

You see, Christ was aboard the ship. He had an

urgent appointment with hurting humanity!

Theme: For the Gadaren Demoniac--meeting the

Master meant a miracle.

I. Contact w/Christ Brought Change from Rebellion to Reverence.

A. was under bondage to evil

B. in isolation (dwelling in the tombs)

C. out of control (self mutilation)

D. His mind captured by Satan.

1. trash & trivia (munchiea)

2. The undisciplined mind is open/vulnerable to evil.

E. 2 Cor. 10:5

F. Important to be aware of SATAN’S DESIGNS (2 Cor. 2:11 )

G. Jesus changed rebellion into reverence.

2. Mk 5:6

3. Mt 8:28

4. Jesus was passing by.

a. He could calm the storm.

b. He could calm the man.

5. application: Are you in a raging storm at present?

H. James 2:19, "...the devils also believe, and tremble."

1. devils

2. believe

3. tremble

I. Then as now, the incoming of JC means the

outgoing of Satan!

II. Contact w/JC brought about a change in values.

A. Legion leaves.

B. Demon infested swine leave.

1. demons of--

2. despair & doubt

3. dependencies/addictions/hurtful habits

4. disillusionment

5. fears/phobias

6. rebellion

7. evil, pride, arrogancy

8. 7 abominations of Prov. 6:16-19

C. Herdsmen leave (Lu. 8:34)

D. Men asked JC to leave.

1. The demonstrated Power of God =

riot or revival - Acts 23:10

2. Pigs meant more than people.

3. Profits meant more than deliverance.

--BUT--

E. With Jesus, people have preferance over pigs.

F. Because of God’s love (Jn 3:16), no cost is

too great for freedom from bondage.

G. Christ Makes The Eternal Difference!

III. Contact With Christ Broughty About A

Change In Activity.

A. clothed & in his right mind

1. When

2. When in our right minds, we will be:

a. "clothed w/the garment of praise,

for the spirit of heaviness."

b. clothed w/meekness of salvation

c. " " whole armor of God

d. " " power of the H.G.

e. " " love for God & others

f. " " ability to mend vs. breaking asunder...

B. sought the companionship of Christ

1. something better than chains & fetters

2. BETTER THAN -

a. tombs, nakedness, mutilation

b. dominance of demons

c. ranting & raving

d. bondage of sin

e. control of Satan

C. A request denied.

1. Mark 5:19 - our text

2. Stay in place.

a. power of personal witness

b. effectively speaking to one’s peers

D. "Whom the Son has set free, is free indeed."

1. Now he could exclaim, testify.

2. He could sing a new song’’

LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE

LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAD DONE

HE HEALED MY BODY

HE HEALED MY MIND

HE SAVED ME--IT WAS JUST IN TIME

I’M GOING TO PRAISE HIS NAME

HIS NAME IS JUST THE SAME

I’M GONNA PRAISE HIM

LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE

Concl: Sin is subtle. Satan is sneaky.

God is love. Christ is the answer.

Sin will take you father than you want to go;

cost you more than you want to pay;

and keep you much, much, longer that you

want to stay!

Christ, indeed, makes the difference.

He must be allowed to change your

rebellion to reverence,

values for the better,

activities to the God-pleasing ones.