Degradation, The Devil, And Deliverance

Title: “Degradation, the Devil, and Deliverance. Script: Mk. 5:1-20/Lk. 8

Type: Series Where: GNBC 3-13-22

Intro: John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, “Who were all those men with you there?” Paton knew no men were present—but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. (Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18) There is a spiritual realm in life. See in today’s passage.

Prop: Mk 5 demonstrates 3 Important Truths about Sin, Satan, and Jesus.

BG: 1. In this passage we see that directly after taming a wild sea Jesus tames a wild man.

2. Jesus and the disciples arrived in the country of Gadarenes, Gergasenes, Gersasenes, or also called Decapolis. Was about mi way on the eastern seaboard of the Galilee. Mt. 8:28 records was a less notable man with him. This one stood out to Mark.

3. This wild man was clearly possessed of evil spirits.

Prop: The Interaction of Mk 5 we’ll notice 3 Important Truths about Sin, Satan, and Jesus.

I. 1st Truth: The Degradation of Sin.

*In this passage we see a man absolutely in the clutches of the degradation of sin. You may say in fact that he is the perfect sinner. I notice in his description several different characteristics that are synonymous to all individuals outside of Christ. You say: I am not some demon-possessed madman living naked among the tombs! Yet, look, because many of his characteristics are seen in those outside of Christ.

A. The first characteristic of the Gadarene Demoniac: Deadness.

1. What was this man’s environment? This man lived among the tombs! Where do you find “deadness”? In a cemetery, among the tombs. This area known for its limestone caverns and rocky chambers used for burial tombs. Where do you find the darkness or death, the degradation of death, the depravity of death, and the debauchery of death? You find it in the tomb! This man was characterized by deadness. I see emotional deadness in many people today. Have everything, yet nothing.

2. This 1st characteristic is the true with every sinner.

a. Every individual is born dead in trespasses and sins. (Eph. 2:1). Our environment is the tomb of sin, We are wrapped in the shroud of sin. We are in the coffin of sin and buried in the grave of sin, and it is only Jesus Christ Himself who can, like He did for Lazarus, call us forth to life!

b. Illust – True story, happened in Ireland over 50 yrs. ago, to a Presbyterian pastor of the name of Hardy. Pastor Hardy Was very sick and in fact, declared by the doctor to be dead. The orderlies came and removed him from the bed and laid him out on the slab in the hospital morgue. Only problem, Pastor Hardy was not dead. Man was sent down with mug of hot water, wobbling brush, soap and razor to shave the corpse. Years later, Pastor Hardy told story: “I was so very weak I prayed to the Lord to let that man know I was living.” Right then winked his eye! Mug, soap, and water went flying! Man went screaming! Doctors incredulous! Took Rev. Hardy off the slab and back to floor where survived to live another 25 yrs! Let me tell you, you don’t stay in the house of the dead when you get life!

B. The 2nd characteristic of the Gadarene Demoniac: Uncleanness

- v. 8 says that the man had an unclean spirit. IN the OT, “unclean” was seen as a violation of the law of God. Lepers were not allowed to enter the camp lest they spread their uncleanness to the rest of the nation. His uncleanness would have been due to his surroundings. Sin, in the Bible, is described as “uncleanness”. God is described in the Bible as holy and pure. Radiant in purity. We, however, are fallen. Unclean in His presence. Over the years have seen people saved out of all sorts of horrible backgrounds. . (Illust – Never forget being at Pacific Garden Mission. Everyone is required to bathe daily. Guide was a former drug addict lived on streets. Said as a matter of fact, “When Jesus cleanses your inside only natural to want to wash your outside.”