"Demons That Oppress You"

“Demons That Oppress You”

Mark 5:1-20

INTRODUCTION – We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life And Ministry Of Jesus’.

Jesus cast out demons several times in His ministry. TODAY, we are going to look and see that He can cast some demons out of YOUR life. NOW … let me make this perfectly clear. CHRISTIANS cannot be demon POSSESSED. BUT … we can be demon OPPRESSED. What Jesus did 2000 years ago, He can do today. It’s the same Jesus … same power … same victory.

You may have some demons in your life … plaguing you … haunting you … oppressing you … spoiling your testimony … crippling your Christian life … making your life miserable.

STORY – Three sons leave home, go out on their own, and prosper. Getting back together, they discuss the gifts that they are able to give to their elderly mother. The first says: “I built a big house for our mother.” The second says: “I sent her a Mercedes with a driver.” The third says: “You remember how Mom enjoys reading the Bible? She can’t see very well now. So, I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took the elders in the church 12 years to teach him; he’s one of a kind. Momma just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it. It cost me $100,000.”

Soon thereafter, Mom sends out her letters of thanks. “Milton”, she says, “the house you built is so huge. I live only in one room, but I have to clean the whole house.” “Gerald”, she says, “I am too old to travel. I stay most of my time in my house, so I rarely use the Mercedes. And that driver is so rude! He’s a pain!” “My dearest Donald”, she says, “That skinny little chicken was delicious!”

If you have some demons in your life causing you heartache, Jesus can cast them out. Let’s take a look at a few.

I. THE DEMON OF INCONSISTENCY – 5:1-3

Jesus had just calmed the storm at sea – 4:39. Jesus now takes them out of a violent PHYSICAL storm … and shows them a man with a violent storm raging WITHIN. Jesus wants to show His Disciples that He’s more than just a miracle worker. He’s the Master of the SOUL, as well.

HERE. Jesus finds a man who is indwelt by demons. He’s living in the tombs (20’X20’) … home to criminals, homeless, the insane. NOTICE: The INCONSISTENCY. He was ALIVE … but living in the TOMBS … like a DEAD person.

Is there a DEMON OF INCONSISTENCY in your life? Have you ever felt like you are a Christian … BUT … you’re living in the tombs … BECAUSE you aren’t living a life pleasing to Christ? You know you’re “alive in Christ” … BUT … your faith seems “dead”.

The Apostle Paul had that PROBLEM – Romans 7:15-25 – NLT.

Paul also had the SOLUTION. He realized:

o He didn’t BELONG in the tombs … he knew he wasn’t living like he ought to live.

o He didn’t LIKE BEING in the tombs … his inconsistent Christian living made him miserable.

o He didn’t want to STAY in the tombs … Jesus was his only way out.

Jesus can cast the DEMON OF INCONSISTENCY out of your life.

II. THE DEMON OF INDEPENDENCE – 5:3b-4

They tried to tame him … BUT … he kept breaking the chains. He wanted to be free. Who tried to chain him? It doesn’t say … family … friends … town people? Was it so he wouldn’t hurt himself … OR … others? It doesn’t say. BUT … he wanted the freedom to do what he wanted to do.

OFTEN, we have the DEMON OF INDEPENDENCE in our life. “Nobody’s going to tell ME what to do … or what NOT to do. Not parents … not mate … not church … not law … not GOD!”

The LOST like this demon … they think it gives them the license to sin. They don’t like restrictions. “If it feels good, do it.” “As long as I’m not hurting anyone else, it’s OK.” “Christianity will restrict my lifestyle … box me up … I’ll lose my freedom to be ME. Maybe when I’m old & am through sowing my wild oats …”

The LOST have a DEMON OF INDEPENDENCE in them. AND … it will send them straight to Hell! They are content to be free from the yoke of Christ.

It’s DIFFERENT for the CHRISTIAN, though. The DEMON OF INDEPENDENCE makes the Christian MISERABLE. WHY? Matthew 11:28-30 – NLT. Only by being YOKED to Jesus can we find the rest, peace, love and joy that He has for us.