IF IT FEELS GOOD DO IT!
Mark 5:1-20
From the Sermon Series: “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America”
Sermon Objective: To offer a solution to the “feel good” philosophy and quest for sensual gratification that drives our culture.
We are in the final stages of our sermon series, “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America.” It is taken from the first six chapters of Mark. We discovered that Jesus’ worldview goes against the grain of much in mainstream America. We are highlighting different slogans or aphorisms that are imbedded into the American psyche. They reinforce our cultural philosophies. Specifically we have looked at:
• Might Makes Right (Mark 1:1-12) –we saw Christ’s counter-cultural ethic of serving humanity rather than working from a position coercion and manipulation.
• Image is Everything (Mark 1:32-39) – Jesus rejects this Western value. Jesus had the crowds eating out of his has but walked away from the populace specifically because their ambitions did not coincide with those of the Heavenly Father’s.
• Shop ‘till You Drop (Mark 2:13-17) - Jesus reminds us that there are better ways to find meaning in life than materialism.
• Rules are Made to be Broken (Mark 2:18 – 3:6) - Jesus rebukes and challenges the worldview which says the ends justify means. Jesus says there is no place to bend or violate God’s eternal law. Period.
• Live and Let Live (Mark 3:1-6) - Jesus challenges the individualism that dictates so much of the American lifestyle choices and offers us an alternative; community.
• Good Things Come to Those Who … Wait (Mark 4:1-20) - Jesus calls us to task and challenges us not to delay when it comes to the maintenance of the soul.
In coming weeks we will look at other slogans that have become embedded into our value system; other idioms that define us and motivate us as a people. We will look at:
• God Helps Those Who Help Themselves (Mark 5:25-34)
• Stand Up For Your Rights (Mark 5:17, 6:1-6)
• When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do (Mark6:15-29)
But today we are looking at chapter 5:1-20:
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
It isn’t new … it has its roots in Greek Philosophy and reemerges from time to time. For about half the population alive today it has been the mantra since before they were born – it is part-and-parcel of how they perceive their world. But the graying temples among us know about impact of the the revolution in the sixties and, even though we may not be familiar with terms like “post-modernism” or “foundationalism” or “representationalism”, we know “it” when we see “it.”
What am I talking about? Ethics. I am talking about what makes your world go ‘round. I am talking about how one determines right from wrong; good from bad; positive from negative.
More and more of America has made the transition from making choices based on objectivity, logic, order, and preconceived standards to making choices based upon “interpreting the current situation”, “relational balance” and “context.”
For many, this means that “right and wrong” no longer exist as clear lines of demarcation. It has allowed the excuses for indulgence in the sixties to become the standard for decision-making in the new millennium.
It gets to the core of life … how we interpret our world, what makes something “good” or “bad.” It is indeed the stuff of philosophy classes and studies in epistemology. But it finds identity and definition in the daily grind … by fleshing itself out in slogans and clichés.
• You only go around once in life
• Are we having fun yet?
• Grab all the gusto you can get!
• What have you done for me lately?
• If it feels good do it
When it gets out of control we might use other clichés:
• I couldn’t help myself
• The Devil made me do it
The “feel good” philosophy of our day runs like a thread through almost every aspect of culture; including church. But Jesus may have something to say about that. Jesus may have something to say against that. Jesus may have something to say that isn’t … popular. That in itself is ironic since being unpopular means it won’t make us feel good which means we may reject it outright without hearing him out. So be it I guess.
Today’s Gospel story illustrates the potential and destructive conclusion of “feel-goodism”. We discover that doing what feels good often leads us down a path of ruin. We discover that life might be better understood by seeking a different mechanism for making choices than “If it feels good do it”. Jesus offers an alternative to the quest for sensual gratification that drives our culture.
• It is illustrated in the demoniac who was conquered and rescued
• It is illustrated in the town’s people
THE CONQUERED
The issue of demonic control (sin’s control over a human) is a very serious issue. It is one the Church must acknowledge and address. Mark introduces us to “Satan” in chapter one. Matthew and Luke call the enemy the Devil (Accuser). Mark calls him “Satan” (adversary). This understanding of the enemy can be seen in nearly every page of the Gospel he writes. For that reason I will call him Satan (the Adversary) today as well.
From the earliest introduction to evil in the Bible we discover that:
• Satan desires to control, manipulate, and ruin people.
• Satan has no noble motives.
• Satan will use whatever tools we make available to him to trap us.
Ray Stedman extracts seven signs that a satanic spirit is at work in an individual from today’s story.
(i) Uncleanness (Moral pollution of all sorts)
(ii) Isolation
(iii) Supernatural strength
(iv) Torment
(v) Hurting himself
(vi) Immediate recognition of the authority of Jesus Christ
(vii) Multiplicity of personalities
(viii) Suicidal tendencies
As sobering as that is, there is “Good News!” That is why Mark wrote his Gospel – he shows us Jesus’ defeat of the adversary and Jesus’ deliverance of those within the adversary’s grip. The Bible says that Satan should not get an advantage over us and for that reason, we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11).
I do not want to assume too much but there are a few things I am certain placed this man in his current predicament.
1. It was a result of choices he made
2. At some point (s) in some way (s) he flirted, invited, and participated in sinful practices.
3. Satan merely seized the opportunities and openings that the man gave him … Satan cannot force himself on us … we must be open to his presence.
But, as I said, as sobering as that is, there is “Good News!” There is a Deliverer from sin’s grip. There is only ONE deliverer from sins grip … Jesus Christ. But that ONE is enough ... Jesus set this man free! It was evident to everyone … even the town’s people. This man became a new creation – he was clothed and in his right mind.
I firmly believe that the philosophy of “If it feels good do it” was involved in this man’s slavery. And I notice he did not break free from that at deliverance either. That decision-making habit was engrained in him … it was a his modus operandi ... his default setting. In the latter portions of the story he wanted to act once again upon his “feelings”, his elation, and go everywhere Jesus went. He even begged Jesus to let him go with him. But Jesus begins a subtle, yet powerful, transformation of the man’s decision-making process; he teaches the new convert not to follow his “instinct” or emotion but to submit to a higher standard … obedience to God’s known will.
Instead of letting this man follow Him, Jesus sends him on a mission. Now I assure you this mission was not pleasurable. If the town’s people are any indication (and I am sure they are) then the mission brought significant hardship; inconvenience.
This understanding of “costly service” as opposed to “comfortable service” will be laid out very clearly throughout the remainder of Mark’s Gospel.
People seem to gravitate to that which is comfortable and easy. It takes a deep commitment to the Christ to overcome such a posture. The difficulty we have in overcoming that value is illustrated in the next scene of our story.
THE COMMUNITY
Jesus banished the demon. The town’s people banished Christ.
To be fair, that is all they knew to do when they felt “uncomfortable.” That is also what they had done to the demoniac.
At least part of the issue here is that the town’s people also operated from the “If it feels good do it” philosophy. They didn’t like it’s excess or abuses but they were certainly into comfort. Sometimes we would rather not be disturbed even if it is for the better. Sometimes we do not want to be disturbed because it shows our misplaced loyalties and misplaced priorities. When it comes to welfare of a human or wealth, sSociety seldom sides for the human being.
Many people see the presence of Jesus as a discomforting presence that they want dismissed. It is difficult to follow Jesus because he demands (and empowers) a higher standard. The poem by John Oxenham not only describes this scene, it also describes the hearts of many today.
“Rabbi, be gone! And take this fool of thine.
You love his soul; we prefer the swine!”
(John Oxenham)
May I make an observation? It is just an observation and I cannot support it with empirical data but I believe it to be true. Christian people (and congregations) that acquiesce to “If it feels good do it” are ineffective for the Kingdom. This applies to corporate worship and Christian service.
American Evangelicalism is in jeopardy of becoming completely irrelevant because of our inclination towards a man-centered Gospel … a Gospel which focuses on what Jesus will do for you. That is an important part of evangelism but we must never allow the convert to remain a victim of seeking immediate gratification. You see, evangelism starts where people are at and with what they can relate too—throughout the Gospels people came to Jesus with selfish motives and he received them gladly—but then, if they were to follow Him, they had to leave their selfish motives and follow in obedience and love. American Evangelicalism has ceased to ask people to leave their own patterns of self-gratification. Instead, we spin everything to focus on how it will make them “feel good” or “improve their quality of life.” That is not the whole Gospel of Jesus.
To be fair, I believe the spirit of Jesus dwells within the church and I see encouraging evidence of divine correction, but we still gravitate towards flesh-centered motives.
The call of God in discipleship is to holiness, self-sacrifice, and service. It is not a “bless me O Lord” kind of faith. It is not an “If it feels good do it” relationship.
When the Gospel and discipleship are properly understood it all comes down to the primary character in our story … Jesus Christ.
THE CHRIST
Jesus Christ never operated from or promoted an “If it feels good do it” ethic. Never. This is illustrated in all Jesus did and explicitly addressed in chapters 8, 9, and 10.
And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (10:44-45)
Jesus Christ never operated from or promoted an “If it feels good do it” ethic.
In fact, Jesus delivers us from its trap just as he did the demoniac.
Our society, like many societies, has reduced itself to a quest for gratification … and the more instant the better. But Jesus calls us away from that; just like he did the delivered demoniac. Just as he expected more from Himself and his first disciples, he expects more from you.
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
He who has ears to hear,
Let him hear.
