Three “C’s” Which Lead to Happiness
Mark 5:1-20
January 13, 2008 AM
2008 has already seen its share of trouble. In Alabama alone, churches have been torched and a family of children has been thrown off of one of the state’s tallest bridges – as a motive of revenge. Sin will encompass each one of us if we allow the door to be open for Satan to attack.
For true happiness and true peace to enter into an individual’s life – one must meet the Master – Jesus Christ. There is a process that leads us to Jesus – that process is what we are going to study this AM. The process of 1. Realizing our Condition. 2. Being Convicted of our Sins. 3. Being Converted to Christianity.
We look at an individual whose condition was absolutely beyond our imagination – only a trip to Jesus would help this person.
TEXT
I. Condition
a. Man resided in the tombs – a place for those who were demented. It was a place of added torment
i. NOTE: When you and I are in the midst of sin – we are in a place of torment. Remember: sin is anything that defiles the teachings of God. Picture a white piece of paper, pure and white. Now picture a big ole black mark in the midst of the paper. Sin muddies up the picture of perfection.
b. Man was identified as with an unclean spirit
i. Morally filthy and dangerous to be around
ii. Controlled by this unclean spirit
c. Man was bound by the chains of sin – In Bondage
i. Ephesians 6:12
1. ”For our struggle is not against flesh an blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces f evil in the heavenly realms.”
d. Man was a consistent cutter
i. He brought harm to himself
e. Bottom Line: Man was in misery
Our condition is dictated by where we are in our relationship with God.
Many folks have NO PEACE, NO CONTENTMENT, NO HAPPINESS. They are DEPRESSED, FILLED WITH DOUBT, UNCONCERNED, FILLED WITH WORRY. The fact of the matter is that they are much like the possessed man – Shackled and Saddened.
II. Conviction
a. The demon immediately knew who was in control. Notice his words to Jesus, “Do not torment me”
b. IMMEDIATE THOUGHT: Wrong will always fall – right will always stand”
i. Jesus’ words to Peter
1. “Upon this rock will I build my church and the gates of hell will not overtake it” – Matt 16:18
Conviction hits people in different ways
1. Some respond with a REPENTANT HEART and SPIRIT
a. Isaiah 6
i. “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips”
b. Acts 2:37-41
i. Just been preached the Gospel by Peter – see what happened
2. Some respond with a HARDENED HEART
a. Acts 7:51-60
i. Response to Stephen’s preaching
3. Some respond with RUNNING ON THEIR MIND
a. Jonah 1-4
ILL: Mark Richt was a Grad Asst coach at Florida State when he initially felt conviction for his soul. Coach Bowden was sharing the gospel with his team at the beginning of the season. The Holy Spirit spoke to Mark and the next morning – he “knew it was time” and went to Bobby and they knelt in Coach Bowden’s office and he became a Christian. Now look at his influence on society as an openly Christian coach at the University of Georgia!
God’s word says:
1. Harden not your hearts – Hebrews 3:8
a. Don’t shut me out
b. The door is open – Hebrews 4:1 – the promise remains
c. He is still patiently inviting His people to enter into rest – Romans 10:21
2. GW Requests Obedience
3. GW Requests Urgency
Jesus said: “Come unto me – all ye that are heavy laden – I will give you rest”
Rest comes from the release of Satan’s hold – in this case – Spirit to the Swine
III. Conversion of Man
a. Man possessed with demon has been freed from the bondage of Satan’s hold.
i. People around were astonished
ii. People were mad at Jesus
1. Swine were a part of their income
2. Get Him out of here before we lose more money and control
iii. People were afraid
1. What is this man going to do next?
Conversion brings on the following:
1. Change
a. Transforming Change
i. Change of our understanding
ii. Change of our will
1. “Lord, what do You want me to do”
iii. Change of our Conduct
1. Ephesians 4
2. Release
a. Release from bondage
i. Phil 4:7
b. Released from worry
i. Colossians 3:15
c. Released from misery
i. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
3. Challenge
a. Go
b. Tell Others
CONCLUSION
The Man was in misery
The Man found Jesus
Jesus released the Man from Bondage
The Man Served Jesus
What is your condition today?
Peace with God or a life filled with Misery, Doubt, etc.
Has the convicting power of the Holy Spirit got a hold of you today?
Your heart racing? Can’t sit still? Your stomach aching?
Can’t look anybody in the eye?
HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART
Do you want release?
JESUS is the only answer for the world today – release can be yours only if you trust and believe through faith.
