FROM THE
GRAVEYARD
TO THE MISSION FIELD
• INTRO:
• This account recorded by Mark, is a wonderful demonstration of the power of God to cleanse and forgive men and women, who have sunken to the darkest depths of sin.
• Let’s take a closer look at this account, and learn how a raging demon-controlled man came “From Ruin To Redemption,” by the power of Christ
• Testimony of restoration of a man “From Graveyard to Mission Field.”
• I. THE MAN’S MISERABLE CONDITION
A. This Can Be Seen In The Demoniac’s home.
He may have taken up residence here after having been driven out of town,
He may have chosen the tomb for shelter.
• SEVEN THINGS IN OUR LIVES THAT THE DEVIL WILL TRY TO BURY :
Dreams
Delights
Domain
Days
Dignity
Deeds
Destiny
B. This Can Be Seen In The Demoniac’s HELPLESSNESS.
(v. 2) Unclean
(v3.) Unstable
(v, 4) Uncontrollable
(v, 5) Unhappy
(v. 15) Unclothed
(v. 2) Unclean-
o Mark is not reporting only on the man’s "external" but his "internal situation“.
o (ASV) And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
(v3.) Unsettled-
o Look at where he lives. He’s comfortable around dead people,
C) (v, 4) Uncontrollable-
o No one could calm him or reason with him.
D) (v, 5} Unhappy-
o He’s depressed, in despair, decadent and demoralized .
F.) (v.6) Unstable-
o He does not jump up and down rejoicing but falls at the sight of Jesus.
f.) (v. 15) Unclothed- Uncovered,
o The body was out of control because his head was out of control. Don’t look for things to be right with the body if all hell
has broken into the mind!
C. This Can Be Seen In The Demoniacs HOPELESSNESS.
Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst;
He promises honor and pays with disgrace;
He promises pleasure and pays with pain;
He promises profit and pays with loss;
He promises life and pays with death.
• II. THE MAN’S MIRACULOUS CONFRONTATION
A. The Savior’s Purpose (vv. 1)
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (New International Version)
A. The Savior’s Perception. (vv. 6-12)
John 4:34-35
"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (New International Version)
A. The Savior’s Power (v. 13-15)
Salvation Changed Him (v.15)
2 Cor 5:16-17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (New International Version)
Salvation Clothed Him (v. 15)
Salvation Clothed Him. (v.15)
Matt 12:34-35
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.(New International Version)
Salvation Calmed Him. (v.15)
Mark 5:14-15
When 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; (New International Version)
• III. THE MAN’S MAGNIFICENT COMMISSION
Mark 5:18-20
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus 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."
So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (New International Version)
• “SALVATION COMPELLED HIM”
1. He was compelled to DESIRE JESUS.
Mark 5:18
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him (New International Version)
2. He was Compelled to DECLARE Jesus. (vv. 19-20)
Mark 5:19-20
Jesus 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." 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (New International Version)
