WHAT IS WAITING ON THE OTHER SIDE
Mark 5:1-22
Like many of you I began this year with great hope and anticipation. On the first Sunday of the year, many of my preacher friends rolled out their “2020 vision” to their churches. In hind sight, that “2020 Vision” got blurry in a hurry!
There is no way that we could have predicted the things that we have seen in 2020. The year began with torrential downpours; it seemed like it rained every day for two months. In late January and early February we began to hear news report of a new virus that was spreading all over the world. In March that virus began to spread here in America. By mid-March our worlds had been turned upside down. People were out of work, businesses had to close, churches were shutting down, and fear gripped the land. The terms Covid, social distancing and quarantine became a regular part of our vocabulary. We dealt with mask mandates, mandatory 6ft separation in public places and limited numbers of people allowed in crowds. Pastors and church leaders were forced to improvise. We cancelled nursery, children’s church and Sunday school. We modified our service times and methods. We purchased FM transmitters and began doing “online services”. Many of these things are still commonplace today.
I have not made a single hospital visit in the past 12 months. Longtime faithful members of our churches have passed away all alone because their family members were not allowed to be with them. I have officiated funerals that in “normal times” would have been standing room only, but due to the pandemic only the immediate family was present. By now most of us know someone who has died as a result of Covid.
We have also seen an increase in racial tension in our country. We watched on the news as riots broke out in the cities. We saw monuments toppled, windows shattered and buildings burned to the ground. In the summer and fall, we saw record numbers of hurricanes and tropical depressions. And most recently our country has endured a contested election and great political turmoil.
These are just the things that have made the evening news. Aside from the nationwide and worldwide problems, we have all dealt with personal issues that we did not see coming this time last year. Some of you may have lost your jobs. Your personal finances are not what you expected them to be a year ago. Some of you may have endured a divorce or marital strain in 2020. I’m sure that in a crowd this size some of you have received reports from your doctors that you did not want nor expect. Many had an empty seat at the table this Christmas because one of your loved ones has passed away.
There is no denying the fact that 2020 has been a rough year for everyone. In fact, things have been so bad that the term “2020” has become a byword. But there are many things that the child of God can rejoice in, even in a year such as this. We can rejoice because God is still on His throne. We can rejoice because Jesus is still saving lost souls. We can rejoice because lives are still being changed. We can rejoice because this world is not our home. We can rejoice because Jesus is coming back someday.
For months people have been anxiously awaiting New Year’s day. They have it in their minds that when the ball drops in New York City a great reset will occur and we can start over. I am afraid that they are going to be very disappointed. You see, our God is infinite in His wisdom. He has a perfect plan for His people, for this world and for His Kingdom. And I’m pretty sure that God does not celebrate New Year’s Day. There is no way for us to know what is waiting for us in 2021. Things could get better, and things could get much worse. The reality is that we do not know what lies ahead.
The Lord’s Disciples found themselves in a similar situation. These men had left everything behind to follow Jesus, and as a result they had seen some amazing things. They had seen countless miracles. They had seen the blind receive their sight, the deaf made to hear, the lame made to walk, the mute speak, lepers were cleansed and demons were cast out. They had heard Jesus teach with great power and authority. There is no way that they could have known all of the things that they would experience as they continued to walk with Jesus!
As we arrive at our selected text, Jesus instructs them to get in a boat and to go to “the other side”. They were on a journey that would take them across the Sea of Galilee. They did not know what was waiting for them when they arrived. In fact, there was a moment when they were not sure that they would even make it to the other side. (Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?) In the midst of the storm Jesus “arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
In much the same way, we are about to cross over. On Friday we will transition from one year to the next. We do not know what is waiting for us on the other side of 2020; but Jesus does. And if we belong to Him, we can face whatever 2021 brings with great peace knowing that He will be there with us.
In Mark Chapter 5, we find some things that we will most certainly encounter in 2021. I would like to examine these truths and preach on the thought “What Is Waiting On The Other Side”. When we get to the other side of New Year’s Day we will see that:
i. THERE IS DESPERATION ON THE OTHER SIDE
ii. THERE IS DELIVERANCE ON THE OTHER SIDE
iii. THERE IS DELIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE
• Let’s begin by examining the fact that:
I. THERE IS DESPERATION ON THE OTHER SIDE
Desperation is defined as “a state of despair, typically one which results in rash or extreme behavior.” The turmoil, the unrest and the violence that we have seen this year is a manifestation of the fact that people are desperate. We live in a world that is consumed with sin. And things will not get any better until the Lord Jesus returns and rules and reigns over all the earth. Until then, certain things will be an issue. Verses 2-5 illustrate the fact that depravity will be an issue
v2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Here Mark tells us of a man who was totally depraved. We would describe him as a maniac. He was possessed by many demons. He lived in the tombs among the rotting corpses of the deceased. Often men had seized him and bound him with ropes, chains and shackles. Their attempts to contain him were futile. This man (as a result of the demonic possession) possessed supernatural strength. He would simply break free from his bonds and continue his reign of terror. He spent his days running naked through the tombs, He screamed, he cried and cut himself with jagged stones.
This is a great illustration of the depravity that is seen in lost men and women in our day. They are consumed by sin and evil. They possess no hope, no joy and no peace. They are completely depraved and live lives of wickedness and rebellion. Whether they know it or not, they are under the control of Satan and his evil forces.
When 2021 arrives, we will still live in a divided country. Immorality will run rampant; the racial unrest will likely remain and possibly increase and political turmoil will be a factor. Violence will still fill the land. Issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and drug addiction will be prevalent. As God’s people we will find ourselves wrestling against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
In the next year we can expect lost people to continue doing what lost people do! I don’t want to discourage you, but these are the things that we KNOW are waiting on the other side. Unfortunately, just as we did not know all of the things that we would encounter this past year, there are many unknowns waiting for us next year.
- Devastation is waiting for us on the other side of the New Year, but I have some good news…it is also true that:
II. THERE IS DELIVERANCE ON THE OTHER SIDE
Jesus and His Disciples encountered depravity on the other side of the Sea, but this manifestation of evil was no match for Jesus. He had power over spiritual wickedness back then, and He has power over it today!
When Jesus stepped off of the boat, the man who was possessed saw Him from a distance and ran and worshipped Him. The demons that controlled him began to speak and they said with a loud voice “What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”The demons literally began to pray to Jesus! They did this because Jesus said “Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.” Jesus asked what his name was, and the demon replied “My name is Legion: for we are many.”
A Roman legion consisted of 6,000 soldiers. This does not mean that there were 6,000 demons in this man, but it does illustrate that there were many evil spirits. This is further demonstrated by the fact that they entered 2,000 pigs when Jesus cast them out of this man. Notice:
v10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
When this happened, those who were feeding the swine ran into the city and reported what had happened. The people from the city came to see for themselves. When they arrived they were amazed by what they saw. The man who had previously been tormented by the demons, the very man who spent his days among the dead, naked, screaming, crying and cutting himself with stones had been delivered. When they found him he was “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind”. Rather than rejoicing over the great miracle that Jesus had performed, they rejected Him and asked Him to leave the region. Regardless of the fact that the majority rejected Jesus, at least one man was completely transformed by His mighty power!
Jesus can transform you and your loved ones just as He did this man. And when he does, people will be amazed! The people from the city may not have believed in Jesus, but they could not deny that a change had taken place in this man’s life. Our loved ones may not turn to Christ as a result of our testimony, but they will know that a change has taken place once we meet the Master!
- I don’t know all that is waiting for us in 2021, but I do know that There Will Be Devastation, There Will Be Deliverance and finally we see that:
III. THERE IS DELIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE
The joy that we are able to experience in the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be found anywhere else. In spite of all of the problems that we may face in the next year, we can live with great joy and delight. The problems that we will face will all be temporary. But our relationship with the Savior is eternal. And no matter how bad things get, we will have the privilege to walk with Jesus each and every day.
- There are many things that we are able to be a part of when we walk with Jesus. This passage shows us that because of our relationship with Him:
A. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GOD WORK
Once this man met Jesus, he was filled with delight. His life had been immediately, completely and eternally transformed. Because of what Jesus had done for him, he wanted to remain with Him. (v18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not)
This man’s desired to get on the boat and follow Jesus. He wanted to become a disciple of Christ. This is a natural response for all those who truly meet the Savior. This man had seen God’s hand at work in his own life.
The Disciples had the opportunity to see many other miracles at the hands of Jesus. And when we walk with Him, we will have that opportunity as well. When you spend time with Jesus, you can see God at work all around you. You can see His work in creation, you can see His work in nature, you can see His work of redemption and you can see His works of grace and mercy. Not only can we see these things, we can experience His power in our own lives.
- I can’t tell you what 2021 will bring, but I can guarantee you that we will see God at work! Moving on we will see that:
B. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR GOD’S WORDS
v18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not,
With all of the adjectives that are used to describe this man in this passage, there is no way for us to comprehend just how bad his situation was. But his transformation is abundantly clear. He went from living with the dead, to talking with the Lord. Because of the work that Jesus had done in his life, he now had access to God in the flesh.
We have the very same privilege. Because of the work that Jesus did at Calvary, we have access to God. When Jesus died...“The veil of the temple was rent in the midst “ (Luke 23:44) This veil separated the holy place from the holy of holies. The high priest would enter into this Holy place once a year. It was there that he would make an offering for the sins of the people. The veil was rent to show that the privilege of the high priest was now available to all man.
Because of Jesus sacrifice, we now have access to God! Anytime, anywhere, we can cry out to God with confidence that He will hear us. Not only will He hear us, He speaks to us! When we spend time in the scriptures we are able to hear the precious words of our Heavenly Father. Everything that we need to know is written on the pages of God’s Holy Word.
This former demoniac was now communing with the Savior. We can do the very same thing on a daily basis. This is the only way that we will be able to know His will for our lives. And once He reveals His will to us, then we can and should do it! This leads us to the final truth that I would like for us to consider. We can see God work, we can hear God’s words and:
C. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOD’S WILL
Though this man wanted to travel with Jesus, Jesus had another mission for him. Whereas in the past Jesus had told others to remain silent concerning the miracles that He had performed, He told this man to go out and share his testimony with others. (v19 …Jesus saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee) Jesus told him what to do and he went and did it! (v20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.)
Like this man, we have been commanded to go and tell others what Jesus has done for us. (Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.)
When preparing this sermon I originally planned to focus on our obligation to do God’s will. But I chose to use the term opportunity rather than obligation. While it is our responsibility to share the Gospel with others, it is also a precious opportunity. Evangelism is not a burden, it is a blessing! Furthermore, it is a great privilege! God could have chosen many other means of reaching lost people. He could have spoken from Heaven. He could have sent the Angels to testify of salvation’s plan. He could have written a message in the clouds. But in His infinite wisdom, He chose to give us the privilege of being His ambassadors to a lost and dying world. If you have ever led someone to the Lord, you know that there is no greater joy than being a part of this process. Friends, we will encounter a multitude of lost people in 2021, and it is God’s will that we bear much fruit for Him. May we resolve to go and do what we have been called to do.
This man shared his testimony and the Bible says that “all men did marvel”. It doesn’t say that all men turned to Jesus. But those who had known him before knew without a doubt that something was different. Just as Jesus delivered this man from the possession of those many demons, He has delivered us from the chains of sin. He has saved us from our sin and transformed our lives. He has brought us from death unto life. He has made a way for us to enjoy abundant life here and eternal life in Heaven. What He has done for us, He will do for others.
2020 has been a difficult year for us all. I cannot promise you that 2021 will be any better. I don’t know everything that is waiting for us on the other side. But I do know that:
i. Desperation Is Waiting On The Other Side
ii. Deliverance Is Waiting On The Other Side
iii. Delight Is Waiting On The Other Side
In 2021 we will have the opportunity to:
a) See God Work
b) Hear God’s Words
c) Do God’s Will
I encourage you to be like those Disciples and put your trust in Him. Climb aboard the boat and head toward the unknown. And if you are with Jesus then you have peace and assurance no matter “What Is Waiting On The Other Side”
