“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.
Jesus can cast the DEMON OF INDEPENDENCE out of your life.
III. THE DEMON OF INFLICTION – 5:5
Here we see a lonely man … crying … infliction himself. He had no choice … he was demon POSSESSED.
We have some LONELY people in this world … in Gilchrist County, Bell, Trenton … even P.B.C. Maybe you are alone because of no choice of your own … mate died … divorce … children grown & gone … new in community & no friends. Alone! Maybe you didn’t choose to be ALONE … BUT … if you are LONELY … it’s because you CHOOSE to be LONELY – BELL.
LONELINESS is self-inflicted … it’s YOUR CHOICE. Jesus can cast out the DEMON OF LONELINESS from your life.
WHY ARE PEOPLE LONELY TODAY?
They won’t complete the grieving process … they hang on … feel sorry for themselves … don’t want to face reality. It’s a self-inflicted loneliness.
They’re not looking for a way out of the tombs of loneliness. OR … they’re looking in all the wrong places. It’s a self-inflicted loneliness.
Jesus said: “Come unto Me … I’ll give you rest.” Jesus can cast the DEMON OF SELF-INFLICTED LONELINESS out of your life.
IV. THE DEMON OF INFERIORITY – 5:6-8
The man, in an instant of sanity, falls down at the feet of Jesus to worship Him. Jesus tells the demon to come out of him. The demon replies – 5:7.
The demon is AFRAID of Jesus. WHY? Jesus is superior … the demon in inferior to Jesus. Jesus is stronger than the demon … AND … the demon k new it.
DO YOU? We say we do … BUT … do you live like it? CHRISTIAN … are you living in the power of the Christ who is within you? Are you waging a war with the Devil like the Devil is scared of the Jesus within you? OR … Are you pretty much trying to fight the Devil by yourself?
I’ve got some news for you … The Devil isn’t scared of you! When is the last time you looked for Jesus for strength … for wisdom … for power … for victory … for peace? Why do we live our lives like this Jesus who lives within us is inferior to the Devil?
Paul said (Phil. 4:13) – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Live like it! Satan cowers at the name of Jesus – 5:7b
Jesus can cast the DEMON OF INFERIORITY out of your life.
V. THE DEMON OF INCOMPATIBILITY – 5:9-13
“legion” – the largest single unit in the Roman Army … up to 6000 soldiers. The demon can’t live where Jesus doesn’t want them to be.
o 4:39 – The WIND & SEA obey Him … the PHYSICAL world.
o 5:10 – DEMONS obey Him … the SPIRITUAL world.
WHY do we live with SIN in our life … IF … Jesus doesn’t want it there?
o LOST – The sin in your life will condemn you to an eternity in the Lake of Fire … eternal separation from God.
o CHRISTIAN – The sin in your life will NOT separate you from God for eternity (forgiven) … BUT … it will separate you from FELLOWSHIP with Him NOW.
Why do you want to live like that? Jesus and sin aren’t compatible. The more sin in your life … the less Jesus in your life. Have you noticed that? AMEN?
See what the demons (sin) did in the life of this man … and the swine. DESTRUCTION! (the FIRST Deviled Ham … they went HOG WILD). You can be filled with sin … and experience defeat, loneliness, emptiness … OR … you can be filled with Jesus … and experience fullness of joy, peace, love, mercy, grace & power. The 2 are not compatible … sin & Jesus.
Jesus can cast the DEMON OF INCOMPATIBILITY out of your life.
VI. THE DEMON OF INGRATITUDE – 5:14-17
The townspeople asked Jesus to leave. WHY? Jesus had allowed about 2000 swine to be destroyed – 5:13b. BUT … look at what happened – 5:15:
o SITTING – Instead of running around attacking people.
o CLOTHED – Instead of naked.
o RIGHT MIND – Instead of living like a maniac, demon possessed.
Here was this man … like they had never seen him before … AND … WHAT DID THEY SEE? They saw the loss of their pigs. A small price to pay! They had within them the DEMON OF INGRATITUDE.
Sometimes, we have the SAME demon in our lives … DON’T WE? AND … we need Jesus to cast it out. JESUS: “Look at My hands, feet, side, brow … What do you see?” We see the scars of torture & torment. We see the scars of sacrifice & suffering. We see the scars of love & life. Where is our gratitude?
Those who are LOST … have refused to turn their life and sins over to Jesus … who took your punishment for your sins upon Himself on the cross. Where’s your gratitude?
We who are CHRISTIANS … often refuse to claim the VICTORY that Jesus bought us … AND … we live a defeated Christian life. Where’s the gratitude?
Jesus needs to cast the DEMON OF INGRATITUDE out of some lives this morning.
VII. THE DEMON OF INDIFFERENCE
I see 4 PRAYERS in this passage:
DEMON POSSESSED MAN … as he ran to Jesus for help.
DEMONS … as they asked to be cast into the swine.
TOWNSPEOPLE … as they asked Jesus to leave … ingratitude.
PRAYER OF GRATITUDE … as this man asked to go with Jesus – 5:18
BUT … Jesus told him “No!”. WHY? Jesus had been kicked out of the country … He couldn’t go into town. Jesus needed a witness in the town – 5:19. “Go home to thy friends and tell them …” AND … that’s exactly what he did – 5:20.
There are lots of places Jesus can’t go … He’s not allowed … He’s been kicked out. Schools … workplace … government … families … friends. That’s why He’s sent YOU there … BECAUSE … Jesus isn’t welcomed there.
Why don’t we go? BECAUSE … we are oppressed with the DEMON OF INDIFFERENCE.
Why don’t we go? Why don’t we witness?
Because we don’t feel like we are a good enough Christian. I’ve got a secret for you … you’ll NEVER be good enough! The world doesn’t expect you to be PERFECT … just REAL! They can spot a hypocrite a mile away. Be real … be honest. They can’t identify with PERFECT. BUT … they CAN identify with Jesus saving a poor lost sinner like you.
Because we don’t really care. We have a DEMON OF INDIFFERENCE that needs to be cast out of our life. We care if our friends drive drunk … get cancer … get enough to eat. BUT … we don’t care if they spend eternity in Hell! What’s wrong with this picture? Pray for them. Ask Jesus to open up the door of opportunity … and He will. Don’t just GO … in the flesh. GO through the open door that Jesus gives you when you PRAY for them.
CONCLUSION: Have you got some DEMONS in your life this morning … oppressing you?
LOST – You have a demon within you that will send you to Hell for eternity. Only Jesus can cast him out. You need to surrender yourself to Him this morning as your Lord and Master.
CHRISTIAN – Did you recognize some demons in your life that are oppressing you this morning? The Jesus who lives within you is more powerful than the demons that are attacking you. Surrender yourself to the power of Jesus … by making Him the Lord of your life.
STAND – PRAYER
HYMN - #325 – “Footsteps Of Jesus”
OUTLINE FOR HANDOUT:
“Demons That Oppress You”
Mark 5:1-20
INTRODUCTION: Christians can’t be demon POSSESSED … BUT, we can be demon OPPRESSED.
I. THE DEMON OF INCONSISTENCY – 5:1-3
- He was alive … but living in the tombs … inconsistency.
- Are you “alive in Christ” … but … your faith seems “dead”?
- Paul had the problem of INCONSISTENCY – Romans 7:15-25
- Paul also had the SOLUTION … Jesus!
II. THE DEMON OF INDEPENDENCE – 5:3b-4
- The LOST like this demon … it frees them from any restrictions of the flesh … BUT … will send them to Hell!
- It makes the CHRISTIAN miserable – Matthew 11:28-30
III. THE DEMON OF INFLICTION – 5:5
- You might not choose to be ALONE … but LONELINESS is a choice.
- Loneliness is self-inflicted … Jesus said “Come unto Me.”
IV. THE DEMON OF INFERIORITY – 5:6-8
- Jesus is stronger than the demons … don’t try to fight the Devil … you’re no match for him! Philippians 4:13
V. THE DEMON OF INCOMPATIBILITY – 5:9-13
- Jesus and sin are incompatible … you don’t have to live under the power of sin in your life.
- Being filled with Jesus gives victory over sin.
VI. THE DEMON OF INGRATITUDE – 5:14-17
- The townspeople only saw their monetary loss.
- Are you grateful for what Jesus did for you?
VII. THE DEMON OF INDIFFERENCE – 5:18-20
- Jesus needed a witness in the town that He was cast out of.
- Jesus sent you to go where He isn’t welcomed.
Why don’t we go?
o We don’t feel like we are a good enough Christian.
o We don’t really care.
- PRAY … and go through the door of opportunity Jesus opens.
CONCLUSION:
- The LOST have a demon in them that only Jesus can cast out.
- The CHRISTIAN needs to surrender to the power of Jesus within us.
PRISCILLA BAPTIST CHURCH – Ray Scott, Pastor
