Sermon on September 30 by Pastor Roland Eskinazi

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Demons! How would Satan want you to think about them? Either to disbelieve that they are real or to make too much of them.

• STRANGE THING #1 – WHERE JESUS GOES!
  Gadara, Geraser, or Gergese? Jesus goes directly into the heart of darkness and death.
  Jesus goes where no-one dares, because He is what no-one ever is or was.
• STRANGE THING #2 – WHO MEETS JESUS!
  Not merely a mentally unstable man, but a miserable man torn in two and fully under the control of demons.
  Jesus goes where no-one dares to break the circle of bondage. Without Jesus, all are under the control of:

‘…the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient’.
(Eph. 2:2b)

• STRANGE THING #3 – HOW WISE DEMONS ARE!
  They know who Jesus is – and that now is not the appointed time (kairos) for their final defeat (Matthew 8:29)
  Jesus goes where no-one dares to show He has power not just over the legion of demons but the Roman empire with all her legions.
• STRANGE THING #4 – HOW JESUS REVERSES THE CHAOS!
  • He restores ‘Legion’ – and shows us the value of life
    It is not just the man who was crazy. All the townspeople care more about the pigs than one man becoming whole.

Only in a culture of death where human life is denigrated do people value animals more than humans’
RC Sproul

When you love Jesus, your compassion will be ordered according to His values

• • He commissions ‘Legion’ – to staying and sharing
    Jesus goes where none dares to, so a man who no-one loves can become the most loveable person in town.

Remember! We are living in a world where the devil and demons are at work. Do not ignore them, and do not fear them. Jesus went where no-one dared! At the Cross He became the most isolated, bleeding man to restore us to sanity and to God.

 

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. How would you respond to a Christian who questions whether we still need to believe in angels and demons in this modern day?
2. What were some of the ways the Devil had debased this man? How do people these days end up being disgraced when they listen to the devil’s lies?
3. Why do the demons know precisely who Jesus is? How should this affect our attitude to Satan and evil spirits?
4. Describe a scenario where Jesus might change someone you now so they would once again be in their right mind. Pray for that person

 

Photo credit FreeImages.com/Thomas Norsted