Sermon Sept 27
Mark 5:1-20
You fear things you don’t UNDERSTAND; things you cannot CONTROL.
YOU WANT MORE KNOWLEDGE AND MORE POWER. Fear is a driver. It causes us to take action. The Gospel of Mark takes us on a journey in the first four chapters: Jesus announces His Kingdom. He gathers His disciples. He gathers the crowd. Teaches in Parables. Crosses over. Calms the Storm. After quieting the great storm and saving the lives of His disciples on the sea they immediately face another fear. Arriving in a foreign land of Gentiles on the other side a demon possessed man comes running toward them. He’s got 2000 demons and has been untamed by the people nearby. He has even broken metal chains. He cannot be stopped. But the presence of Jesus changes everything. He falls at Jesus’ feet begging Him not to torture him. Jesus demands his name. “My name is Legion, for we are many,” he replies. Then, the demons beg Jesus to let them stay in the area. They beg to be allowed to go into the pigs. Jesus agrees and they cause the pigs to run into the sea and die. This causes all the gentile people to be afraid. I’m sure the disciples were quite fearful too. Jesus demonstrates in one afternoon that He is Lord over nature/science and demons/evil. It’s overwhelming to His disciples. They respond with fear. Jesus is bigger than they can understand and greater than they can dream of controlling. In the same way that parents care for, protect, correct and provide for their children, Jesus is showing them that this is God’s plan for their life. He will be their care giver, their provider their protector and their corrector. FEAR IS A DRIVER. IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD THERE IS NO MORE FEAR. Bible says, “fear not”… “for I am with you.”
What God wants is a relationship. As Heavenly Father He is safe. He is for you. He knows everything. He has everything under control. Nothing surprises Him. In this passage Jesus travels all the way across the sea to save one man. He restores what was broken and sets the captive free. That man has a TESTIMONY. A STORY. Jesus tells him to TELL HIS STORY. It causes people to be AMAZED. This invites them into a RELATIONSHIP with their HEAVENLY FATHER.
Discussion Questions
1. What has God saved you from?
2. How have you seen His POWER or His PROVISION in your life?
3. Who are you telling this story?
