Part 4: Jesus Encounters a Deeply Troubled Man
JESUS’ ENCOUNTERS
PART 4
Mark 5:1-20
“News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and He healed them.” Matthew 4:24 (NIV)
1. THE POWER OF EVIL:
“So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet Him.” Mark 5:1-2 (NLT)
“This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.” Mark 5:3-5 (NIV)
We tend to underestimate evil.
2. THE PATTERN FOR HOW EVIL WORKS IN A LIFE:
The more evil gives you – the more it takes away.
“When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet Him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain.” Mark 5:2-3 (NIV)
If you are not dealing with Christ, you are dealing with the devil.
3. THE PLAN FOR RESTORATION FROM EVIL:
See Jesus for who He is.
“When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Him. He shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!’” Mark 5:6-7 (NIV)
Satan will try to keep you from seeing the mercy and grace of Jesus.
“For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘My name is Legion,’ he replied, ‘for we are many.’” Mark 5:8-9 (NIV)
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with Him. Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your own people 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.” Mark 5:18-20 (NIV)
Don’t be afraid to give yourself to Jesus completely.
“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; and they were afraid.” Mark 5:15 (NIV)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
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This Week’s Reading Plan and Podcast:
YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
“Encounters with Jesus: 5 Days of Drawing Close to the Son”
Podcast: “Jesus Encounters a Very Troubled Man”