On The Other Side
Mark 5:1–20 [cf. Mt. 8:28-34; Luke8:26-39]
Last week’s sermon was about Jesus crossing to “the other side” of the Sea of Galilee (Mk. 4:35). Why did Jesus want to cross to “the other side?” To go for a boat ride? He knew there was a man on “the other side” who needed to be delivered from the power of Satan (cf. “…he must needs go through Samaria”). Notice what happened when He arrived on “the other side.”
The scene is EERIE—The sun has set and it is nightfall (cf. 4:35). It had already been a wild and stormy night. It’s about to get WILDER!
As Jesus and His disciple get out of the boat, unearthly screams pierce the night air from a nearby graveyard. Immediately, a wild-eyed man possessed with devils runs out of the darkness towards them. This demonic man is bleeding all over his body from where he slashed himself with sharp stones. AND…he’s completely naked! FRIGHTENING!
I. The POSSESSED man (vs. 2–5).
This man was LITERALLY full of the Devil — a “lost cause.”
OUT OF CONTROL. An OUTCAST — Ferocious — Fearsome
Picture of the power of sin
A. UNCLEAN (v.2—“unclean spirit”).
B. UNCONTROLLABLE (v. 5).
1. Society can’t solve the SIN problem- All it can offer are PILLS, PSYCHOLOGY, PROGRAMS & PRISONS!
2. Matthew says he was “exceeding fierce” — He attacked anyone who came in his vicinity.
The reason they tried to bind him with chains was to protect themselves.
3. “Cutting himself”—A sign of demonic activity.Sin brings harm to anyone is enslaved by it.
C. UNCLOTHED. Luke 8:27 — “wore no clothes” — Sin strips you and leaves you naked before God.
II. The PLEA of the devils (vs. 6–13).
- The CONFRONTATION (v.6).
Partial Sermon: CLICK here for full pdf
