Christ's Celebrate Recovery Church

Scripture: Mark 4:36-41

C.I.: Applying Physical Solutions to Spiritual Problems Does Not Work!

Today we are going to begin a new series - in conjunction with a new ministry (explain).
Helping ourselves & others recover from sin – is something that in all the world – only the church can do!

I. Jesus Releases a Spiritually Oppressed Man, (Mark 5:1-20)

A. The Despair, (vs. 1-5)

1. Jesus came through a storm – in order to deal with a big spiritual problem.
a. ( vs. 1-3a ), “They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. – And
when He had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met Him, and
he had his dwelling among the tombs.” – Next week's lesson more about “unclean spirits.”
1) Satan's desire is to destroy, ( cf. Jn. 10:10a ) – and he uses sin to do it.

2. In his life this man had some people in his life who tried to help him – but their efforts were futile!
a. ( vs. 3b-4 ), “And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; - because he had
often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and
the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him.”
1) When others struggle with spiritual problems – people do want to help. (Intervention)
2) Lots of methods are employed: cigarettes (patch, gum, filters, etc.), alcohol (antabuse
“near-beer,” etc.), drugs/heroin ( methadone – less dangerous but as addictive,
provide them w/clean needles to prevent AIDS), gluttony (stimulants, surgery, etc.).
3) Latest thing is to legalize these behaviors – which then removes their stigma.
4) Reason these don't work – is we are applying physical solutions to spiritual problems

b. The world's “Just Say No!” solution to sin doesn't work - for it only deals with the externals!
1) God asks His people, ( Col. 2:20b-23 ), “…why, as if you are living in the world, do
you submit yourself to decrees such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!' –
(which all refer to things destined to perish with using) – in accordance to the
commandments and teachings of men? – These are matters, which have to be sure,
the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe
treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence .”

c. The problem with sins - is that they start small – but then they grow!
1) No one sins hoping for the worst - yet the longer we remain in sin the worse it gets!!
2) ( v. 5 ), “And constantly night and day, among the tombs and in the mountains, - he
was crying out and gashing himself with stones.” – Sin Destroys Physically!!!
3) It is not unusual to hear people say, “But nobody is getting hurt!” – Yet even “private
sins” (porn, retail therapy, etc.) still pose a grave spiritual risk – ( I Cor. 6:9-10 ), “Do
you not know that … Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” – Sin Destroys Spiritually!!!
4) So let's look at how Jesus responds to this man's situation.

B. The Deliverance, (vs. 6-13) Several steps must take place for the spiritual deliverance to occur…

1. First: Joyfully Enter into a Relationship with Jesus!
a. ( v. 6 ), “And seeing Him at a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him.”
1) All the chains & shackles in the world - cannot change a person's heart.
2) Only those who are willing to humbly submit themselves to Jesus can be helped.
3) ( Jms. 4:6 ), “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

2. Second: Enthusiastically Accept Him as My Lord!
a. ( v. 7 ), “And crying out with a loud voice, he said, ‘What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son
of the Most High God? – I implore You by God, do not torment me!'”
1) Demons know Jesus power over them, ( I Jn. 3:8 ), “The Son of God appeared for….” 2) And that scares them! – ( Jms. 2:19 ), “You believe that….”
3) Since Satan knows Jesus is Lord – then we would do well - to accept Him as Lord!!

3. Third: Strongly Accept His Love for Me!
a. ( v. 8 ), “Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!'”
1) The people had given up on this man – but Jesus was just getting started.
2) Jesus had come through a storm (demonic in origin?!) – to help this man.
3) Jesus went through the cross for us – are you willing to accept His love for you?!!

4. Fourth: Unflinchingly Call Sin by Name!
a. ( v. 9 ), “And Jesus was asking him, ‘What is your name?'”
1) Until we are willing to fully/vocally acknowledge our sin – we are not ready for help.
2) People hide behind, “I'm a sinner!” or “We all sin!” – And this is true, ( Rom. 3:23 ).
3) Yet Satan hides in the folds of that statement. – We need to confess our sin
(call it what it is!) – bring it into the light of God's presence – then we can begin the
healing process, ( I Jn. 1:9 ), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful & righteous to….”
4) “My name is legion…” - A Roman legion number up to 6,000 men! – BIG problems!

5. Fifth: Steadfastly Remove Every Vestige of Sin!
a. ( vs. 11-13 ), “Now there was a big herd of swine feeding there on the mountain. – And the
demons entreated Him, saying, ‘Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.' – And He
gave them permission. – And coming out the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd
rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about 2,000 of them; they were drowned in the sea.
1) In doing this – Jesus gives proof of a miracle of deliverance & assurance to the man!
2) Jesus is also teaching a valuable lesson – “The wages of sin is death,” Rom. 6:23 .

C. The Desire, (vs. 14-20 )

1. Sadly, the people who had tried to help the man (couldn't) – desired for Jesus to leave them.
a. ( vs. 15, 17 ), “They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed
sitting down, clothed and in his right mind … and they became frightened … and they began
to beg Him to depart from their region.”
1) The power of God displayed in the lives of His people – it frightening to others.
2) Jesus will never force Himself of others. – If people don't want Him… He will leave!!

2. The demon-possessed man desired to come with Jesus – but He said, “Go home…!” Mk. 16:15f!