Satan, Society, & The Savior

In Mark 5:1-20 we find the story of the Gerasene demoniac. Here we see three different scenes taking place, all of which are still very active today in dealing with human kind. There are Satan, Society, and The Savior. In each scene, we find a different goal in response to the needs of the demoniac.

1. Satan's Goal
The ultimate goal of Satan and the evil in this world is to bring ridicule to God's Son, Jesus Christ, and to destroy God's crown of creation: Mankind. Satan has one major aim: To steal, kill, and destroy (See John 10:10). While we're not told 'how' the demons came in we do know this: Every time we choose evil over Christ we've opened the door for Satan to wreck our lives. This can happen anywhere; from grossly immoral sinful behavior or by just being too busy (being under Satan's yoke) to give God the time of day.

2. Society's Goal
Society's goal is to take care of the troublemakers by isolating them, putting them under guard, and even binding them if necessary. Do whatever it takes to keep them from messing with our day-to-day cultural norms. The only problem was, every time they'd lock 'em up, they'd just break free to wreak more and more havoc! Society, try as it may, doesn't have the solution for the damage self-absorbed living creates.

3. The Saviors Goal
The Saviors goal? He came to them in love and even went through a storm to do it! As I studied this passage today, I read something very interesting in Warren Wiersbe's Be Series.

Some think that the storm itself may have been satanic in origin, since Jesus used the same words to calm the sea as He did to cast out demons (compare Mark 1:25 and 4:39). Perhaps Satan was trying to destroy Jesus, or at least prevent Him from coming to the men who needed Him. But nothing could stop the Lord from coming to that graveyard and bringing deliverance to those men. (The Matthew passage, 8:28, speaks of two demoniacs but obviously one was more vocal and we hear from him here.)

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament, Volume 1, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 125. The same is true today friends:

Nothing can stop the force of Christ! That's why we must be ready at all times to give the reason for the hope that's in us (See 1 Peter 3:15). Which scene do you find yourself in, destroyer, deceiver, or pointer? Satan seeks to destroy, society stands deceived, but we who follow Christ point others to the only truth that delivers.

There are two kingdoms and two results for those who adopt them:
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 8:12 (KJV)

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37 (KJV)

Looking for Life's Healing Choices? Join us at TVCC this weekend and learn, The Housecleaning Choice. 9 or 11 at Krider Performing Arts Center on Volunteer Drive in Paris or online: www.tvcc.us/onlinesermons.htm