Salvation Stories From The Bible: From Demonic to Devoted

Salvation Stories From The Bible: From Demonic to Devoted 

Illustration: Do You Believe In The Supernatural

Percentage of Americans who believe God's intervention could save a family member even if physicians declare treatment would be futile: 57 percent.

In August of 2009, the Pew Research Center surveyed 4,013 U.S. adults to identify the "supernatural experiences" many claimed to have experienced in life. Of those surveyed:

Twenty-nine percent said they had been "in touch with the dead"

Eighteen percent said they had "seen or been with a ghost"

Fifteen percent said they had "consulted a fortune teller or psychic.

Do You Believe In The Supernatural?

Mark 5:1-20 (NIV)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. [2] When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. [3] This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. [4] 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. [5] Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. [6] When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. [7] 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!” [8] For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” [9] Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” [10] And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. [11] A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. [12] The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” [13] He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. [14] Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. [15] 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. [16] Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man---and told about the pigs as well. [17] Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. [18] As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. [19] 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.” [20] 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.

Let's Look At The Man

Mark 5:1-5 (NIV)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. [2] When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. [3] This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. [4] 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. [5] Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

Consider His Contamination

Mark 5:2 (NIV)

When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him.

Illustration:

Pure Water and Deer Urine

Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. [3] All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Consider His Corruption

Mark 5:3-4 (NIV)

This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. [4] 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.

Illustration:

Natalie, a 22-year-old woman from San Diego, California, has decided to pay for her Masters Degree by selling something that is precious and belongs only to her: her virginity. She got the idea from her sister, who was able to save up enough money for her own degree by working as a prostitute for three weeks.

Natalie realizes that the idea may seem appalling to some, but she is unconcerned: "I know that a lot of people will condemn me for this because it's so taboo, but I really don't have a problem with that." Sadly, the degree Natalie would like to earn with the money is in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Even more sadly, her offer has been met with wide appeal by a variety of men. In fact, over 10,000 men responded to the auction, with the highest bidder offering more than 3.7 million dollars.

That kind of massive response was a surprise even to Natalie. She said, "It's shocking that men will pay so much for someone's virginity, which isn't even prized so highly anymore."

He Was Surrounded By Cemeteries, Chains, and Corpses  

Consider His Concerns

Mark 5:5 (NIV)

Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

He Was Sick With No Treatment.

He Was Lost With No Direction.

He Was In Bondage With No Freedom In Sight. 

       Whether you are lost and bound in sin or whether you are saved and out of God’s will there is only one cure for your condition! You do not need a pill. You do not need a psychiatrist. You do not need a priest. You do not need a program. You need Jesus! He is the antidote for the poison of sin! He is the cure for your condition! He is the solution to your problem! Get to Jesus and get the help you need!

2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)

He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Consider The Master

Mark 5:6-13 (NIV)

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. [7] 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!” [8] For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” [9] Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” [10] And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. [11] A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. [12] The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” [13] He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

The Master's Compassion

Mark 5:6 (NIV)

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

The Master's Confrontation

Mark 5:7-12 (NIV)

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!” [8] For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” [9] Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” [10] And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. [11] A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. [12] The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 

The Master's Command

Mark 5:13 (NIV)

He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Consider The Miracle

Mark 5:14-20 (NIV)

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. [15] 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. [16] Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man---and told about the pigs as well. [17] Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. [18] As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. [19] 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.” [20] 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.

Jesus Changed, Clothed, Calmed Him

The Possessed Man Became Committed To Jesus

Mark 5:18 (NIV)

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.

He Was Commissioned For Christ

Mark 5:19-20 (NIV)

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.” [20] 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. 

If Christ Can Set This Man Free, He Can Set You Free