Mark 5:18-20 An Unlikely Ending
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Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church
Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church
From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
Pray
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
Mark 5:18-20
Mark 5:18-20
Mark 5:18-20
As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Introduction and Review:
Introduction and Review:
The beginning of Jesus Ministry
The Gospel message
His healing and teaching ministries
Building the kingdom of God - soils, the Lord’s crop, The parable of the mustard seed
Faithbuilding exercises
The storm at Galilee - Jesus controlled the weather
Casting out demons
Today:
The gospels don’t often tell us what became of those Jesus ministered to
We read of amazing miracles that Jesus did for people, but what becomes of the person who received the miracle, the Gospel doesn’t tell us - we are left to wonder
There are some very interesting cases, in which we learn what became of the person who was healed - the case of the man from Gadara is one of them
These verses tell us a story. This text is short, but it is full of some great lessons for us
#1 The Lord knows better than we do where we ought to be.
#1 The Lord knows better than we do where we ought to be.
Sometimes this is a hard lesson, but Jesus is God, and He knows better than we do where we ought to be and what we ought to be doing.
Often times our pride confuses us about what we ought to be doing for the Lord
“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:18). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
We can understand this request - we can understand how it may have seemed logical to this man. He was grateful for the change Jesus worked - full of love for the man who saved his life
Afraid the demons might return
Desiring to learn more from the Master
Strangely, Jesus would not have it - “And He did not let him,” it says
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:19). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Lord had other work for Him to do - saw what the man needed to do to glorify God the most and fulfill His will
but He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”
Two great lessons from this
The place that we would prefer to be, is not always the place that is best for us
The work we have or want, if we had our own way, is not always the work that Jesus would have us do
This is a really important lesson for new believers
Often don’t know what is really for their own good
New believers are enthusiastic and excited
Full of new views from teaching and the Bible
Excited about being new creatures in Christ
They are sometimes dazzled - Seeing everything in a new light since the Holy Spirit opened their eyes
They havent learned about the dangers posed by Satan, his power, and their own weaknesses
All they know is that a short while ago they were blind but, because of Christ’s mercy, they now see
They mean well, but they are prone to mistakes in planning, choices, their jobs
Forget that what we like best is not always best for our souls
God’s will for us may be hard at times - the seed of faith needs to go through both winter and summer, cold and heat, to get it ready for glory in heaven
We need to pray God will guide us in all ways after we are saved/converted
not allow us to make mistakes in our choices and decisions
The best place and position for us is one that keeps us humble, most taught by our own sins, drawn most to bible and prayer, led to live by our new faith, and not by sight
Where we are may not be what we like, but Christ placed us there and so we should be in no hurry to leave. Let us stay, and draw close to the Lord
The best thing, is to leave aside what we want, and do what Jesus would have us do.
#2 Our home should be our first preference
#2 Our home should be our first preference
The Lord’s response to this man is surprising
He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:19). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.Bringing it home
This man’s friends had probably not seen him for years, and then only when he was demon possessed
Most likely he was dead to them, or worse than dead - they thought of him with trouble, worry, and sorrow
He needed to go home and tell them what Jesus had done for him - an amazing testimony, living witness of the love of Christ
He needed to forego the joy of being with Christ’s physical presence, so that he can do higher work for others
“And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 5:20). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Jesus words should always stir our hearts and move us to action
Our ministry is right where we are
Go home and tell your friends!
Talk about Clarence Larson
Home is where we ought to try to do good
Discussion of home
Home is where we are seen and known and where the work of Christ can be demonstrated
Home can be where we are tempted to backslide
Home is where we should be a witness to Christ
Home is where we did the most harm before we came to follow Christ
Home is where we can be a living billboard or signpost for Christ
Lets not be hypocrites - saints when we are away from home and wicked when we are in our homes - talkers but not doers
Bringing it home
Bringing it home
We need to ask ourselves: Have we anything to tell others?
Can we testify to the work of Christ in our hearts?
Has our faith given us the power to turn from the power of the world, our own sins, the devil?
Have we experienced the love of Christ?
If we have never been born again, made new creatures, we will have nothing to tell
If this is the case with you, and you want to change, then today could be the day of your salvation - please see me after the study
If we have something to tell about our relationship with Christ, then let’s tell it.
Let’s not be silent, if we have found peace and rest in the Gospel
Lets tell everyone, relatives, friends, families, neighbors as we have the opportunity
We are not all called to be preachers/ministers, but
We can follow in Christ’s footsteps, and in the steps of Andrew, Philip, the other apostles, and all those Christ has loved and saved
Happy is he who is not ashamed to say to others:
Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ps 66:16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Prayer
Discussion
Discussion