Taking Light into Darkness

Explanation: Mark describes a very unusual encounter that Jesus has with a demon-possessed man in the country of the Gadarenes. Nothing is mentioned about how this man came to be possessed by demons, but in Luke’s account the man had been in this condition a long time (). His condition was unbearable to him and to those around him, so he existed in isolation from others in a graveyard. [Note: he did have a companion who was also possessed. In Matthew’s account, two DP- men are mentioned.]

Even though the townspeople had tried to help through restraints (hopefully out of kindness instead of fear), he continued to break loose and wreak havoc. In his sad existence he cried out continually and cut himself. In his wretched condition he shunned others and stayed among the tombs, a pitiful and sad existence indeed.

Illustrate: cutters live in isolation from others, as they seek to make sense of the chaos around them. They inflict pain upon themselves in a vain effort to exert some level of control to a world to them that is out-of-control.

Argument: Not all people without Jesus look wretched or miserable. Many are wealthy, have nice homes, and vacation in the islands. There exist among us the up-and-outs as well as the down-and-outs. We are somehow fooled into thinking successful people are okay, and they don’t really need the Gospel. We think it would be silly to talk to them about Jesus because they already have it together. I mean, what could Jesus do for them that they aren’t already doing for themselves?

What about the internal peace that only Jesus brings? What about real purpose for life, a purpose that will make eternal difference? And what about eternity itself? Eternal existence in Hell is just as long for the rich as for the poor - there are no “special accommodations in the pit!

Application: Our assumption should be that the person(s) we encounter does not know the Lord. We are not capable of correctly assessing spiritual status based on outward appearance. Remember the true state of the lost is darkness and torment. Be willing to share your light with them.

Lost people do not know their greatest need, and in fact, may be hostile to the solution ()

Explanation: The DP man sees Jesus from a ways off, and runs to Him. And when he gets to Jesus, he falls down before Him. The Greek used is the word for worship. This looks great, but this is not worship. Far from it! The man betrays himself when he accuses Jesus of coming to torment them before the time. The demons inside the man have an accurate understanding of who Jesus is. They recognize His divinity, and are forced to bow before Him (cf ). They also have an accurate understanding of end times: they know they are doomed for the pit at the final judgment. They certainly don’t want to go early, and they are fearful that’s what Jesus is getting ready to do to them.

The DP man was not embracing Jesus’ arrival, but was in fact trying to get Him to leave him alone. What a tragedy! The famous preacher Charles Spurgeon commented upon satan’s power over the man when he stated, “He was telling Jesus to leave him alone - he was telling this to the Only One who could actually help him!”

Illustrate: drowning people often attack the very people who are trying to help them.

Argument: Lost people are different in the way they think. They may not be demon-possessed, but they are blinded by satan from the light of the Gospel (). Many find the idea of a Supreme God to whom they are accountable foolish or even stupid ().

When we approach them with a Gospel witness, some are going to be hostile or unwilling to listen. Their assumed response should not the deciding factor in whether we share the Light of Jesus with them. First, we are commanded to go (), and second, we don’t know how they will respond. And third, their response has nothing to do with us - we are just the messengers

Illustrate: Lady from Michigan at Hiddenite Day. Was somewhat nervous when the conversation shifted to the spiritual, but was willing to listen to some God talk. When Jesus was mentioned, she became agitated and got up and left.

My conversation with Eric (member of Steely Pan Band) who was much into healing through music therapy. He is the organist for a church in Blowing Rock, but when I asked him where he was spiritually in terms of following Christ, his reply was that he wouldn’t define himself as a Christian, and Jesus was someone he was still trying to figure out.

Application: The power of Darkness is real and it takes many forms. Some lost people look lost, while others appear to have it together. The Good News is that we don’t have to be able to tell - we are just called to carry the light to them. Jesus came to seek and the save the lost () and His is our model. Be willing and intentional as you go!

The Power of Christ brings light and life to those in the darkness ()

Explanation: The DP man was in a hopeless situation. The townspeople had tried a solution, but it didn’t work. His condition was beyond what they could offer. He needed something entirely different. He was in need of a Savior! And into the darkness and misery of his pitiful existence, Jesus came and cast out the demons and made him whole. He simply had to confess his true identity and admit his condition. Jesus was the answer to his greatest need, and when Jesus came, the DP man became whole.

Illustrate: In our educated and intelligent society we have become so enlightened and progressive. As a society we truly believe education is the answer. If we simply “teach people” and “equip them” with the proper resources, they will rise above their problems and become solid, productive members of society. A quick look at some of our misguided attempts:

The War on Poverty - it was supposed to help lift Americans out of poverty; instead it created a permanent welfare state

The War on Poverty under LBJ - it was supposed to help lift Americans out of poverty; instead it created a permanent welfare state

Safe Sex campaign - give young people factual knowledge and provide them with condoms, and the teen pregnancy rates will decrease along with STDs

Universal Health Care - let the government run the medical insurance industry and the system will improve in terms of efficiency and the rates will decrease

Argument: The above are just a few examples, but the point is that education, while beneficial, does not solve the problem. When we ignore the moral and spiritual component, we are not really improving peoples’ lives in the long run. Even if education allows someone to better himself with a good job and become a productive member of society, without Christ he is still on his way to Hell. Without the Gospel, education alone allows people to enjoy this life a little better before they enter torment and suffering.

The Power of Jesus was the only thing that brought true healing and wholeness to the DP man. Yes, we are not Jesus, and yes, we do not have His direct abilities. But, and this is huge, Jesus has authorized us as His agents. He has given us the privilege of being His ambassadors () and His Spirit precedes us in the darkness.

Application: Your call as a believer in Christ is to go and tell. You can go and you can tell with intentionality and purpose. Pray for opportunities to share, and God will present you with opportunities. Your call is to be a faithful witness who leaves the results to God. And know that not all will respond in faith: we are the aroma of Christ to those that believe and the fragrance of death to others (). Same message, same Jesus, but different responses.

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