The Real Jesus: Carrier of Burdens & Caster of Demons, 2/8/15

Feb 8  – pt 6 carrier of burdens- caster of demons  Mark 5:5-20 (NIV)

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.^{[a] 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^[b] how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Sermon Series – the real Jesus

Next week – lent begins – series on transformation

Today

This is a classic story of possession,-we all have them, right?

This is a classic story of possession, but also a story of healing.

I would simply lump it all in together…….jesus is in the healing business

Lets chat a bit about demonology

Some people believe that the devil is the opposite of god - why?

·        Because they believe what they have been taught

·        Because they have not read the scriptures

·        Because our brains like dualism

·        Because we like to blame someone else when we have problems

The book – heaven is for real

A war in heaven between the devil and god?

Not biblical.  Its dualism.

Where do you hang your hat regarding the devil and evil?

We have every extreme at WCC - Some don’t believe - some make him really big

I have experienced in my lifetime 2 people who I believe were possessed.

Both were in cults that sacrificed animals

I have kept over the years a book of spells that one of them gave me many years ago.

Nothing in the scripture teaches that the devil is the opposite of God.

He is a created being, an angel that fell away.

A created being.  Like Michael and Gabriel

          Omnipotent- omnipresent-omniscient

Here is where I hang my hat…….

 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

James 4:7

I want you to Spend your life glorifying god, not fighting against the devil.

Back to the story

Here are some - Interesting notes of the story

·        The man could not be dealt with by the people –

And we have some problems that are unresolvable seemingly

·        The people see the demons – Jesus sees the man

Christian theology should focus on the remedy not the problem

Legion felt defined by his demons.

Sometimes we do as well

We think of the worst of who we are, or the worst that we have done and we focus on that……

But jesus is stronger……..

Back to the story……

·        He had many demons.  Many issues.  So do we

·        The people were more concerned about their pigs then the healing of the man

·        The healed man wanted to hang w jesus.  So do we all.  let me stay in the comfort zone, on the mountain top

Jesus says, no.  go tell others what god has done for you.

Decapolis – jerash, hippos, Gadara, pella, Philadelphia, damascus-

Take a  - - It seems that Healing was more prominent in jesus day. 

Not by anyone, but by him. And a few followers

I am going to side with the theologians who believe that healing continues,

No longer in the ministry of one man, but it is normative in the church.

Example from our congregation – bob spence

Jesus healed a bunch of people.

List some examples

·        Man born blind

·        Ten lepers

·        Lazarus

·        Nicodemus [healed his questions]

·        Mary Magdalene [brought her forgiveness]

·        Woman caught in adultery

·        The man with the withered hand

·        On the list goes

Healing.  It Is what Jesus does

If you are here today and you are not sure about jesus, this we know, he healed people over and over and over.

The wounded healer

Henri nouwen wrote a book called the wounded healer

There is a fundamental woundedness in  humanity

Its about how pastors and caregivers are not perfect

Everyone has a story.  Every one has their wounds

You are not a good healer because you are perfect, but you become a healer because you too know what it means to suffer

Who would you go to for help if you had a problem?

Here are some examples of things that jesus has fixed, healed in my life

·        When my mom died

·        When I had a friendship dissolve

·        When I was sick ………. To my liking

·        But it wont always be

·        Healing is about being with him, not getting your way

And so jesus stands for us.  The one who suffers.  Who understands our suffering

 ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.                             Heb 4:15-16

If you are here today and you are wondering, you can bring your burdens to jesus

Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you; ps 55:22

⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 peter 5:7

Yes i want you to know that God is in the business of healing and restoration

Not judging, but caring, bringing hope

·        Hope for marriages

·        Hope for illness

·        Hope for whatever you struggle with

Let me say a word about Praying in difficult situations

We pray for what we want

With the addition – no matter what, we put our trust in you – peace that passes understanding

When folks join the church here, we tell them that we hope they find comfort and community, but we also insist that they find a place to serve.

There is an exception to that.  If you are broken, rest.  Heal.  Find the strength of God.

Then when you are healed, go out to care for others.

For those of you who are doing ok, I offer to you the story of Arlington cemetery

The story of Arlington cemetery. – wife of Robert E Lee

1 in 10 Americans died.

Taken over by the union for a paupers' cemetery

Originally an insignificant place, born of hatred.

It was a grave for the poor

In civil war battles the officers usually stood in the rear. 

So, they survived such battles

But when they grew old and died, they chose to be buried with their men

And so Arlington changed.  Once a paupers' field – now it is transformed into a hallowed sacred  place

Not because great men are buried there, but because those who did not suffer, chose to stand with those who did.  Those who directed men into battle, now chose to be buried with the poor and the unknown, the broken, who had paid the ultimate price

In this life there are those who are struggling under the weight of life and the battles of this world.

They need someone to be there for them and with them.