Mark 5:1-20 And they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.… From this strange but suggestive incident we may learn — I. THE IMMEDIATE CONNECTION OF THE WORLD OF DARKNESS WITH THE EVIL HEART. Today men break through moral and social restraints, and with else unaccountable recklessness destroy their every interest; suffer disgrace, lose their situations, break up their homes, and for a mess of pottage sacrifice all their hopes in life. Human passion, or even selfishness, is no explanation of such follies. They have a demon; they are possessed. II. THE GREAT POWER OF THE INHABITANTS OF DARKNESS OVER THE EVIL HEART. To drive men from the comforts of an honourable life, and to lead them to seek happiness in vagrancy; to make them think they are all right, though daubed with dirt and pollution; to cause men who are sane in the ordinary affairs of life to frequent such places and cherish such companions as reveal to others their moral madness. III. THE UTTER IMPOTENCY OF MAN TO DELIVER THE POSSESSED FROM THE POWER OF THE INHABITANTS OF DARKNESS. IV. THE WEAKNESS OF THE POWERS OF DARKNESS IN CONFLICT WITH CHRIST. A legion of demons expelled by a word! V. CONCLUSION. 1. Beware of tampering with evil. The "little sin" may open the door of the heart for the entrance of a whole legion of demons. 2. The wish of evil will ever be self-destructive. 3. If Jesus has cured you, show it by causing joy and gladness where you have caused so much misery — in your home. (F. Wallace.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.WEB: They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. |
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