THE FACT OF THE OCCULT AND DEMONISM DEMANDS OUR STUDY AND KNOWLEDGE TO PROTECT OUR HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH

1. The wave of the 70's has just begun- If Police Chief in LA is right, the occult is worse than drugs
2. The influence of Devil, or Demons- is not just superstition- Clear Bible statements say so
3. If Meds At Tulane U. are studying Ungers book on Demonism- we ought to be aware & knowledge but be careful - do not let idle curiosity get you to toying with the occult- dangerous

I.- THE DEMONIAC OF THE GADERENES - Mark 5:1-7

A sudden storm had threatened them crossing the 5-6 miles of lake early evening Mark 4:38-9

A.- JESUS WAS MET AT THE SHORE BY A DEMONIAC RIGHT OUT OF A GRAVEYARD, FRIGHTFUL SIGHT V.2-

1. The description- maybe by moonlight- was one of terror -maybe dragging his chains 3-5
2. This was not lunacy, nor epilepsy- both were known in Jesus day- and they knew the difference
3. Sin may open the door to Demonism- but this man was not to be blamed because of his sin either

B.- THE DEMONIAC RAN AND WORSHIPPED JESUS, A STRANGE PARADOX OF LOVE AND FEAR, WORSHIP & HATE v.6

1. The demons are wise- knowing Jesus and who He is- but they are not all wise as God is.
2. We know not whether demon power, or the man's power drove him to run to worship Jesus -
3. Demonism s control is spasmodic- perhaps the man in a moments freedom ran to Jesus

C.- THE DEMON-POSSESSED ONE CRIED OUT IN THE NAME OF GOD THAT HE NOT BE TORMENTED - v. 7 STRANGE

1. We can only surmise which words of v.7 came from the man crying for help, & which from demon
2. The demon recognized difference between his interests and those of Jesus- 7a- nothing in common
3. He also knew Jesus as the Son of the Most High - Confessed Him as such- & asked for no torment

The love and compassion of Jesus would have nothing but mercy for the man -& no help for demon

II. JESUS CASTING OUT DEMONS Mark 5:8-13

Wherever the light of God's grace shines- demons & sin both are caused to be uncomfortable

A.- JESUS COMMANDED THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT TO COME OUT OF THE MAN v. 8 JESUS HAD THIS AUTHORITY

1. The test for demons- Can you confess -The Lord Jesus Christ? God in the Flesh, Shed blood
2. The control of demons- is always in the name of Jesus by those having authority to use it.
3. Waving the Bible, a cross,-etc. is no power!  Unless it is to remind you of the power of Jesus

B.- JESUS SOUGHT THE NAME OF THE DEMON OR DEMONS, AND EVERY DEMON HAS A DESCRIPTIVE NAME v.9 MILTON-

1. When Satan tries to skip into your chicken house- cry out His name & watch him jump!
2. Demons do not want to be recognized,- They will accuse you & you can accuse them at God's (illegible)
3. This one's name was Legion- (6,000 armed men) -or lust, pride, anger, gluttony, sloth,-& others

C.- THE DEMONS PLED NOT TO BE SENT AWAY OUT OF THE COUNTRY - WHAT STRANGE REQUEST THIS? v.10

1. Jesus had the power to spin them off to the abyss - they wanted to stay in some body & on earth
2. They wanted quick escape, and asked for leave to enter the swine - Jesus allowed it!
3. The swine were not stupid- they ran over a cliff into the sea- better dead than demonized!

Demons gloat on pain, suffering, but they often kill their host!- stupidity & paradox

III.- THE PEOPLE CAST OUT JESUS Mark 5:14-20

Not demon control, but just depravity- they chased away the only One who could help them-

A.- THE SWINEHERDS SAW WHAT HAPPENED, AND CARRIED THE WORD QUICKLY INTO THE TOWN NEARBY- v.14

1. People often misunderstand what they see and make wrong judgement- they feared Jesus
2. The herdsmen must have heard what happened, known of the demoniacs, should have been glad
3. But sometimes financial or sociological loss causes men to choose the wrong side.

B.- THE PEOPLE PRAYED JESUS TO DEPART OUT OF THEIR BORDERS, v.15

1. No doubt the financial loss of 2,000 hogs caused them concern- & they had a greater loss
2. They don't want the preacher interfering with their pornography, alcohol, drugs, occult game
3. But when they drive Jesus out, their loss is great - If the Lord is not King- Satan is!

C.- THE DEMONIAC WHO WAS HEALED WAS LEFT BY JESUS TO MINISTER THROUGHOUT DECAPOLIS v.18-20

1. We would all like to leave home and follow Jesus- but some are saved to go home & serve
2. All men marveled at the message of Jesus -through the former demoniac- v.20 - Prepared-
3. It was over 40 years later - these cities sheltered the Christian refugees from Jerusalem

Even the demoniac was saved to serve & a lot depended on his faithfulness in later years

IF JESUS CAME INTO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOU?  WOULD YOU BE BLESSED, OR ABANDONED?

1. The demoniac had sense enough to worship- would you? Devils believe more than some of us
2. Would you invite Jesus into your heart to stay?- Or invite him to go away? -Your choice
3. Our land is in for troubles- so beware of being defenseless- and hurt by demons.