Demonicac Described: Parallels to Rock Music

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin introduces the sermon by resuming his exposition of Mark's Gospel, emphasizing its theme of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, mighty in power and compassion, as…

The disciples' fear of the elements turning into a deep religious fear of Jesus after he stilled the storm illustrates their growing understanding of his divine power and identity.

David is striving for the glory of Jesus Christ. He is desiring the Lord Jesus Christ as well. the emphasis of that incident recorded in the last paragraph of chapter 4. The disciples with our Lord were in that boat that suddenly almost sank under the waves that crashed in upon it in the midst of that sudden storm upon the lake of Galilee. And after the Lord Jesus was awakened and by the word of his power had stilled the tumultuous sea, the scripture tells us in verse 41 of chapter 4 that they feared exceedingly and said one to another, who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?...

6:51 - 7:58 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And as one commentator has wisely said, those who refuse to believe in the devil will end up refusing to believe in God.

The comparison of 'Legion' to 6,000 Roman soldiers in Palestine illustrates the unconquerable, oppressive power of the multitude of demons possessing the man.

But in this case, far beyond the experience of Mary Magdalene, out of whom seven demons had been cast, this man was possessed literally by a multitude of demons. For you'll remember in verse 9, when Jesus asks, What is your name? The answer comes back, my name is Legion, for we are many. Now, the word Legion is perhaps not to be taken literally.

13:55 - 14:25 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin details four aspects of the demoniac's activity and appearance: his fearful supernatural strength, frightening irrational bellowings, pathetic frenzied self-destruction…

Calling the demoniac 'the devil's Samson' vividly conveys his fearful, supernatural strength, which no human could overcome.

He was what we might call the devil's Samson. The devil's Samson. A man who was fearful in his supernatural strength. Apparently early in his condition, when the spirits would be active upon his spirit, and he would begin to go into one of his angry rages, they were able to bind him, but now it says they could no more bind him.

22:40 - 23:07 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin details four aspects of the demoniac's activity and appearance: his fearful supernatural strength, frightening irrational bellowings, pathetic frenzied self-destruction…

The example of sound carrying over water and echoing in mountains helps the listener imagine the frightening, irrational bellowing of the demoniac day and night.

Now you know how sound, sound carries over the water. You know how sound echoes from mountain to mountain. Some of us who've been in the mountains have been fascinated when we've said, Hello! And then from mountain to mountain, Hello!

24:17 - 24:31 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin details four aspects of the demoniac's activity and appearance: his fearful supernatural strength, frightening irrational bellowings, pathetic frenzied self-destruction…

Comparing a child's scraped knee to the demoniac's self-inflicted wounds with sharp stones emphasizes the horrific and pathetic nature of his frenzied self-destruction.

It says he was cutting himself with stones. You see what your kids look like when they fall down on the macadam and just little stones scrape the knee? What did this man look like? Who with that tremendous supernatural strength was engaged in this frenzied, pathetic pattern of self-destruction.

26:56 - 27:17 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He concludes the description of the demoniac's condition by highlighting the human hopelessness of his situation, as 'no man had strength to tame him,' leaving his past unknown…

Martin reconstructs the demoniac's past as a normal baby and child, born to doting parents, to highlight the tragic transformation and the profound loss of his humanity due to demonic possession.

Well the specific manifestations of his condition are not only set before us in terms of the place of his dwelling the tombs among the dead his activity and his appearance but thirdly thirdly his prospects for any change his prospects for any change the end of verse 4 no man had strength to tame him no man had strength to tame him and the indication seems to be in reading the parallel account in Luke that if there were times when he made attempts to go back into the city once the demons agitated him he was again driven out into the tomb. and there seemed to be no hope whatsoever from the human...

28:44 - 30:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Behold in this description of the wretched condition of the Gerasene demoniac the true nature and intention of the devil's influence upon mankind.

Describing the demoniac's condition as 'the closest description of hell on earth' illustrates the devil's ultimate intention to bring about weeping, wailing, and torment.

precisely what his minions and his imps made this man for the scripture tells us according to John 8 44 that the devil is a murderer from the beginning the thief cometh not but for to steal to kill and to kill to destroy the devil from the moment he made his appearance in Eden had one intention with reference to mankind and that was utterly to obliterate if he could every last vestige of the image of God in man he was determined that man who had been made in God's image and after God's likeness the God whom he hated would be somehow changed from the likeness and image of God into his own image...

32:46 - 34:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not open your soul to the devil or to demonic influence by listening to rock music.

The story of a rock band member killing himself with a knife during a tour in China serves as a concrete example of the self-destructive nature inherent in the rock music scene, linking it to demonic influence.

someone speaking of the wonderful breakthrough that China was now open to the west and welcomed one of England's large rock troops you hear what happened in the course of going through their tour one of their numbers killed himself with his own knife when they worked themselves up into their frenzy and they begin to whip and to beat one another with their instruments and other things what is it it is the very demons that inhabited this man don't you say it's just an innocent phase don't you say it's a modern expression of musical liberty it is demonic it is from the pit what was the other mark...

41:29 - 42:57 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If your children are damned and in the day of judgment God holds you accountable because you wouldn't listen to me this morning, these hands, under the microscopic eye of God, won't have a spot of your children's blood o…

Comparing the rock craze to fads like swallowing goldfish, cramming into phone booths, crinolines, and bobby socks, but then distinguishing it as demonically inspired, emphasizes the seriousness and spiritual danger of rock music.

Don't you consider this whole rock craze just a fad like swallowing goldfish and cramming goldfish into a phone booth. Don't consider it a fad like crinolines and bobby socks. Crinolines and bobby socks and cramming into phone booths were not demonically inspired. They were childish foolishness.

52:18 - 52:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not give up hope, praying, or despairing for any loved one, no matter how possessed by sin or worldliness.

The metaphor of 'moisture's turned into the drought of summer' illustrates the feeling of exhaustion and despair in prayer, encouraging continued intercession despite perceived fruitlessness.

What a marvelous thing to see the grace of God break into a situation that looks hopeless to us. We say, oh God, what's the use of prayer? I've prayed until I feel I can pray no more. I've wept until I feel like David.

55:16 - 55:33 Read in full sermon