We are looking at the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 5. This man was demon-possessed, isolated, and wandered naked and bleeding among tombs. No one could subdue him. So... what in the world does that have to do with any of us today? Evil is real. If you set aside any horror movie imagery, does anyone in our society doubt the reality of evil right now? Evil also is not simplistic. It can be hidden and insidious. It is complex, multi-faceted, and sometimes overwhelming. It is not just "out there," but often in my own heart. And worst of all, it enslaves. So what sort of hope do we have in Jesus? And more practically, how we get it into our daily lives? Let's talk about the “Restoring Liberty” that Jesus brings.
Discussion Questions
The Incredible Hulk represents uncontrolled anger that leaves a trail of destruction. What does your anger look like? Has your anger left a trail of destruction that you regret?
“The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known.” (Tolkien) How have you been healed by the gospel?
When you hear of evil in the news, do you initially think lunatic, Satan and demons, or are you speechless? Are you more accepting of evil (This happens!) or do you gasp, “How could this happen!? What’s the consequence of a person who is constantly denying evil and always catching up to it in all of its manifestations?
Do you believe in demons? Is their activity rare, common, under the radar, or a part of fictional, primitive thinking? Are demons in our midst?
Russ spoke of physiological, psychological, moral, and spiritual depression. Each has its separate cures or remedies. You can’t cure spiritual problems with medical remedies and you can’t cure medical problems with spiritual remedies. Do you agree with these categories and this basic premise?
Evil can develop, evolve, and progress within a person to a point that it can’t be controlled - as with the demon-possessed man. Jesus said in John 8:34 that sin enslaves. What does He mean?
When Christ comes into your life, He’s a threat! He threatens our peace (comfort) and masters (idols). When the real King comes the fake kings are exposed. What’s an example of evil that people accept because it gives a feeling of peace and control?
Gospel: Jesus was stripped, bled, and went to the tomb. Jesus isn’t like the Hulk, who dominates and destroys. Rather, He trades His peace for our evil. Like the demon-possessed man, we are liberated.
What did you need to hear in the sermon, or during this discussion?
