A Big Sin 10.14.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on teh book of Mark, please read Chapters 4 & 5 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy & paste this link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%204-5&version=9

Today we will read about four parables from Jesus; Jesus calming the storm; Jesus freeing a man of unclean spirits; and Jesus reviving a daughter. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that no matter how big the sin all who come to Jesus are saved. It is often the worst of sinners that become the best testimony for Christ.

Jesus spoke many parables (short stories), He used these short stories to illustrate morals or to teach lessons. Jesus was asked why He spoke in parables, "And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mark 4:10-12). The truth is that unless we are saved we will never understand the Bible. A person can be very active in their church, but it is the Holy Spirit that indwells within us that allows us to understand God's Word, without it they will never hear His Word. Unless we accept Jesus we will never receive the Holy Spirit, this is why many in the world who try to read the Bible see God as angry and cruel instead of the loving and caring God that we all know.

As Jesus stepped foot into the country of the Gadarenes, He was approached by a man possessed by an unclean spirit. "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not." (5:2-7). A strange thing begins to happen when a sinner comes to Jesus, those chains that held them down become loose and eventually they become free from them.

Jesus confronted the unclean spirit, commanded that they come out of the man, and cast them into a herd of pigs, "For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea." (5:8-13).

This man is an example of the unlimited power that Satan has over the unsaved, he also illustrates the overwheming number of demons that Satan uses to motivate and manipulate not only the lost sinner, but Christians as well. What a wonderful God we have that regardless of how badly we sin we are saved and the Holy Spirit that indwells in us will transform us to enjoy our lives much more than we could ever imagine.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
I will never fully understand the depth of Your sacrifical death, when we see man at his worst, You see the best in him. Thank You, Jesus for giving Your life so that we could be forgiven, though our sins were as scarlet they were washed white as snow, cleansed by Your blood. We now walk with power as the Holy Spirit indwells in us and leads us to a life of victory. In Your mighty name, Jesus.....I pray.....Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
God bless you,
Christina

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