Matthew 8:28-34

See also:

Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-40

There are four points to the message:

1. The place.

2. Are you the one? Or the other?

3. The owners of the hogs.

4. The work to be done.

Introduction: We have been preaching about people coming to Jesus. This message will be concerning Jesus coming to a person everybody would think was "unreachable," redeeming him and using him to reach a group of people the Jews would think of as "undesirable."

I. The Place. Some folks believe there are two different occasions mentioned in the above scripture. I don’t know about that, but it seems to me there is only one occasions, because of the many similarities. There has been much made about the word "Gergesenes" in Matthew and the word "Gadarenes" in Mark and Luke.

A. It seems to me that if God had used the same word in all three instances, we would simply locate the place, and go from there. But since there is a different word used in one place, our minds stop and dwell on why.

1. I don’t know all the answers, but I have a notion the two names all speak of the same place. I don’t think it is so important to know there are two different places, as to recognize that Jesus went to a place men cannot figure out where is.

2. Jesus goes to heathen lands to retrieve His people. Men may not know where these places are, but Jesus does. Men may not know God has any people there, but God knows.

3. Are you in a place where men do not know? Rest assured God knows, and He has come in this message to set you free, to bring you home, and to make you a witness to those around you.

B. Christ goes to unclean places because that is where unclean people are, who need Him.

1. Christ goes to the depths of depravity, very dirty places, to retrieve His people.

2. They are "unclean" because they are not the people of God.

3. They are raising hogs, which is an unclean animal to the Jews.

4. God’s intention of coming to this country is to save them all by a very unlikely means.

5. Jesus Christ will take the person most likely not to be used, and use him to lead these Gentiles (most likely) to Christ.

C. Christ goes to places the saved don’t expect, wouldn’t go, and nobody objects.

1. There are some places saved people don’t need to go: bars, brothels, or other sinful places.

2. We should never, however, be afraid of losing our reputation by going to such places to witness: IF God sends us there. Just make sure God sent you!

II. Are you the One? Or the Other? Matthew 8:28 records there were two possessed with many demons.

A. Mark 5:2 states there was a man (one), while Luke 8:27 declares there met Him a man (one) out of the tombs.

1. The one that will be used tells us this story. You may be like one of these demon possessed men. Will you be used or not? Will you receive freedom from the demons within you, and never go to be a witness to anybody else of God’s great saving power? Or will you be like the one who not only showed, but also told the great things God had done for and to him?

2. Their life was miserable. They were hindered with things they couldn’t control.

3. Matthew 8:28 – Exceeding fierce – so that no man could come near them.

4. Mark 5:3-5 – Lived in the cemetery – had been bound, but couldn’t be kept – cried always, night and day – such great anguish he cut himself, but found no relief.

5. Luke 8:27 – wore no clothes – went about naked – everybody could see his shame. Does everybody see your shame? Do you want to get rid of your shame and have hope in Christ?

6. Luke 8:29 – When the devils got hold of the man, he was able to break chains – very strong.

7. Luke 8:30 – There was a legion of devils in the man. A legion, according to the Roman military consisted of 4,500-6,000 men, differently skilled in various tasks.

B. Matthew 8:6 – The devils worship God.

1. The devils believe there is one God, yet aren’t saved. They never will be because they won’t trust Christ, they continue to do their own thing.

2. These devils believe Jesus is the Son of God. They are smarter than some folks today.

3. They also believe they are facing the judgment of God, and that they will receive torment a the time of their judgment.

4. God will get rid of the devil in our lives, if we will only let Him, and obey Him so they will stay away.

III. The Owners of the Hogs. Luke 8:33-36 – The owners of the hogs, heard their hogs had been killed, and went to find out exactly what had happened.

A. They came, not because of anything the demon possessed man had done, but for financial reasons.

1. They found the man sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind.

2. This made them afraid, and they asked Jesus to leave, which He did.

3. Life changing events often result from strange events

4. God knows how to get our attention.

B. The delivered man asked to go with Jesus, but Jesus refused, and asked him to stay, and tell his friends (Mark 5:19) and show his house (Luke 8:39) what had happened to him. The man obeyed, and when Jesus returned, the people were waiting to hear from Him.

1. When peace comes to the individual, it may be very upsetting to those that didn’t get the peace of Christ.

2. It may take them a little while to get used to the idea.

3. The townspeople asked Christ to leave because they were afraid.

4. They had never seen the "wild man" sitting, clothed and in his right mind before.

5. The word in Luke 8:35 "afraid" means to be exceeding alarmed, to have great reverence. Like John when he saw Jesus and heard great things, fell down and received strength from God. He was immoveable, but God made him moveable. These people were so astonished, they needed to get back to their old ways so they could think.

IV. The work. Christ refuses to let the man follow him, to leave his present situation because there is a greater work for him to do there.

A. This is often a hard thing to realize, because the person recently saved wants to be with Christ, and wants to be out of the evil, or worldly situation they are in.

1. Christ wants them to be a witness in the evil or worldly situation they are in because people can see the difference in their lives, that they wouldn’t be able to see if they simply went away with Christ, and people didn’t see them any more.

2. Mark 5:19 – Tell friends – those not closely acquainted with us must hear with words what Jesus has done for us. They are not as likely to see us everyday.

3. Luke 8:39 – Show house – those closely acquainted with us see us everyday. They are more likely to see the effect of Christ in our lives, than to hear what we say.

B. The result:

1. Jesus came back! There is a second chance for these townspeople!

2. Luke 8:40 – When Jesus returned, they were all waiting for Him.

3. This is the only gospel that relates how the townspeople received Christ when He returned.

4. Mark 5:20 declares the people marveled at the words of the delivered man.