Mission 25 – The Best Seat, The Best Suit, The Best Sense

Date: FRI 8:00 PM 6th June 2025
Singer: Rodney & Helen Mitchell
Preacher: Mr. Colin Maxwell
Bible Reference: Luke 8:35

Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Sermon Summary: Luke 8:26–40 – The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac

Scripture Reading and Context (0:02–4:13)
The sermon, delivered in a gospel meeting, focuses on Luke 8:26–40, which recounts Jesus’ healing of a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gadarenes. The passage describes the man’s extreme condition—possessed by many demons, living naked among tombs, and uncontrollable despite being bound with chains. Jesus casts out the demons, who enter a herd of swine, leading to their destruction in a lake. The healed man is found sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed, and in his right mind, causing fear among the locals, who ask Jesus to leave. The man, now transformed, is sent by Jesus to share his testimony in his hometown.

Introduction and the Preacher’s Burden (0:22–5:14)
The preacher expresses a deep sense of responsibility to proclaim the gospel, echoing the Apostle Paul’s sentiment, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). The sermon is framed as a call to recognize the power of Christ to save even the most desperate cases. The preacher prays for divine empowerment, acknowledging human inadequacy without the Spirit’s guidance, and emphasizes the certainty of God’s Word accomplishing its purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

The Extremity of the Man’s Condition (5:32–11:34)
The preacher highlights the dire state of the Gerasene demoniac, described as an extreme case of human depravity:

Demon-Possessed: The man was controlled by a “legion” of demons, possibly numbering around 6,000, based on the Roman legion analogy, illustrating the overwhelming spiritual bondage.
Naked and Homeless: He wore no clothes and lived among tombs, a place associated with death and unnatural behavior, reflecting his complete loss of dignity and humanity.
Uncontrollable: Despite being bound with chains, he broke free, driven by demons into the wilderness, beyond human restraint or reform.

This vivid description underscores the man’s hopelessness, yet the preacher argues that if Christ can save such a man, He can save anyone, offering “salvation to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25). The account is presented as historical and reliable, written by Luke, a physician and historian under divine inspiration, ensuring its accuracy and authority.

Christ’s Power Over Evil (11:58–14:29)
The sermon emphasizes Jesus’ supreme authority over the demonic forces:

The demons recognize Jesus as the “Son of God Most High” and beg not to be sent into the abyss, acknowledging His power and their impending judgment.
Jesus commands the demons to leave the man, granting their request to enter the swine, which then perish in the lake, demonstrating His control over evil and its consequences.
The preacher underscores that Jesus is “mighty to save,” capable of overcoming even a legion of demons, reinforcing His divine identity as both the Son of God and God the Son.

The Transformation of the Man (14:44–34:46)
The core of the sermon focuses on the transformed man in verse 35, described as:

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus: This represents the answer to the restlessness of sin. Previously driven by demons, the man now rests peacefully at Jesus’ feet, contrasting his former agitation. The preacher cites Isaiah 57:20, which likens the wicked to a restless sea, and Psalm 73:18, noting the instability of sinners. Sin offers no lasting satisfaction because humanity’s soul yearns for God, and only Christ can provide true peace (Matthew 11:28–29).
- The preacher addresses objections, such as the apparent ease of the wicked (Job 21:33), clarifying that any temporary peace is fleeting, leading to eternal torment if unrepented (Luke 16:25).
- Even respectable or religious individuals, if unconverted, remain in bondage to sin, as the heart remains “deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Clothed: This signifies the answer to the nakedness of sin. Sin strips humanity of its original righteousness, as seen in Adam and Eve’s fall (Genesis 3). Human efforts to cover sin (like fig leaves) are inadequate. The man, now clothed, symbolizes being covered by Christ’s imputed righteousness (Romans 3:18, 13:14), accepted by God through faith in Jesus, the “Lord our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6).
- The preacher warns that societal standards of decency cannot mask sin before God, who sees the heart (Hebrews 12:29; Revelation 1:14). Excuses for sin will fail at judgment, where the unrighteous face eternal separation (Matthew 7:23).
In His Right Mind: This addresses the folly of sin, which blinds and darkens the mind (Colossians 1:21; Ephesians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4). True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), exemplified by figures like the repentant thief on the cross and Joseph, who feared God (Genesis 42:18). Sitting at Jesus’ feet, like Mary (Luke 10:39), brings understanding through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s guidance (2 Timothy 2:7).

Call to Response (34:46–39:41)
The preacher urges the congregation not to remain indifferent, warning that rejecting or ignoring the gospel is folly (Psalm 14:1). He calls for repentance and faith in Christ, inviting sinners to come to Jesus for salvation, just as the demoniac did. The promise of John 6:37—“I will in no wise cast out”—offers assurance. The sermon contrasts the Gadarenes’ rejection of Jesus out of fear with the welcoming response of others upon His return (verse 40), urging listeners to receive Him. The preacher offers to counsel anyone seeking salvation after the service, emphasizing the urgency of responding to Christ.

Closing Prayer and Application (38:39–39:41)
The sermon concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s Word and its power, asking for conviction and conversion among the unconverted. The preacher reflects on the dramatic transformation of the demoniac as a reminder of God’s grace and a call for believers to rejoice and for sinners to seek salvation. The congregation is encouraged to act on the message, either through personal prayer or further discussion with the preacher.

Key Themes

Christ’s Power: Jesus’ authority over evil and His ability to save even the most extreme cases.
Transformation: The gospel restores peace, righteousness, and wisdom, addressing the restlessness, nakedness, and folly of sin.
Urgency of Response: The call to repent and believe, with no neutral response to the gospel.
Reliability of Scripture: Luke’s account, inspired by God, is trustworthy and authoritative.

The sermon is a passionate plea for salvation, rooted in the transformative power of Christ and the urgency of responding to His grace.