Set Free From Bondage - Mark 5:1-15, 19, 20

(The Gadarene Demoniac)

by David Woods

Yesterday (January 16, 2006), a huge local news item was concerning Dennis Rader, a.k.a. BTK, who was arrested last year for crimes he had committed in the Wichita, KS area stretching back 30 years ago.

Rader’s arrest was a shock to the Wichita community for Rader was an officer (basically, dog-catcher) of Park City (suburb of Wichita) and the president of his Lutheran congregation.

The Kansas City Star reported that Rader’s pastor had asked to perform an exorcism on Rader. Pastor Clark spoke to an Overland Park church Sunday, saying that it was opinion that Rader was partially possessed by a demon.

Actually, in the days after his arrest, Rader also tried to explain his double-life in terms that sounded like he thought he was demon-possessed.

However, Pastor Clark explained yesterday that his discussion with the sheriff was not whether he could perform an exorcism, but rather if he could bring communion to Rader.

Demon possession may not be as common a phenomenon today as it was in Jesus’ day, although it still does happen. Was or is Dennis Rader demon-possessed? It is hard to say. However, one thing is sure: sin continues to enslave all people who reject Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Discussion: How does sin enslave the sinner?

The scripture tells us that the people of the area attempted to keep this menace under control by chaining him.

Discussion: How does society today also try to “chain” people who are already bound by sin?

The chains put on the demon-possessed man were completely ineffectual.

Discussion: Why are society’s attempts to reform the sinner ineffectual?

The demon-possessed man was not possessed by just one demon, but many.

Discussion: What might this suggest to us about the problem of sin in a person’s life?

Big Idea: Christ has the power to free us from sin’s bondage.

Discussion: Why is Jesus able to break all the bonds of sin?

Discussion: Does Jesus always deliver the person from all bonds of sin immediately (i.e. drugs, alcohol, sexual temptation)? Why or why not?

Discussion: Does it indicate a lack of faith or consecration on our part if we do not believe/experience a complete deliverance from a habit (chains) of sin?

“Working With The Word!” states: “The word for right mind (sophronounta) indicates that the man was master of himself again.” (p. 54)

Discussion: Why was the man able to be master of himself again?
(He was able to control himself because control of Self was given to Christ.)

Discussion: React to this “Pertinent Principle”: “Some think that freedom is taking away your boundaries. Others know that freedom is securing your boundaries.” (p. 51, taken from Pulpit Helps)

Discussion: What does the description of the changed man teach us about the change that should take place in a person after conversion to Christ?
(He was with (abiding with) Jesus. He was in control of Self. He desired to follow or be with Jesus. He obeyed Christ’s command. He shared freely with everyone the story of how Christ changed his life.)