Man with an unclean spirit

The passage I want to consider today is taken from Mark 5:1-13 (NIV):
¹ They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ² When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
 ⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. ⁷ He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” ⁸ For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
 ⁹ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
   “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
 ¹¹ A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹² The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Matthew's account in chapter 8 mentions two men instead of one.  What is common in the two passages is that there's demonic activity going on.  We notice how demons operate through what they do to the man and the pigs.  Jesus called the spirit within the man, impure or unclean spirit (v 8).  The man was living among the tombs, the resting place of the dead.  One of the characteristics of an unclean spirit is that it is also the spirit of death.  The unclean spirit caused the man to cut himself with stones (v 5), apparently trying to kill him, and it caused the 2000 pigs to drown (v 13).   Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."  (Jn 10:10a).  The Norwegian gunman who killed many young lives in cold blood last year must have come under demonic influence to commit such a hideous crime. 

Another characteristic of an unclean spirit is the manifestation of supernatural strength.  Notice that no one nor thing was able to subdue him (v 4); he broke the chains and iron apart easily.  Apparently, there was more than one unclean spirit within the man; he had a legion in him (v 9).  A Roman legion could comprise of between 3000 to 5000 soliders.  Little wonder then that nothing could subdue him.   Demonic activity can also be loud to induce fear and trepidation.  The man cried out at the top of his voice when he saw Jesus coming; rather it was the demonic spirit within yelling.  When One who has the greater authority comes, the lesser must yield and submit.  Jesus was commanding the demonic spirit to leave the man.  It had no choice but to leave. 

The lake of fire has been reserved for the devil and his angels (Rev 20:14).  The demons were begging Jesus not to throw them there before their time  (Mt 8:29).  Why did Jesus allow the demons to go into the pigs?  Well, pigs under the OT ceremonial laws were considered 'unclean' animals (Lev 11:7).  So in the eyes of  the Jews, losing the pigs was of no consequence to them.  But in the eyes of the Gentile owners living in the Garasenes, it was their livlihood.  They couldn't see beyond the redemption that Christ has brought to this demonised man; all they saw was their stocks falling and so they begged Jesus to depart.  There are many things that are taking place in the natural that has spiritual ramifications.  If we could only see them with our eyes of faith and start interceding, things would have turn out for the better. 

BC celebrates 20 years

Next month our church would be celebrating her 20th anniversary.  As we look back over the past years, there are many reasons why we can praise and thank God.  Here is a list of 20:

1. God called and confirmed His good word to Pastor Tay by telling him "to build and pastor a great white church".

2. God provided the confirmation to Pastor Tay through Dan 12:3 to bid for the land in Chai Chee.

3. The deposit of $120k (to bid for the land) was raised within three days.

4. The in-principle approval given by ROS came in record time (within 100 days).

5. There was an amicable parting of ways between us and CoP.

6. God provided a clerk of works (church member) for the church construction.

7. God provided a $3.3m loan from a bank despite having been rejected by another for $1m.

8. God provided the finances through various people, both within and outside the church.

9. There are also gifts in kind, eg. the wrought iron used in the construction and sand to level up the ground, being supplied without cost.

10. Many souls have been ushered into God's kingdom through the ministries of BC. Many have also been water baptised.

11. Many lives have experienced the healing touch of God for their bodies and emotions.

12. Many lives have been delivered from demonic influences and powers.

13. Many have received encouraging or prophetic words that have blessed their hearts.

14. Many have been given the opportunity to serve and grow in this local assembly.

15. Unity and growth in the church.

16. God supplied the funds through His people to clear the bank loan.

17. Extension of the church did not require any loan from the bank.

18. Missions work to Cambodia and the Riau Islands.

19. The increased numbers gathered at P&P on Wednesdays.

20.The faithfulness and obedience of Pastor Tay to God.

20 is the number associated with war; it's the age where young men were enlisted into Israel's army (Num 1:2-3).  As a church, we cannot be complacent but vigilant at all times because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  There is no better way to be vigilant than to be on our knees in prayer.  Hence, the 20 days prayer focus starting 1 May. 

Blessed 20th Anniversary BC!