SFC - Series 6, Lesson 93

Memory Text:
Younger: Luke 8:39 "Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee."
Older: Psalm 77:13,14 "Thy way, oh God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders;
Thou hast declared Thy strength among the people."

OBJECTIVES: To teach that:
1. We commit sin because we have the sin nature in us.
2. Satan uses sin to enslave us to himself.
3. Sin cannot be eliminated by rule keeping nor by applying external measures to overcome it.
4. Only the power of God is able to save and change people who are in Satan's power.
5. One who has been saved and freed from the power of sin wants to serve the Lord and to be in the company of others who are His disciples.

SCENE No. 1. VISUAL AIDS: The eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Figures of Jesus and his disciples, and the boat in which they arrived at the shore. Also a figure of the demon possessed man drawing near to meet Jesus.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Jesus' miracles demonstrate His supernatural power, proving that He is truly God.
- Jesus comes from the other side of the sea to deliver a man dominated by an evil spirit.
Cns. Sin makes a person unclean in the eyes of God. To be unclean is to be in a condition contrary to God's holiness and divine purity.
- In this miracle, Jesus changed a man who he had been in the power of Satan and his demons. Prior to this, no one had been able to control him.
- The man lived amongst the tombs, considered by the law to be an unclean place.
Sug. Have the students imagine what it would be like to live in a cemetery.
- Under the law, to be in contact with the dead meant and unfit condition to participate in spiritual activities. See Num.9:6-7.
- The Gadarene had superhuman strength, for he broke the chains and handcuffs with which they tried to restrain him.
Apl. Just as the chains could not control the demon-possessed man, neither can someone's sin be controlled with external prohibitions and laws. What is needed is a new source of power in the life of the person.
Apl. Only divine power can produce the needed transformation. No external force can bring about the internal change needed. Only the new birth can bring this about.
Apl. There are people today who act under the power of alcohol, drugs, anger, etc., tools used by Satan to keep them in his power.
- This man demonstrated that the devil is a cruel master, for he could neither find rest for himself nor let others be in peace. He continued day and night, screaming and cutting himself with stones.
- He knelt before Jesus and called him "Son of the most high God." Jesus did not want this recognition nor any act of worship motivated by Satan.
- The unclean spirit had brought the man into a lamentable condition, so Jesus commands the unclean spirit to come out of the man. The spirit recognised the authority of the Lord (vs. 8).
- His name, Legion, could indicate that the demons were like a military unit ready for war against the Lord Jesus.
- The Lord felt no terror when faced with so numerous an enemy. Instead, the demons had to ask Him for permission to enter into the swine.
Apl. We ought not to be afraid of the devil but rather, but rather a reverent fear of God Himself.
Cns. John the apostle wrote to believers: "Greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he (the devil) that is in the world." 1 John 4:4.

SCENE No. 2. VISUAL AIDS: Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Gadarenes with figures of the pigs throwing themselves into the sea and the men who had been looking after them, running away towards the city.
DEVELOPMENT:
Lsn. The Lord wants to free, to liberate, to save, those who are captive and in the control of Satan (2 Timothy 2:26).
- The demons did not want to leave the region where they were.
- When Satan could no longer influence the Gadarene, nor do more harm through him, he tried to reach the people through their possessions, the pigs.
- To the Jews, pigs were unclean animals and the Lord allowed these unclean spirits to enter into them.
Apl. There are people who, like the pigs, love the mire of their pleasures. Their unsaved condition makes them suitable dwellings in which Satan can live.
Cns. The swine came to a sad end, for they ran violently over a cliff into the sea and were drowned.
Cmt. The end of those who enjoy the filth of sin will be sadder still, for they are on the road that leads to hell.
- The men who were looking after the pigs ran off terrified to tell what had happened.
Cns. The power of God had been manifested so men would be awakened to an important reality. They would learn that God is more powerful than any being, human or spirit.

SCENE No. 3. VISUAL AIDS: Countryside with a city in the distance and figures of the man, clothed and sitting at Jesus feet, with the disciples present and a group of angry citizens.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Upon receiving the news, the Gadarenes went out of the city and found the man changed in three ways:
(vs.15.) 1) Clothed; 2) Seated; 3) Sane.
Apl. The presence of Christ in the life of His own produces great changes.
- For the people of the area, the financial loss suffered by losing the swine was of greater importance to them than the well-being enjoyed by the man.
- When they begged Christ to go away, He did not insist on staying.
Sug. Emphasize how the request of the people for the Lord Jesus to leave shows their lack of interest in the blessings He was willing to bestow. See Rom 3:11-12.
Prg. What loss do people think they will suffer if they accept Christ as Saviour in these days?
- The healed man wanted to accompany Christ.
Apl. Those who are truly thankful for the salvation they have in Christ want to be with Him and also with those who belong to Him.
- Instead of having his petition granted, the now recovered man was given a new task by the Lord, that of witnessing to others.
- He was told to return home and testify of the great things God had done for him. He was living proof of what the power of God can do.
- The healed man obeyed for he wanted to serve the One who had given him such great relief from his suffering.
Apl. 1. He was clothed. This shows concern about how he appeared in the eyes of others. Dress in the Bible always has to do with a person's testimony before others.
Exm. Adam and Eve had their clothing changed.
Aaron, the high priest, was dressed with clothes of honour and glory.
The Church is presented as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev.21:2).
Apl. 2. He was seated. This shows his interest in learning from the Lord. The position of a pupil is seated, listening.
Exm. Mary at the feet of Jesus.
The learned doctors in the temple. Jesus was found sitting among them at 12 years of age.
The disciples with Jesus in the mount of Olives (Matt. 24:3).
Apl. 3. In his right mind. His changed way of thinking made his behaviour proper before the eyes of others. The change was evident in His way of speaking and of relating to the others. Now he acted correctly.
Ctr. His behaviour in his previous state.