149. Resistance to Salvation.

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What Have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I abjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. - Mark 5:7.

The coming of Jesus into a place puts all into commotion.

The gospel is a great disturber of sinful peace.

Like the sun among wild beasts, owls, and bats, it creates a stir. In this case, a legion of devils began to move.

I. THE DEVIL CRIES OUT AGAINST THE INTRUSION OF CHRIST.

"What have I to do with thee?"

1. Christ's nature is so contrary to that of the devil that war is inevitable as soon as Jesus comes upon the scene.

2. There are no designs of grace for Satan, and, therefore, as he has nothing to hope for from Jesus, he dreads his coming.

3. He wishes to be let alone; for thoughtlessness, stagnation, and despair suit his plans.

4. He knows his powerlessness against the Son of the Most High God, and has no wish to try a fall with him.

5. He dreads his doom: for Jesus will not hesitate to torment him by the sight of good done, and evil overcome.

II. MEN UNDER THE DEVIL'S INFLUENCE CRY OUT AGAINST THE INCOMING OF CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL.

1. Conscience is feared by them: they do not wish to have it disturbed, instructed, and placed in power.

2. Change is dreaded by them; for they love sin, and its gains, and pleasures, and know that Jesus wars with these things.

3. They claim a right to be let alone: this is their idea of religious liberty. They would not be questioned either by God or man.

4. They argue that the gospel cannot bless them.

· They expect nothing from it, for they do not know its rich benedictions, or the power of sovereign, almighty grace.

· They think themselves too poor, too ignorant, too busy, too sinful, too weak, too involved, and perhaps too aged, to receive any good from the gospel.

5. They view Jesus as a tormentor, who will rob them of pleasure, sting their consciences, and drive them to obnoxious duties.

Therefore they cry out, "What have we to do with thee?"

III. SOBER MEN CAN ANSWER THESE OUTCRIES.

They endeavor to answer the question; "What have I to do with thee?" They remember a fact, and make an inquiry.

1. I have to do with him inevitably.

· He has come to save, and I am responsible for accepting or refusing his grace.

· I am his creature, as he is the Son of God, and he has power over me, and a right to my obedience.

· I am under his rule, and he will judge me at the last day.

2. Has he to do with me graciously?

· He has to do with me by the gospel which he has sent me.

· He has abundantly much to do with me if he has wrought in me repentance, faith, prayer, etc.

· He has everything to do with me if he has bestowed on me pardon, peace, sanctification, etc.

IV. MEN SAVED FROM SATAN RAISE AN OPPOSITE CRY.

According to the instance before us in the narrative—

1. They beg to sit at Jesus' feet, clothed, and in their right mind.

2. They ask to be with him always, and never to cease from personal attendance upon him.

3. They go at his bidding, and publish abroad what great things Jesus has done for them.

4. Henceforth they have nothing to do but to live for Jesus, and for him alone.

Come, ye despisers, and see yourselves as in a looking glass!

Look until you see yourselves transformed.