What happens when there is an absence of God in your life?

Jul 05, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Chains That Cannot Hold: When Self-Destruction Defies Control

The man lived among tombs, unrestrained even by iron chains. His cries echoed through the rocks, a portrait of humanity’s futile attempts to conquer inner chaos through willpower or external fixes. Destructive cycles persist when we rely on human solutions—broken promises, failed resolutions, and well-meaning interventions collapse like shattered shackles. True freedom begins when we stop pretending we can tame what only God’s presence can transform. [35:19]

No man could bind him, no, not with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. (Mark 5:3-4, KJV)

Reflection: What destructive cycle have you tried to fix through willpower alone? How might surrendering it to Christ’s authority break patterns human effort cannot resolve?

Day 2: The Day Jesus Steps Into Your Tombs

Jesus crossed stormy seas to reach the graveyard nobody else visited. While others saw a hopeless case, Christ saw a destination. He enters places of shame and isolation not as a critic, but as a conqueror. The tombs we avoid—addiction, regret, cycles of failure—become divine appointment sites when the Savior arrives. Liberation begins when we stop hiding our chaos and let Him walk straight into it. [42:36]

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. (Mark 5:6-8, KJV)

Reflection: Where have you resigned yourself to living among “tombs”? How might Jesus’ intentional journey to your pain shift your perspective today?

Day 3: Fighting the Whisper: When the Spirit Wars Within

The demon-possessed man ran toward Jesus yet screamed against His authority—a paradox of craving rescue while resisting the Healer. We too wrestle with mixed desires, justifying compromises while begging for change. Every “I can’t stop” masks a deeper battle between flesh and Spirit. Victory comes not through self-negotiation, but through surrendering the war to the One who commands even rebellious storms. [47:27]

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (Romans 7:18-19, KJV)

Reflection: Where do you sense inner conflict between what you crave and what you know is right? How might confessing this tension to Christ begin true alignment?

Day 4: Surrendered Paths: Trading Self-Help for Divine Transformation

Moving cities, switching jobs, or buying new things cannot fix a soul unchanged. Like the man pacing gravesites, we mistake geography for healing. Lasting change occurs not through rearranging circumstances, but through surrendering our core to the Potter. Every half-measure prayer and partial commitment keeps us circling tombs. Full liberation begins when we trade self-improvement for crucifixion. [49:39]

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV)

Reflection: What “surface change” have you hoped would fix deeper issues? What part of your old self needs to fully die for Christ’s newness to emerge?

Day 5: Beyond Isolation: The Cost of Absence in Community

The demonized man’s isolation bred deeper destruction—a warning for those abandoning spiritual family. Excuses about busyness or fatigue often mask self-centered faith. True discipleship thrives in consistent presence: showing up sweaty in hot chapels, praying through headaches, choosing fellowship over self-focus. Our absence doesn’t just starve our souls—it robs others of the ministry only we can bring. [01:10:13]

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25, KJV)

Reflection: How has isolation or inconsistency weakened your spiritual vitality? What step can you take this week to recommit to Christ-centered community?

Sermon Summary

Mark shows a man living among the tombs with an unclean spirit, torn up on the inside and dangerous on the outside. The tombs become a picture of a life emptied of God, a place no Jew should dwell, yet this is where he lives, crying and cutting himself. Chains and fetters tell the story of human efforts that notice the problem but cannot heal it. His tears point to desire for change without power to change. The text lays bare an absence of God that drives a man to self-harm and isolation, and it names the true bondage within.

Jesus sets course across the sea for that one soul. He says they must go to the other side, and he comes his way. The unclean spirit knows Jesus, protests, and loses. One word from Jesus sends the darkness packing. Where people can only bind, Jesus makes free. Where a heart keeps falling back into the same ruts, Jesus gives a new heart.

Sin in this reading is not random accidents but a path. It destroys the body, confuses the mind, and keeps a person circling the same graves. Trying a new city, job, or routine cannot fix what only surrender to Christ can fix. The text presses this home with a sharp line: change only comes when a person gives all to Jesus and asks for a clean heart.

Isaiah says God’s word lights the path, and Jesus says his sheep hear his voice. That is the opposite of the noise that tells a person to sample a little religion while keeping the old life. God is not calling someone to swap apps, styles, or personalities. God is calling someone closer. Religion-lite will not do. Real repentance, real prayer, real Scripture, and a real altar make room for the Spirit who cleans from the inside out.

An absence of God shrinks a life down to self. The call of Christ widens it again into mission, testimony, and love. The church is where Jesus gathers people, builds faith, heals bodies, and puts families back together. The way out of the tombs is not to run from him, but to come to him. When Jesus comes a person’s way, that is the day everything can change.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus comes looking for the one Jesus does not wait for the strong to get stronger. He moves toward the most bound, the most isolated, the most exhausted. He crosses the sea for one person and speaks the word that darkness cannot resist. This is divine initiative, and it is still happening today. [50:05]
2. Sin is a path, not accidents Life is not a string of bad breaks. Sin lays out a road that shapes the body, the mind, and the habits until graves feel like home. Naming the path is the first mercy, because it exposes the lie that a change of scenery is a change of soul. Only a new road under the feet will make a new life. [45:05]
3. Chains cannot change the heart Resolutions, routines, and other people’s restraints can limit damage for a moment, but they cannot create freedom. The inside man still breaks loose because the inside man is still enslaved. Jesus does what chains cannot do by cleansing from the heart outward. His command reaches what iron never will. [38:31]
4. Surrender is the doorway to change A person can try everything except the one thing that matters, which is to yield. Real repentance says, take it all, Lord, and means it. That surrender is not a feeling but an offering, and God answers offerings with new power to say no to the old master and yes to Christ. [43:20]
5. Hear and follow the Shepherd Noise multiplies options and empties convictions. Scripture and prayer quiet the soul until the Shepherd’s voice is clear again, this is the way, walk in it. Guidance then becomes relational, not mechanical, and steps become steady even when circumstances are not. [63:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:57] - Gathering and Scripture memory
[35:01] - Reading Mark 5 in context
[35:48] - Theme: An absence of God
[37:33] - Among the tombs, out of control
[38:31] - Chains fail, heart still bound
[39:09] - Tears without power to change
[42:36] - Jesus crosses for the one
[43:20] - Change comes through surrender
[49:02] - Moving cities will not save you
[50:53] - Come to Me and rest
[54:58] - Stop chasing social media religion
[63:03] - Hear the Shepherd’s voice
[66:03] - Absence of God and self-focus
[74:21] - Invitation and prayer for miracles

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
- Mark 5:1-20 (KJV)
- Isaiah 30:21 (KJV): "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."
- John 10:27 (KJV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

Observation questions

In Mark 5:1-5, how does the man’s condition (living among tombs, self-harm, resisting chains) reflect a life marked by spiritual bondage?
What does Jesus’ deliberate journey to the region of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1) reveal about His mission toward those who feel isolated or beyond help?
The sermon mentions that moving cities or changing jobs cannot fix a soul. What example was given to illustrate this idea? [49:02]
How does the unclean spirit’s reaction to Jesus (Mark 5:6-7) contrast with the man’s response after being healed (Mark 5:18-20)?

Interpretation questions

Why do human efforts like chains or resolutions (Mark 5:3-4) fail to bring lasting freedom, even when the desire for change exists? [38:31]
The sermon describes sin as a “path” rather than random accidents. How does this perspective challenge common excuses people make for destructive habits? [45:05]
Jesus crossed a sea to reach one man. What does this teach about God’s priority for individuals, even when others might overlook them?
Isaiah 30:21 says God’s voice directs our steps. How does “noise” (like social media or conflicting advice) hinder people from hearing this guidance? [54:58]

Application questions

Surrender is described as the doorway to change. What area of your life have you been trying to control or fix on your own, and what would it look like to fully yield it to Christ? [43:20]
The man in Mark 5 returned to his community to testify. Who in your circle needs to hear about the freedom Jesus offers, and how could you share your story with them?
The sermon warns against treating faith like “swapping apps” or sampling religion-lite. What practical step could you take this week to deepen your commitment to prayer, Scripture, or repentance? [54:58]
Chains cannot change the heart, but Jesus’ command reaches deeper. Is there a recurring struggle where you’ve relied on willpower or routines instead of asking God to transform your desires? How can you invite Him into that area today? [38:31]
The healed man’s life shifted from self-destruction to mission. What habit, relationship, or mindset might God be calling you to release so He can widen your purpose?
How can you create space to “quiet the soul” (Isaiah 30:21) this week—turning off distractions to listen for God’s voice in decisions or conflicts?
The sermon says an absence of God shrinks life down to self. Where have you noticed self-focus creeping in, and how could intentional service or worship reorient your heart? [01:06:03]

Sermon Clips

50s

#SurrenderToJesus

“``And because of the unclean spirit, it would lead him to do the wrong things. How many times in your life have you wanted to stop things you were doing? How many times in your life did you wanna stop acting a certain way? But you find yourself continue to do the same thing and over again. And they want change in their life. But change only comes when you surrender your all to Jesus. And say, god, come into my life. Take away my sin. God, make me a a Christian. See, god can change where man cannot. Man cannot do so much. All man could do was tie him down with chains and feathers. That's all that man could do but god can do so much more.”

75s

#BreakTheDestructiveCycle

“But the enemies tempts him. No. This week, I think I'm a go to the park. No. This week, I'm a go with my friend. No. This week, I'm I got other things to do, and there's one thing after another after another. And because of that type of destructive lifestyle, you're not building the life for Jesus that you need. And then when problems come, guess what? They overtake you. We see this man crying in the tombs. One in a chase. Somebody help me. And I hear people say this many times as and they go, somebody help me. But because of the choices that they've been making, because of the way they've been doing things. See, See, really, there's nothing anybody can do for them. At least no one here. But there is a man. His name is Jesus. And my god can help people out. Well, we can't do so much. Maybe you've been living a certain lifestyle for such a long time that that a lot of things have started happening in your life. And it's like a snowball going downhill. It just gets bigger and bigger and bigger. And where we may not be able to do a whole lot for you, is a God in heavens that can help you this morning.”

56s

#JesusReachesTheLost

“See, one of the things that I like when I looked at this and and they came unto the other side into the country of the Gadarene. The Jesus had told him, we've got to go to the other side. There's somebody over there that has a need in their life. No Nobody else is able to help them but I'm going to help them. We've got to go there. And that same desire to help people is still being displayed today. He's still reaching out to people. All those that are lost, all those have been doing wrong, all those have gone down the wrong path, he's still reaching out to them and he's trying to show you the reason why you're going through so much difficulty. Is there's an absence of god in your life. See, this man didn't have god in his life, didn't have the holy spirit moving and guiding and directing, but he had an unclean spirit.”

52s

#ChangeStartsWithin

“If I can just go to a different city, everything will be alright. For some, they're trying to put it together. Maybe if I move to a different state, everything will be alright. Maybe if I I I buy a new car, I get a new job, everything will change. But you're fine. You can move to another state. It won't change anything. You can get another job that won't change anythings. You can move to another country and things still won't change. Why is that? Because you haven't changed. In order for to become a change, you've got to change it and the only way we change it is to get to god and say, god, change me. Mold me. God, make me.”

43s

#ThankGodForJesus

“As long as we can change down these simple paths. See, as long as man was running around in the tombs and doing the same thing every single day, cutting himself and crying and burning the chains, nothing was gonna change. But one day, something did change. Jesus came his ways. Jesus came his way. This the thing that need to happen. All that running around would have continued day in and day out. Nothing would have changed but one day, Jesus came to him. Thank god for that one day. Jesus came to us. Thank god for the day. Somebody gave us a card. Somebody gave us a flyer. So, something and we came to the saving knowledge of Jesus.”

55s

#TrustGodForChange

“You gotta learn to trust in god. See, without god, it's hard to change. Now, you may have time that you can convince yourself of something and maybe for a period of time, you can act a certain way but if it's on the inside, it's going to come out. If it's in your mind and you're allowed to to go and fester enough in your mind, you're going do things you shouldn't be doing. You're going to say things you shouldn't be saying. See, that's what the word of god said. They got cleans us from the inside out from the abundance of the heart. The mouth does speak and so what I want to take a look at this mornings, it may look like that you're you're like a picture of this man crying and say, can somebody help me? Up to this point, nobody has been able to help you. Yet, there's still hope because there is somebody that can help you.”

43s

#JesusCommandsFreedom

“See, this man was held for a long times, wandering the tomb for a long time, and the evil spirit said, a man with an unclean spirit. This spirit will cause him to many things that had control of him for a long time, but god came along to break that. Even though the devil cried out, said, what to do with thee before the time? You see, he was complaining because he knew he had no power to fight Jesus. That's why he was fussing so much. That's why he fussed so much. He had no power to do anything. As soon as those words came out of our lord's mouth, go, then he knew he was gonna have to go.”

44s

#DontListenToTheLies

“And so the enemy's working on your mind, telling you're all alone. There is no god. Nobody cares for you. You're all by yourself and and he's going this over and over again but this is why god's calling you to seek the face of god. He says, seek the lord while you may be found. Call upon him while he's near. Before you take another drink, before you do drugs, before you go out and visit that person, before you go out and do all this stupid stuff the devil's telling you to do. Let me tell you, stop. Somebody does love you. Stop. There is an answer. Stop. There's a way out of your situation and it's not the way the devil's telling you.”

Ask a question about this sermon

New Testament Christian Church - Irving, TX This sermon · AI assistant

What causes ongoing self-destructive spiritual behavior?

How does absence of God manifest in life?

How does surrender differ from mere religious attendance?

What happens when there is an absence of God in your life?

Devotional

Day 1: Chains That Cannot Hold: When Self-Destruction Defies Control

Day 2: The Day Jesus Steps Into Your Tombs

Day 3: Fighting the Whisper: When the Spirit Wars Within

Day 4: Surrendered Paths: Trading Self-Help for Divine Transformation

Day 5: Beyond Isolation: The Cost of Absence in Community

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

What happens when there is an absence of God in your life?

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