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  THESE GERGESITES HAD RATHER LOSE CHRIST, THAN LOSE THEIR PORKERS
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: Men bewitched by the world will prioritize worldly things over
Christ, demonstrating contempt for Him and leading to spiritual demise.

Topics: "Prioritizing Christ", "Worldly Attachments"
Scripture References: Matthew 8:28

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the tragic choice of the Gergesites, who
preferred their swine over the presence of Jesus Christ. He illustrates
how worldly attachments can blind individuals to the greater value of
salvation, as they chose to plead for Christ to leave rather than lose
their pigs. This reflects a deep spiritual blindness where material
possessions are prioritized over eternal life. Brooks warns that such
preferences lead to spiritual damnation, as the Gergesites demonstrated
a willingness to sacrifice their souls for earthly gain. Ultimately, he
calls for a reevaluation of what truly matters in life, urging believers
to prioritize Christ above all else.

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CONTENT
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"When they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to leave

their region." Matthew 8:34

A man bewitched with the world will prefer the most base

and contemptible things, before the Lord Jesus Christ. He will,

with the Gergesenes, prefer his swine before a Savior,

Matthew 8:28-34. When they saw what a sad market their

hogs were brought to, they desired Christ to depart out of

their country. These Gergesites had rather lose Christ,

than lose their porkers. They had rather that the devil

should possess their souls--than that Jesus should drown

their pigs. They prefer their swine, before their salvation!

They present a wretched petition for their own damnation;

they pleaded with Him to leave their region. Though there is

no misery, no plague, no curse, no wrath, no hell--compared

to Christ's departure from a people; yet men bewitched with

the world will desire this. "When they saw Him, they pleaded

with Him to leave their region." Matthew 8:34

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/these-gergesites-had-rather-lose-christ-than-lose-their-porkers/
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