WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:11.580 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:15.280 use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:27.800 Good morning. 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:29.539 My name is Joan Benton. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.700 I participate in a community group for Kensington and El Cerrito, go to Women, Reading Women, 00:00:39.179 --> 00:00:42.519 and help once a month with CC Kids. 00:00:42.980 --> 00:00:55.579 We're reading today from Luke chapter 8, verses 22 through 38, as printed in your liturgy. 00:00:55.579 --> 00:01:05.700 One day, Jesus said to his disciples, let's go over to the other side of the lake. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.799 So they got into a boat and set out. 00:01:09.799 --> 00:01:12.679 As they sailed, he fell asleep. 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:20.939 A squall came down on the lake so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:26.959 The disciples went and woke him, saying, Master, Master, we're going to drown. 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:32.280 He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters. 00:01:33.339 --> 00:01:36.619 The storm subsided, and all was calm. 00:01:37.619 --> 00:01:39.019 Where is your faith? 00:01:39.139 --> 00:01:39.899 He asked. 00:01:41.079 --> 00:01:45.719 His disciples, and in fear and amazement, they asked one another, 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:47.780 Who is this? 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:52.519 He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him. 00:01:53.700 --> 00:01:59.180 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:05.599 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:14.699 For a long time, this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:19.979 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, 00:02:20.359 --> 00:02:24.039 What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:26.859 I beg you, don't torture me. 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:32.180 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:38.219 Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, 00:02:38.819 --> 00:02:45.159 he had broken the chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:49.319 Jesus asked him, What is your name? 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:55.439 Legion, he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:00.300 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the abyss. 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:05.260 The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 00:03:06.140 --> 00:03:09.160 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:13.120 and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:18.439 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:22.180 they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:26.439 and the people went out to see what had happened. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:32.060 When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:37.379 sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed, and in his right mind. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:39.219 And they were afraid. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:45.780 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:51.060 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:53.240 because they were overcome with fear. 00:03:54.020 --> 00:03:56.719 So he got into the boat and left. 00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:01.960 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:05.819 but Jesus sent him away, saying, 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:09.759 Return home and tell how much God has done for you. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:16.300 So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. 00:04:16.300 --> 00:04:21.199 And this is the gospel of the Lord. 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:23.639 Praise to you, O Christ. 00:04:25.780 --> 00:04:27.620 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:34.660 It's Super Bowl Sunday, so we're going to talk about demons, right? 00:04:34.960 --> 00:04:36.519 That's what you were expecting, right? 00:04:38.340 --> 00:04:42.280 You know, most secular people in the Western world 00:04:42.280 --> 00:04:45.699 don't believe that demons exist. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:50.199 And that, I think, is a luxury. 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:54.780 It's a very privileged thing to be able to believe. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:05:00.660 This man in Luke 8 doesn't have that luxury and that privilege, though, 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:07.439 because he can't deny the darkness that's come into his life, right? 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:10.379 He's oppressed by some pretty dark powers. 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:14.199 He's in pretty deep distress and misery. 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:18.779 And what's amazing about the story is that Jesus puts him back in his right mind. 00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:21.319 And he sends him out on this new mission. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.659 In fact, we read in verse 39, Jesus says, 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:27.560 Return home and tell how much God has done for you. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:28.639 Go home to your people. 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:29.800 Go home to your city. 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:33.040 He tells us that this man had an extended family, right? 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:35.680 He had an old community of friends. 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:36.560 He had a workplace. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:37.520 He had a city. 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:42.540 He had this place where he used to be rooted and he used to be grounded. 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:43.639 He used to belong. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:47.100 He used to be known and loved by people. 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:55.200 And somehow, we don't know how, but he subtly and slowly came under the power of the darkness. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:06:02.400 And I admit that it's hard for me to see myself in this man. 00:06:03.520 --> 00:06:06.040 And maybe you feel that way when you read it as well. 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:14.160 But it's not hard for me to see myself in earlier stages of this man, in the earlier stages of his decline. 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:19.760 For example, you know, when I look at the hurts and the habits and hang-ups in my own life, 00:06:20.540 --> 00:06:26.300 and I think about the way that those hurts can easily turn into compulsions, 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:30.700 when I think about the way those habits can so easily turn into addictions, 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:36.159 when I think about the way that my hang-ups can so easily become obsessions, 00:06:37.039 --> 00:06:43.759 when I think about the heavy burden it is to walk around with the fear and the guilt and the shame 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:46.680 that those things can produce in life, 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:52.519 when I think about all the feelings that I've had in my life of emotional instability 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:59.279 and mental confusion and spiritual agitation that just sort of accumulates over time, 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:05.579 it's actually not that hard for me to relate to this man in some earlier stages of his life. 00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:09.839 We don't know what kind of trauma he experienced. 00:07:10.419 --> 00:07:17.659 We don't know what kind of abuse he endured or maybe some violent act from another person or group of people. 00:07:18.599 --> 00:07:22.699 But hell has somehow been unleashed in his life. 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:27.099 And in him, I think we get a picture of how the dark powers oppress us 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:29.260 and how they oppress our society, 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:32.340 how they try to strip us of our identity, 00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:37.020 strip us of our sense of belonging, our sense of meaning and purpose in this life, 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:40.220 and slowly but surely dehumanize us. 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:44.020 Now, how does Luke describe this man's condition? 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:45.100 He says in verse 27, 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:58.600 And then down in verse 29, it says, 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:00.480 Many times the demon had seized him, 00:08:00.700 --> 00:08:04.080 and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:10.040 he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:14.240 Driven by the demon into solitary places. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:19.319 You're probably aware that the U.S. Surgeon General has declared an epidemic of loneliness, 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:25.079 an epidemic of alienation and isolation in our society right now. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:28.100 This guy's been driven out. 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:29.120 He's living in the tombs, 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:33.220 which means he identifies more as a dead person than as a living person. 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:37.220 And he's become such a menace to himself. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:41.200 He's become such a danger to himself and to other people 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:43.440 that he's been chained like an animal. 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:46.320 And these are the human solutions. 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:49.800 These are the material solutions to his spiritual problems, 00:08:49.900 --> 00:08:51.180 and it's not helping him at all. 00:08:51.300 --> 00:08:55.379 It's not helping the problems that he has in his soul at all. 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:59.920 The Gospel of Mark, when it tells this story in Mark chapter 5, 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:00.300 it says, 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:11.319 And, you know, we look at the dramatic rise of anxiety and depression 00:09:11.319 --> 00:09:15.019 over the last 10 to 15 years among Gen Z. 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:20.339 And that anxiety and depression is so often expressed in forms of cutting, 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:24.819 forms of self-harm and suicidal ideation. 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:27.460 And this man, that's what he's doing. 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:29.920 He's cutting himself and he's crying out, 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.140 probably saying, 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:32.080 Somebody help me. 00:09:33.160 --> 00:09:36.820 Somebody come and fill this unbearable void. 00:09:37.760 --> 00:09:38.940 Somebody stop the pain. 00:09:39.140 --> 00:09:43.820 Somebody, please come deliver me from my distress and from my misery. 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:46.620 I hope we don't write this man off, 00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:52.940 because I think more people are living and feeling like this man than we realize. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:56.320 And maybe even that's some of us here today, 00:09:56.500 --> 00:10:01.380 that our humanity feels like it's being beaten out of us from the inside. 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.520 We barely even know our name anymore. 00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:05.920 We're not sure who we are. 00:10:07.140 --> 00:10:08.380 We feel oppressed. 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:09.360 We feel enslaved. 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:12.180 We sense a lack of hope. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:14.200 Maybe that's you. 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:16.640 Maybe it's somebody that you love very deeply. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:23.539 But I want us to know that Jesus very deliberately seeks and saves the lost. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:26.379 And he seeks and saves this lost man. 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:27.259 Right? 00:10:27.299 --> 00:10:30.120 The same Jesus we talked about a few weeks ago in Luke 4, 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:32.720 who in his first sermon, he said, 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:33.699 You know what I've come to do? 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.679 I've come to preach good news for the poor. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:38.860 I've come to release the captives. 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:43.240 I've come to bring liberation to those who are oppressed. 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:49.180 That same Jesus has just rebuked the wind and the waves 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:53.779 and taken this chaotic storm and subdued it and made it calm. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:59.399 And now Jesus brings that same power, that same authority to this man 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:04.580 to subdue and to calm the chaos of his soul. 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:05.639 Right? 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:07.860 The chaotic storm of his life. 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:10.480 And so I want to take a look at this story in a deeper way, 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:13.379 thinking about a few things together. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:17.000 First of all, what we see in this story is kingdoms and conflict. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:20.680 We also see a transformed mind, 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:24.320 and we see a new mission and message. 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:28.360 So we're going to look at this kingdoms and conflict, 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:29.539 a transformed mind, 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:32.159 and a new mission and message. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.039 First of all, kingdoms and conflict. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:43.039 Jesus is intentionally crossing a boundary in the story. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:45.899 He's crossing a boundary into Gentile territory, 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:48.639 and he goes to basically the most unclean place 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.179 that a Jew could think to go. 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:50.599 Right? 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:54.559 He enters into these Gentile pagan cities 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:57.240 that are full of idols and decadence. 00:11:58.539 --> 00:12:01.879 Jesus is, you know, walking through these pig farms 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:03.980 that are the furthest cry from being kosher, 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.860 you could imagine. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:08.340 That pork is being raised to feed 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:11.580 the occupying Roman legions, their armies. 00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:14.120 This man is hanging out in tombs 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.740 with dead bodies and skeletons. 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:18.480 He's filled with evil spirits and demons. 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:21.560 Why, Jesus, of all the places you could be, 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:24.139 why would you want to be here? 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:28.680 Jesus, of course, often shows up 00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:31.360 in places where he's not supposed to be. 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:31.740 Right? 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.980 Jesus deliberately crosses boundaries 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:36.740 into places that are considered inappropriate. 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:40.019 And what happens when Jesus does that? 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:43.360 What happens when Jesus shows up in dark places? 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.680 Well, what we see in this story 00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:47.659 is that there's a power encounter 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:49.560 of enormous proportions. 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.639 There's a confrontation 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:54.240 between these two opposing powers, 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:56.279 these two opposing kingdoms. 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:58.000 And I want you to know 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.679 that it's not like Star Wars. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.959 It's not like Star Wars 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:03.899 where there's this unending conflict 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:05.079 between the dark side 00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:06.679 and the true force. 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:07.839 Right? 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:10.319 These two equal and opposite powers 00:13:10.319 --> 00:13:12.120 that really depend on each other. 00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:13.839 They depend on being balanced 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:14.480 with each other. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:14.699 Right? 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.779 The hate and fear of the dark side, 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.819 the love and hope 00:13:17.819 --> 00:13:20.000 of the true force. 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:21.740 Both of them are essential. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:24.279 Both of them need to be there in tension 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:26.200 and balance, push and pull, 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.279 and yin and yang. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.759 That's not the New Testament. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.919 If you pay very close attention 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:32.659 to this story, 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.460 this demon is attempting 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:37.000 to gain ascendancy over Jesus. 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:40.799 And then Jesus is very intentionally 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:43.560 triumphing over the demons. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:44.519 Right? 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.680 Jesus is not content 00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:47.120 for the kingdom of God 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.060 to be in balance 00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:49.220 with the kingdom of darkness. 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.600 Jesus wants to conquer 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.860 the kingdom of darkness. 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:53.960 Jesus wants to win a victory, 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.240 a decisive victory 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.399 over the kingdom of darkness. 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.560 And so what does Jesus' presence 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:01.519 and His power provoke here? 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.800 It says in verse 28 00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:05.200 that when He saw Jesus, 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.980 He cried out and fell at His feet, 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.460 shouting at the top of His voice, 00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:10.980 What do you want with me, Jesus, 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.980 Son of the Most High God? 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:15.820 I beg you, don't torture me. 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:18.540 See, I think there's a conflict 00:14:18.540 --> 00:14:19.560 within this man 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:22.700 between the desire of His true self 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:24.440 to be in the irresistible presence 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:24.940 of Jesus 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:26.740 and to fall at the feet of Jesus, 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:28.700 which is what we were made to do. 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:30.780 And there's a conflict 00:14:30.780 --> 00:14:32.100 with this other part of Himself, 00:14:32.280 --> 00:14:34.200 this darkness inside of Himself 00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:35.720 that is resisting Jesus, 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.480 that's fearing Jesus, 00:14:37.640 --> 00:14:39.800 that's assaulting Jesus with questions, 00:14:39.900 --> 00:14:40.720 is saying to Jesus, 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.380 What do you want with me? 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:45.500 And why won't you leave me alone? 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.600 You know, what's interesting to me 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:52.700 is that these demons know Jesus, right? 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.659 That they, in fact, 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:57.399 identify Jesus in the exact opposite way 00:14:57.399 --> 00:15:00.700 that most secular people do today, right? 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.980 Most secular people say, 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:04.080 Well, Jesus is merely human. 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.960 Jesus is an extraordinary teacher. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:09.539 He's a liberation theologian. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.659 Jesus is a social reformer. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:13.860 He's a peasant revolutionary. 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.539 Jesus is the exemplar 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:18.980 of heroic progressivism, right? 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.219 Any group of people, 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:21.819 any person can remake Jesus 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:22.740 in their own image. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.679 But the demons know 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.480 who Jesus actually is. 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.120 And what do they say? 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:27.480 They say, 00:15:27.579 --> 00:15:29.240 Jesus, you are the Son 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.339 of the Most High God. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.459 And when they're saying that, 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:35.039 they're not trying to honor Jesus. 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:37.519 They're trying to subdue Jesus, right? 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.899 Because that's how magic works. 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:40.539 That's how witchcraft works. 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:43.620 If you manipulate the name of the person, 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:45.339 then you get power over the person. 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.459 You bind the person. 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:48.099 You control the person. 00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:49.980 And Jesus says, 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.839 Hey, I know what you're trying to do. 00:15:53.099 --> 00:15:53.839 And he says, 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:55.319 Two can actually play at that game. 00:15:56.339 --> 00:15:57.439 And so what does Jesus do? 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.599 He says in verse 30, 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.539 Well, what is your name? 00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:02.419 And he says, 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:02.879 Legion, 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.579 he replied, 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.800 Because many demons 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:07.300 had gone into him. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:07.660 Of course, 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:08.940 a legion is a regiment 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:10.840 of about 6,000 soldiers. 00:16:12.040 --> 00:16:13.680 And if a legion of the Roman army, 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.480 you know, 00:16:14.520 --> 00:16:15.660 showed up into town, 00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:17.740 it was this big, 00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:18.740 powerful, 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:21.820 overwhelming force. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.660 It's just absolutely impossible 00:16:23.660 --> 00:16:24.480 to defeat. 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:26.720 And when this man says, 00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:27.800 My name is Legion, 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:28.640 what he's saying is, 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.280 I'm an army. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:32.379 I'm a kingdom of dark forces, 00:16:32.579 --> 00:16:34.019 and it's resisting Jesus. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.480 It's intimidating Jesus. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.319 And all the while, 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.600 this man is just raging. 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:40.299 He's this chaotic storm 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:41.259 in front of Jesus. 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.039 And Jesus, 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:43.759 this whole time, 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.399 is just completely calm. 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.319 Completely calm. 00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:49.240 And Jesus is like, 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:49.779 Okay, 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.259 you're a legion. 00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:54.120 You're 6,000 soldiers. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.679 That's all you brought? 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.299 Is that going to be, 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:59.639 is that going to be enough? 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:01.799 And see, 00:17:02.099 --> 00:17:02.859 verse 31, 00:17:02.979 --> 00:17:03.179 it says, 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:04.919 They begged Jesus repeatedly 00:17:04.919 --> 00:17:06.700 not to order them 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:08.240 to go into the abyss. 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:09.639 You see, 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.319 on the one hand, 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.319 this kingdom of darkness, 00:17:11.419 --> 00:17:12.960 it postures itself 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.519 as strong and tough 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.599 and intimidating, 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.440 this legion. 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:19.319 And then on the other hand, 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.119 it's begging Jesus, 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.339 Please don't torture us. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.599 Please don't send us 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.279 into the abyss 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.399 where we deserve to go 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:25.259 and where you have 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.480 the power to send us. 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:28.819 And you see, 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.079 at the most basic level, 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.420 the reason we see 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.539 this kingdom of darkness 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:34.579 so aggressively coming out 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:36.299 into the open 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.339 in the three years 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.660 of Jesus' public ministry 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:40.400 is that they know 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.740 their time of ruling 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.819 God's good creation 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:44.279 is coming to an end. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.339 They know that 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.559 the judgment day 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.700 is just around the corner 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.440 where God is going 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.259 to judge them 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.620 and send them 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.819 and all their dehumanizing 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:54.200 forces into the abyss, 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:55.980 into this unfathomable depth 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.600 from which they can 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.299 never return. 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.319 And you notice that 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.779 it's not Jesus 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:03.400 that's theologizing about this, 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.319 it's actually the demons 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.180 that are the ones 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.920 who are talking about 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.980 the final destiny 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.420 of all those 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:09.319 who resist God 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:10.740 and oppose God. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.640 And why are they doing this? 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.759 Why are they freaking out 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.660 in the presence of Jesus? 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.779 Because they know 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.640 they're in the presence 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.819 of the Son 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.880 of the Most High God. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:21.980 they're trembling 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.640 before the one 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.540 whom God has appointed 00:18:24.540 --> 00:18:25.280 to be the judge 00:18:25.280 --> 00:18:26.060 of all the world 00:18:26.060 --> 00:18:26.740 with justice. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.880 And how does Jesus 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.920 respond to their begging? 00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:31.000 How does Jesus respond 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.800 to their repeated requests? 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.640 Well, this speaks, 00:18:34.800 --> 00:18:34.940 I think, 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.860 to one of the three 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:37.960 biggest theological questions 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.960 that pastors get. 00:18:40.280 --> 00:18:40.940 Number one, 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.780 we get asked the question, 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.900 what happens when I die? 00:18:44.060 --> 00:18:44.680 Number two, 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.600 we get asked the question, 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:47.420 how can I be saved? 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.120 And number three, 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.039 we get asked the question, 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.800 what is up with these pigs? 00:18:53.060 --> 00:18:53.420 Right? 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:55.160 It's like one of the biggest things 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:55.600 that I'm sure 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.340 was on your mind 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.300 when you woke up this morning. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.340 What's up with the pigs? 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:00.080 And some of you 00:19:00.080 --> 00:19:00.640 read this story 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:00.980 and you're like, 00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:02.920 I love animals so much 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:05.539 and this poor herd 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.640 of 2,000 pigs 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.460 drowning in the sea 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.480 really makes me sad. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.539 And some of us, 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:10.820 you're like, 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:12.180 I love business so much 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:12.740 and when I see 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.700 all this money 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:15.019 and all this opportunity 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.920 and all this potential 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.900 just go down the drain, 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.940 that makes me sad. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.880 And others of us, 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.300 we love food so much, 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:21.700 we're like, 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.740 all the meat, 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.540 all the bacon 00:19:24.540 --> 00:19:26.780 and all the ribs, 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.480 what a waste. 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.519 But the pigs 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.660 are not Jesus' suggestion, 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.000 the pigs are the demon's idea 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:35.140 and the demons know 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.220 that they're so powerless 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.060 before Jesus 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:38.240 that without his permission 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.080 they can't even touch 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.360 one single little piglet. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:44.679 And so Jesus gives them permission 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:46.919 to do to the pigs 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:48.459 what they want to do 00:19:48.459 --> 00:19:49.019 to this man 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.719 and what they want to do 00:19:49.719 --> 00:19:50.559 to all of us 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:52.599 and that is to drive them 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.819 into death and destruction, 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.839 to drive them away 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.859 from the abundant life 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:58.359 that God intends. 00:19:58.439 --> 00:19:59.119 That's what the kingdom 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.479 of dark powers 00:20:00.479 --> 00:20:02.179 wants to do to human beings. 00:20:03.219 --> 00:20:04.679 But Jesus won't let it happen 00:20:04.679 --> 00:20:05.279 to this man. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:08.559 Jesus liberates this man 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:10.319 from all of the oppression 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:11.480 and all the bondage 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.740 of the darkness 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.660 and Jesus causes 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.480 the kingdom of God 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.819 to come erupting 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.700 into his life. 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.000 And notice that 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.599 when Jesus brings salvation 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:23.480 and it's just a messy business 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.220 with all the pigs 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.660 and everything, 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:28.539 when Jesus exercises his power 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.740 he doesn't even roll up his sleeves. 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:34.359 Jesus is not breaking a sweat. 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:37.259 Jesus is not trying hard 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.099 in this moment. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.559 Jesus is not calling on 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.299 a higher power 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:43.679 because Jesus is the higher power. 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.959 Jesus is an infinitely greater power. 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.539 This isn't even a fair fight. 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:50.659 It's no contest. 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:51.839 This whole army, 00:20:52.719 --> 00:20:53.659 this whole kingdom, 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.799 this whole legion of darkness 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.539 just self-destructs 00:20:58.159 --> 00:21:00.500 in the presence of Jesus 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:03.119 and it's no contest whatsoever. 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:06.799 This man who had been woefully oppressed 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:09.059 by demonic powers 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:11.459 is somehow now wonderfully released 00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:13.399 by the power of Jesus. 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:15.159 So my question for you today is 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:17.179 what is that big 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:19.059 and overwhelming thing 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.159 in your life 00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:21.799 that you're bringing to Jesus today? 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:24.379 what's that thing 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:26.680 that's completely controlling you 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.919 and dominating your life? 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.579 When you think about your friends 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.240 and your neighbors 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.220 and your coworkers 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:34.440 and your family members, 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:36.059 what are the big issues? 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.339 What are the big problems 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.859 that they're struggling with? 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.059 And the question for us today is 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:42.379 do you believe that Jesus has the power 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.539 and the authority 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.859 to handle that? 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:49.439 Is His kingdom stronger 00:21:49.439 --> 00:21:51.199 than the kingdom of darkness 00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:53.500 that seeks to dominate 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.279 and control 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.919 and rule over us 00:21:55.919 --> 00:21:57.000 and our world? 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.259 You see what's interesting 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.079 is these people 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.759 in this region of the Gerasenes, 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:03.259 they saw the power of Jesus 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:05.339 but it says they were afraid of it. 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.579 They were uncomfortable 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:08.099 with Jesus' power 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.219 and so in verse 37, 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.019 and then all the people 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.120 of the region of the Gerasenes 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.660 asked Jesus to leave them 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:14.160 because they were overcome 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.220 with fear. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.079 They were afraid 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.960 that inviting more 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.860 of the kingdom of God 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.600 into their lives, 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.720 inviting more of the power 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.799 of Jesus into their lives 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:25.839 would kind of mess things up 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:27.420 and so they'd said, 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:27.759 Jesus, 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.960 would you please go away from us? 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.180 And tragically, 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.960 they don't realize 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.839 how poor and powerless 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.559 they're gonna be 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:37.120 if Jesus actually does leave them. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:39.299 They don't realize 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.000 that they're rejecting 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.159 the greatest opportunity 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.739 of their lives 00:22:41.739 --> 00:22:43.619 to welcome Jesus, 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.399 the liberator, 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:45.899 Jesus, 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:46.659 the deliverer, 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.000 Jesus, 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.039 the savior. 00:22:49.739 --> 00:22:50.839 I guess my question 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.699 for us today is, 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:53.379 do we see, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.539 when we look at our lives, 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.500 when we look at our world, 00:22:55.959 --> 00:22:57.179 do we see these two kingdoms 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:57.859 in conflict? 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:01.399 There's no third alternative 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.539 between these two kingdoms. 00:23:02.679 --> 00:23:04.599 You either are wanting 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:06.099 to live in that one kingdom 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.839 that's familiar 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.579 and comfortable 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.859 yet dehumanizing, 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.500 or you're wanting 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.679 to live in this kingdom 00:23:11.679 --> 00:23:12.759 that comes with power 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.419 and healing 00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:14.679 and freedom 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.379 and salvation 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.379 that Jesus brings. 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.819 Those are your options. 00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:20.819 Kingdoms in conflict, 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.740 that's where we're living 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.599 our lives. 00:23:23.919 --> 00:23:24.399 But secondly, 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.119 I want us to see 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.799 not just kingdoms 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.439 in conflict, 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.699 but I want to see 00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:29.919 this guy with a transformed mind. 00:23:30.959 --> 00:23:32.319 A transformed mind. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:33.759 Now, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.640 where does Jesus get 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:36.019 his authority 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.079 to reclaim 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.680 and to save this man? 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.799 What's interesting is 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:42.079 at the end of the gospel, 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.779 we see Jesus and this man 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:45.039 actually changing places, 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.359 right? 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.859 When we come to Holy Week, 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.799 when we come to Good Friday, 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:50.400 we'll see the Son 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.259 of the Most High God 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.660 being stripped of his clothes 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.339 and being naked 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.039 like this man. 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.220 We'll see Jesus 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.579 being bound with chains 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.240 like this man. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.140 We'll see Jesus 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.859 being cut and bleeding. 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.659 We'll see Jesus 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:03.099 crying out on the cross 00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:03.599 in agony. 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.379 We'll see Jesus 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:05.000 being driven 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:06.519 into the tombs. 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:08.000 And why does Jesus do that? 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.219 Because he came 00:24:10.219 --> 00:24:11.119 to bear the darkness. 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.639 He came to bear away 00:24:13.639 --> 00:24:14.899 this man's misery 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:15.479 on the cross. 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.799 He came to absorb it all 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.740 into himself. 00:24:18.979 --> 00:24:19.819 And the resurrection 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.519 of Jesus 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:22.299 will be a signal to us, 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.539 it is a signal to us 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.159 that somehow, 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.740 some way, 00:24:26.719 --> 00:24:27.459 Jesus managed 00:24:27.459 --> 00:24:28.879 to destroy evil 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:30.059 and to destroy death 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:31.019 without destroying 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.819 any of us. 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:34.980 See, 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.559 the crucified 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.659 yet risen Jesus 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:38.000 came to conquer 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.259 over sin and death 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.159 and hell and the devil 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:42.019 in order that he might 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:43.099 give us eternal life, 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:43.799 in order that he might 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.480 give us abundant life. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.419 And that's what we see 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:47.940 in this man 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.659 in verse 34. 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.059 It says, 00:24:49.179 --> 00:24:50.639 when those tending the pigs 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.460 saw what had happened, 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.200 they ran off 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.919 and reported this 00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:53.419 in the town 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:54.019 and the countryside. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.639 And the people went out 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.700 to see what had happened. 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.940 And when they came to Jesus, 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.839 they found the man 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.759 from whom the demons 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.439 had gone out, 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:02.119 sitting at Jesus' feet, 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:04.899 dressed and in his right mind, 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.459 and they were afraid. 00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:08.919 Here's a man 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.220 who had been 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.399 a chaotic storm, 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.259 raging, 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.399 wild, 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.399 untamable. 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:15.019 Neither men 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.699 nor chains 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:16.859 could constrain him. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.619 No one was strong enough 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:20.119 to subdue him. 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:21.159 And everybody was asking, 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.980 who can save this man? 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:25.419 Who can save us? 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:28.279 But what does the Son 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.460 of the Most High God do? 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.000 It says that when Jesus 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.420 comes in his presence 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.000 and his power, 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.820 there's a total reversal 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.680 in this man's life. 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.120 First of all, 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:36.840 he's liberated 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:39.220 from the occupying power 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.960 and the demons 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.960 are completely gone. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.519 Secondly, 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.660 it says that he's sitting 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.660 at Jesus' feet, 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.380 which is the place 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.420 where a disciple sits. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.000 It's the place 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.200 where a disciple 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:50.080 learns the word of God 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:50.880 and the way of God 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.720 and the will of God. 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.660 Thirdly, 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.860 it says that he's clothed, 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.819 which means that he has 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.579 a new dignity. 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.639 He has a new identity. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.679 He has a new name. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.639 He has a new sense 00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:01.639 of belonging. 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:03.679 He has a new life. 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.719 And thirdly, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.399 it says that he's 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:08.279 in his right mind. 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.559 He's been given 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.579 a sober mind. 00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:13.139 He's been given 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.279 a self-controlled mind. 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.359 He has the mind 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.719 of Christ himself 00:26:16.719 --> 00:26:18.719 being formed in him. 00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:20.639 And so it says 00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:21.479 in verse 38, 00:26:22.479 --> 00:26:23.179 the man from whom 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.279 the demons had gone out 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:26.220 begged to go 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.560 with Jesus. 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.320 You see, 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.220 earlier when he had been 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.120 under the influence 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.180 of these dark powers, 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.960 what did the man say 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.320 to Jesus? 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:33.820 He said, 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.220 what do you want with me, 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.400 son of the most high God? 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.759 Please go away from me. 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:39.440 Please leave me alone. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.720 But now that he's been 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.460 set free, 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.600 now that he's a disciple 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.539 at the feet of Jesus, 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:46.039 now that he's in his right mind, 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.519 what does he beg Jesus 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.799 for in his prayers now? 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.420 He says, 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:50.740 Jesus, 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:52.180 please let me go with you 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:53.460 wherever you're going. 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.680 And that, I think, 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.180 is the mark 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.839 of a transformed mind. 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.380 It's the mark 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.339 of a true disciple 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:01.240 that you talk to Jesus, 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.380 that you want to go 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:03.880 with Jesus, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.259 that you have 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.319 a personal relationship 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.900 with Jesus, 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.900 that you have a new bond 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:09.720 and a new union 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.640 and a new attachment 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.140 to Jesus. 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:11.599 So you say, 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.640 I want to follow you. 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.880 I want to learn from you. 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.900 I want to obey you. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.380 I cannot get close enough 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.539 to you. 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:19.539 And I think that's 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.279 an acid test 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.559 of our own discipleship, 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.099 that when we wake up 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.539 in the morning, 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.700 are we saying to Jesus, 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.000 Jesus, 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:26.339 I want to go with you today. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:29.019 I want to be with you today. 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:30.359 Whatever that means, 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.619 I'm in with you. 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.899 And of course, 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.740 one of the first lessons 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.399 we have to learn 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:36.599 as disciples of Jesus 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:38.319 is that Jesus doesn't always 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.259 give us what we want. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:40.920 Right? 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.559 He doesn't give us 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.259 what we ask for. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.460 He doesn't answer our prayers 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:45.319 the way that we want Him to. 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.779 He very often redirects 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.359 our requests 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.299 because He has something 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.259 better in mind, 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.220 which is what happens here. 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.839 The man from whom 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.980 the demons had gone out 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.460 begged to go with Jesus, 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.559 but Jesus sent him away 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:55.879 saying, 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.700 return home 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.899 and tell how much 00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:59.859 God has done for you. 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:00.799 So the man went away 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.879 and told all over town 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.619 how much Jesus 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.940 had done for him. 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.680 And that's the relational 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:08.139 dynamic of discipleship. 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:10.440 It's not that we 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:13.440 issue commands to Jesus 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.879 and He submits to us. 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:18.780 It's that He issues 00:28:18.780 --> 00:28:19.360 the commands 00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:20.500 and we submit to Him. 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.000 Right? 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.440 He tells us what to do 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.020 and we obey. 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.480 That's what it, 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:25.980 when we say Jesus is Lord, 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:27.200 that's what that means. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:30.220 But it's not an oppressive lordship. 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:33.000 It's a very liberating lordship. 00:28:33.080 --> 00:28:34.140 It's a freeing lordship 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:34.900 because it means 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.420 I no longer have to carry 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.000 the burden 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.580 of being the Lord 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.480 of my life anymore. 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:42.260 I no longer have to figure out 00:28:42.260 --> 00:28:43.140 what I'm doing 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.840 and where I'm going. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.659 What a relief. 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:48.279 Where does Jesus send this man? 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:51.379 Jesus sends this man home. 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.959 And what that tells us 00:28:53.959 --> 00:28:56.119 is that Jesus not only heals us 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:57.720 mentally and physically, 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.959 He not only forgives us 00:28:58.959 --> 00:29:00.459 spiritually and morally, 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.759 but Jesus restores us 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:03.579 socially and vocationally. 00:29:03.659 --> 00:29:05.079 This man had been alienated 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.699 from his home. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:08.039 This man had been driven 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.079 away from his home. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.859 This man is now sent back 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:12.459 to his home as an agent 00:29:12.459 --> 00:29:13.599 of reconciliation. 00:29:13.939 --> 00:29:15.079 That's what Jesus wants to do. 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:16.079 He wants to put us back 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:16.979 in family life. 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.019 He wants to put us back 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.879 in friendships. 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.000 He wants to put us back 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.679 in a community 00:29:20.679 --> 00:29:21.939 where we were made 00:29:21.939 --> 00:29:23.019 to have a new identity 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.000 and a new belonging 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.859 and a new meaning 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.359 and a new purpose. 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:28.199 That's what discipleship is. 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:30.839 And because this man 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:32.179 has a transformed mind, 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:34.079 when Jesus says, 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:37.000 no, I have a better plan 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.619 for your life 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:39.019 than your plan for your life, 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.099 how does he respond? 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.740 He says, great. 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:44.740 Awesome. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.559 And I guess that's my question 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.099 for us is, 00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:50.799 do you have this transformed mind? 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.960 Are you in your right mind 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:57.960 where what you want to do 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.220 is sit at the feet of Jesus, 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.599 go with Jesus, 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:03.459 talk to Jesus, 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:05.980 let Jesus redefine 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.039 your plans for your life 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.359 and say, awesome. 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:13.559 What I want us to think about today 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.740 is that we live 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:16.319 in the midst of these kingdoms 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.139 and conflict 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:19.199 and that what it means 00:30:19.199 --> 00:30:20.000 to follow Jesus 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.179 and become a disciple of Jesus 00:30:21.179 --> 00:30:22.939 is that you have a new mind, 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.159 a transformed mind 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:24.959 and mindset. 00:30:26.219 --> 00:30:27.059 But then finally, 00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:28.779 that you have a new mission 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:30.379 and a new message. 00:30:30.380 --> 00:30:32.440 That as a disciple, 00:30:32.600 --> 00:30:33.020 you've been given 00:30:33.020 --> 00:30:33.920 a new mission 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:35.740 with a new message. 00:30:36.840 --> 00:30:37.740 And we saw this 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:40.140 when in Luke chapter 5, 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.340 when Peter encountered 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.220 the power of Jesus. 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:44.960 And Jesus immediately 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.800 gave Peter this new mission 00:30:46.800 --> 00:30:47.200 and he said, 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.280 from now on, Peter, 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.720 you are going to fish 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.280 for people. 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.660 From now on, Peter, 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.380 you're going to share 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.040 my mission 00:30:54.040 --> 00:30:54.940 to catch people 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.660 for the kingdom of God. 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.460 And this is the task 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.840 of every Christian disciple. 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.579 This is the task 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:01.199 of every Christian church 00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:03.299 is to become a vehicle 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:05.679 through which God's 00:31:05.679 --> 00:31:06.679 redemptive power 00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.919 can go pouring 00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:08.599 into the lives 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.199 of other people. 00:31:10.939 --> 00:31:12.759 And what Jesus did 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.419 for Peter, 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.500 Jesus also does 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:17.240 for this guy. 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.959 This most unlikely guy 00:31:18.959 --> 00:31:20.139 is turned into 00:31:20.139 --> 00:31:21.779 an ambassador for Jesus. 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.799 Having been reconciled 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:25.779 to God through Jesus, 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:27.139 he's now sent out 00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:28.519 with a new message 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.319 and a new mission 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.480 of reconciliation. 00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.779 And it says this again 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.420 in verse 39, 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.299 return home 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.139 and tell how much 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:35.639 God has done for you. 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.680 So the man went away 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:38.399 and told all over town 00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:39.559 how much Jesus 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.940 had done for him. 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.220 Isn't this amazing? 00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:45.319 The first person 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.180 that Jesus sends 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:48.180 to share his mission 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.899 in Gentile territory 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:51.980 is this guy. 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.060 Super broken 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:57.560 and yet incredibly 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.640 delivered. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.920 And he's told by Jesus 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:02.420 just go and share 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:02.960 the gospel 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:04.300 and make disciples. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.460 And Jesus 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:08.259 thinks it's a wise idea. 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:09.320 He just sends him out 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:10.640 without a class 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.440 on evangelism. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:14.039 He doesn't have 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:15.200 a master's in theology. 00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:16.080 He doesn't know 00:32:16.080 --> 00:32:17.440 anything about apologetics. 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.559 All he has 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.820 is a transformed mind. 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:23.039 All he has 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:24.000 is his own story 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.860 of God's grace 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:25.380 and healing. 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:27.240 All he has 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:28.140 is two ears 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:29.279 with which he can listen 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:29.860 to people 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.680 as they pour out 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:32.039 their pain to him 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.880 and their loneliness 00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:33.900 and their longings 00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:35.140 and their questions 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:36.059 and their concerns. 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.240 All he has 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.799 is a heart 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:39.240 to pray for people 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:41.259 and just engage them 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.000 in conversation 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:42.859 and Jesus says 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.720 that's enough. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:45.779 That's enough. 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:47.059 I want you to return home 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:48.660 and tell your people 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:50.039 how much God 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.460 has done for you. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.299 Go tell them 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:53.980 that the power of God 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:55.559 and the grace of God 00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.640 is on the move. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.339 Go tell them 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:58.480 that the kingdom of God 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.259 is coming 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.740 from heaven to earth 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.799 right now. 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.420 And what does the man do? 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:06.000 He tells all over town 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.940 not how much God 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.599 had done for him. 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.539 He tells how much 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.859 Jesus had done for him. 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.519 Did you notice that? 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.259 Does he misunderstand 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:15.299 the mission? 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.759 Is he misunderstanding 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.220 the message? 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.099 No, he understands 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:20.079 it perfectly well 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.940 that Jesus 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:22.240 he's got the lesson. 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:24.460 Jesus is not merely human 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.420 he's the son 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.519 of the most high God. 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.460 So when God 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.440 the Father acts 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.799 he acts through his son. 00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:32.200 And when God 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.940 the Son acts 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.680 God the Father 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.460 is working. 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.639 What Jesus does 00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:36.680 God does. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.619 And if we are going 00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.559 to tell people 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.399 about the wonderful 00:33:39.399 --> 00:33:40.399 works of God 00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:41.599 we have to be talking 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.639 about Jesus. 00:33:42.879 --> 00:33:43.479 We have to say 00:33:43.479 --> 00:33:44.799 the name Jesus. 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.799 Because Jesus 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.479 is the one 00:33:48.479 --> 00:33:49.379 through whom 00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:50.939 the only true God 00:33:50.939 --> 00:33:52.179 is working out 00:33:52.179 --> 00:33:53.239 his saving purposes 00:33:53.239 --> 00:33:54.299 in this world. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.979 And this is how 00:33:56.979 --> 00:33:58.079 disciples on mission 00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:59.699 speak 00:33:59.699 --> 00:34:01.239 the message 00:34:01.239 --> 00:34:01.659 that Jesus 00:34:01.659 --> 00:34:02.139 has given. 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.679 And so he goes home 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:06.259 he goes home 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.100 knowing that God 00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:08.180 is already at work 00:34:08.180 --> 00:34:08.720 in the lives 00:34:08.720 --> 00:34:09.300 of the people 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.340 back there 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.740 where Jesus 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.360 has sent him. 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:13.159 He goes home 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:13.800 knowing that 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:15.039 it's Jesus' power 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.940 and not his own 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.599 that's the basis 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.300 of his missionary 00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:17.880 activity. 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.840 He goes home 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:20.820 knowing that God's 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.619 work through Jesus 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.420 is the heart 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.059 of the message. 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.159 And does everyone 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:26.240 accept his message 00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:26.980 when he gets home? 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.880 No. 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:30.940 All the people 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.400 in this region 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.059 have already told 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.440 Jesus to his face 00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:34.659 please go home. 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.539 Please leave us. 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.619 I'm sure this guy 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.639 was just as rejected 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:41.139 just as ignored 00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:44.039 just as neglected 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:45.340 as Jesus was. 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:47.440 But I also imagine 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.559 that there were 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.659 a handful of people 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:52.000 some people of peace 00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:53.860 that God had prepared 00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:54.679 because why would 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.579 Jesus have sent him 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:56.780 if there weren't 00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:57.200 people there 00:34:57.200 --> 00:34:58.200 to receive the message? 00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.940 People that were open 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.019 people that were ready 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:02.240 people that were ripe 00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:03.359 people that were low 00:35:03.359 --> 00:35:04.099 hanging fruit 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:05.719 people that were primed 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.719 to say 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:08.379 man this thing 00:35:08.379 --> 00:35:08.839 you're telling me 00:35:08.839 --> 00:35:09.319 about Jesus 00:35:09.319 --> 00:35:10.879 sounds pretty amazing. 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:15.539 You know back 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.259 in November 00:35:16.259 --> 00:35:18.319 we invited you 00:35:18.319 --> 00:35:19.339 to begin praying 00:35:19.339 --> 00:35:20.459 for three people 00:35:20.459 --> 00:35:22.279 that you would like 00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.019 to see begin 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:24.219 to explore the faith 00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:25.379 and just to pray 00:35:25.379 --> 00:35:26.119 on a daily basis 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:27.099 that God's kingdom 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:27.779 would come breaking 00:35:27.779 --> 00:35:28.799 through into their lives. 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:30.480 and I want to 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.200 just remind us 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.560 of that. 00:35:32.640 --> 00:35:33.880 I want to encourage us 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:35.380 that you don't need 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.680 a story as extreme 00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:37.260 and dramatic 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.960 as intense 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.980 as this guy. 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.820 All you need 00:35:40.820 --> 00:35:43.340 to engage 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:43.840 in the mission 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.640 and message of Jesus 00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:45.360 is just a heart 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:45.880 to pray. 00:35:47.160 --> 00:35:47.660 All you need 00:35:47.660 --> 00:35:49.080 is just a willingness 00:35:49.080 --> 00:35:50.140 to invite somebody 00:35:50.140 --> 00:35:50.720 to coffee 00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:51.500 or to your table 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.060 for a meal. 00:35:53.140 --> 00:35:53.920 All you need 00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:54.860 is just ears 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:56.160 to listen to their story. 00:35:56.340 --> 00:35:56.700 All you need 00:35:56.700 --> 00:35:57.380 is just a willingness 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:59.200 to share what Jesus 00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:00.099 has done in your life 00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:01.579 and just to sit back 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.880 and watch God work. 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:05.160 Some of us 00:36:05.160 --> 00:36:05.640 have people 00:36:05.640 --> 00:36:06.320 who are ready 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:07.720 to be invited 00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:08.619 to Alpha 00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:10.340 over the coming weeks 00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:10.880 where we're just 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.720 asking them 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.320 to come share 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.140 a meal with us, 00:36:13.220 --> 00:36:13.960 come and engage 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:15.039 in some video-based 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.039 discussions with us, 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:16.800 come and explore 00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:17.780 their questions 00:36:17.780 --> 00:36:18.500 about life 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:19.059 and meaning 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.019 and God 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.579 and faith. 00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:22.500 Some of us 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:22.940 have people 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:23.480 who are saying, 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:23.800 you know, 00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:24.940 thank you but not yet 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:26.059 and what they really need 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.759 is just more 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:28.500 Christ-like hospitality. 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:29.739 They just need someone 00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.860 to lovingly listen 00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:31.860 to their doubts 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.699 and to their questions. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.960 Someone who can 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:35.219 compassionately engage 00:36:35.219 --> 00:36:35.840 in their loneliness 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:37.039 and their pain. 00:36:37.299 --> 00:36:37.900 Someone who can 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.960 just patiently walk 00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:40.019 with them 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.820 as God is working 00:36:40.820 --> 00:36:41.699 to soften them 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.599 and open up 00:36:42.599 --> 00:36:43.480 their hearts to Him. 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.799 And we actually 00:36:45.799 --> 00:36:47.000 don't have any idea 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.920 what God wants to do 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.320 in the lives 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:48.980 of any of the people 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:49.440 around us. 00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:50.059 We don't know 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:51.380 when He wants to work 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.639 or how He wants to work 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:53.559 or where God wants 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:54.420 to work in their lives 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:56.059 but here's what we do know 00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:56.559 and this is from 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:57.380 the Apostle Paul 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:59.099 1 Timothy chapter 2. 00:37:00.539 --> 00:37:01.260 God our Savior 00:37:01.260 --> 00:37:02.159 wants all people 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:02.980 to be saved 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:04.780 and come to a knowledge 00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.460 of the truth. 00:37:06.700 --> 00:37:07.680 For there is one God 00:37:07.680 --> 00:37:08.500 and one mediator 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.200 between God 00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:09.960 and mankind, 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:11.360 the man Christ Jesus 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:12.139 who gave Himself 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:12.800 as a ransom 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:14.079 for all people. 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.260 And that's why 00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:16.820 Jesus says, 00:37:16.980 --> 00:37:18.519 go tell how much 00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:19.480 God has done for you. 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.440 So the man went away 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:21.500 and told all over town 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.500 how much Jesus 00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:24.199 had done for Him. 00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:25.920 Friends, 00:37:26.019 --> 00:37:26.820 Jesus is sending 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:29.280 us just like 00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:30.099 He sent that man. 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.940 Jesus is saying to us, 00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:34.380 go tell how much 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:35.059 I've done for you. 00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:36.019 Go tell how great 00:37:36.019 --> 00:37:36.699 is the grace, 00:37:37.739 --> 00:37:38.900 how great is the mercy, 00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:39.980 how great is the power, 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:41.099 how great is the healing, 00:37:42.179 --> 00:37:43.340 how great is the love 00:37:43.340 --> 00:37:45.039 that's come pouring 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.059 into your life 00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.679 through me. 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:49.539 Are we up for that mission? 00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.159 Are we down 00:37:51.159 --> 00:37:51.840 with that message? 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:54.099 I hope so. 00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:55.059 In the name of God, 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:55.820 the Father, 00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:56.039 the Son, 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:56.739 and the Holy Spirit. 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:57.579 Amen. 00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:57.699 Amen.