WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.940 In verse 26 of Luke chapter 8, follow along on your copy of God's Word, or if not, you can follow on the screen. 00:00:06.600 --> 00:00:07.500 The Bible says this, 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:11.820 And they arrived to the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:21.600 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of a city, a certain man, which had devils long time and wear no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:28.100 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, 00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:34.579 What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 00:00:35.300 --> 00:00:46.060 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, for oft times it had caught him, and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters, and break the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness. 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:47.820 Verse 30, 00:00:47.820 --> 00:00:50.560 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:55.060 And he said, Legion, because we are many devils, were entered into him. 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:59.420 And they besought him that he would not condemn them to go out into the deep. 00:01:00.400 --> 00:01:08.500 And there was a herd of swine feeding on the mountain, and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them, and he suffered them. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:18.400 Then went the devils out of the man and entered into the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and were choked. 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:28.020 And when they that had fed them, talking about the pigs, fed the pigs, saw what was done, they fled. 00:01:28.160 --> 00:01:28.680 No kidding. 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:36.000 I mean, just to picture what is going on here, and they are thinking, Oh man, we're about to lose our job. 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:38.480 Because they were probably a hired hand out there. 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:42.380 They fled and went and told it in the city and in the country. 00:01:43.380 --> 00:01:45.219 So they go and tell everybody what's going on. 00:01:45.240 --> 00:01:45.900 Verse 35. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:59.660 Then they went out to see what was done, and came to Jesus and found the man out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 00:02:00.880 --> 00:02:06.700 They also which saw it told them by what means that he was possessed of the devils was healed. 00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:15.680 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them, for they were taken with great fear. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:19.340 And he went up into the ship and returned back again. 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:24.259 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him. 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:27.240 He's begging him that he might be with him. 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:36.200 But Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:44.040 And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. 00:02:44.939 --> 00:02:52.540 And it came to pass that when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him, for they were all waiting for him. 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:56.460 What a crazy account, really, when you look at it in the Bible. 00:02:57.240 --> 00:03:06.600 But it's more than just this man a long time ago in a place you've probably never been that Jesus delivered him from these demons. 00:03:07.260 --> 00:03:09.500 Really, the truth is found here in this text. 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:12.460 Jesus can deliver you. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:16.560 Because we may not be like this man on the outside. 00:03:17.540 --> 00:03:20.500 But let me remind you that Satan is still alive and well. 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:24.180 He is still here to seek and to kill and destroy. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:26.280 But Jesus came. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:27.099 This is his mission. 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:30.080 To seek and to save that which was lost. 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:33.180 He came to give us life and to give it to us more abundantly. 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:36.819 We're going to pull some great truths, I think, that can be a help to us this morning. 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:39.020 Before we do, let's go to the Lord in prayer, and then we'll jump right in. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:40.580 Father, thank you for this chance to be together. 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:44.020 Thank you for the songs that have reminded us of what you've done for us. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:48.980 Thank you for the great truth that every breath we have, Lord, has borrowed from you. 00:03:48.979 --> 00:03:52.000 Lord, I'm thankful that your mercies are new. 00:03:52.979 --> 00:03:56.419 That your faithfulness is overwhelming, Lord. 00:03:56.459 --> 00:03:59.239 And I pray that we would be reminded of that even here today. 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:05.139 Maybe there's some here today that just need a great reminder of what you've delivered them from. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:11.319 But, Lord, we also understand in a crowd this size, maybe there's somebody here that does not know you as their Savior. 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:16.240 Maybe they're bound by their sin and their habits and their things going on in their life. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:18.759 Lord, you want to meet them where they are. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:20.500 But, Lord, you don't want to keep them there. 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:21.240 You want to deliver them. 00:04:21.900 --> 00:04:23.879 But I pray that you would guide my thoughts. 00:04:23.960 --> 00:04:27.660 You would guide my words, Lord, that it would be a help to these people gathered here this morning. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:30.840 I pray you'd be with the children's church, Lord, as they open up the Word of God there as well. 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:33.879 But I pray you'd be with everything that's said and done today. 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:35.160 And we ask it in Christ's name. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:36.060 Amen. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:36.860 Thank you so much for standing. 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:37.340 You may be seated. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:43.720 I'm sure you've realized and you see just through media and all kinds of things 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:49.600 that our culture is really kind of fascinated with the battle between good and evil. 00:04:50.520 --> 00:04:52.460 It's really been that way for a long, long time. 00:04:52.520 --> 00:04:55.160 It's not just American culture in that sense. 00:04:55.500 --> 00:04:58.960 Human beings are fascinated with this battle for good and evil. 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:07.200 But our culture pours billions of dollars into books and movies and shows where the good guy faces off with the bad guy. 00:05:08.260 --> 00:05:09.380 And we love those stories. 00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:10.020 At least I do. 00:05:10.080 --> 00:05:10.780 I'll speak for myself. 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:14.739 I love those kind of stories even though we generally know how they end. 00:05:15.339 --> 00:05:16.879 We want them to end well. 00:05:17.679 --> 00:05:17.919 All right. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:19.099 This is for all my nerds in here. 00:05:19.219 --> 00:05:21.119 Who is a Star Wars nerd? 00:05:22.059 --> 00:05:23.299 That's what I'm talking about, man. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:23.859 Best friend. 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:25.500 I'm a Star Wars nerd. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:28.559 I love Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:30.979 I love to see that. 00:05:31.219 --> 00:05:32.500 And I love to see it take place. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:36.800 Maybe you're more of a Rocky Balboa versus Yvonne Drago kind of guy. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:37.699 Anybody like that here? 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:37.980 Yeah. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:39.459 Now we're getting there. 00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:43.360 Some of you may be Dorothy versus the Wicked Witch of the West. 00:05:44.779 --> 00:05:45.180 You know. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.740 Some of you guys like those red sparkly slippers, I guess. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:51.420 I mean, that's another sermon for another day. 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:55.220 How about Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant? 00:05:56.140 --> 00:05:57.820 Some of you, now we're going to your childhood. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:00.640 I'm sorry if you just found out it wasn't real though. 00:06:01.880 --> 00:06:03.600 Don't throw anything at me. 00:06:04.840 --> 00:06:06.120 I mean, why do we love these stories? 00:06:07.400 --> 00:06:11.380 I think because deep down we long for good to triumph over evil. 00:06:12.140 --> 00:06:13.580 It's really built into us. 00:06:14.259 --> 00:06:15.199 It's there. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:20.180 And as we come to our text today in Luke chapter 8, we're not looking at a script. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:23.300 We're not looking at a fairy tale. 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:26.379 We're not looking at a WWE match. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:32.039 What we're looking at is a real story of a real man that was consumed by evil. 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:38.719 That was dealing with some things that it's really kind of hard for our 2025 American mind to wrap our heads around. 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:41.379 But this is not a fiction. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:44.060 This is a thing that was real. 00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:45.480 And Jesus came to him. 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:49.719 And really what we find in this text, it's really this ultimate showdown. 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:55.439 Really, really it paints this picture of evil in its rawest form. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:59.139 That this man's life is being destroyed. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:01.459 And the devil cares nothing about it. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:04.279 The Bible reminds us in Peter that we have an adversary. 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:06.620 And he's not there to be our friend. 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:10.180 No, he is there seeking whom he may devour. 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:14.400 Has the idea of that lion walking about when you watch the Discovery Channel. 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:17.220 That lion doesn't see that little antelope and just kind of pat it. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:18.519 No, no. 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:19.879 There's blood everywhere. 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:22.000 It's ripping it apart. 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:23.420 It's destroying its life. 00:07:23.660 --> 00:07:26.600 Listen, that's what our enemy is still out to do. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:32.079 And this evil meets Jesus Christ. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:38.339 Jesus Christ, the Son of God in the flesh and all his authority. 00:07:39.539 --> 00:07:47.099 And before we kind of get wrapped up and we start just thinking about the story and kind of some of the details and kind of the crazy things we see. 00:07:47.099 --> 00:07:49.159 Luke wants to make something very clear. 00:07:49.479 --> 00:07:51.919 That the purpose of Satan is always to destroy. 00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:55.819 And the purpose of the Savior is to always deliver. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:58.819 That's really what this text is about. 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:06.139 And if we're going to understand the victory that Jesus gives, we have to first see the devastation that the enemy brings. 00:08:07.019 --> 00:08:11.459 And I believe that's why this is recorded here in the Gospels and recorded in Mark's Gospel as well. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:18.379 See, before you can really appreciate a cure, you have to realize how deadly the disease is. 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:21.939 If you're not sick, hey, it's no big deal. 00:08:22.719 --> 00:08:27.980 But if you get a really bad diagnosis from the doctor, then you're going to realize how important that cure is. 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:32.799 And that's kind of the picture that's being painted here in our text this morning. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:40.840 And Luke does not hold back with showing how destructive Satan's work is. 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:42.940 That's what we see in those first few verses. 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:45.200 Number one, that the purpose of Satan is to destroy. 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:53.700 So we looked last week, and there in verse number 22, that Jesus and his disciples, they had been ministering for a while. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:56.259 And I'm sure the disciples were like me and you. 00:08:56.400 --> 00:08:57.759 Like, I need a break. 00:08:57.820 --> 00:08:58.660 Anybody just need a break? 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:00.740 I mean, just tired. 00:09:01.140 --> 00:09:05.220 And even doing good things, sometimes we just need to pull away a little bit. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:09.080 And they thought, man, finally we're getting in the boat, and we're just going to have nobody bothering us. 00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:13.300 Well, we saw last week they got in the boat, and they ran into a massive storm. 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:21.899 Not the kind of R&R that they were looking for and that they were afraid for their lives, and in fact they even questioned if Jesus loved them. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:26.919 They woke him up from his nap and said, don't you even care we're about to die? 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:28.839 Oh, and he did care. 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:35.299 We saw last week that the reason they got in that boat is because Jesus had a divine appointment. 00:09:35.579 --> 00:09:37.139 They didn't know what the divine appointment was. 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:40.679 But we are introduced to that appointment here this morning. 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:43.980 That appointment was this man of Gadara. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:47.159 That's why Jesus got in the boat. 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:49.259 That's why they went through this difficult storm. 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:56.080 That Jesus was teaching the disciples who he was, but he also had somebody that he was chasing after. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:59.419 Let me just remind you, we didn't find Jesus. 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:00.600 He found us. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:07.019 Jesus is still pursuing people today, and this is just a gorgeous picture of that truth. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:10.100 They're there, and they finally get out of the boat. 00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:13.519 Man, I can't imagine the disciples when they got out there, I'd be kissing the ground. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:20.300 I mean, if you almost died in the middle of a storm in the Sea of Galilee, you'd probably kiss the ground too. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:24.259 And they get out there, and they're like, maybe their knees are kind of wobbly. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:27.600 You ever kind of been in a situation where you're scared and you're kind of all antsy? 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:29.920 And they're thinking, man, I'm not sure I'm getting back in that boat. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:32.159 And they're kissing the ground. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:36.560 And as soon as they're there, though, the Bible says this in verse number 27. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:43.320 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:48.379 and wear no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:54.399 This was not the greeting party they were looking for. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:11:04.899 I just wonder what their face saw, because we kind of see this man described, we can see it in pretty vivid detail in Mark's account, Mark chapter 5 as well. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.720 This guy must have been a sight to see. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.000 I bet it scared them, you know. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:14.379 I wonder if Peter is like normally the big, bad, tough guy, and he's like trying to hide behind somebody. 00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:17.399 You ever see somebody kind of coming down the street, and you're thinking, I'm going to go the other way. 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:20.120 You ever been in Walmart, and you see somebody come down, and you're like, I'm going to go to the other aisle. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:23.000 Yeah, you've been there. 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:23.960 Don't act like you don't. 00:11:24.060 --> 00:11:25.379 You're like, sometimes you know them. 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:27.019 You're like, I'm definitely going down the other aisle. 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:28.860 I don't want to talk to those people. 00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:33.500 That man was used to it. 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:37.299 I'm sure when he saw the reaction, it was nothing new to him. 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:40.240 This man had just been cast off. 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:42.840 Nobody wanted this man. 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:45.139 They said things like this. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:47.279 He's too far gone. 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.240 Nobody can help him. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:54.759 In fact, in that little parenthesis in verse 29, and you read in Mark's gospel as well, here's what they did. 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:56.279 They just tried to chain him up. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:58.620 They treated him like a wild animal. 00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.580 They couldn't tame him. 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.460 They bound him with fetters and chains. 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:04.740 And the Bible says that he was just so possessed by the demons, he just broke him. 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.480 He's running around. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:08.879 He's not clothed. 00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:09.759 He's cutting himself. 00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:12.080 He's crying and screaming at night. 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:15.480 This guy's in a bad spot. 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:22.560 And Luke gives us this vivid description that this man is exposed. 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:23.600 He's humiliated. 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:25.139 He lived in the tombs. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:28.220 That's where his house was, so to speak. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:32.080 Listen, you don't hang out with people that live in a graveyard. 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:37.340 This man was just completely shunned. 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:39.180 I'm sure he had family. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:42.300 Jesus tells him at the end of this text, go home. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.840 I wonder what his family thought. 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:46.500 What do they do? 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.580 How do they handle that? 00:12:50.500 --> 00:13:00.440 See, what's taking place and why this picture is just so grotesque is because it's a living picture of what Satan wants to do to lives even still today. 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:05.260 Because we think, well, thank goodness I'm not like him. 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.420 No, we were a lot worse. 00:13:08.760 --> 00:13:11.820 We were dead in our trespasses and sins. 00:13:12.400 --> 00:13:14.020 That's what the Bible tells us in the book of Ephesians. 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:17.180 Listen, this is a picture of what sin does. 00:13:17.760 --> 00:13:19.180 Sin doesn't make your life better. 00:13:19.400 --> 00:13:21.540 No, it over-promises and under-delivers. 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:29.040 But ultimately what it does is it chains you and it binds you and it causes you just to be absolutely on the wrong track. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:31.259 That's what sin does. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:35.819 And Jesus put it plainly there in John chapter 10, verse number 10. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:41.899 The thief cometh not, and he's talking about Satan, but for to steal and to kill and destroy. 00:13:43.099 --> 00:13:45.519 And this man is a picture of that. 00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:50.819 Can you imagine living close to this man? 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:54.120 You know, I thought the train in Gainesville was bad. 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:58.980 I don't know how some of you that live closer to the train, I don't know how you do it. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.080 I guess you just block it out. 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:02.620 But it's just like all the time I'm just laying in bed. 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.920 And we live a decent ways away. 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:07.000 And I'm like, good night. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:08.360 How many trains are going today? 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:11.320 And it always goes when you need to get past that, right? 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.420 I mean, I just, ugh. 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:16.080 The one time I'm like, oh, I won't get stuck by it. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.200 I'll just go this way. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:19.320 Every single time. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.560 Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest. 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:24.719 But we hear the train all the time. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:35.279 What have you heard this crazy maniac screaming and crying and cutting himself and just doing all of these things? 00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:36.619 Can you imagine that? 00:14:37.579 --> 00:14:41.219 I mean, every time you send your kids outside, hey, make sure you don't go over there by that graveyard. 00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:42.699 That crazy man lives there. 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:44.719 You got to stay away from him. 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:47.120 Hey, listen, he's too far gone. 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:49.899 You don't want to get anywhere near him because we don't know what he's going to do. 00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:50.720 He's unhinged. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:57.300 But friends, let me just remind you that Satan's destruction is in ancient history. 00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:03.960 That as bad as this man was, Satan's fingerprints are still everywhere just like that today. 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:09.180 See, addiction is a very real thing. 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:12.500 It's something that has overtaken our world. 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:17.139 Maybe it starts as harmless, just one drink, just one pill, just one click. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.580 But you know what it ultimately does? 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.720 It chains you. 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.940 It binds you. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.820 It destroys you. 00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:26.740 And like this man, the chains just don't affect them. 00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:28.820 They affect everyone around them. 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:32.080 Families break and trust shatters and joy disappears. 00:15:32.400 --> 00:15:33.480 That's what Satan does. 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.779 You think, hey, it's not that big a deal. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:36.300 It doesn't bother anybody else but me. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.639 Not true. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.220 Not true. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:46.360 We see mental torment and mental disease even today. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:51.000 And yes, there's some real clinical struggles and depression and PTSD and anxiety orders. 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:52.120 But here's what Satan does. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:16:00.120 He takes those and he prays on you and he whispers hopelessness and he pushes those towards despair where they think the only option I have is just to give up. 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:03.060 We see it around our world today. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.180 We see it around our own community. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.460 We see it in people on the street. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:08.960 We think, well, how did they get there? 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.539 We don't know how they got there. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.220 But here's what. 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.779 Satan wants to keep them there. 00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:15.680 He does. 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:21.939 Sometimes God uses, Satan uses out of control emotions. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.979 There's nothing wrong with emotions. 00:16:25.099 --> 00:16:26.199 God's given us emotions. 00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:35.159 But if we don't check them, if we just allow them to navigate us, emotions show us certain things but they shouldn't be the driving factor. 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:37.259 Some people may have anger. 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:40.120 Some people may have anger and it can destroy a marriage. 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:42.120 Bitterness can poison friendships. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:47.219 Anxiety can paralyze people from moving forward in any area of their life, much less their Christian life. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:52.120 Satan uses the past. 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:56.779 He replays those old mistakes and those old wounds and those old sins. 00:16:57.040 --> 00:17:02.120 Listen, maybe it was something that was done to you or maybe you did something and you just can't get past it. 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:05.640 And either way, he just keeps pushing rewind and rewind and rewind. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:07.240 You think, God can't use me. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.319 No, he can. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:12.099 God doesn't intend for anybody to live like this. 00:17:12.419 --> 00:17:15.119 And he sure didn't intend for this man to live like that. 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:17.919 We don't know how he got there but we know this. 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:19.319 Jesus came for him. 00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:21.579 And Jesus brought hope to him. 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:28.519 And you might look, you might even look in your own life and you think, well I look kind of clothed and in my right mind somewhat on a Sunday. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:30.679 But inside you might feel like this man. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.220 You might feel like there's no hope. 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:36.359 You might feel like there's no chance, no way to get past it. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:38.859 You're trapped and you're restless and you're hopeless. 00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:40.779 Or maybe you know somebody like that. 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:44.799 Maybe there's a spouse or a child or a friend. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:50.979 And the truth that Luke is painting and that God wants us to see is that's what Satan does. 00:17:52.959 --> 00:17:55.119 Sin is always advertised as fun. 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.659 But that's not how it operates. 00:17:58.879 --> 00:18:02.179 It might be fun for a season but hey, listen, payday comes. 00:18:02.959 --> 00:18:04.379 And it destroys lives. 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:14.040 And if the story ended here with this awful picture of destruction, this would probably be one of the most depressing passages in the Bible. 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:17.600 But praise God, that's not where this story ends. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:20.220 That's not where your story ends. 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:24.120 That's not where that loved one ends or that one that you're praying for. 00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:26.460 See, right now when we read it, we just stop. 00:18:26.560 --> 00:18:27.880 The darkness looks unbeatable. 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:33.380 And maybe that's where you feel you are or you know somebody and you think, how are they ever going to get past this? 00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:34.680 There's no hope. 00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:36.120 Jesus shows up. 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:40.060 His own family had put him in the tombs. 00:18:41.040 --> 00:18:42.240 His own friends had put him in. 00:18:42.320 --> 00:18:44.160 I mean, you've got to think, this is not a large city. 00:18:44.260 --> 00:18:46.540 Sometimes we think of these cities like, oh man, it's Dallas. 00:18:47.820 --> 00:18:49.460 Everybody in this town knew this man. 00:18:50.280 --> 00:18:51.480 These are small villages. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:54.099 It wasn't like, oh, I wonder who that is. 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:56.839 Everybody knew, but nobody knew what to do. 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:59.819 And they just said, well, I guess the only option we have is just to get rid of them. 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.740 But Jesus shows up with healing. 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:09.140 So we see the purpose of Satan is to destroy, but the purpose of the Savior is to deliver. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:17.180 Just those first two verses are rough, but verse 28, the whole scene shifts. 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:25.700 When he saw Jesus, he knew exactly who he was. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.420 The devil knows who Jesus is. 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.759 The devils believe and they tremble. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:37.900 They don't believe like we do in the sense of for salvation, but they know who he is. 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.400 Notice what he says in verse 28. 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.000 This demon that is possessing him. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:45.640 What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou son of the God most high? 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:50.560 He's crying out. 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.660 He knows what's coming. 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:54.740 Let me just remind you, the devil knows he lost. 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.620 He knows he's lost. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.380 But he's going to go down with a fight. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:02.360 And he's going to take as many people as he can with him. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.880 That's what's taking place here. 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:09.299 And even if it's just one person, he's going to fight and he's going to drag him down. 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:11.720 And he says, hey, what are you going to do? 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:14.060 I beseech thee, torment me not. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:19.059 Verse 30, and Jesus asked him, saying, what is thy name? 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:24.039 And he said, legion, because many devils were entered into him. 00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:28.480 So the devils are there and they're begging with Christ not to destroy them. 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:35.700 Verse 32, it tells us that there was a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:42.640 So that Jesus is having this conversation with this legion, this many devils, 2,000 devils or something. 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:45.120 And he said, hey, see those pigs over there? 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:47.079 Don't send us out. 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:51.059 Don't send us into the abyss, into the everlasting torment that they know is coming. 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.940 Why don't you just send us into those pigs? 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:59.100 Jesus said at the end of verse number 32, and he said, okay, if that's what you want to do. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:05.180 Verse 33 is one of those pictures that I want to see this. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.039 I wonder how this happened. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.980 Because in my mind, it's like a cartoon. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.059 This is how my mind works. 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:11.200 You just got to bear with me. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.820 It's a very steep mountain. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.360 And it comes down like this. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:16.000 And then there's like a little launch ramp. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:19.019 And they're running down here. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:21.360 And these pigs, pigs can fly. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.240 It's right here in the Bible. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.140 They're just flying down. 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:26.480 The Bible says they're running violently down the mountain. 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:28.599 And they just fly off this mountain. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.779 And they drown themselves in the sea. 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:35.880 In the verse 34, I mean, it's just absolute chaos. 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:38.400 And the man is sitting there. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:45.640 And all the people that are watching were like, like, this was not on the application when I filled it out. 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:51.960 Because this wasn't, I can almost guarantee that the men watching it, these weren't their pigs. 00:21:52.040 --> 00:21:53.120 They were just the hired hand. 00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:59.360 Like, and they had to go tell their boss real quick because they're, our boss is never going to believe this. 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:01.659 You know, this, they couldn't get their cell phone out. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:05.759 I mean, I just want us to picture it. 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:10.340 And they go into verse, in verse 34, they flee into the city. 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:11.540 I mean, they're panicking. 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:14.259 They're like, you are never going to believe what we saw. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:16.500 We were just out there. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.819 We were, you know, whatever his name is. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.680 We don't know what his name is. 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:21.019 He's over there just yelling and screaming. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:23.059 And all of a sudden, all the pigs are yelling and screaming. 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.700 And they run down and boom, and they're all dead. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.440 Wait, what? 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:30.819 Verse 35 says, I'll believe that when I see it. 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.619 That's what they did. 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:35.920 So what, all the people, they didn't want to miss it. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.379 They couldn't check Facebook. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.879 So they had to go out and actually see it. 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.900 But notice verse 35. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.879 Then they went out to see what was done. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:46.220 And came to Jesus. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:49.660 And found the man out of whom the devils were departed, 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:55.799 sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind. 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.440 And notice this. 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:58.519 They thought they were scared when the pigs came down. 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:00.000 And they were afraid. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:05.299 Because this was the man that was beyond hope. 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:08.240 This was the man that was too far gone. 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:12.900 This was the man that everybody in the town had written off. 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:17.160 Even his own family that loved him, they said, well, it's just what it is. 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:19.040 There's nothing we can do. 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.860 And they were right. 00:23:20.040 --> 00:23:21.200 There was nothing they could do. 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:23.160 But Jesus can do all things. 00:23:23.280 --> 00:23:24.660 And he does all things well. 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:26.200 And they go out there. 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:29.680 And it just, it really, really made them scared. 00:23:30.040 --> 00:23:33.420 Because here's this man that they had bound him with chains. 00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:35.040 And they had tied him up. 00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:36.620 And they couldn't even keep those on. 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.399 And he's screaming. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.919 And he's a wild maniac. 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:40.939 And he's sitting there. 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.859 And he's got clean clothes. 00:23:42.939 --> 00:23:44.139 I wonder where he got them, by the way. 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.759 Maybe they had some extra ones. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.739 Like, Peter, give them some of your clothes. 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:49.099 Like, I don't know. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:54.019 See, why such a drastic event? 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:59.779 Why such a crazy thing with a bunch of pigs running down and drowning themselves in the sea? 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:01.059 Why did Jesus do this? 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:02.059 Why did he allow that? 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.799 I think the reason is this. 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.659 Because he wanted to make a point. 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:10.259 I think, number one, he was showing his disciples. 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:12.779 He was showing those watching the pigs. 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:15.840 He was showing the town that the demons were real. 00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:17.220 And they were destructive. 00:24:17.540 --> 00:24:18.340 And they were deadly. 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:23.900 That that's what was going on inside this man's life. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:27.100 That they had heard about sin. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.080 And they know they weren't supposed to. 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:29.040 That the devil's real. 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.540 But it was like this. 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:32.759 Jesus was saying, this is what it looks like in real life. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:36.480 This is the kind of destruction that it brings. 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.660 I think here's the main reason. 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:44.319 It's because Jesus wanted to show that he had all authority. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:50.180 It didn't matter what this man was facing. 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.759 Jesus is above it. 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:56.819 There's nothing that Jesus comes up against where he says, not sure how to do this. 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.039 No, no. 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:59.980 No, he's greater than all of those things. 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.400 And that's really what this chapter is about. 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.599 It doesn't matter if it's nature. 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.379 Our demons. 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:06.000 We're going to see next week disease and death. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.420 It doesn't matter what it is. 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:10.140 Jesus can handle it. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:13.740 All power is given unto me both in heaven and earth, Jesus said. 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:16.559 That that same power is being displayed. 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:18.539 And it's not just for a maniac of the era. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.759 Listen, there may be something in your life right now. 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:22.579 And Jesus is reminding us this morning. 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:24.559 He still has the authority to handle it. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:27.779 He still has the power to help us to move forward in our life. 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:32.279 In verse 35, it's just a, it's an unbelievable before and after picture. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:41.240 We've all seen those infomercials where if you buy this medicine or you do this and you do that, you just take this one thing and you're going to go from this to looking like you work out every day. 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.740 Like, wow. 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:45.180 What a drastic change. 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.920 And then results may vary. 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:49.980 Not here. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:55.160 Because this is what Jesus wants to do for everybody. 00:25:56.779 --> 00:26:00.039 The results are the same when Jesus shows up. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:04.019 When your faith and trust in Christ is there, that's what happens. 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:06.240 This is the power of Christ. 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:09.019 Where Satan enslaves, Jesus sets free. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:12.019 Where Satan shames, Jesus restores dignity. 00:26:12.300 --> 00:26:14.620 Where Satan isolates and says, nobody wants to be a part of you. 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:17.459 Jesus says, no, you're welcome and come in my family. 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.659 That's what Jesus is doing. 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:23.279 He is bringing another child to the table. 00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:28.179 He said, why don't you come in and just enjoy what I can offer you. 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:31.279 And the great news today is that he still does it. 00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:33.379 That Jesus can free the addict. 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.919 He can give peace to the anxious. 00:26:35.199 --> 00:26:39.099 He can calm the angry spirit and heal the bitter heart. 00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:41.219 Listen, he can restore broken marriages. 00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:43.119 He can fix all of those things. 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:45.339 But only Jesus can do that. 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:52.239 See, that's what happens when we bring our brokenness to Jesus. 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.879 Jesus seeks us out. 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.399 And maybe that's why you're here this morning. 00:26:58.479 --> 00:26:59.639 You think, why am I here? 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:02.399 Because Jesus is pursuing you. 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:06.180 And it may not be something as drastic as this. 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:09.160 But Jesus wants our whole life. 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:11.840 Maybe there's some things that are holding you back. 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:14.240 And you're just saying, well, I cannot get over it. 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:16.740 And I can't seem to get past this habit or this hang up. 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:18.460 No, you can't get past it. 00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:19.500 But Jesus can. 00:27:21.040 --> 00:27:24.180 He says, come unto me, all you that are heavy laden. 00:27:24.540 --> 00:27:26.380 Come unto me, all you that are struggling. 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:31.000 And when we, where we fail again and again and again and again, here's what Jesus does. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.880 He succeeds. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:41.440 See, this count just reminds us the Savior's power is always greater than Satan's power to destroy. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:44.440 That's what Luke wants us to see. 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:47.380 But the story doesn't end there. 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:51.120 See, this wasn't just about Jesus delivering. 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:56.539 And when Jesus delivers you, he doesn't do it just for you. 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.380 Now, it helps you. 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:00.240 And it changes your life. 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:02.100 And it moves you a different direction. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.920 And you were going one way. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.100 And he sets you on a rock. 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:06.440 And he sends you the other way. 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.660 And he puts a new song in your heart. 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.820 And yeah, everything's different. 00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:13.960 But he delivers us so that others might see his power too. 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:17.500 See, Jesus didn't just save you to save you. 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:19.940 He saved you so you could let your light so shine. 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:23.320 So you can show others what Jesus Christ can do. 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:26.460 Listen, every miracle points outward. 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:31.320 Every testimony that's in this room is meant to be shared. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.240 That's what's taking place here. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:41.660 And in this story, this man's response shows us exactly what we should do once we've experienced Jesus' saving power. 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.940 Here's what we should do. 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:43.820 Proclaim. 00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:46.640 That's the only right response. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:49.640 The only right response is to proclaim. 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:52.460 Because this man's life is changed. 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.480 And he's sitting there. 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.220 And he's clothed. 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.580 And he's in his right mind. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.640 And the Bible says in verse 36, 00:28:57.640 --> 00:29:14.160 Now this is where it gets kind of weird. 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:21.300 You would think the townspeople would be excited this man's life was changed. 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:26.000 You'd think they'd say, man, thank goodness somebody helped him and we couldn't help him. 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:35.200 But let me just remind you that sometimes when you give your life to Christ, when Jesus delivers you, not everybody's going to be excited about it. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:38.500 Not everybody understands it. 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:41.279 Oh, you think you're too good for us now. 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.720 Oh, you think you're some holy roller. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:46.980 Maybe it's at a Thanksgiving or a family event. 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:50.380 Like, oh yeah, well they used to be fun, but now they go to church. 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:53.340 Maybe some of you have heard stuff like that. 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:56.960 Like, you really take that so seriously? 00:29:58.500 --> 00:30:07.360 Well, if you used to live in the graveyard, if you used to be dead in your trespasses and sin, if your life was chained up and Jesus saved you, you should be a little different. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:11.199 But they don't understand it. 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:16.279 They were a lot more comfortable just hanging out with the pigs than being in the presence of God. 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:19.419 And they didn't really know how to process it. 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:23.559 So instead of really processing it and asking questions, they said, we're going to need you to leave now. 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.439 That's what they told Jesus. 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.839 They besought him to depart from them. 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:32.500 For they were taken with great fear and he went into the ship and returned back again. 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:35.719 You think, well, that's kind of interesting. 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:39.440 That they just told Jesus to leave and he said, okay, I'll leave. 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.620 But he knew what he was doing. 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:50.059 Because what we see taking place here is the man that was delivered had a much different response. 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:53.200 The town was saying, get out of here. 00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:54.680 But look at verse number 38. 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:58.500 Now the man out of whom the devil has departed besought him that he might be with him. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:01.839 So they tell Jesus to get in the boat and go back where he came from. 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.360 Jesus says, okay. 00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:05.140 And you picture this man. 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:07.180 That was running around like a crazy man. 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:10.000 Now he's running after Jesus and saying, hey, hey, hey. 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.539 Take me with you, please. 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:13.059 Hey, I want to be with you. 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:16.940 I mean, I just want to be as close to you as I possibly can be. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:19.360 Thank you so much for changing my life. 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.660 Thank you so much for saving me. 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:22.440 Lord, just take me home. 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:26.420 And I may have thought that in my own life. 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:30.740 I sometimes think it would be a lot easier if you just get saved and go right to heaven. 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.840 And the Lord's like, you're in Texas already. 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.600 What else do you want? 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.200 Okay, he didn't say that. 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:37.240 But, you know, sometimes we think that. 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:40.220 It would be a lot easier to just go be with Jesus. 00:31:42.060 --> 00:31:42.820 I've thought that. 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:46.619 I mean, there's days where you think, even so, Lord, come quickly. 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:47.939 We should think that all the way, by the way. 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:51.799 That Jesus Christ is coming back and we should be living for that moment. 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:56.279 But we see this man naturally begging to go with Jesus. 00:31:58.639 --> 00:32:01.379 The end of verse 38, Jesus said this. 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:02.200 Nope. 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.440 What? 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:08.700 Why would Jesus turn this man away? 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:11.600 Why would he say, no, you can't go with me. 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:15.980 I don't need you here. 00:32:17.140 --> 00:32:20.580 He said, I actually got something much better that I need you to do. 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:25.059 I got a job that I want that's specifically designed for you. 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:28.460 You got a story that I need you to tell somebody. 00:32:29.120 --> 00:32:30.660 Look at verse number 39. 00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:33.480 Jesus said, no, you can't go with me. 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.600 Here's what I want you to do. 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:36.080 Return to thine own house. 00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:38.620 Which would really just mean the area he grew up in. 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.560 Everybody knew this man. 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:44.740 He was the wild maniac that everybody thought, nobody can help him. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:47.700 I want you to go home and here's what I want you to do. 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:50.640 Tell everybody what great things God has done for you. 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:54.040 See, because they didn't know how to process Jesus. 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:57.620 There was something new and it was just kind of this random thing. 00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:58.779 Everything is going good. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.920 It's just a normal day. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:02.080 Now all the pigs are dead and it's because of this guy. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.039 I'm not sure we want to mess with this guy anymore. 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:12.380 But he leaves this man here and he said, they need to know who I am. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.539 And I want you to tell them. 00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:17.100 I want you to share the good news. 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:19.080 Because they knew him. 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:21.380 They knew how he operated. 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:23.980 I can imagine every time he's just walking through town. 00:33:25.800 --> 00:33:27.700 Even if it's just the next day. 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:29.260 They're still going to be leery. 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:32.800 Like what kind of smoke and mirror show was this thing? 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.920 Because they were just waiting for him to go crazy. 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.620 And he's just like, hey, how you doing? 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.380 Hey. 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.220 Yeah. 00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:38.800 I know. 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.780 I know what you're thinking. 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:41.059 I got a haircut. 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:43.559 I know what you're thinking. 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.079 Yeah. 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.099 These are new clothes. 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.160 Obviously. 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.440 You know what he said? 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:49.599 Listen. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:49.719 Listen. 00:33:50.899 --> 00:33:52.659 I can't believe what Jesus did for me. 00:33:54.439 --> 00:33:55.619 Like I know it's not your fault. 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:56.539 And you didn't know what to do. 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:59.000 And you were maybe just doing the best you can. 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:02.119 And obviously the graveyard seemed to be the only place. 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:03.679 But Jesus changed that. 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:08.900 I would imagine every person he met. 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:11.659 They say, hey, what did you used to do? 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.679 Oh, let me tell you. 00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:14.699 I lived in a graveyard. 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.480 And I was crazy. 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.880 And they chained me up. 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.699 I mean, look at these scars. 00:34:18.699 --> 00:34:19.339 They're awful. 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.739 And I cut myself. 00:34:20.819 --> 00:34:21.360 And I was screaming. 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:23.500 And everybody just said, hey, you can't do anything. 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:25.319 But then this guy come in a boat. 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.239 And he got on the boat. 00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:27.980 And he said, hey, why don't they go in the pigs? 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:29.199 And he just told this whole story. 00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:31.159 You know what he's doing? 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:33.159 Sharing the gospel. 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.380 They didn't maybe understand Jesus. 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:38.739 But they all knew who this man was. 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:41.079 And they knew who he used to be. 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.279 And now they see him. 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:44.639 And they see the evidence of a life change. 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:47.179 And if anybody had doubts about what Jesus can do, 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:50.199 here's the poster child of what Jesus does. 00:34:50.899 --> 00:34:52.440 Satan tried to destroy him. 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.159 And addictions. 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:55.280 And all the things we're trying to eat him alive. 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:57.740 But Jesus said, nope, not going to happen anymore. 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:01.579 And that's where this story connects to us. 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:07.619 That if Jesus has delivered you, you have a story. 00:35:09.819 --> 00:35:12.619 Some people used to know who you used to be. 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:14.179 And what you used to do. 00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:15.519 And where you used to go. 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:17.000 And what you were involved in. 00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:19.039 And they're thinking, hey, what happened to you? 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:20.380 I'll tell you what happened to me. 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:22.819 Jesus Christ showed up. 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:24.599 And everything's been different. 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:25.960 I'm not perfect. 00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:28.159 But I know I'm on the way to heaven. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:30.340 I know I've got a purpose in my life. 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:32.659 And the best place to start, you know where it is? 00:35:32.740 --> 00:35:34.119 With the people that knew you. 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.940 He said, go home to your family. 00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:39.480 Go tell the people in the city. 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.579 You know where you need to go? 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:41.440 To your family. 00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:42.480 To your coworkers. 00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:43.619 To your classmates. 00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:44.699 To your neighbors. 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:44.960 Why? 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.860 Because they know who you are. 00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:49.679 You don't have to have a seminary degree to be a witness. 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:53.119 Well, what am I supposed to tell them? 00:35:53.820 --> 00:35:55.440 Here's who I was before I met Jesus. 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:57.980 And by the grace of God, this is where I am now. 00:35:58.619 --> 00:36:00.179 And he can do the same thing for you. 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:05.280 Because if God can save me, God can save anybody. 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:08.480 That's what this is a picture of. 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:11.320 Nobody can save that guy. 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.659 Jesus did. 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:15.720 And we can look at him and we can be reminded. 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:22.380 And we started by this message by talking about our love for stories where good triumphs over evil. 00:36:24.340 --> 00:36:25.740 But see, this isn't a movie. 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:28.280 This account's not fiction. 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:30.940 It's the real story of a man. 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:32.920 In many ways, it's the story of you. 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:36.440 You can see your life here. 00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:39.960 Maybe you're here today and you're still bound by sin. 00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.760 You're trying to be a good person. 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:43.179 You're trying to do Christian things. 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:45.519 And trying to just maybe turn over a new leaf. 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:46.659 Here's where it needs to start. 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:47.780 Run to Jesus. 00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:52.140 And place your faith and trust in him. 00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:53.460 That's his mission. 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:55.720 He came to seek and to save. 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:57.140 And maybe that's why you're here this morning. 00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:59.600 And that still small knock that's on your heart. 00:36:59.680 --> 00:37:01.500 You're thinking, that's what you're looking for. 00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:03.720 It's not some step-by-step process. 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.940 And there's a time and a place for that. 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:08.240 But where it all starts is at the feet of Jesus. 00:37:11.240 --> 00:37:13.159 But maybe you've been delivered in the past. 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:17.139 And you can go back to that moment in your life where you realize that you were a sinner. 00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:19.119 And that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 00:37:19.220 --> 00:37:20.099 But it wasn't just for everybody. 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:20.900 That was for you. 00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:25.360 And the Bible says that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:26.559 And you took that seriously. 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:28.200 And you said, God, I'm a sinner. 00:37:28.280 --> 00:37:29.139 Would you forgive me? 00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:30.900 And he changed your life. 00:37:32.660 --> 00:37:34.860 When's the last time you told somebody about that? 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:39.139 Because we get excited about a lot of things. 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:42.019 Like I am hyped up about next weekend. 00:37:42.780 --> 00:37:43.920 College football, baby. 00:37:44.599 --> 00:37:46.019 And I'll talk about it, man. 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:47.900 You want to talk after church today? 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.680 We'll talk about it. 00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.900 You want to talk about golf? 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:52.480 Let's go. 00:37:53.660 --> 00:37:55.700 I got to go down and see TPC Sawgrass. 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.599 Super famous if you saw. 00:37:56.760 --> 00:37:57.740 I got to see that. 00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:58.840 I did preach this week. 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:01.480 I was like, man, this is a pretty nice little golf course right here. 00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.780 I'll tell you all about it. 00:38:02.800 --> 00:38:03.460 I'll show you pictures. 00:38:05.579 --> 00:38:07.559 We'll talk about anything and everything. 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:12.980 When's the last time you told somebody you were dead, but now you're alive? 00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:16.280 You were lost, but now you're found. 00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:18.599 You're blind, but now you see. 00:38:19.259 --> 00:38:23.440 You're not perfect, but by God's grace, you're moving towards him. 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.799 And he's changed it. 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:27.460 And your marriage was falling apart. 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:29.119 And you were addicted to this. 00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:31.119 And you were at the end of your rope. 00:38:31.319 --> 00:38:35.440 And you know beyond a shadow of doubt if God didn't show up, you might not even be here this morning. 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:37.480 You might be dead in jail or who knows. 00:38:38.339 --> 00:38:39.779 But Jesus Christ shows up. 00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:42.039 And everything changes. 00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:45.259 That's what this text is about. 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:51.079 So maybe you're here this morning and Jesus says, come unto me. 00:38:51.820 --> 00:38:52.860 You need deliverance. 00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:56.500 You need to come to him and just let it go. 00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:58.099 Stop trying to do it all yourself. 00:38:58.360 --> 00:38:59.440 He's already done it. 00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:03.179 That's why on the cross he said, it is finished. 00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.960 He paid the debt. 00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:09.760 Maybe you're here and the Lord's laying somebody in your heart. 00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:12.380 Go share your story this week. 00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:14.000 Say, well, I'm not a preacher. 00:39:14.300 --> 00:39:14.940 You don't have to be a preacher. 00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:16.639 You're a Christian and that's your job. 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.840 You have a story to tell. 00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:27.000 Because when Jesus saves you, the only right response is to go tell how great things God has done for you. 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:30.199 That's what he wants us to do this week. 00:39:30.800 --> 00:39:33.059 Would you stand with your heads bowed, with your eyes closed? 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:40.380 See this?