VISITATION #8: JESUS IS THE MIGHTY DELIVERER
INTRO TO TOPIC:
• For the past two months, we have been studying the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.
• Last week, we looked at how Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and can calm our storms.
• This story takes place right after Jesus and His disciples went through the storm.
BIBLE STORY:
“Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.” (Luke 8:26-27).
• Mark says: “neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.” (Mark 5:4b-5).
• Here was a man in a desperate situation. He was naked, cried in agony and cut himself, but no one could help him. How many people in the world today are in bondage like this?
• Addictions to alcohol, porn, gambling; panic attacks; obsessive or negative thoughts; depression; poor relationships; bitterness or unforgiveness; low self-worth to name a few.
• This man was in a desperate situation… until Jesus came to town!
“28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. 34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. 38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you." And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:26-39).
• This man’s story is a testimony of hope to anyone who struggles to find freedom.
• But – how can we find freedom from those chains that bind us?
THE BIG IDEA: Jesus is the Mighty Deliverer. No matter how strong the chains may be that bind you, Jesus can set you free. And he who the son sets free is free indeed!
HOW DO WE FIND FREEDOM?
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:31-36).
1. ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM:
• “You cannot heal or change what you do not acknowledge.”
• The Pharisees said, “We have never been in bondage to anyone.” (v.33)
• As a result, they never reached out for the salvation and freedom that Jesus offered.
• Jesus said, “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” (v.34). Sin is a trap!
• Two things we need to understand about the nature of Satan’s traps:
o A trap is deceptive – you don’t know that it’s a trap. (i.e. Cheese on a mouse trap)
o A trap is stronger than you are – you can’t get yourself free.
• ILLUSTRATION: Surf’s Up is a mocumentary following Cody Maverick, rock penguin.
• In the movie, Chicken Joe is captured by Penguins, but he thought they were treating him like a king (royal hot tub). Actually, they were getting ready to eat him (soup pot).
2. BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE GREATER THAN YOU CAN SET YOU FREE:
• Jesus promised: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (v.36).
• Sometimes because people are bound for so long, they lose hope and give up.
• The Gadarenes man had demons for a long time… but Jesus still set him free!
• Jesus is the Mighty Deliverer, and He’s good at transforming people’s lives.
3. SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST:
• Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (v.31).
• You cannot find true and lasting freedom outside of a personal relationship with Jesus!
• We are not talking about deliverance this morning – we are talking about the Deliverer!
o We don’t talk about salvation, but the Savior. Not healing, but the Healer.
• “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1). “When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (NLT).
4. COMMIT TO GET INTO GOD’S WORD:
• Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32).
o If we want to be free, we must abide, live and remain in the Word – daily!
o When we abide in the Word, then we know the truth.
o It is the truth that makes us free!
• Just because you become a Christian doesn’t mean you will automatically be set free from all of your sins and bad habits!
• “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).
• Renew your mind to what the Bible says about who you are in Christ!
5. CONFESS YOUR SIN TO GOD AND TO A TRUSTED FRIEND:
• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
o When you confess your sin to God, you receive forgiveness.
• “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16).
o When you confess your sin to a friend, it brings it from darkness into the light, so the enemy can’t condemn and accuse you any longer.
• “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
o This is why home groups are so important – where we can pray with each other.
o The Overcomers Outreach meetings are very helpful, too.
• Remember: “The church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners.”
• If you confess your sin to us, we will respond with love, acceptance and forgiveness.
6. HELP OTHERS FIND FREEDOM IN CHRIST:
• Back to the story of the demon-possess man who met Jesus:
• “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you." And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:39).
• When Jesus saves, delivers or heals you, share your story with someone else!
• Your testimony can help build someone else’s faith to believe God for freedom.
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. 3:17-18).
• Freedom is not just about what we don’t do, it’s also about what we do do.
• Freedom means becoming more like Jesus every day – transformed into His image!
PRAYER: For those who want to be set free!
BENEDICTION:
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25).
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
