Call To Worship

Romans 11:33–36 NKJV

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Giving

Leviticus 27:30 NKJV

30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.

Today’s Text:

Matthew 8:28–34 NKJV

28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” 32 And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. 33 Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.

People Before Profit

1. We are called to be ready.

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Jesus went to these two men because they had a divine appointment for divergence.

let me be clear, Jesus was not surprised by these men. Neither is He surprised.

You may have run yourself out of fellowship, you may be living behind the library, you might be sleeping on a couch by the dumpsters, you might be living in a big mansion but your miserable. whatever Jesus is ready the meet you and take authority over the demons that have taken over your life.

even though this passage dose’t mention the disciples at all at this point in the text. i feel the need to point out that while Jesus was moving away from the crowds he was moving toward the undervalues.

this is why in our pursuit of discipleship we have to realize a couple of things

1. I’m not Jesus and neither are you! you need rest and recreation!

In order to stay ready we have to schedule times of rest and recreation.

we cannot keep giving and giving and giving and never recharge and be ready for the individuals like Jesus was.

I spent years and years pushing myself.

at some point there is no return on investment.

some down time keeps me fresh for the grave yards and the outcast.

2.Isolation is a key to the work of the enemy.

make sure rest doesn't turn into isolation. I know. first I tell you to rest and then I tell you not to isolate! which is it? The answer is balance is the key.

look at the location of our friends in this passage.

Matthew 8:28 NKJV

28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.

they where in the tombs. this is a gentile area, but according to the law of God these men would have been unfit to be around… don't be shy, how many of us would have said ‘ preacher I don’t know if I had a demon but I can tell you where I was no one wanted anything to do with me.

sin always tries to separate us from solution! Christ creates in me a clean heart.

the devil separates Jesus unites.

the snake moves in condemnation while Jesus moves in consecration.

Fellowship moves people toward the purpose of God in their lives. none of us are called to do this alone.

Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Romans 12:10 NKJV

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Acts 2:42 NKJV

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

3. There will be a time of judgement.

Matthew 8:29 NKJV

29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

there will be a time of judgement for our tormentors.

Jude 6 NKJV

6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

Revelation 20:10 NKJV

10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

there will be a day of Judgement for us all, but today I will tell you that I don't have to focus on the enemy. I Just need to make sure I focus on that enemy having influence in my life.

the fact that I will have to meet Christ on throne and he will ask me about somethings. I need to keep short accounts. I need to make it right when I am wrong.

the second thing I know is that God will take care of the dark side I don’t have too.

4. The enemy tips his hand.

Matthew 8:30–32 NKJV

30 Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” 32 And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.

the demons destroyed the pigs because that’s what the darkness does it destroys.

John 10:10 NKJV

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

the enemy comes to:

Steal

Kill

Destroy

Jesus came that we have:

Life

and have it more abundantly.

5. The People put Pigs (profit) before people.

Matthew 8:33–34 NKJV

33 Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.