29: Set FREE (Luke 8:26-39)

Stories of Freedom

It’s easy to take FREEDOM for granted, until you don’t have it. Freedom to go to school, freedom from those who want to harm you, freedom to meet with the Church, & freedom to share Jesus with others.

But its possible to have the privileges and still be in bondage.

Some of us are in bondage to our past - poor decisions that haunt us. Our nation protects our freedom…but we’re NOT free.

Some of us are in bondage to thoughts. We WORRY and get anxious about things we can’t control. Our nation protects our freedom…but we’re NOT free.

Some of us are in bondage to sin…We try to keep it hidden…but it keeps crawling out of the basement wreaking havoc on our relationship with God & people. Although our nation protects our freedom…but we’re NOT free.

Many in this room have been Set FREE…and it's up to us to share how others can be Set FREE.

Today we discover the story of a man understood was it was like to be in bondage for a long time…a man who no one could help…a man who desperately needed to be Set FREE…And when he was, he had to tell others WHO set him free. With thus story Dr. Luke once again reminds us of our BIG TRUTH of his entire writing, that…

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

Have YOU come to that conclusion? If not, maybe it’s time for YOU to be Set FREE.

PRAY

You’ll remember that Jesus and the apostles were in a wicked storm in their familiar fishing waters. Jesus had miraculously calmed the storm & the apostles asked, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

That’s where we pick up.

Luke 8:26–27 (NIV)

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.

That’s not the kind of welcome you want - Mr. Naked-Demon possessed guy.

This man had been in bad shape for a long time. Running around like an animal…far removed from other people.

I can imagine someone trying to make conversation with him: "So, where do you live?"

"In the cemetery.” [That might be an AKWARD conversation.]

Different than our cemeteries, they placed dead bodies into caves cut into the walls of the cliffs. And this is where this guy lived…with dead bodies.

THIS is the man who likely rushed down to attack those who landed on the shore [NTC].

But instead of unleashing an demonic [can of booty] whoopin’ on this boat full of men…

Luke 8:28-30 (NIV)

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

This was a BaaaaaD dude! His community couldn’t figure out what to do with him. Sometimes the man was relaxed, but other times multiple demons would seize him - taking control of his body. This demonic team called itself Legion. - that’s the Roman military term for 5000-6000 troops. In other words, there were MANY demons in this guy and this ‘Legion’ was a powerful force.

To protect this man & those he might harm, people in his community chained him up and kept him under guard. But these demons would not allow him to be jailed for long. They broke his chains & drove him away from his people to solitary lonely places…like the tombs.

Yet, as bad as this spiritual force was…someone MUCH MORE POWERFUL was near….and ‘Legion’ knew it! Let’s back up and tie this conversation together.

Luke 8:28b, 31 (NIV)

28 “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”

31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

Remember the apostles had earlier been asking, “Who IS this?” These fallen angels (demons) knew EXACTLY WHO HE WAS. They saw past the ‘Clark Kent’ disguise and they saw the S on his chest - They knew Jesus was the Son of the Most High God! And as bad as these demons were, they were AFRAID of Jesus. They knew He had the power to send them to the Abyss.

The Abyss is the final destiny of the devil and his angels. Contrary to what many believe, the Devil and demons are not parading around hell torturing people right now. Hell is a place THEY don’t want to be!

Jesus spoke of future days when He will condemn people for their false faith

"...‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41 (NIV)

Peter writes: "God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment" 2 Peter 2:4 (NIV)

These demons wanted to get away from Jesus & His judgment. They were no match for the Son of the Most High God.

Luke 8:32 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission.

WHO is in charge here? Jesus - the Son of the Most High God is! What does THAT mean - Jesus being the Son of God?

Colossians 1:15–17 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

A Jehovah’s Witness will knock on your door and say Jesus was the first of God’s creation. THAT’S NOT what this means…as we will see. Firstborn is not about the order in which something is created. Firstborn refers to the one who has authority over all others.

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

How could Jesus calm the storm earlier in the day? Because He CREATED all things!

How can Jesus calm the man and kick out the fallen angels with a verbal command? Because He CREATED all things…including those invisible fallen angels.

Luke 8:33

33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

This gives us insight that Jesus was in Gentile territory as Jews would have never farmed pigs. Mark tells us that this herd of pigs numbered 2,000 (Mark 5:13). Then this entire herd launched into the lake & drown. Why would Jesus allow this? We don’t know for sure as the text doesn’t say. What we do know is this - this MAN was more valuable than 2000 pigs…and would have been more valuable than 2,000 of ANY animal. Humans are created in God’s image. Turn to someone and remind them…”YOU ARE VALUABLE!”

Luke 8:34-25

34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened.

If you’re the one tending pigs for the owners…wouldn’t YOUR life stink right now? How are you going to tell the owners how the entire herd had just jumped off a cliff? Just like in Madison, word spread and people ran to investigate for themselves.

When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

What an incredible THING! The man who had been in bondage for years had been Set FREE! Mr. Naked-Demon possessed guy is now dressed. The crazy tomb-raider is now in his right mind. And he sits at Jesus’ feet likely talking with him & the other apostles. I would have loved to hear THAT conversation!

But instead of being excited about this transformation, the people were…AFRAID?

Surely, once they heard the story they would want to sit at Jesus’ feet too…

Luke 8:36-37

36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

WHAT?!!?

The One who controls the most wicked of demons had come across the lake & set this man free…and they didn’t want anything to do with Jesus?!!? We don’t know why. Maybe this sudden transformation was too much to swallow without having time to think about it. Maybe they feared that following Jesus would cost them more than 2000 pigs in the future.

But rather than debate, Jesus honored their request…and left.

And before He did, we read one of the most precious interactions in all the Gospels.

Luke 8:38-39

38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

The man Set Free wanted to go wherever Jesus went. He begged to go with Him. Think about that for a moment, the man formerly known as ‘Legion’ could have become one of Jesus’ apostles. But instead, Jesus gave him a very important task - to share how he had been Set Free and be a living example to his community that…

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

What’s this mean for you & me?

Are you still in bondage to your past, thoughts, sin? Jesus CAN set you free! He can forgive you. He can transform you. Come to Him - trust Him with your past & your future.

Secondly, many in this room are like the man in this story (minus the naked-demon possession part). Jesus has changed your life - forgiven your past & given you a future. And now He has given you the same important task - to go right to where you live and share how much Jesus has done for you. To help SHOW others that…

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

BIG TRUTH: The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives

If we refuse to impact our culture…then who will? I’ll tell you who will.

This past week I was listening to a podcast of Dr. William Lane Craig. He shared clips of Dr. Peter Boghossian…….Philosophy instructor at Portland State University who has written a book entitled: A Manual for Creating Atheists. Listen to his plan to impact our culture.

He wants an army of at least 10,000 people to engage 5-15 people a day to ‘inoculate’ them, talk them out of their faith, and into reason.

I don’t know about you…but them’s fightin’ words! This shows the battle that is happening in our culture while many of us sit on the sidelines. Do we really BELIEVE the message of the Gospel - that Jesus Forgives & Jesus Judges - If so, let’s put Feet to Faith this week. If we REALLY BELIEVE The Story of Jesus is Worthy of Our Lives then take this challenge:

Pray for Divine Appointments. Ask God to use you and others. Pray for your lost friends/family.

Prepare to Share Your Faith Story. In 3 minutes learn how to share

Before Jesus (2) Trusting Jesus (3) Life with Jesus

Share with Someone Daily. This might start by asking, “Is there anything I can pray for you about?” You won’t believe the opportunities that come from THAT!

What could happen if 50 of us chose to do that? We could Jesus with a bunch of folks!

Stand and pray: Lord Jesus - what are you asking me to do with what I’ve heard? 1) Turn from your sin & trust Jesus 2) Accept the challenge to put Feet to Faith.