I Got A Testimony: The Structure Of A Great Testimony

Mark 5:15–20 (NASB 2020)

15 And then they came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had previously had the “legion”; and they became frightened. 16 Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Him to leave their region. 18 And as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was begging Him that he might accompany Him. 19 And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

The Trouble

Life

The journey

The juggling act (Trying to make sense of the chaos)

The Trials

Little to no help

People are sympathetic but not empathetic

The worlds culture ignores or just put you away as beyond my time, interest, resources

The emotional traumas that goes along with the feeling of hopelessness we all experience

The Transformation

When God gets involved

We have to seek him in faith

Hebrews 11:1 “1 Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.”

Other times God intervenes through our inability to respond but our hearts are crying out

He opens up the heavenly resources based on what we need and relieves the burden

He puts us in a place of peace and comfort

Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.”

People at times can see you better and ignore the transformation (Spiritually Dull)

Clothed

Mental Health improved

Behavior under the control of God

People are more concerned about leaving you as the old you because they have normalized the old you and not what God has done for you.