Life-Changing Agents

Introduction:

This morning, I want us to look at one of the most extraordinary life-changing events in Jesus’ ministry. It is found in three of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We will be looking at the account in the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 5:1-20.

Mark 5:1–20 NKJV

1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. 14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Let’s observe a few things from this story:

The man wandering the tombs, was a madman that no one could contain. 

He did destructive thing to himself and I’m sure others. 

He lived among the tombs and was considered unclean. 

He was demon possessed. In fact, he had a host of demons. 

Every effort to help him had failed “no man could tame him.” He seemed to be an impossible case.

Jesus didn’t did not avoid this man. In fact, it seems from the story in Matthew that there were two men, but this man is emphasized because of his transformation.

Jesus cast the host of demons out of the man and into the swine (destroying both). 

The man was restored and the people were astonished. 

The one who had been transformed became a life-changing agent. He went to his village and Decapolis. One whose life is changed wants to see that change in others.

We learn a few things about life-changing conversations here: You know we have witnessed some life-changing encounters at LifePoint. Bull is one of those.

Life-changing conversations can happen with all kinds of different people (hopeless people, religious people, sinful people, and secure people).  And impossible people.

Life-changing conversations can set people free like this man. 

Life-changing conversations don’t interest everyone. The people of the village were more interested in the pigs than this poor man. Maybe they had their reasons, but do any of those reasons hold water?  

Those that are concerned about people and want to have life-changing conversations, need to make 4 determinations. 

Determination 1: Sacrifice Some Comfort.

The formerly demon possessed man wanted to go with Jesus. Why? Well, I can only imagine that he wanted to soak in every word that Jesus spoke.

He had tasted and saw that the words of Jesus satisfied his deepest longings.

I’m sure he want to feast on the bread of life, drink deeply from the waters of life, and remain in this constant state of worship and satisfaction. This has its place in the Christian life.

He had discovered what you and I have discovered. Worship to God is what we are created for and when we are truly in the presence of God we have everything that we need.

Listen to me this morning. God has not only called us to worship but He has called us to warfare. We are living in a time of war.

Part of our worship is join Him in His mission and if we focused on feasting their is an imbalance in our worship. He has not only called us to come and dine, He has called to come and die. Luke 9:23

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

This man had lent his voice and body to demons most of his life, who had destroyed him. Now he was to willing lay down his life to the One who had redeemed, restored, and built his life.

The first determination if we are to be life-changing agents is sacrifice some comforts.

This may look like time away from an activity that keeps you from engaging people.

It may be talking to people you don’t know or are not comfortable around.

It may be doing something you don’t like doing.

Chances are real life-changing conversations will not take place in your comfort zone.

All along the Christian course, there must be set up altars to God on which you sacrifice yourself, or you will never advance a step.

Alexander Maclaren (Preacher and Expositor)

Sacrifice is the ecstasy of giving the best we have to the one we love the most.

Anonymous

Determination 2: Face Your Demons.

This man didn’t have a demon, but rather a multitude of demons. His reputation preceded him. Attempts had been made to contain him, but all had failed.

It occurred to me as I pondered this man’s desire to go with Jesus and Jesus’ command to stay. This man may have wanted to go with Jesus to run from his past! But Jesus demand him to face it and use it to glorify God.

I was saved at the age of 11 and my faith brought fruit, but in my late teens I swerved from the faith and did things that I was ashamed of. When I returned to the Lord and He put together the pieces of my life that I had broken, I was overjoyed, but I wasn’t sure everyone else could see what had taken place inside of me.

I was reluctant to talk to people about the Lord. Especially those who could call me out about my failures and mistakes.

I discovered however, that if I was open about my failures and confident about what God had done in my life; then I could share with anyone.

Whether we like to admit it or not our failures played a role in making us who we are and bringing us to where we are, and they can be used to lead other broken people to the only one who can make them whole.

You cannot change the past, but the past can change you, either for better or for worse. It all depends on how you look at it. The past can be a rudder that guides you or an anchor that hinders you. Leave your past mistakes with God, and look to the future by faith.

Warren W. Wiersbe

The message of the Gospel is not clean yourself up and come. It is come broken, downcast, empty, destitute and guilty. The God who created you, has redeemed you, will remake you, and will restore you through the satisfactory completed work of Jesus Christ.

I want to balance this a little now if I can. The residue from the demons we have entertained are not all in the past. We all have things in the present that Satan uses to hinder us, and we need to determine to face those also if we want to be the best we can be for God’s glory.

Determination 3: Engage Your Circle.

Listen to Jesus’ directive to the once chained but now changed man: Mark 5:19

Mark 5:19 NKJV

19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

We all have a circle of friends and family. Can you image the mistrust this man’s friends and family must have had? Those of you that have been in addiction know. They have heard it all before and they have been hurt by your lies.

For those who haven’t been in addiction. Your friends and family know you better than anyone and they are not easily impressed. They feel comfortable in telling you to take a hike!

Jesus sends him there first.

I struggled here for a long time and I was deeply concerned about the salvation of my uncle. Let me say mark your place off, make your stand, and open the conversation with family and friends. It may sink the first time or two.

But listen, God has given you influence with your friends and family. Spend it!

Listen again to Jesus in Mark 5:19

Mark 5:19 NKJV

19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

Tell them what great things the Lord has done for you!

How he has had compassion on you!

Our comfort with our family sometime causes us to take the wrong approach.

Determination 4: Forge New Friendships.

The man once plagued by demons did as Jesus commanded but he didn’t stop there. Listen to Mark 5:20

Mark 5:20 NKJV

20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

He went to the 10 villages on the east side of the sea of Galilee telling them the Good News.

What does that mean? He was expanding his influence.

For us it is meeting people, investing in people for God’s glory and their salvation.

Let’s pray as we get ready for the invitation:

Response

Our motto is: “Changing Lives by Pointing People to Jesus.” What that means is we believe that Jesus is the only means by which anyone can be transformed. We cannot save ourselves or work our ways to God.

With that we are also saying it is our responsibility and joy to share that message. This morning dear Christian if you are not sharing that message with friends and family while seeking to share it with all, you are not being faithful to God.

Also, if you are a child of God, you must not let your past define you.

If you are not a Christian, your past can be expunged in the eyes of God and your present and future can be transformed.