What is your name?

Introduction

Intro questions — What’s one word you would use to describe yourself? What’s one thing you’re hoping for this school year?

Reflect for a moment — What’s the worst thing anyone has said about you?

Explanation

The possession: all of us ought to be able to relate to this man

“In God’s name” — the demon calls on the highest power he knows of, never mind the fact that Jesus himself is God

Pigs — their goal is destruction

The victim — helpless, pitiful, headed for destruction

The townspeople — scared, but they should be hopeful if they saw their own need, not everyone will respond well to our testimony (Railyn, CA guy/debate)

All of us should be able to relate to verses 1-10. Can you relate to v. 19?

Non-Christian: you’ll never be able to tell people what Jesus has done for you until you have a change of identity

Why I’m particular about addressing non-Christians

Until you put your faith in Jesus, your identity hasn’t changed

Until you cross over that line, the enemy’s accusations are still true

There is one powerful enough to subdue your sins

My recognition of the weightiness of my sin and the relief of forgiveness

If you’re not on fire for God, beg him to break you over your sin, but not without fixing your eyes on the wonder of Calvary

Self-centered Christians are often the older ones

We forget what it was like to be lost

Christians: you’ll never live like verse 20 if you’re still calling yourself by your old name

He’s no longer “Legion,” he’s Liberated

When our feelings take the lead, we will default into our old identity

[ ] eating like he was still homeless         

The man still surely felt the sores/cuts on his body

Yes, you’re going to feel the pain of your flesh still waging war on you

What matters is not whether your wrists are still sore from the chains; what matters is whether the chains are there

How this plays out

accepting defeat before you’ve resisted temptation

living in pride instead of transparent humility

wondering if you can be assured of your salvation

thinking you’re on the outside looking in (of campus culture) instead of the inside looking out (of kingdom culture)

talking to God like an employer instead of a father

living out of fear of the future instead of joyful anticipation of victory

Exhortation

Know who you are in Christ to act like who you are in Christ.