Influencing others to Jesus

“Influence of Jesus”

Recap from last week:

“Who is this Man?”

Mark 4:35–41 KJV 1900

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

From Mark Four

We talked about the three great things in that Passage:

The Great Storm

The Great Calm

Jesus asked them why they had “no faith.”

We don’t have faith when we let fear control us

when we Don’t trust God’s Word

When we Accuse Jesus of not caring

When we forget the big picture

The Great Reaction

Well tonight, we’re going to read and study the next thing that happened with the disciples.

After they saw Jesus calm the storm, they are going to be witnesses of Him do another incredible miracle.

This particular miracle is amazing to me, and has some really interesting details… it also leaves us with some insight on how what being changed by Jesus does for us!

When the lost man met Jesus he became a leader!

Leadership is not about earning a position but influencing those around you.

1. Jesus is Greater

notice how he’s described:

a) Lived in the cemetery

b) Supernatural strength

c) Tormented and self-destructive

Why?

d) Uncontrollable behavior

verse 4 - no man could control him.

This is a good picture of a lost man!!

2. Jesus is Capable

this man runs up to Jesus and it says that he worshipped Him and cried out, and called Jesus “Son of the most high God.”

Intimidation

The man went to Jesus

Showed Jesus the scars - Jesus could see the scars.

why did the demons do that to this man?

Satan is out to kill, steal, and destroy.

Vandalism… he wants to tamper what God designed for good in us.

The demons called Him by His title

The demons told Jesus they were a “Legion”

Power

this wasn’t a lot versus 1, this was a lot versus THE ONE

look what Jesus did - He sent the demons into the pigs and they ran off a cliff into the sea.

This is a good picture of just how destructive

3. Jesus Answers Prayers

Jesus changes:

The Man

Obviously this man was changed from the inside out

look what happened:

He went from

Healed

some people will say “You have

Right Minded

Clothed

The Crowd

The Crowd feared and begged Jesus to leave

why is it that they were more afraid of this man now than they were before?

Maybe they knew how powerful the demons were and couldn’t wrap their minds around how much great Jesus was.

So they prayed… and Jesus answered: verse 17

Madalyn Murray O’Hair was one that got prayer to get out of school.

The Cities

We see one prayer in our last point… “will you leave?”

But look at the next prayer, “Can I go with You?”

“… be with him...” - This shows a true change of heart, not just a change of wardrobe

He heard that Jesus said “yes” to one prayer, but he heard “no” to his own.

why?

Jesus had a better plan for him to go and share where he was!

Jesus was sending him out as a leader to influence others!

How would he influence?

He would tell them who he used to be!

“possessed by a devil”

He would tell them who changed him

“Jesus!”

Closing:

Madalyn Murray O’Hair was a ruthless, angry atheist. Her son later became a pastor, and Christian.

What are we waiting on?

Why are we so hesitant to do what Jesus has called us to do?

He is calling you to be a leader… will you answer that call?