THE DISILLUSIONED DISCIPLE

THE DISILLUSIONED DISCIPLE

Luke 8:37-40

INTRODUCTION:

A Young Preacher went out in view of a call. The town that he went to high school in. Many People in this town knew him. They pulled up to the church that Sunday morning. Wife was horrified at the sight a small run down church. All his wife could say was 'no way! I didn't put you through Bible College for this! Preach and let’s get out of here!' The Young Preacher's thoughts went immediately to Scripture '...My God My God why hast thou forsaken me?'

Donna…a girl that the young preacher went to high school with was there, she said in no small voice, that she couldn't believe it, she thought for sure it was someone else with the same name!

The church was small even smaller than he had thought, all the studying and work in Bible College! The question was is God calling me to this? It must be a mistake, God surely had bigger and better things. Full time Pastor / Pay $75 - $400 a week. The field would be a hard one. The question for him was is God calling me to this Place? The Young Preacher disillusioned at first. Called to go back to his own town and tell of the great things God has done to him.

Read

TEXT:

Luke 8:37-40

Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. [38] Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, [39] Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. [40] And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

The Gadarene Demoniac is now a follower of Christ he desired to go with Jesus but Jesus told him to stay and witness in his own town. He obeyed and the result was that the People of his town marveled at his testimony and accepted Jesus when he returned to the town.

THESIS:

When God calls us to serve it is not always what we have envisioned. When we minister where we have been called it is not always easy and it may appear insignificant but it is always the best Place of service.

I encourage each one of you this morning to serve God where he is calling you. It may not always be as attractive as YOU have envisioned or as easy as you had imagined but it is the only Place where you will be at Peace and successful.

I. THE DISILLUSIONED DISCIPLE WANTED TO WORK WITH THE GREAT

MINISTERS. (V.37-38)

EX P: Demon possessed man is changed. Clothed and in his right mind.

Disillusioned in his instructions. Jesus sends him away! He wanted to be like the other disciples. Follow Jesus like the others but he was disillusioned. Jesus commands him to 'Return to Your own house...'

APP/ILL

Sometimes we want the easier walk. Working with well-known ministers.

Front line where all the attention is The Young Preacher had envisioned himself in a nice modern church building with a large congregation and comfortable salary to live on. God does not plan like we do. God doesn't always give us the field we envisioned.

II. THE DISILLUSIONED DISCIPLE WANTED AN EASIER FIELD TO

WORK IN. (V.39a)

EX P

Gadarene given field to minister to that was difficult. Witness to a town that had rejected Jesus. They had all seen the Gadarene Demoniac before-sin etc. The town was all Pagan Gentiles!

APP/ILL

There are hard fields to minister. Many of you may be involved in that type of ministry now. If God has called you to that field He will bless it. God never forsakes you in it. Young Preacher had to minister to People who knew him Now he is commanded to go back to that town. How was he going to be an effective minister? He had a hard field to minister in. He had been disillusioned in his own mind.

Ill. THE DISILLUSIONED DISCIPLE OBEYED JESUS' COMMAND.

(V.39b-41)

Exp: Gadarene did the job Jesus gave him. Seemed insignificant it reaped!

The People told Jesus to get out now welcomed Him back! They all gladly received Jesus. All of this happened because the Gadarene was obedient.

APP/ILL: Our Place of ministry seems dull in comparison to others. Where it is seems easy to do God's will. God has a Plan where he wants to place you. The Gadarene witnessed to a town that had rejected Christ. A hard field but look at the results! What a job was done for our Lord through just one Person! The Young Preacher obeyed Jesus command as he was called to that little church it may have had the illusion that it was unimportant it may have seemed financially impossible it was not an attractive church building but it was where God

Wanted him.

CONCLUSION

The disillusioned disciple didn't continue to be disillusioned.

He saw himself walking with Jesus and His disciples. Being with the great ministers. He saw himself with an easy field of ministry.

Instead of walking with Jesus he walked back to his own town He ministered to a town hostile toward his Lord. The Gadarene even though disillusioned obeyed the Lord.

Results: Whole town accepted Jesus when he came back!

APP/ILL: That Young Preacher was myself. I accepted the call to that little church. I as disillusioned in what I thought God had for me. When I started preaching that Sunday morning... Peace/joy. I believed it was God's will that I minister there. I obeyed. As a result God blessed. The church was wonderful the People were full of joy. The church grew. God provided financially in wondrous ways! God was glorified because He did it all!

CHALLENGE

You may be facing similar situations in your life. You may be considering a call to a ministry that is not exactly what you thought God would call you to.