Embracing Our Mission: Transformative Stories of Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding the Historical Context of Jesus' Time

Understanding the historical context of Jesus' time can transform our reading of the Bible and our relationship with God. By delving into the background of the events and customs of that era, we gain a deeper appreciation for the stories and teachings in the Bible. This deeper understanding reveals layers of meaning that can make the stories more relevant and impactful for our lives today. It’s not just about knowing what happened, but about understanding why it happened and what it means for us now.

For example, knowing that the east side of the Sea of Galilee was considered dangerous and unclean helps us appreciate the significance of Jesus leading His disciples there. It shows His willingness to reach out to everyone, even those in the most unlikely places. This historical insight can inspire us to step out of our comfort zones and reach out to those who are marginalized or oppressed. [01:59]

Mark 5:1-2 (ESV): "They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit."

Reflection: How can understanding the historical context of a Bible story deepen your relationship with God? Can you think of a specific story where this knowledge has made a difference for you?

Day 2: Jesus' Mission to Reach Everyone

Jesus' journey to the east side of the Sea of Galilee, a place considered dangerous and unclean, signifies His mission to reach everyone, even those in the most unlikely places. This act of crossing boundaries and reaching out to the marginalized and oppressed is a powerful example for us to follow. Jesus did not shy away from those who were considered outcasts; instead, He sought them out and brought them healing and hope.

This teaches us that our mission as followers of Christ is to reach out to those who are often overlooked or avoided by society. We are called to step out of our comfort zones and extend God's love and grace to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. By doing so, we can be instruments of God's healing and transformation in the lives of others. [25:35]

Luke 15:4-5 (ESV): "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing."

Reflection: Who are the marginalized or overlooked individuals in your community? How can you reach out to them and share God's love with them this week?

Day 3: Deliverance and Healing Take Time

The story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 shows that sometimes deliverance and healing take more than one attempt. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man, but it took more than one attempt for the man to be fully delivered. This reminds us that healing and deliverance can be a process that requires patience and persistence. We may not see immediate results, but we can trust that God is at work even when the process takes time.

This teaches us to be patient and persistent in our prayers and efforts for healing and deliverance, whether for ourselves or others. We must trust that God is working behind the scenes, even when we don't see immediate changes. Our faith and perseverance can make a significant difference in the lives of those who are struggling. [08:55]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need healing or deliverance? How can you be patient and persistent in seeking God's help in this area?

Day 4: Our Mission Field is Where We Are

Jesus told the delivered man to stay and share his testimony with his community, teaching us that our mission field is often right where we are. We don't need a special title or position to share the gospel; we just need to be faithful where we are. The people who know our past and can see the transformation in our lives are often the ones who can be most impacted by our testimony.

This encourages us to look at our immediate surroundings—our families, friends, workplaces, and neighborhoods—as our mission field. By living out our faith and sharing our stories of transformation, we can make a significant impact on those around us. Our everyday interactions and relationships are opportunities to share God's love and grace. [14:34]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Who in your immediate surroundings can benefit from hearing your testimony? How can you share your story of transformation with them this week?

Day 5: Embrace Your Identity in Christ

Regardless of past labels or failures, Jesus has called and qualified each of us to share His gospel. Our testimonies have the power to change lives, and we must not let fear or doubt hold us back. We are children of the King, called to share His love and grace with everyone we meet. Embracing our identity in Christ means recognizing that we are loved, forgiven, and empowered to make a difference in the world.

This encourages us to let go of any negative labels or past failures that may be holding us back. Instead, we should embrace our new identity in Christ and step out in faith to share His love with others. Our stories of transformation can inspire and encourage others to seek God's love and grace in their own lives. [43:42]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What past labels or failures are holding you back from embracing your identity in Christ? How can you let go of these and step out in faith to share God's love with others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome, everyone! It's a joy to be here at Fairlawn. I know some of you might have wished for a shorter message or even a trip to Disney World, but today, I have something special to share. Until yesterday, I wasn't prepared to speak. Pastor Mark, who is busy moving into a new house, asked me to step in. Initially, I declined, but then I remembered my series on Jesus H. Christ and felt inspired to continue it.

Reflecting on my previous series, I realized how much I've grown in understanding the historical context of Jesus' time. This deeper understanding has made the Bible stories more meaningful and layered for me. It's not just about the events that happened back then but also about what these stories mean for us today. I love talking about Jesus and have dedicated my life to studying and sharing His story.

Today, I want to dive into Mark chapter 5, where Jesus and His disciples cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. This journey was significant because the east side was considered dangerous and unclean, a place where good Jewish boys were told never to go. Yet, Jesus led them there, showing that His mission was to reach everyone, even those in the most unlikely places.

As they arrived, they were confronted by a demon-possessed man living among the tombs. This man, oppressed and tormented, recognized Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man, but it took more than one attempt, reminding us that sometimes deliverance and healing take time. The demons entered a herd of pigs, which then drowned in the sea, symbolizing the liberation from oppression.

The townspeople, instead of rejoicing at the man's deliverance, were afraid and asked Jesus to leave. This reaction highlights how people can be more comfortable with the familiar, even if it's harmful, than with the unknown freedom that Jesus offers. The man, now free and in his right mind, wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus told him to stay and share his testimony with his community. This teaches us that our mission field is often right where we are, among the people who know our past and can see the transformation in our lives.

I shared a personal story from my youth to illustrate the feeling of being left behind and the desire to catch up. This ties into the theme of following Jesus. Sometimes, we have our own plans and expectations, but Jesus has a different path for us. He calls us to be faithful where we are, sharing our stories and letting the Holy Spirit lead us.

In conclusion, I encouraged everyone to embrace their identity in Christ, regardless of past labels or failures. Jesus has called and qualified each of us to share His gospel. Our testimonies have the power to change lives, and we must not let fear or doubt hold us back. As we go out into the world, may we remember that we are children of the King, called to share His love and grace with everyone we meet.

###

Key Takeaways

1. possessed man shows that sometimes deliverance and healing take more than one attempt. This reminds us to be patient and persistent in our prayers and efforts, trusting that God is at work even when we don't see immediate results. [08:55]
4. Our Mission Field is Where We Are: Jesus told the delivered man to stay and share his testimony with his community. This teaches us that our mission field is often right where we are, among the people who know our past and can see the transformation in our lives. We don't need a special title or position to share the gospel; we just need to be faithful where we are.

5. Embrace Your Identity in Christ: Regardless of past labels or failures, Jesus has called and qualified each of us to share His gospel. Our testimonies have the power to change lives, and we must not let fear or doubt hold us back. We are children of the King, called to share His love and grace with everyone we meet.

### [08:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Introduction and Background
[01:59] - Historical Context of Jesus' Time
[02:50] - Layers of Understanding in Bible Stories
[03:39] - Dedication to Jesus and the Bible
[04:27] - Jesus H. Christ Series Continuation
[05:19] - Reading from Mark Chapter 5
[06:29] - The Other Side of the Lake
[07:25] - Encounter with the Demon-Possessed Man
[08:55] - Persistence in Deliverance
[10:57] - Reaction of the Townspeople
[12:45] - Fear of the Unknown
[14:34] - Mission Field in Our Community
[15:38] - Personal Story from Youth
[17:16] - Night of Joy Experience
[20:10] - Feeling Left Behind
[22:09] - Catching Up and Following
[22:59] - What if Jesus Doesn't Want You to Follow Him?
[24:43] - Jesus' Teachings on the West Side
[25:35] - Crossing to the Other Side
[26:40] - The East Side of the Sea of Galilee
[28:14] - Events in Decapolis
[29:34] - Emperor Worship and Persecution
[31:01] - Symbolism in the Story
[32:43] - Fear of the Next Situation
[34:21] - Symbolic Meaning of the Story
[36:20] - Naming Our Bondage
[38:07] - Symbolism of the Pigs
[39:51] - Liberation from Oppression
[41:48] - Labels and Identity
[43:42] - Embracing Our Identity in Christ
[45:06] - Different Paths for Different People
[45:57] - Sharing Our Testimonies
[46:45] - Jesus' Call to Share
[47:26] - Letting the Holy Spirit Lead
[48:08] - Position of the Heart
[48:48] - Overcoming Fear of Labels
[49:45] - Power of Sharing the Gospel
[50:31] - Impact of One Person's Testimony
[51:28] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[52:21] - Affirmation of Our Calling

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 5:1-20 (ESV) — > They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

2. Exodus 14:26-28 (ESV)
> Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.

3. Romans 10:9 (ESV)
> Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Observation Questions

What was the reaction of the townspeople when they saw the demon-possessed man healed and in his right mind?
How did Jesus respond to the demon-possessed man's request to follow Him?
What symbolic act did Jesus perform with the demons and the herd of pigs?
According to Exodus 14:26-28, what happened to the Egyptians when Moses stretched out his hand over the sea?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the townspeople were afraid and asked Jesus to leave after witnessing the healing of the demon-possessed man?
What might be the significance of Jesus sending the healed man back to his community instead of allowing him to follow?
How does the story of the demon-possessed man and the pigs relate to the concept of liberation from oppression as seen in Exodus 14:26-28?
In what ways does Romans 10:9 challenge the societal norms and expectations of the time, particularly in the context of declaring Jesus as Lord?

Application Questions

Think of a time when you were afraid of change, even if it was for the better. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from the townspeople's reaction to the healed man?
Jesus told the healed man to stay and share his testimony with his community. Who in your life needs to hear your story of transformation, and how can you share it with them this week?
Reflect on an area of your life where you need deliverance or healing. What steps can you take to be persistent in seeking God's help, even if it takes time?
How can you embrace your identity in Christ this week, especially in situations where you might feel labeled by your past?
Identify one person in your community who is marginalized or oppressed. What specific action can you take to reach out to them and show them the love of Christ?

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Some of you, you do not share about what God's done in your life, and you don't share the story of Jesus because you're so afraid that somebody's going to call you what you used to be. And you're like, I'm not qualified. Someone's going to say that, and then when they say that, I'm going to be embarrassed, and I'm just going to run off and scream like a little girl. And Jesus said, no, no, no. This is what I called you to do. Just go do it." [49:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "A lot of times things don't play out how we thought it would play out, and we just give up. And God's saying, no, I have that path for them, but I have a totally different path for you. And we feel like, well, I guess Jesus don't want me to follow him. Jesus said, no, no, no. Like. What I have for you isn't the same thing that I have for Pastor Jimmy." [45:57](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "Jesus doesn't seem to be that concerned about it. A lot of times we get so wrapped up in the doctrine and, hey, are you sharing what I'm sharing? And Jesus said, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's about the position of the heart. Just go tell them what happened. Just go tell them. Tell them what? Tell them what? Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Let them know." [48:08](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "Because I learned something that day. One, I learned how it feels to be left behind, how it feels to be left out. Anybody else ever felt like that? I also learned how it feels to try to catch up to somebody or to something. Now, I'll ask you this question. Have you ever? Had somebody following you, and you're like, man, I just wish they would stop following me?" [22:09](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When you are led by the spirit, listen to me, the spirit will always take you to new places and it will always take you to places that you are not so comfortable with. So he's saying come on get on the boat do you think those disciples were scared getting on that boat going to the other side their mama told him not to go there you knows one of them was yeah they're scared they get on that boat a storm happens storm comes some of them might have been like i hope i die in the storm so i don't have to go to the other side but no they're like well i'm going to get killed on the other side but i'm not going to make it there i'm going to get killed in the storm." [32:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "Sometimes we do that we do that with jesus we pray to get out of a certain situation he comes in he gets us out of that situation and then we don't even enjoy that situation he's got us out of because we already are fearful of the next situation we're going to get ourselves into." [32:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "Our mission field is often right where we are, among the people who know our past and can see the transformation in our lives. We don't need a special title or position to share the gospel; we just need to be faithful where we are." [14:34](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "Regardless of past labels or failures, Jesus has called and qualified each of us to share His gospel. Our testimonies have the power to change lives, and we must not let fear or doubt hold us back. We are children of the King, called to share His love and grace with everyone we meet." [43:42](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "When you are in bondage and you keep going back to that thing that you are trying to get free from you can't just ignore it is extremely important for you to acknowledge it and for you to name it yeah i have a drug problem yeah i'm addicted to pornography yeah i have an issue with treating people like objects instead of treating them like people yeah i have a problem with that yes i don't think pastor jimmy's jokes are funny it's important if you want deliverance of any of those things that you name it." [36:20](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?