Finding Freedom: Letting Jesus Take Control

Summary

In Luke 8, we encounter a man whose life is completely out of control, driven by forces he cannot master. He lives among the tombs, isolated, tormented, and powerless. Yet, when Jesus steps onto the shore, everything changes. This story is not just about a man possessed by demons; it’s about all of us who, in one way or another, are driven by things we can’t control—anger, fear, addiction, pride, pain, or the relentless need to prove ourselves. The question is not whether something is driving your life, but what is driving it. We all have something at the wheel, and if it’s not the Holy Spirit, it will eventually lead us to destruction.

Sin is never content to simply irritate or inconvenience us; it always seeks to take us further than we want to go, keep us longer than we want to stay, and cost us more than we ever intended to pay. Like the herd of pigs in the story, when the wrong thing is in control, the result is always chaos and loss. But Jesus offers a different way. He doesn’t just show up to negotiate with our darkness—He comes to take dominion, to set us free, and to lead us into life.

The first step toward freedom is brutal honesty. We must name what’s driving us. Jesus asks the man, “What is your name?” There is power in naming our struggles, our fears, our addictions. When we bring them into the light, we can finally confront them. Grace meets us in that honesty, giving us the strength to challenge what once held us captive.

But naming the problem is only the beginning. True freedom comes when we invite Jesus to take the wheel. We must admit our powerlessness and surrender control, trusting that He is more powerful than anything that drives us. Jesus goes out of His way to meet us in our chaos, no matter how far we’ve wandered or how broken we feel. His pursuit is relentless, and His love is wild—He will cross any storm to reach us.

Once we’ve experienced His healing and freedom, we are sent back into our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces—not to keep this transformation private, but to declare how much God has done for us. Our story becomes a direction sign for others who are lost and broken, pointing them to the One who can set them free. This is the invitation: let the Holy Spirit drive, and let your life become a testimony of God’s power, grace, and relentless love.

Key Takeaways

- The Forces That Drive Us Shape Our Destiny
Every life is driven by something—whether it’s fear, anger, pride, or the need for control. These forces are not neutral; they shape our choices, relationships, and ultimately our destiny. If we allow anything other than the Holy Spirit to take the wheel, it will eventually lead us to places of destruction, not just for ourselves but for those around us. Recognizing what’s truly driving us is the first step toward freedom. [07:22]

- Naming Our Struggles Is the Gateway to Healing
There is a unique power in naming what’s driving us. Jesus asks, “What is your name?” not for information, but to bring the hidden into the light. When we honestly identify our fears, addictions, or pain, we break their hold and invite God’s grace to work. Healing begins with brutal honesty—confession is not about blame, but about agreement with God and opening ourselves to His transforming power. [16:08]

- Surrendering Control Is the Path to True Freedom
We often try to manage or outsmart the forces that drive us, but true freedom comes only when we admit our powerlessness and ask Jesus to take over. The things that seem unmanageable to us are powerless before Him. Surrender is not weakness; it is the doorway to healing, as we let the One with true authority lead us out of chaos and into peace. [23:55]

- Jesus Pursues Us Relentlessly, Even in Our Chaos
No one is too far gone or too broken for Jesus. He goes out of His way—crossing storms, entering tombs, braving chaos—to reach us where we are. His pursuit is not an accident or inconvenience; it is the expression of His wild, unyielding love. Even when we are not seeking Him, He is seeking us, ready to lead us out of our self-destructive paths and into new life. [29:03]

- Freedom Is for Mission: We Are Sent to Give Direction
The healing and freedom Jesus brings are never meant to be hoarded. Once we are set free, we are sent back into our everyday lives to declare what God has done. Our story becomes a signpost for others, offering hope and direction to those still lost in brokenness. Faith is personal, but never private—it is always for the sake of others, that they too might find the way home. [36:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:01] - What’s Driving Your Life?
[07:22] - The Power of Sin and Destructive Forces
[11:15] - Stories of Being Driven Further Than Intended
[13:52] - The Consequences of Letting the Wrong Thing Drive
[16:08] - Naming What’s Driving You
[17:55] - The Power of Honesty and Grace
[19:46] - Challenging What Drives Us
[21:36] - Surrendering Control to Jesus
[23:55] - The Powerlessness of Darkness Before Jesus
[26:59] - The Humility of Letting Jesus Take the Wheel
[29:03] - Jesus’ Relentless Pursuit
[31:40] - No One Is Too Far Gone
[34:54] - Daily Surrender and Mission
[36:20] - Freedom for the Sake of Others
[38:25] - The Three Circles: God’s Design, Brokenness, and Redemption
[40:43] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[43:48] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Driven Into the Wild (Luke 8)

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### Bible Reading

- Luke 8:26-39
(Jesus heals the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Luke 8:27-29, what details show how out of control the man’s life had become before he met Jesus?
2. According to the story, what happened to the herd of pigs after the demons left the man? What does this show about the forces that were driving him?
3. In verse 30, Jesus asks the man, “What is your name?” Why do you think Jesus asked this question instead of just healing him right away?
4. After the man is healed, what does Jesus tell him to do, and how does the man respond? (Luke 8:38-39)

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Sin will always take you further than you want it to go, keep you longer than you want it to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” How does the story of the man and the pigs illustrate this truth? [13:52]
2. Why is naming what’s driving us (like Jesus asking, “What is your name?”) an important step toward healing and freedom? [16:08]
3. The sermon talks about surrendering control and letting Jesus “take the wheel.” What does it look like to admit our powerlessness and let Jesus lead, based on this story? [23:55]
4. After being set free, the man is sent back to his home to tell others what God has done. Why do you think Jesus didn’t let him just stay with Him? What does this say about the purpose of our freedom? [36:20]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “The question is not whether something is driving your life, but what is driving it.” What are some things that have been “at the wheel” in your life recently? How can you tell when something other than the Holy Spirit is in control? [07:22]
2. Jesus asks the man, “What is your name?” If Jesus asked you that question about your struggles, what would you need to name honestly right now? Is there a fear, addiction, pain, or need for control that you need to bring into the light? [16:08]
3. The first step toward freedom is “brutal honesty.” What would it look like for you to practice this kind of honesty with God or with someone you trust this week? [17:55]
4. The sermon says, “True freedom comes when we invite Jesus to take the wheel.” What is one area of your life where you need to surrender control to Jesus? What is holding you back from doing that? [23:55]
5. The story shows that Jesus goes out of His way to reach people—even those who feel too far gone. Have you ever felt like you were “too far gone” for Jesus? How does this story challenge that belief? [31:40]
6. After being set free, the man is sent to share his story. Who in your life needs to hear about what God has done for you? What is one way you can share your story this week? [36:20]
7. The sermon says, “Faith is personal, but never private—it is always for the sake of others.” How can your story of freedom become a signpost for someone else who feels lost or broken? [36:20]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, asking Jesus to reveal what’s been driving their lives, to give them courage to name it, and to help them surrender control so that the Holy Spirit can lead them into freedom and mission.

Devotional

Day 1: What Drives Your Life? Identifying the Forces at the Wheel
Every life is driven by something—whether it’s anxiety, anger, pride, pain, addiction, or the need for control—and these forces can quietly take the wheel, steering us toward places we never intended to go. Just as the man in Luke 8 was driven by destructive forces, we too can find ourselves hostage to things that promise relief or satisfaction but ultimately lead to brokenness and chaos. The first step toward freedom is to honestly ask: What is driving me right now? When we ignore or minimize these forces, we risk letting them take us further than we want to go, keep us longer than we want to stay, and cost us more than we want to pay. Take a moment to reflect on what’s truly at the wheel of your life today, and consider the fruit it’s producing in your relationships, your peace, and your sense of purpose. [07:40]

Luke 8:26-29 (ESV)
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.)

Reflection: What is one emotion, habit, or desire that has been quietly steering your decisions lately? How might your life look different if you named it honestly before God today?


Day 2: The Power of Naming—Honesty as the First Step to Freedom
There is a unique power in naming what is driving us; when we bring our struggles, fears, and hidden motives into the light, we open the door for God’s grace to meet us right where we are. Jesus asked the man in the tombs, “What is your name?”—not because He didn’t know, but because freedom begins with brutal honesty. When we slow down, reflect, and name what’s really going on inside, we can stop being driven by confusion or shame and start receiving grace for the real issues at hand. This act of confession isn’t about blame, but about agreeing with God about our need and inviting Him to bring healing and clarity. [16:08]

Luke 8:30 (ESV)
Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to stop and honestly name what’s really going on beneath the surface? Can you write it down or speak it aloud to God today?


Day 3: Letting Jesus Take the Wheel—Surrendering Control for True Freedom
True freedom comes when we admit our powerlessness and ask Jesus to take the wheel, trusting that He is far more powerful than anything that drives us. The forces that feel unmanageable in our lives—addiction, anxiety, anger—are no match for King Jesus, who commands even the darkest powers to flee. Surrender is not weakness; it is the humble recognition that we cannot win these battles on our own. When we let Jesus lead, He doesn’t just care for us—He takes charge, bringing order, peace, and healing where chaos once reigned. [23:55]

Psalm 22:28 (ESV)
For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel powerless or out of control? What would it look like to humbly ask Jesus to take over that area today?


Day 4: Jesus Pursues You—You Are Never Too Far Gone
No matter how far you feel you’ve wandered, Jesus goes out of His way to meet you in your brokenness and lead you out of it. He crossed the sea and braved the storm to reach the man in the tombs, and He does the same for you—showing up in the places others have written off, offering hope and a new beginning. You are not too dirty, too broken, or too far gone for His love. His pursuit is relentless, and when you turn around, you’ll find He’s already there, ready to lead you into healing and freedom. [33:14]

Isaiah 65:1-2 (ESV)
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices.

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you’ve believed you’re too far gone for God’s love? What would it mean to let Jesus meet you there today?


Day 5: Set Free to Set Others Free—Your Story is for Mission
When Jesus brings healing and freedom, He doesn’t just do it for your sake—He sends you back into your home, your workplace, your community to declare what God has done for you. Your story of transformation is not meant to be hidden; it is a beacon for others who are lost, broken, or searching for hope. You don’t need a theology degree—just honesty about what Jesus has done in your life. As you share your story, you become part of God’s mission to bring others from chaos into healing and freedom. [36:20]

Luke 8:38-39 (ESV)
The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the freedom and hope you’ve found in Jesus? How can you share your story with them this week?

Quotes

Sin will always take you further than you want it to go. It will keep you longer than you want it to stay, and it absolutely will cost you more than you want it to pay. Some people think it's cute right now. You're like, I got it under control. It's just a little bit. It will drive you further than you want it to go. I don't know if it's today. I don't know if it's this year. It will take you further than you want it to go and keep you longer than you want it to stay and cost you more than what you wanted to pay. [00:10:08] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

If you let your pain, if you let your pride, I'm not taking away from it. I'm not saying it's not real. I'm not saying it's easy. People talk all the time, oh, I got church hurt or something like that. The longer you let it sit in the driver's seat and your pride or your pain or your addiction or your fear drive and take the wheel of your life, it won't just waste your time. It will wreck your life. It will wreck the lives of others, innocent bystanders around you. [00:14:43] (00:00:30 seconds) Edit Clip

Let the Holy Spirit drive. That's what it means to be driven into the wild. We're not driven wild. We're driven into the wild. There is a wild, but We're driven into the wild. We're driven into the wild. good, life -giving life available when we let the Holy Spirit drive. You cannot, you cannot follow Jesus and let anything or anyone else drive your life. I don't care how much peace you feel about it. You let something else get into the driver's seat. You will be led to destruction. The Holy Spirit doesn't drive you into destruction. He leads you into freedom. Sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it takes a while. But he leads you into freedom. [00:15:30] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip

You have to name what is driving you right now. Luke 8, 30 says, Jesus asked him, what is your name? What is your name? And he said, Legion, for we're many. Have you ever noticed that there's a certain amount of clarity and power when it comes to naming things? ... If there, when we can name something, when we can see it clearly for what it is, power actually comes with that. Before Jesus cast anything out, he asked the man to name it. What's your name? What's going on here? What's happening? Because you and I cannot get free from what we won't face. [00:16:19] (00:01:03 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus is so much more powerful than the force is driving your life. He's so much more. They see it and they shudder they fall down they cry out and they beg they beg for mercy how many of us though live the opposite we go man you have no idea you have no idea how much how much i'm up against get to church go to jesus say a prayer all those things sound nice but i'm dealing with x y z those things shudder they cry they beg for mercy they are powerless against it the things that you feel powerless against are powerless against jesus they're no match for king jesus he doesn't just take care of us he takes charge he takes dominion that's what psalm 22 says kingship belongs to the lord he rules over the nations jesus jesus didn't come to negotiate with demons he came to command them wherever you're feeling unmanageable wherever you've been dealing with the illusion of control i want to encourage you you asked jesus if you cried out you begged you just take the wheel i can't do this anymore it's it's it's a humbling thing to ask someone else to drive it is. [00:25:02] (00:01:22 seconds) Edit Clip

When Jesus steps onto the shore, here and in your life, chaos starts to panic. When Jesus speaks, demons beg. They're not in control anymore. They're not in control. You were not meant to be driven by darkness. You were created to be led by the king. [00:27:34] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip

He went into the tombs to meet him in his chaos. That's the gospel. Jesus goes out of his way to lead you out of yours. He leaves the crowds. He leaves the miracles. He leaves the momentum, and he shows up on the shore in a cemetery with a crazy guy. Save him because he loved him. He sails through storms. One naked, broken, screaming, demon -possessed man in a graveyard. That is what love looks like. He'll break through the wind. He'll break through the waves. Whatever it is that's tormenting you. to get to you, to get to you. And if you did that for him, he'll do it for you. [00:32:54] (00:00:46 seconds) Edit Clip

You have not gone too far. He's come for you. You haven't. You're not too dirty. You're not too broken. You're not too far gone. Stop believing it. What direction have you been going in? Just because Jesus is chasing you, though, doesn't mean you have to stop. It doesn't mean, like, we have to stop. We have to turn around and go like, oh my gosh, I'm so tired of running. I'm so tired of doing this. The good news is when we do, it's not like, oh my gosh, I got miles to go back to Jesus. No, he's right there. He's come to you. He's never stopped. [00:33:50] (00:00:33 seconds) Edit Clip

God directs you, brings you hope and healing and freedom so that you can give direction to others. So you can give direction to others. The man wanted to stay with Jesus, Jesus sends him back. Why? Because wild faith isn't just personal. We have this American lie. My faith is private. I couldn't talk about that. But why? It's not personal. It's not private. It has to be owned personally, but it's for mission. It's missional. It's for others. It's for you, and then it's for others. You have been set free for a reason. [00:36:14] (00:00:32 seconds) Edit Clip

That's why we have to turn around, go to Jesus and go, Jesus, I humble myself. I admit my need. I have sinned. I have run. I have been driven away by my own devices into sin and brokenness. And now I need help. And he's right there to say, hey, I've made you a new creation. Under my kingship, I want to invite you in to a process, a lifelong relationship where you grow in security and healing and freedom and your identity as my child now. You don't have to strive. You don't have to earn. There's nothing that you have to undo or no messes that you have to clean up. Just keep on living with me and I'm bringing you back to good. [00:38:41] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip