Jesus: Our Deliverer from Struggles and Shame

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Pursues Each Individual

Jesus goes to great lengths to meet us where we are, just as He traveled across the Sea of Galilee and faced a storm to deliver the demon-possessed man. This demonstrates His relentless pursuit of each individual, showing that He values and loves every single one of us deeply. Jesus' journey to the other side of the lake was not just a physical crossing but a profound act of love and commitment to reach someone in desperate need. This story reminds us that no matter how far we feel from God, He is always willing to come to us.

In our lives, we may feel isolated or unworthy of such attention, but Jesus' actions show that He sees and values each of us. His love is not deterred by our circumstances or the obstacles in the way. He is always ready to meet us, no matter where we are or what we are going through. This truth should encourage us to trust in His love and to seek Him, knowing that He is already seeking us.

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: Think of a time when you felt far from God. How can you remind yourself today that Jesus is actively pursuing you, no matter where you are?

Day 2: Honesty Before Jesus

We are encouraged to come before Jesus with honesty and vulnerability, bringing our struggles and burdens to Him. Jesus is not interested in our facades; He wants to meet us in our real, raw state and offer His healing and freedom. The story of the demon-possessed man illustrates that Jesus has the power and authority to free us from whatever holds us captive. When we are honest with Jesus about our struggles, we open the door for His transformative power to work in our lives.

Being honest before Jesus means acknowledging our weaknesses, fears, and failures. It means coming to Him without pretense, trusting that He will not reject us but will instead offer us His grace and healing. This kind of honesty requires courage, but it is the first step toward true freedom and transformation.

Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: What burden or struggle have you been hiding from Jesus? Take a moment today to bring it honestly before Him in prayer.

Day 3: Jesus Changes Everything

Jesus has the power and authority to deliver us from our deepest struggles. No one else could subdue the demon-possessed man, but Jesus freed him completely. This reminds us that Jesus is strong enough to handle whatever we face and bring transformation to our lives. When we encounter Jesus, everything changes. He brings clarity, freedom, and transformation that no one else can offer.

The power of Jesus to change lives is not just a historical fact but a present reality. He is still in the business of transforming lives today. Whatever struggles we face, we can trust that Jesus is able to deliver us and bring about profound change in our lives.

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What area of your life do you need Jesus to transform? How can you invite Him into that area today?

Day 4: Trusting Jesus' Plans

Jesus may say "no" to our plans because He has a different mission for us. The demon-possessed man wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus instructed him to stay and share his testimony. This teaches us to trust Jesus' plans, knowing they are better and will lead to greater impact. Sometimes, our desires and plans may not align with God's greater purpose for our lives. Trusting Jesus means believing that His plans are always for our good and His glory.

When Jesus says "no" to our plans, it can be difficult to understand and accept. However, we can trust that His "no" is always for a greater "yes." He sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us and for His kingdom. Our role is to trust Him and to be obedient to His leading, even when it means letting go of our own plans.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Reflection: Is there a plan or desire you need to surrender to Jesus? How can you trust His greater purpose for your life today?

Day 5: Freedom in Jesus

We are invited to seek Jesus' deliverance from our personal demons, whether they be regret, insecurity, anger, fear, loneliness, or pride. Jesus offers freedom and clarity, helping us to think rightly about ourselves and our relationship with Him. An encounter with Jesus brings renewal and transformation. When we come to Jesus with our struggles, He offers us a new way of living, free from the things that once held us captive.

The freedom that Jesus offers is not just a temporary relief but a lasting transformation. He changes the way we see ourselves and our circumstances, giving us a new perspective rooted in His love and truth. This freedom allows us to live fully and abundantly, as we were created to live.

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: What personal demon do you need Jesus to deliver you from today? How can you seek His freedom and clarity in this area?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound truth that Jesus is strong enough to deliver us from our deepest struggles and darkest places. We began by reflecting on the good news that we are made for more and that Jesus pulls us out of shame, offering forgiveness and freedom. We then delved into the story of Jesus delivering a demon-possessed man by the Sea of Galilee, emphasizing that Jesus is for the one—He goes to great lengths to meet us where we are, no matter how far or difficult the journey.

We discussed the importance of being honest and real before Jesus, bringing our burdens and struggles to Him. The story of the demon-possessed man illustrates that Jesus has the power and authority to free us from whatever holds us captive. We also learned that sometimes Jesus says "no" to our plans because He has a better mission for us, as seen when He instructed the healed man to stay and share his testimony rather than follow Him.

Finally, we were encouraged to come face to face with Jesus, seeking His deliverance from our personal demons, whether they be regret, insecurity, anger, fear, loneliness, or pride. We were reminded that Jesus changes everything and that an encounter with Him brings clarity, freedom, and transformation. As we concluded, we invited those who have never given their lives to Jesus to start their story with Him today, embracing the freedom and eternal life He offers.

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Key Takeaways

1. possessed man. This demonstrates His relentless pursuit of each individual, showing that He values and loves every single one of us deeply. [47:03]
2. Honesty Before Jesus: We are encouraged to come before Jesus with honesty and vulnerability, bringing our struggles and burdens to Him. Jesus is not interested in our facades; He wants to meet us in our real, raw state and offer His healing and freedom.

3. Jesus Changes Everything: Jesus has the power and authority to deliver us from our deepest struggles. No one else could subdue the demon-possessed man, but Jesus freed him completely. This reminds us that Jesus is strong enough to handle whatever we face and bring transformation to our lives.

4. Sometimes Jesus Says No: Jesus may say "no" to our plans because He has a different mission for us. The demon-possessed man wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus instructed him to stay and share his testimony. This teaches us to trust Jesus' plans, knowing they are better and will lead to greater impact.

5. Freedom in Jesus: We are invited to seek Jesus' deliverance from our personal demons, whether they be regret, insecurity, anger, fear, loneliness, or pride. Jesus offers freedom and clarity, helping us to think rightly about ourselves and our relationship with Him. An encounter with Jesus brings renewal and transformation.

### [47:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:40] - Introduction and Announcements
[26:28] - Lessons from the Lake Series
[28:24] - Move Out Groups
[29:35] - Lessons from the Lake: Personal Stories
[32:09] - Jesus and the Demon-Possessed Man
[33:45] - The Question: Is Jesus Strong Enough?
[41:41] - Honesty Before Jesus
[42:13] - Reading the Passage
[44:15] - Jesus Delivers the Demon-Possessed Man
[45:25] - Offering and Generosity
[46:30] - Five Lessons from the Lake
[47:03] - Lesson 1: Jesus Came for the One
[49:19] - The Journey to the Other Side
[51:01] - Jesus' Mission for the One
[63:43] - Lesson 3: Jesus Changes Everything
[69:42] - Lesson 4: Sometimes Jesus Says No
[75:15] - Seeking Jesus' Deliverance
[76:39] - Personal Demons and Freedom
[78:14] - Prayer for Deliverance
[79:45] - Starting Your Story with Jesus
[80:50] - Prayer for New Believers
[87:04] - Closing and Invitation for Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What lengths did Jesus go to in order to meet the demon-possessed man? ([49:19])
How did the demon-possessed man react after being healed by Jesus? ([44:49])
What was the community's reaction to the healing of the demon-possessed man? ([44:15])
What did Jesus instruct the healed man to do instead of following Him? ([44:49])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus went through such a difficult journey to meet the demon-possessed man? ([49:19])
What does the reaction of the community tell us about their priorities and understanding of Jesus' power? ([44:15])
How does the story of the demon-possessed man illustrate the power and authority of Jesus over our struggles? ([01:03:43])
Why might Jesus say "no" to our plans, and how should we respond when He does? ([01:09:42])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus went to great lengths to reach you. How did that experience impact your faith? ([49:19])
Are there any struggles or burdens you have been hiding? How can you bring them honestly before Jesus this week? ([41:41])
Think about a situation where you applied the wrong solution to a problem. How can you seek Jesus' guidance to find the right answer? ([01:03:43])
Have you ever experienced Jesus saying "no" to your plans? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? ([01:09:42])
Identify a "personal demon" (e.g., regret, insecurity, anger) you are currently facing. What steps can you take to seek Jesus' deliverance from it? ([01:16:39])
How can you share your testimony of Jesus' work in your life with others, as the healed man did? ([44:49])
What specific action can you take this week to trust Jesus' plans over your own, especially in areas where you feel uncertain or disappointed? ([01:09:42])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Isn't it good news that we were made for more? Isn't it good news that we don't have to make our bed in shame, but we know the one who pulls us out of shame, that we've been forgiven and freed? Isn't this good news? Yeah, that's good. This is good news." [23:40] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We have these amazing move out groups here. We have these amazing groups here at Kensington Church that you can join and be a part of, or maybe even start your own. Really, a move out group is just a group that wants to move out into their community, meet needs, be a blessing." [28:24] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus is still for the one. And what that means is that Jesus is for you. And that Jesus goes great lengths. Great lengths to meet you. Great lengths to deliver you. Great lengths to be with you. And I just think that's some of the greatest news on the planet." [52:16] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Maybe for you, this is the day your story begins with Jesus. And I just want to ask if you're so bold, if today you want to say to Jesus, I want to walk with you. I want to give my life to you. I want to commit to following you. I want to know this freedom that comes in you. I want eternal life knowing you." [01:19:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Lord, I give my life to you. From this day forward, I want my story to be one where I'm walking with you, Jesus. Forgive me of any places, any things that I've done that have dishonored you. And Lord, I want to be your son, your daughter. And friends, I believe if you made that commitment today, the angels, rejoice. We certainly rejoice." [01:20:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "With our hardships, with the things that we just want to get out of our life that are holding us captive, is Jesus strong enough to deliver us? Is he strong enough? All of us have our own demons, if you will. And a lot of times what we like to do, and we're going to hear a song that's just about this. What we like to do is just put on a face." [33:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I want to encourage us all today to come honest. To come real. To come raw. before Jesus and say, listen, Jesus, I got my stuff here. I've got my issues. I've got some things that are my burdens that are clinging to my life and they've been clinging for way too long. I'm coming before you because, man, we're about to read a story right now where Jesus comes face to face with somebody who is held captive." [42:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus changes everything. There's a part of this passage that really struck me. I read it several times and it comes in verse four. It says this about the man who was demon possessed. It says, for he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. And then this is what really captured me, this line. No one was strong enough to subdue him." [01:03:43] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus is still delivering us from our demons, our personal struggles, our challenges, our fears, our regrets, our guilt, our negative thoughts, our past trauma, our addictions, our insecurities, these things that keep us in bondage. Jesus is still delivering his people. He brings clarity to our minds. He helps us think rightly about the things that we're about who he is and about who we are as his children." [01:06:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Sometimes Jesus says no, but when he does, all it means, he's got something Gospels. Yeah. I think two points just of response for us right now. And the first would be maybe some of you are in a moment where you need some help. You need to come face to face with Jesus, and you need to ask him, Lord, would you deliver me from this?" [01:15:15] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Were there any personal stories shared?