Transformed by Jesus: Conquering Darkness Together
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, EVC! Today, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Eagles View Church, a journey that began with a small gathering at Bryson Elementary. Reflecting on this milestone, we delve into the theme of "Changed," exploring how Jesus transforms lives, even in the darkest circumstances. Our focus is on Mark 5, where Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. This story, which initially scared me as a child, reveals profound truths about spiritual warfare, the power of Jesus, and the reality of darkness in our lives.
We began by discussing the concept of darkness and its various manifestations—addiction, past traumas, depression, and anxiety. These are not just metaphorical but real battles that many of us face. The story of the demon-possessed man illustrates the destructive power of darkness and the overwhelming authority of Jesus over it. Despite the man's terrifying condition, Jesus steps into his world, demonstrating His willingness to confront and conquer darkness.
Jesus' encounter with the man in the region of the Gerasenes, a place considered unclean by Jewish standards, underscores His mission to reach all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. The man's transformation from a tormented soul to someone fully clothed and in his right mind is a testament to Jesus' life-changing power. However, the reaction of the townspeople, who ask Jesus to leave, highlights a critical point: we often become comfortable with our darkness and resist the light that Jesus brings.
The story also emphasizes the importance of sharing our testimony. Jesus instructs the healed man to return to his family and tell them about the mercy he received. This act of sharing our transformation can have a ripple effect, bringing hope and change to others around us.
In conclusion, the message is clear: Jesus has the power to change lives, no matter how deep the darkness. We are called to recognize the darkness in our lives, confront it with the power of Jesus, and share our stories of transformation to inspire others.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Reality of Darkness: Darkness manifests in various forms such as addiction, past traumas, depression, and anxiety. These are real battles that affect our lives deeply. Recognizing the presence of darkness is the first step towards seeking Jesus' intervention. [36:41]
2. Jesus' Authority Over Darkness: The story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 illustrates Jesus' supreme authority over all forms of darkness. Despite the man's terrifying condition, Jesus steps into his world, demonstrating His power to conquer even the most overwhelming darkness. [50:09]
3. Jesus Meets Us in Our Mess: Jesus does not shy away from our uncleanliness or mess. He willingly steps into our darkest situations to bring healing and transformation. This shows His immense love and willingness to meet us where we are. [55:23]
4. The Importance of Testimony: After healing the demon-possessed man, Jesus instructs him to return to his family and share his story. Our testimonies of transformation can inspire and bring hope to others, demonstrating the power of Jesus in our lives. [20:33]
5. Confronting Our Comfort with Darkness: The townspeople's reaction to Jesus highlights how we often become comfortable with our darkness. Jesus' light exposes and disrupts this darkness, challenging us to confront and overcome it with His help. [13:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:55] - Celebrating 25 Years of EVC
[30:23] - Childhood Fears and Imagination
[32:14] - Introduction to Mark 5
[33:22] - Encounter with Legion
[34:34] - Understanding Spiritual Warfare
[36:41] - The Reality of Darkness
[39:15] - Reconciling Darkness with Faith
[40:40] - Jesus Provides Victory
[41:45] - Context of Mark 5
[45:16] - Jesus in the Land of Darkness
[47:13] - The Power of Darkness
[50:09] - Jesus' Authority Over Darkness
[55:23] - Jesus Meets Us in Our Mess
[01:00:20] - Dominance Over Darkness
[01:13:53] - Confronting Our Comfort with Darkness
[01:20:33] - The Importance of Testimony
[01:26:01] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Mark 5:1-20 (NIV)
> "They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!' For Jesus had said to him, 'Come out of this man, you impure spirit!' Then Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?' 'My name is Legion,' he replied, 'for we are many.' And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, 'Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.' He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.' So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the condition of the man Jesus encountered in the region of the Gerasenes? ([33:22])
2. How did the townspeople react to the man’s transformation and Jesus' presence? ([01:12:11])
3. What did Jesus instruct the healed man to do after his transformation? ([01:20:33])
4. What was the significance of the demons being sent into the pigs? ([01:03:39])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the townspeople were afraid and asked Jesus to leave after witnessing the man's transformation? ([01:12:11])
2. How does the story of the demon-possessed man illustrate Jesus' authority over darkness? ([50:09])
3. What does Jesus' willingness to enter an unclean area and interact with an unclean man tell us about His mission and character? ([55:23])
4. Why is sharing our testimony important, as seen in Jesus' instruction to the healed man? ([01:20:33])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by darkness in your life. How did you seek Jesus' intervention, and what was the outcome? ([36:41])
2. Jesus demonstrated His authority over darkness by healing the demon-possessed man. How can you apply this understanding of Jesus' power to a current struggle you are facing? ([50:09])
3. The townspeople were comfortable with their darkness and resisted the light Jesus brought. Are there areas in your life where you have become comfortable with darkness? How can you confront these areas with Jesus' help? ([01:13:53])
4. Jesus met the demon-possessed man in his mess and brought transformation. How can you be more open to Jesus meeting you in your own mess? ([55:23])
5. Sharing our testimonies can inspire and bring hope to others. Who in your life could benefit from hearing your story of transformation, and how can you share it with them this week? ([01:20:33])
6. The healed man was instructed to return to his family and share his story. How can you bring the light of Jesus into your family or community? ([01:20:33])
7. Jesus' encounter with the demon-possessed man shows that no one is too far gone for His love and power. How can this truth encourage you to reach out to someone who seems unreachable? ([55:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Reality of Darkness
Darkness can manifest in various forms such as addiction, past traumas, depression, and anxiety. These are not just metaphorical struggles but real battles that deeply affect our lives. Recognizing the presence of darkness is the first step towards seeking Jesus' intervention. In Mark 5, the story of the demon-possessed man illustrates the destructive power of darkness and the overwhelming authority of Jesus over it. Despite the man's terrifying condition, Jesus steps into his world, demonstrating His willingness to confront and conquer darkness. This teaches us that no matter how deep our struggles, Jesus is ready to meet us and bring His light into our lives. [36:41]
Ephesians 5:11-13 (ESV): "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible."
Reflection: Identify an area of darkness in your life that you have been avoiding. How can you bring this into the light and seek Jesus' help today?
Day 2: Jesus' Authority Over Darkness
The story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 illustrates Jesus' supreme authority over all forms of darkness. Despite the man's terrifying condition, Jesus steps into his world, demonstrating His power to conquer even the most overwhelming darkness. This encounter shows that no matter how powerful the darkness may seem, Jesus' authority is greater. He has the power to bring freedom and transformation to any situation. This truth should encourage us to trust in Jesus' power and seek His intervention in our darkest moments. [50:09]
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: Think of a situation where you feel overwhelmed by darkness. How can you invite Jesus' authority into this situation and trust Him to bring transformation?
Day 3: Jesus Meets Us in Our Mess
Jesus does not shy away from our uncleanliness or mess. He willingly steps into our darkest situations to bring healing and transformation. The story of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, a place considered unclean by Jewish standards, underscores Jesus' mission to reach all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. This shows His immense love and willingness to meet us where we are, no matter how messy our lives may be. Jesus' encounter with the man demonstrates that He is not afraid of our mess and is always ready to bring His healing touch. [55:23]
Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."
Reflection: Reflect on a messy or unclean area of your life. How can you invite Jesus into this area and allow Him to bring His healing and transformation?
Day 4: The Importance of Testimony
After healing the demon-possessed man, Jesus instructs him to return to his family and share his story. Our testimonies of transformation can inspire and bring hope to others, demonstrating the power of Jesus in our lives. Sharing our stories of how Jesus has changed us can have a ripple effect, bringing hope and change to those around us. It is important to be open about our experiences and the mercy we have received, as this can encourage others to seek Jesus' intervention in their own lives. [20:33]
Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."
Reflection: Think of a recent experience where Jesus brought transformation in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who might need encouragement today?
Day 5: Confronting Our Comfort with Darkness
The townspeople's reaction to Jesus highlights how we often become comfortable with our darkness. Jesus' light exposes and disrupts this darkness, challenging us to confront and overcome it with His help. Sometimes, we may resist the light because it forces us to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves. However, Jesus calls us to step out of our comfort zones and allow His light to transform us. This requires courage and a willingness to let go of the familiar darkness and embrace the new life that Jesus offers. [13:53]
John 3:19-21 (ESV): "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you have become comfortable with darkness. What steps can you take today to confront this darkness and invite Jesus' light to bring transformation?
Quotes
1. "And God, despite myself Used two very imperfect people With hope in myself feeling called to this And our lives have been changed A number of people's lives have been changed And that is the series that we're talking about It's changed." [29:55] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Let me do Make it clear that we do believe in spiritual warfare We do believe here at EBC That Satan is real We believe that demons are real So I want to just put that to bed right away This isn't a metaphorical story This is something The reason we believe this Is we see Jesus has an encounter here I want you to know We believe the Bible about this, okay?" [35:24] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The world in which we live Has been Which means you have been And I have been Affected by darkness There is a darkness That we understand And we're going to talk more about this There's a darkness And the question I want you to think about In these next few moments is Is there a darkness in my life That I am dealing with?" [36:16] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "For some, an effect of darkness Might be the effect that it can have Upon our mind And the darkness that you deal with Is the darkness of depression And that's very real I've told you very candidly and transparently That there have been moments Where I have battled with the darkness of depression And anxiety And some of you that's where you are today And you're in the middle of that And it's a dark place And you're wondering is there hope In the middle of that darkness" [38:11] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There is no darkness in your life That is too powerful for our God Nothing that you are dealing with Is too powerful for Jesus Maybe you feel weak today Maybe you feel afraid Maybe you are struggling With anxiety or whatever And this is just showing you That if you have this relationship With Jesus Which you can have He can change your life" [01:02:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "There is no darkness in your life That is too powerful for our God Nothing that you are dealing with Is too powerful for Jesus Maybe you feel weak today Maybe you feel afraid Maybe you are struggling With anxiety or whatever And this is just showing you That if you have this relationship With Jesus Which you can have He can change your life" [01:02:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus provides victory And freedom from any darkness In our lives Amen, church, right? That's why we worship That's why we come in And we sing praises to Him Is number one, if you feel ensnared by something That I mentioned that is a darkness in your life And you feel hopeless by that I want you to know that Jesus can change that This series is called Changed And He is in the life-changing business And it's not just for people That we read about 2,000 years ago Friends, this is for you He can change lives still Today Amen, right?" [41:11] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus inserts himself Jesus meets us in our mess Maybe your family's really messy Right? And you're like I don't know if You know, if God can do something If Jesus changes people here He can change people here And he wants to bring about changes He meets us in Our mess Jesus got in the boat He didn't have to get in the boat And go across He could have stayed over here With all the Jews But he said We're going to get in the boat We're going to go across" [56:09] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Jesus will disrupt your darkness. He will disrupt darkness. And we see this go away from us. Why are they telling him to go away? I think we can really get used to our darkness. It may even be something that, you know, we don't, we don't want it in our lives, but we get comfortable, I think, with our darkness. And then when Jesus encounters our darkness, light exposes darkness." [01:12:11] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When Jesus brings a change in your life, he doesn't only want to just change you. He wants to change all the people around you, but you got to welcome him. You got to say, Lord, I welcome that. Jesus says, no, there's tenderness, but there's also purpose. Look, sometimes when we don't get the answer that we want, we got to trust that Jesus is doing something that we can't currently see." [01:20:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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