Jesus And The Demon Possessed Man Series

Theme: Let’s Talk

Summary:

Over the last few months we have explored conversations that Jesus had with others. I believe we have learned things about Jesus we never knew. Could you imagine yourself having a talk with Jesus face to face – one on one? What would He say to you? What would you say to Him? What questions would He ask you? What questions would you ask Him? What would be the topic of your conversation? What would you talk about? What would you want to talk about? Whenever Jesus had a talk with others their lives were impacted. They were either impacted positive or negative depending on how the individual responded to Jesus talk.

Thesis: Talking with Jesus changed people’s lives in the Bible. Have you talked to Jesus this week? Has it changed your life? We need to make time to talk to Jesus and learn from His conversations with others in the Bible because it has the potential to transform our own lives.

Scripture: John 10:27

My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

Series 3: Straight Talk

What is it?

It’s like when your spouse asks if the new outfit makes her look fat and you say, “Yes, you look like you have gained 30 pounds!”

It’s like when your wife asks if you love her new haircut and you say, “No you look like an orangutan!”

Straight talk is defined by The Free Dictionary as a direct and honest talk from one person to another. So in our case it would be a direct and honest talk Jesus would have with another person and for the ones listening to there conversation.

Scripture Text for series “Straight Talk”:

Hebrews 4:12-13:

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Our passage in Hebrew’s reminds us that God’s Word and words are living and active. God’s words are never dead but alive, they cut to the core of a person, they penetrate into your heart, into your soul, your spirit and even your mind. They slice open the truth about situations in your life. They judge you – did you hear that? They judge your decisions – but with truth – with insight that only God has about you and your attitude. God knows everything about you – more than you think He knows. He sees everything in your life – everything – He knows what you place above Him as an idol, He knows if you steal from Him, He knows if you sin secretly, and He knows if you love Him. He knows – this is why Jesus has straight talks with us because He knows all about us inside and out. He has straight talks with us to hold us accountable – so that in the end we will be found blameless by His grace. So in this journey of life He will re-direct us so as to keep us on the narrow road to eternal life through straight talks.

Straight talks are not like Pep Talks but I also think they are not as hard as a Hard Talks. So they are in between a Hard Talk and a Pep Talk. Straight Talks seek to warn us and lead us into the right paths of life. The key is whether we will listen to them or not!

T.S. - Let’s explore another conversation Jesus had not with a man but with evil spirit’s – this conversation and dialogue between Jesus and “Legion” was placed there by God to teach us how to deal with evil spirits.

Sermon 4: Jesus and the demon possessed man

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.

2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.

3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.

4For 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.

5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

7He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”