Introduction

Hey there, Church Family!

I'm so glad you're here with us today, whether you're sitting in the pews or joining us from the comfort of your own home. We're about to crack open our Bibles and get into some real good stuff today. So, grab your coffee, settle in, and let's get started.

Before we do, though, I want to share a quote with you. It's from a man named A.W. Tozer, a pretty wise guy if you ask me. He once said, "Love casts out fear, for when we know we are loved, we are not afraid. Whoever has God’s perfect love, fear is gone out of the universe for him." I think that's something we should all keep in mind as we dive into today's Scripture.

Speaking of Scripture, let's look at what we're going to be talking about today. It's from the book of Mark, chapter 5. Let's read it together:

[Read passage]

We're going to be talking about this passage today, and it's got a lot to say to us. We're going to look at understanding who Jesus is, how we can face life's storms with faith, and the power of fearlessness.

But before we get into all that, let's start with a word of prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for this day and for the opportunity to gather together in Your name. As we look at Your Word today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand it and apply it to our lives. Help us to see Jesus clearly and to have the faith and fearlessness we need to face whatever comes our way. We love You, Lord, and we pray all this in Jesus' name, amen.

Alright, folks, let's get into it!

Understanding the Identity of Jesus

In the passage we just read, we meet a man who is in a pretty rough spot. He's possessed by an impure spirit, living among the tombs, and causing all sorts of trouble. But when he sees Jesus, he runs to him and falls on his knees. This man, despite his circumstances, recognizes Jesus for who He is - the Son of the Most High God.

This recognition is crucial: It's the starting point for everything else. If we don't know who Jesus is, we can't understand His power, His love, or His purpose for our lives. We can't fully trust Him or follow Him. We can't experience the life-changing transformation that comes from a relationship with Him.

Who is Jesus?: Well, the Bible gives us a lot of answers to that question. He's the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. He's the Word made flesh, the Light of the world, the Lamb of God. He's the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the True Vine. He's the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He's our Redeemer, our Healer, our Deliverer.

But let's not just stop at these titles. Let's look at what they mean. Let's look at how they're revealed in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Jesus is the Son of God: We're saying that He is divine. He's not just a good man or a great teacher. He's God in human form. He has all the power, all the authority, all the wisdom, all the love of God. He can do things that no one else can do. He can heal the sick, raise the dead, calm the storm, feed the multitude. He can forgive sins, defeat death, and give eternal life.

Jesus is the Messiah: We're saying that He is the one who fulfills all the prophecies of the Old Testament. He's the one who brings salvation to the world. He's the one who establishes the kingdom of God. He's the one who makes a way for us to be reconciled to God. He's the one who brings justice, peace, and righteousness. He's the one who sets the captives free, heals the brokenhearted, and proclaims the year of the Lord's favor.

Jesus is the Savior of the world: We're saying that He is the one who saves us from our sins. He's the one who takes our place on the cross, pays the penalty for our sins, and gives us the gift of grace. He's the one who cleanses us, redeems us, and makes us new. He's the one who gives us hope, joy, and peace. He's the one who leads us to eternal life.

Jesus is the Word made flesh: we're saying that He is the perfect revelation of God. He's the one who shows us what God is like. He's the one who speaks the truth, lives the truth, and is the truth. He's the one who embodies the love, the grace, the mercy, the holiness, the righteousness, the faithfulness of God.

Knowing who Jesus is changes everything: It changes how we see ourselves, how we see others, how we see the world. It changes how we live, how we love, how we serve. It changes our priorities, our values, our goals. It changes our present, our future, our eternity.

Facing the Storms with Faith

As we continue to reflect on the narrative of the Gerasene demoniac, we find a man who is in the midst of a storm, not a physical one, but a spiritual and emotional one ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO