LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE
TESTIMONY MORNING:
This morning, one of the ladies in our church is going to share her amazing testimony of God’s healing power in her life. But first, let’s lay a foundation with the Word of God.
OPENING STORY:
A father came home from a very rugged day at work and said to his wife, "I’ve had a bad day. Please! If you have any bad news tonight, keep it to yourself." To which she replied, "O.K. NO bad news. Now for the Good News. Remember our four children? Well, three of them didn’t break an arm today."
OPENING TEXT:
“But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.” (Acts 20:24).
What’s your story? Everybody has a story!
Here’s the reader’s digest version of my story: Before Jesus – life was empty and meaningless, tried to fill it with alcohol, relationships, etc. until Jesus changed my life forever!
SONG: There’s a song we used to sing in the church when I first got saved: “Look what the Lord has done!” Tell someone your story! Here’s a story from the Bible of someone who met Jesus, and his life was changed…
OPENING STORY: (Mark Chapter 5)
“1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Here is a man who was in a desperate situation:
2. He was living among the tombs – in the place of the DEAD.
3. Things were so bad he was screaming and cutting himself
6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.
4. When he saw Jesus... here is hope, no matter how hopeless your case may be!
7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." 8 For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" 9 Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. 14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.” (Mark 5:1-20).
5. A couple of months ago, I preached a message on “What to do in the day of trouble.” I told you then that God will take your mess, and turn it into your message.
6. Jesus said, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”
7. Everybody has a story – what’s yours? And who have you shared it with?
LEANNE ANDERSON’S TESTIMONY:
**Pastor’s Note: This outline is a shorter one because part of the speaking time was set aside for Leanne to share her testimony. This is a powerful story of God’s healing, miracle-working power, and I strongly encourage you to listen to this audio sermons!
