Opening question
1.) What are some bad habits that you have overcame since you were younger.
2.) Is there something in your life, that you do, that you wish you could change? And it frustrates you?
Let's look at a man that had some serious challenges to overcome!
Luke 8:26
They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[b] which is across the lake from Galilee. 27When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29For Jesus had commanded the evil[c] spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into a solitary places.
Imagine the situation here and the depression of being this demon possessed man. Being in and out of reality and not having any hope or control of ever living a normal life. The worst of worst situations. To the demon possessed man he had zero control over his sin.
- Have you ever felt that you had no control over your sin or weaknesses? (Just ask for the group to raise hands if they agree, unless someone really wants to share)
The bible says that this man was driven to Solitary places.
- How does sin drive us to solitary places?
- Guilt
- fear of not being accepted
- hurt others
30Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" .
- Jesus pinpoints what the sin is. What are some examples of sin we do not want to call sin.
- Want it my way - pride
- Strong/Personal opinions – criticalness, stubbornness
- Looking, but not touch – Lust
- Frustrated – anger
- Free spirit – undisciplined
- Sex because we love each other - Immorality
- I am experienced - pride
- I know better – pride.
- I cant trust anymore – resentment.
- I don't get along with.. – bitterness
- Being open about how I feel about her or him -Gossiping
"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss
- Why did Jesus expose who he really was?
To get to the root of the problem. If we never get the root of the matter the sin will always surface and take over.
32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid Amen!
- What do people try other than God to fix things in their lives.
- Drugs
- Pursue other things to pacify the pain or hurt..sports, relationships. ( Explain what do Pacifiers do? Prolong and make it harder to change or quit.)
- Alcohol
- Internet abuse or TV abuse
36Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
The only way we can get true healing is
- Be open with your heart
- Call the sin out as it really is. (Don't make excuses)
- Seek help through God's word and others
- Get to the root of problem.. Do not be surface
- Leave no room for Pacifiers.. they only prolong the sin and make it harder and harder to change.
- Be free and allow God to make incredible changes in your life.
Closing Thought:
What specific sins are you going to go after in your life?
