Summary of the preaching
Sunday, March 5, 2023 – Mrs Pastor Billey.
Luke 8:26-27
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.
27 When Jesus had gone down to the ground, there met him a man of the city who was possessed of many demons. For a long time he wore no clothes, and his dwelling place was not in a house, but in the tombs.
At that time, Jerusalem was subject to Rome, it was the time of Caesar.
And in this region east of Galilee, ten cities had been established such as Damascus, Philadelphia, Gadara, Gerasenes…
Gadara and Gerasenes were thus in the same region.
Before Jesus arrived there, there had been a storm that he had silenced.
And when he had gone down to that region, a man of the city, who was possessed of many demons, came to meet him.
In this decapolis, they were Greeks who lived there, they had many false gods, and the god of their gods – Zeus, it was the last son who had overthrown his father and had sat on the throne and he had taken for wife, his little sister. The latter called the queen of heaven, Hera killed all the girls her husband was interested in, because he was a womanizer. One of his brothers was the god of death – and he had taken his father’s wife as his wife. There was also the god of drinkers and many other false gods…
And these deities gave them all kinds of sexual freedom.
There were thus several deities assigned to this region. In total twelve principalities in this decapolis.
Even though these false gods were very evil, people followed them…
However, these gods could do nothing to help this possessed man who had been suffering for years and had his home in the tombs.
None of these deities had been able to deliver him.
Jesus did not go there by chance, Jesus never goes anywhere by chance.
So the Lord came to this area for something in particular – and this gentleman came before Him.
This man had no clothes – he lived like a dead man – in the tombs.
The enemy had destroyed this man’s life to such an extent that he was sleeping in the tombs.
We can also draw a parallel with our lives – before we met Jesus Christ.
Comparing our lives before we knew Christ, with the life of this man, it is very similar.
** This man slept in the tombs
Physically, we did not sleep in the tombs, because at first glance, we looked sophisticated, we put on perfume, we put on make-up… But we did terrible, shocking, shameful acts… We lived in depression, sadness…
So much so that spiritually we were living in pollution, in death.
Therefore, our state was not far from the state of this Gadarenes who slept in tombs.
** He was without clothes.
Now, every man who is detached from God is naked. Thus, he is an easy target for the enemy.
So we also when we were away from God, spiritually, we were without clothes.
** This Gadarenes man was possessed by several demons.
We were also infected with everything that exists as defilements, even in our decisions, acts or choices.
Indeed, the world in which we are, the enemy has introduced practically all the spheres and has infected, polluted many things – even among clothes, jewelry, makeup, food …
In reality, when we are lured into buying clothes that are too short, too close to the body or even when we are lured into cheating, stealing, lying, living in corruption – it is very often synonymous with possession.
By analyzing our life closely, we can see that spiritually we were in the same case as this man.
** Glory be to Jesus Christ who came to this area for this gentleman.
And in the same way, the Lord Jesus presented himself to us.
These demons knew Jesus. – despite the fact that this gentleman lived in the decapolis –
When they saw him, they threw themselves at his feet and begged him.
The enemy knows when Jesus shows up in someone’s life.
For you too the enemy knew that Jesus had come for your liberation, deliverance, healing…
How do you do it?
Through a message heard, a pastor, preaching, a person who evangelized you…
And from that day on, your life was transformed.
Luke 8. 38-39
38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
A legion is between 3,000 and 6,000 soldiers
So he had between 3,000 and 6,000 demons in his body.
When the Lord healed this man, he came to his senses.
And having returned to these senses, he was aware of everything he had done in the past. And when he heard and realized the seriousness of the state he had been put in, he must have been very ashamed.
And because of the shock, the shame he must have felt, he didn’t want to leave Jesus.
Let’s remember, for some deliverances and healings that the Lord accomplished, sometimes he told people not to say anything.
However, for this gentleman, the Lord Jesus said to him – tell all that God has done for you.
Why?
This region was closed to the light of Christ.
The Lord needed one person – he chose one person who would have a very poignant testimony – like this man who was sleeping and living almost like an animal.
He chose a person with a violent testimony to confound the demons, principalities of this decapolis.
Jesus said to this man: “Go and tell all that I have done for you.
One person – was enough to send light into this decapolis.
** for him, it was a single testimony
But we have many testimonies – we often come from complicated stories in our families. You must tell what Christ has done for you.
It is not by chance that Jesus came to you to show the light – there is a reason why you were delivered – so that you could lead others to his light – before his throne of mercy.
You are that testimony, that person that Jesus needs for others to be saved.
Jesus himself needed only twelve disciples to spread the gospel.
So start at home and tell what God has done for you. Be the light by your behavior – your attitude – your habits…
You must be a testimony, a reference point, a model.
If you are truly born again – you are supposed to give light.
Mat 5- 14 – 16
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
If you represent Christ, everything in your way of doing things must show it-Jesus must be represented in every area and sphere of your life. It’s your responsibility.
Because of the mercy the Lord has shown you, you must also show compassion to others.
There are people who are nice in church, but wolves at home, towards their relatives, or making their spouses miserable. Still others are generous in church, but do not give in their homes.
And other people when they get somewhere – everyone runs away – because they just have hurtful words coming out of their mouths.
If you behave badly at home, in your environment, how will you evangelize?
Our salvation is not only for us…
Representing Christ is not easy, but it has a reward.
We must represent Christ wherever we go, wherever we are.
This man was so happy that he wanted to follow Jesus and you?
LET US PRAY →
Lord Jesus, help me to become a testimony for your glory.
May I be a light in my neighborhood in my region, in my family …
May your glory be, manifest in my life and around me.
Lord Jesus forgive me for all the times I have not been that light.
Forgive me whenever I have failed to represent you.
From this day on, may I become that light.
Lord, may many people come to your throne of mercy through me,
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Amen!