Meeting Jesus - Live In Freedom

As a child, there were many times I experienced  being afraid of the dark.  It wasn’t a common thing.  It wasn’t an everyday thing.

But at night sometimes, my imagination would wander, and fear would override my common sense. The faces of Freddy Kruger. Jason Vorhees. Mike Myers…and Norman Bates…they scared the crap out of me as a kid! And sometimes the darkness would paralyze me to the point I barely breathed. Dark shapes of trees, or shrubs, or things in my room, would transform into the faces of the characters that Hollywood had created and I believed that they were going to leap out at me and kill me.

Any other children of the 70’s and 80’s that want to admit to being scared of the dark and thinking about those guys? Today’s passage of scripture can read like a Stephen King novel…

Demonic possession.  A cemetery. Chains and shackles. Self-harm and howling at the moon.

It is from Luke 8:26-39, and the Gospel writer Mark also provides an account of this crazy story, and I am going to add one of the verses from Mark, to this passage to help with the context. 

Let’s read together:

Luke 8:26-27 (NLT2) 

26  So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27  As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town. 

Mark 5:5 (NLT2) 

5  Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. 

Luke 8:28-39 (NLT2) 

28  As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29  For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. 30  Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31  The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32  There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33  Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. 34  When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35  People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36  Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37  And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38  The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39  “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. 

Bizarre story, right? In case it is not obvious, let me point out everything that this man had going against him:

• He was Demon possessed, naked, homeless, and lived in a cemetery. (v. 27)

• He wandered around the cemetery day and night, howling and cutting himself with sharp rocks. (Mark 5:5)

• The people that he knew CHAINED and SHACKLED him to the rocks (v. 29)

Regardless of the difficulties you are facing and the hopelessness you may feel in life – this man has you beat!   You can at least read this passage of scripture and say, “I have problems – but not like him.”

If you feel chained down. 

If you feel like you cannot get over your past. 

If your struggles continue to resurface day and night.  

If you just don’t feel like you can overcome your past…

Like this demon possessed man, I want you to know, you can be freed. I understand that this passage is a bit unsettling.  This man was demon possessed.  He was controlled by the Devil and was filled with demons. I do not believe that a follower of Jesus can be possessed by the Devil…

Once a person has become a follower of Jesus, once they have surrendered their life to Jesus, received Jesus as their savior, and have committed their lives to Him, they have been made NEW. They are born AGAIN.  

They have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. 

So, I do not believe that a follower of Jesus can become DEMON possessed, because the Holy Spirit of God already possesses them.

BUT

I do believe that a follower of Jesus can begin to believe the lies of the devil and live as confused, and feel as isolated and powerless as this man.

As we looked at last week, the devil hates God and the devil hates followers of Jesus. 

And…

KEEPING PEOPLE IN BONDAGE IS A PRIORITY FOR THE DEVIL

In verse 30, Jesus asked the man a very simple question.

“What is your name?”

I could answer that question. You could answer that question. But the man had lived under the influence of the devil for so long, he could not answer the question correctly. 

His name was NOT Legion. His real name was a good Jewish name.  Thomas, Matthew, Peter, or John…LEGION was not the man’s name.  

But he had lived in darkness, confusion, and hurt for so long, he had forgotten his name. He had forgotten who he really was. He had forgotten his identity. He had given up.  He had quit the fight and BELIEVED the lies.  

Jesus characterized the Devil in John 8. Jesus said:

John 8:44 (NLT) 

…He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

As a follower of Jesus, you cannot be demon possessed, but you CAN BE FILLED WITH LIES. You should not believe the discouragement and despair that CREEPS into your thought life.  

You should not believe the harsh words that others speak into your lives.  

You should not believe the whispers of hopelessness when you are trapped and bound by your own sin…

BELIEVE the TRUTH that just like this demon possessed man – Jesus can SET YOU FREE!  

He can free you from the deception of abusive criticism, lies that you have begun to believe about yourself, Pessimism, doubt, and despair…He can set you free, but only if you want to be free.

Lot’s of people who profess to be followers of Jesus, choose to live in darkness every single day.  They have been set free from the penalty of sin, but they make choices to live imprisoned every single day.

Do you do that?

JESUS MADE YOUR FREEDOM A PRIORITY, DO YOU?

Jesus went out of his way to encounter this man and set him free.  The night before Jesus landed the boat in front of this man, he and his disciples had fought the storm in the middle of the lake. In verse 37 – Jesus gets back into the boat to leave. THE only reason why JESUS had made the journey across the water was to rescue this man.  This moment.  Getting across the water wasn’t easy.  Jesus made the freedom of the Gerasene Demoniac a priority and…

Jesus has made your freedom a priority too! He went to great lengths to set you free from SIN.  

Paying the penalty for our sin – he was arrested, beaten, whipped, scourged, mocked, and savagely murdered on a cross.  His blood and broken body paid the penalty for our sins.  

Jesus made your freedom a PRIORITY although it came at GREAT personal cost.  

Does your freedom matter to you as much as it matters to Jesus?

Do you make your freedom a priority? 

Every single Friday night at 6:30, Celebrate Recovery meets here at Adventure Beach.  Anybody with HURTS, HABITS, or HANGUPS are welcome to get involved and invited to discover freedom.  

And, if you are a Veteran, or you know a veteran, that has been scarred and damaged from service in the military, we have a special CR small group just for you. Other Veterans, gathered together to help one another recover and heal…

Many men and women have never recovered from a childhood of abuse, so they chase “what they knew” as a child through one bad relationship after another. Many men and women have been set free from the chains of sin, but they keep holding on to the chains because they don’t know how to live free.  Their more comfortable with shackles than freedom.

Make your freedom a priority.  

Jesus offers abundant life.  He offers honesty, love, and hope. Love yourself enough to choose freedom. And understand,

JESUS HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SET YOU FREE, WILL YOU LET HIM?

Maybe like this man… you are overcome with evil in this world. Maybe you are overwhelmed with an addiction to anxiety. Maybe your relationship with your spouse is crumbling and you feel like you will never experience a HEALTHY relationship with them.  

Maybe you have a hidden addiction to drugs…an addiction to alcohol…or hopelessness.

Throughout the Gospel of Luke, the Son of God, JESUS demonstrates he has the AUTHORITY to set people free.

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over finances (coin in the mouth of the fish), over demonic oppression, and the evil one himself.  

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over nature by calming the wind  & rain.

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over the human body by fasting for 40 Days in the wilderness.  

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over temptation by living 33 years on this earth and refusing to yield to temptation.  

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over the Laws of Physics by walking on Water, turning WATER into WINE, and multiplying the loaves and fish.

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over DEATH and LIFE by raising people from the dead.

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over the Law of Gravity by ascending into heaven. 

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over sin by paying the penalty for sin through Jesus death and rising from the dead.  

THERE IS NOTHING THAT MY JESUS CANNOT DO!

Your freedom is a PRIORITY for JESUS and he CAN SET YOU FREE.  

Like this man – perhaps of you have been cowering and hiding in the darkness so long you have forgotten who you really are and who you belong to.  

You are not a child of the evil one  - you have been born again and you are a child of the most high God!

Live like it! Step out of the shadows of shame and darkness.  

John 8:36 (NLT) 

36  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 

Romans 8:2 (NLT)

 2  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Romans 6:22 (NLT) 

22  But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

And once you have been set free – then do what this man did.  

Jesus cast the demon out of the man, people who witnessed it ran to the town and told everybody and when they all came running back, the man was clothed, sitting calmly and in his right mind.  He wanted to follow Jesus at this point, but Jesus had something greater for him to do.

He told everybody about what Jesus had done for him.

You can too. On July 16, we will have Beach Baptisms.  Join us and let your world know that you have been set free from sin, and you are a follower of Jesus.

Evil grows in isolation.  God grows in community. 

Meeting Jesus - Compassionate Faith

Some people believe Jesus is a republican, a democrat, or an independent. Some people believe that Jesus is like a Genie in a bottle–if you rub the lamp through prayer, you get whatever you want. Still, some view Jesus like a Mascot the church rallies around once a week.Over this next year, we are going to seek to understand who Jesus really was,what he was really like, and how you and I can become more like Him.

The book of Luke is so interesting because it’s a letter written by Luke reporting on the historical events surrounding the life of Jesus. It’s a beautiful, intricate piece of literature that reads like a well presented journal entry. I love journaling. It’s something that I do regularly every day whether in the book I carry in my back pocket or my work notebook that it’s my backpack, I love taking notes. I started seriously doing it, especially daily, during 2020 when I was stuck at home for a portion of the pandemic, the world felt like it was upside down but writing helped me focus on what was important, let go of stress and have something to look back on and get encouragement through the things Ive seen over the past few years. The biggest of which is COVID.

Though it’s not something that affects our every day life as much anymore, Covid still feels like a four letter word, depending on the day it legitimately felt like something that could wipe out the majority of the world all the way down to a mild inconvenience. We’ve all been affected, we lost friends and family and the world looks different now because of it.

I remember in 2020 when I tested positive and I thought I was going to lose my mind, we were just a few days away from Christmas Eve service and everything was falling apart as Tom and many of the band had also tested positive. Tom’s quarantine period was done before mine so that Christmas Eve Tom was the only musician we had during our service. I remember watching the live feed on my phone at my house as I laid in bed and feeling helpless, but we had volunteers jumping into areas they were not usually a part of to make sure that things went as smoothly as they could. So many people wanted to help in some way.

I’m reminded of all the food distributions that we were involved in both here on our campus but also partnering with other churches and civic communities around the Grand Strand. I’m reminded of the worship nights we had outside in the parking lot staying distant but together. I’m reminded of the numerous blood drives that were held here in Adventure Beach as there was a shortage across the country. I think of those that gave their time and resources to help others in need.

Those actions are examples of “COMPASSION.” 

When we see other people suffering, and we say…I want to help somehow, and we do something to help bring relief to the people suffering – that is COMPASSION.

In today’s passage of scripture, we find a very clear example of COMPASSION among people who believed Jesus was able to work miracles.

Luke 5:17-26

17  One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. 18  Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, 19  but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” 21  But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 22  Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 23  Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 24  So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 25  And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. 26  Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” 

During this time, the religious leaders believed that if a person was suffering physical, it was because God was punishing them for their sins.

They believed that if something bad happened, that if something tragic happened, that if a person got a disease, was paralyzed, or just sick, they believed GOD was punishing that individual for their sins. It seems odd, maybe even ridiculous but I bet you have had a similar thought. We say things like “that’s karma” and we were raised to navigate through a world knowing our actions have consequences. Sometimes we see people with a terrible diagnosis, get in a horrible accident, and think that God must be punishing them for some reason. Like this is the consequence to some bad decision they have made.

Can I just state how insane that is?  

SIN and DISEASE are tied together. 

When the first man sinned, sickness, disease, deformities, and death entered the world.

BUT

God does not punish us with sickness and disease. Sickness and disease are something all of us will experience until we leave our physical bodies…

not because of personal sin – but because of sin. Period.

And, these Religious Leaders, rather than having compassion on the hurting, had judgmental thoughts toward those who were sick. The first lesson we learn about compassion from this text is that, as a body of Believers, we can…

PARTNER TOGETHER TO HELP OTHERS FIND HEAVEN THROUGH JESUS. (V.18-19)

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 

When we care about the people around us, we will look for opportunities to partner with others to bring them to Jesus.

If you have surrendered your life to Jesus and received Him as your Savior. If you believe that on the cross, Jesus paid the price for your sin, you have been forgiven for your sins, and you have reconnected to God through Jesus. If that’s true then you know people who have not yet experienced a life-changing relationship with God – who don’t know what they are missing out on. If they did, they would want to know!

With Christ comes forgiveness. In that forgiveness, you have peace during a time of trial, you have hope in the middle of hopeless situations and even when you are defeated you can stand in the confidence of victory.

You have experienced Jesus power in your life…

rescuing you from addiction, 

fixing your broken relationships with others, 

redeeming your past. 

You know what it is like to have a GROWing relationship with your heavenly Father…and you

know through experience what friends, families and neighbors are missing out on because they have never turned their lives over to Jesus.

So – invite them to Weekend worship. Invite them to watch online. Invite them to a community group you are a part of.  

Maybe you don’t feel comfortable yet sharing how people’s lives could be changed through connect with God – invite them to church! Invite them to Celebrate Recovery on Friday nights at 6pm. Celebrate Recovery is for so much more than just addictions. If you want to see what a hunger for relationship with God looks like, I encourage you to go. Any hurt, hurt habit or hang-up. Everyone stands together with an eagerness to grow closer to God.

That is a great illustration of how we can partner together to point others to Heaven through Jesus. 

The second thing we can learn about Compassion is this:

COMPASSIONATE FAITH OVERCOMES HICCUPS, HINDRANCES, AND HELL. (V.19-20)

but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” 

This is something that would have taken a lot of determination. These friends didn’t look at the crowd, drop their bro on the mat and say “better luck tomorrow”.They didn’t let the crowd stop them, or a ladder or even a roof, they ripped it open and lowered their friend in need down in front of the only person that could help. They CARED too much to let things like crowds, ladders, and roofs get in the way. They knew if they could get their friend to Jesus – he would be changed forever.

And he was. 

Jesus forgave the man, then told him to stand up, pick up his mat, and go home. When he left that place, he did not need a mat. He would never need to be carried around again. The same crowd that blocked him from Jesus, now stared at him with wonder as they parted and he passed through. All because his friends didn’t just believe that Jesus could heal him… it wasn’t just a head knowledge that Jesus could change his life. They showed COMPASSION by doing everything they could to get him in front of Jesus.

And WE can do the same. You can do the same! 

Don’t just SAY you believe that Jesus can change lives. Have COMPASSIONATE faith that moves mountains and invite your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to church with you.

Scroll through the contacts on your phone if you can’t think of somebody to show compassion to.  

Invite your dentist, 

the person that details your car, 

your landscaper, 

your surgeon, 

your server at the restaurant, 

the people that deliver your furniture, 

the person that picks up your trash, 

We do care for others, so keep showing it and…

KEEP HELPING RATHER THAN CHOOSING A “HELPLESS FAITH.” (V.25)

And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.

If you have been changed by Jesus – live out that change every single day.  

Don’t live like you have a helpless faith.  

Don’t live like you aren’t important. 

Don’t live like you do not matter.

You have been given life- so work to give life to others. 

This man bound to a mat no longer needed it, and Jesus did not expect for this man to keep laying there.  He told him to GET UP.  He told him to haul his cot back to his house.

God has not changed our lives for us to remain motionless, paralyzed or helpless.  

When Christ first said the paralyzed man was forgiven, his life would be forever changed, but those around him were still doubtful, it was when the man got up and walked out that inward change was now evident to those standing witness to the glory of God through Christ Jesus. We can do the same. God changes us from the inside out. We can be FOREVER CHANGED! 

Let us walk away from what we WERE and be what God has called us to be. Let us not sit and feel helpless but stand and know that God is doing a mighty work in us. Let’s not be passive in our faith but actively seek out the chances to show the world that we are made new. That the sin that once bound us has been forgiven and there is no limit to what God can do in our lives and in the lives of those we encounter.

He has placed within our hearts a faith that can move mountains…I hope you believe that God can use you, that God will use you if you invite Him to.

Our Ethos statement here is “We are a connected people, captivated by Christ, whose changed lives are changing lives”

We are changed because of the work God has done in us. Why would we not want to show that change to those around us? We get to be a walking testimony of God’s power to change our lives. Maybe you are uncertain about how to get started, well theres a lot of easy ways to do that right here! Get connected.

There are so many ways for you to help rather than choose a helpless faith. Our Tuesday Crew is a group of men who meet here each week to help keep up our campus, making sure that it’s ready and able for every activity that we host here. Join our Children’s Ministry and speak into the lives of children as they grow in their faith. Join our prayer team to go to the Lord with those in need after our services and during the week.

Hebrews 12:12–13

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 

Meeting Jesus - Jesus heals the leper

Some people believe Jesus is a republican, a democrat, or an independent. Some people believe that Jesus is like a Genie in a bottle–if you rub the lamp through prayer, you get whatever you want. Still, some view Jesus like a Mascot the church rallies around once a week.Over this next year, we are going to seek to understand who Jesus really was,what he was really like, and how you and I can become more like Him.

Here at Beach Church, we believe if we read God’s Word and apply his Word, he Will change our lives.Last week we talked about the importance of continuing to surrender to Jesus in our lives, and this week we are taking a look at Luke 5:12-16 when Jesus changes another man’s life.

The majority of us have experienced something traumatic in our lives, that we had to learn to deal with.

Maybe it was an unexpected layoff. Maybe a spouse filing for a divorce you did not want. Maybe your child was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.

Some trauma comes to us through no fault of our own. 

Perhaps like me, you had an abusive, alcoholic parent who was mean and hurtful to you, or maybe somebody betrayed your trust and took advantage of you. Maybe you were neglected and abused by a spouse, or grew up in a violent and dysfunctional home. The world has been broken by sin. That means that bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. And, bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people.  

A newsflash for all of us: 

Life is not fair! Nothing in life seems to be consistent and fair because the world has been broken by sin.

When my teachers would punish the whole class for something one person did, I would stand up, interrupt the class and shout: “That’s not fair.”

If my brothers or sisters received a toy, and I didn’t  - I would say, “That’s not fair.”

Today, we read about a man dying a slow, painful death through no fault of his own…and nothing could be done to help him.  I am sure he mumbled many times, “Life’s not fair.”

Luke 5:12-16

In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 13  Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 14  Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” 15  But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 16  But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. 

It is important to understand this incident in the proper context. Leprosy was a terrible disease. The moment it was discovered a person had leprosy, their clothes, possessions, and bedding were destroyed through fire.  Then, their family disowned them and shunned them for the rest of their lives. Even if they had wealth and money – they lost it all. A person never asked for Leprosy, but they got it. Like Covid, a virus, cancer, or the common cold, a person contracted Leprosy through no fault of their own. Whether old, young, rich or poor, a leper was shunned by friends, family and the community.  

As a leper traveled and walked along the road or trails, they had to yell “Unclean!  Unclean!”  and ring a bell to make sure people knew they were diseased and for all to stay clear. And, their condition grew worse and worse. They grew a bit more grotesque and diseased every day.  In their leper colonies, they watched each other literally rot away, losing fingers and toes, losing limbs, going blind, horribly disfigured they would eventually die…of either starvation or rot.

Can you imagine that life? To be grouped together with a group of diseased people and watching them one-by-one die a painful death, knowing that one day, you would also meet that same fate.  And – the psychological consequences of Leprosy were as damaging as the physical. They carried SHAME and GUILT even though they were innocent victims of the disease. Historians tell us that they often blamed themselves.

This man HATED himself and all that he had become.

This man had become the most grotesque version of himself he could possibly be. I believe He Hated who he was and what he had become. And maybe that’s where you are today.

Maybe somebody hurt you as a child, and you blame yourself. Maybe you were in an abusive relationship for years, and you blame and shame yourself for not getting out sooner. You were hurt. Your kids were hurt. You are weighed down by guilt you should not be carrying. Maybe you have an eating disorder, an addiction to drugs or alcohol, and you have hurt people who loved you. Maybe you were the abuser, you have deep regrets about the pain you caused. Maybe you just can’t look at yourself in the mirror any longer because you hate the person. you are today.

EVEN WHEN WE HATE OURSELVES, JESUS REACHES OUT

As Jesus is moving about in the village – this diseased leper hobbles to Jesus, bowing down to the ground in shame and pleads: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean!”. Without hesitating, drawing back in horror, or recoiling, Jesus takes a step toward the man and said, “I am willing – and he TOUCHES the man!”

The day he was diagnosed, people stopped touching him. 

No handshakes. 

No hugs. 

No pat on the back. 

No stealing kisses from the woman he loved. 

No butterfly kisses on his cheek from his children or grandchildren.

NOTHING.

Then – this stranger reaches out his hand and TOUCHES the Leper. BEFORE he healed him!

The touch came first, then came the healing.

If you are a follower of Jesus, you came to a moment that you understood that you NEEDED the cleansing power of Jesus to change your life, too.  You understood the ugliness of your sin. That your sin separated you from God. But Jesus death on the cross paid the price for your sin and through his blood, you were cleansed from sin and made new. You Surrendered your life to Jesus and committed your life to following him.

If you are a follower of Jesus – understand if we want to make a difference in this broken world, we must reach out with a compassionate TOUCH before we can make a difference.

If people around you are broken – reach out with compassion. 

Be willing to meet them where they are.  Show them uncomfortable grace. Some people are so broken they hate themselves and they are ready to give up – show them the compassion of Jesus.  Your character and beliefs are never compromised by showing compassion to people overwhelmed by sin.

And, if you are at the place that you hate yourself because of choices you made, things you have done, words you have said, and hurt you have caused to others…JESUS is still reaching out to you.

You may hate yourself – but God loves you 

He knows how you feel about yourself…

He knows what you think about yourself…

But he will never stop reaching out to you.

Jesus will never ever stop reaching out to you. So reach back out to Him. Surrender control of your life to Him. 

Tell Him you are tired of making up the rules for your life. Tell Him you are ready to live by his rules. Beginning this moment, get clean on the inside.

Surrender your life to God and receive forgiveness for sins. Just simply say to God, “I believe Jesus paid the price for my sins, and I surrender to you. I will stop living by my own rules, and begin following you.”

Now, for all of us, it is important that we understand:

SOMETIMES HEALING IS INSTANT, SOMETIMES A PROCESS

In verse 13, we see that this man was healed immediately by Jesus.  I have heard of those miraculous moments in people’s lives when they struggle with anger, or addiction, or they have been diagnosed with cancer – and they are healed instantly!

I have seen the before and after of medical ultrasounds of tumors that are suddenly gone. I have spoken with men and women who had their desire for drunkenness and getting high instantly disappear. I praise the Lord for those sudden, dramatic, healings that demonstrate God’s power.

But, sometimes healing is a process that takes time.

PTSD healing takes time.

Overcoming depression and anxiety takes time.

Overcoming abuse, church hurt, and sadness can take time.

Much of the hurt you and I have experienced in life requires us to process through prayer, reading the Bible, counseling, and programs like Celebrate Recovery.

If you have any hurt, habit, or hangup that you wrestle with – Invest in healing for yourself by attending Celebrate Recovery and be open and honest about what you are hoping to recover from…Jesus heals today instantly, and he also heals through a process of time, prayer, conversation and understanding.

Wherever you are at, and whatever you need healing from, you are worth beginning the process and the journey.

Then, as you grow to a point of change and transformation…

ANNOUNCE CHANGE THROUGH BAPTISM

Luke 5:14

…He said, “Go to the priest… Take along the offering … This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” 

Jewish Old Testament Law required that those cured of an infectious disease receive permission to re-enter society from the Priests.  This man with the advanced case of leprosy must have hungered for years for a priest to say, “You are clean!”  Being healed from the disease would mean that he could return to his family, return to an occupation, and from that point on – he would never be alone, lonely, or by himself again because of his disease!

No more watching families from a distance. No more watching Father and Sons go to the synagogue together…and wishing that was him. Now he could be hugged! Now he could hug others! Now he could love and be loved by others…Through the touch of Jesus – he got a second-chance at life!

But before he could live in the NEW – the change had to be announced.

Some of you have experienced the life-changing power of forgiveness in your lives…It is time for the PUBLIC TESTIMONY of Baptism to let your world know that you are now a follower of Jesus. It is time to let your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors celebrate the change you have experienced.  Baptism is an outward declaration of the inward change you have experienced…is it time you have stopped holding back?

When you announce, others can celebrate and God is glorified.

It is time to let your world know you are now a follower of Jesus. You have been forgiven for your sins. You are not the same person you once were.

Let your world know.

No Ragrets - Personal Guardrails

• Remember

• Recall

• Repent

“Godly grief produces a repentance…
2 Corinthians 7:10

• Refocus

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.”
Isaiah 43:18-19

“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies are new each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23

“We all sin and we all fall short of the Glory of God.”
Romans 3:23

“The prudent see danger and take refuge. But the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Proverbs 27:12

The simple keep going and drive off the cliff.

Where do you need guardrails?

Career?
Marriage?
Finances?
Personal Integrity?

Many of our greatest regrets in life probably could have been avoided IF we had put personal guardrails in place…!

• Personal guardrails are standards of behavior that HAVE TO become matters of conscience!

• You can wreck your finances without spending unethically.

• You can ruin a relationship without doing anything sinful.

• Guardrails aren’t just meant to keep you on the safe side of right vs. wrong.

• In light of my past experiences, my current circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what’s the wise thing to do?

What’s the wise thing to do?

If you’re living too close to the edge, it may be time to set a guardrail.

Eventually our behavior (on the outside) will mirror what’s going on-on the inside.

• Guilt
• Anger
• Greed
• Jealousy

Guilt says, “I owe you.”

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 32:5

“I am about to die, and I cannot forget my pain. I confess my guilt; I am troubled by my sin.
Psalm 38:17-18

Anger says, “You owe me.”

“For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:20

“In your anger, do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:26-27

“Fools give vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Proverbs 29:11

Greed says, “I owe me.”

“A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.”
Proverbs 28:25

“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.”
Proverbs 15:27

Jealousy says, “Life owes me.”

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
James 3:14-16

“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy and unkind speech.”
1 Peter 2:1

Ignore the warning and regret will be waiting on the other side.

“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”
Proverbs 24:16

No Ragrets - From Our Regrets to His Glory

Regret
   /rəˈɡret/
    noun
a feeling of sadness, repentance or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.“
Romans 8:28

“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies are new each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23

“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14

Bitterness
• the belief that God got it wrong.

Anxiety
• the belief that God’s not going to get it right.

Regret
• the belief that the mistakes I made are so bad that God can’t make it beautiful again.

“Christ died for a million regrets.”

“Today, you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43

“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?”
Psalm 130:3

“Remember regrets to a point.”

“A life without regrets is a life built on a mirage.”

“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Ephesians 2:12-13

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” -and I am the worst of them all.”
1 Timothy 1:15-16

“Press on in faith.”

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. That is, I haven’t become perfect. I haven’t arrived yet. But one thing I do: Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death..”
2 Corinthians 7:10

“Come and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28