In our April/May series, "Yes! We Will...", we're looking at seven commitments which will prepare us and our church family for the future.
All of this leads to the thought that Healthy Chrisitans make a Healthy Church.

The first commitment was to: STRIVE to be spiritually healthy (Christ-centered)
The second commitment was to: GROW in our faith and fellowship (maturity in our beliefs and behavior)
The third commitment was to: LIVE a lifestyle that Honors God and Helps People (respecting God and caring for the needs of people)
The fourth commitment was to: SERVE the church and community (God has given abilities and has placed us in the midst of opportunities)
Last week's commitment was to: GIVE Biblically, Cheerfully, and Generously (what we give reflects the condition of our heart)

Has there been a moment in your life when you've heard or watched a story and you were totally captivated emotionally, intellectually, and physically?
Some of the most memorable stories are from people; especially stories of their encounter with the Lord and how it changed their life as a result.
We see numerous stories like this in the Bible. Paul's conversion story is told in Acts 9, 22, and 26.

This morning we're going to look at one of the most bizarre stories in all of the Bible. It's told to us 3 times in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Here's a little background...
Jesus is in the northern province of Galilee. He has entered the leadership training phase of His ministry by selecting 12 Apostles. Everything He is doing is to prepare them for the next step of His plan for their lives.
Everything you experience in life is for God's purpose and plan. He is preparing you for the next thing...the next step.

This brings us to the story that is often referred to as the Gerasene Demoniac.
Luke 8:26-27
Jesus has a lesson for them to learn and their comfort zone and agenda are not on His top 10 list for the day!
-They have landed in a religiously and socially unclean Gentile territory that embraces a culture of paganism and hedonism.
-They meet a pair of unclean men.
-They encounter people who are involved in unclean occupations and religious practices.
-They come face to face with unclean spirits.

What stories they will have to tell about their "weekend getaway"!

The story moves on...
-The demons were cruelly torturing these men and one of the guys dives at the feet of Jesus.
-One guy begs not to be tortured.
-In the account in Mark we learn that Jesus talks with the spirit within the man and learns his name is Legion.
-In the Matthew and Mark accounts we learn that this demon-possessed man was violent, alienated from family and friends, that people had attempted to chain him up, and he cut himself with rocks.
-Jesus brings deliverance to the man and the demons leave, straight into a herd of 2,000 pigs.
-The Swineherd (those who look after the pigs) fled and began to tell the story to everyone in the area. Hundreds came running to see what happened.
They are ticked off. They care more about their money and future than they do about Jesus, God's mercy, and a life that has been saved. They are actually ok with demons, demon worship, and demons inhabiting people!

We read in Mark and Luke how Jesus and the boys get back in the boat.
They didn't stay to argue with stupidity and hard-headedness & hard-heartedness. They moved on (Proverbs 26:4).

As they go, the divinely-delivered nice guy attempts to get into the boat.
Luke 8:38-39

This is where the story builds to a crescendo!
Jesus wants the man to go and tell The Story.
Mark 5:19b
Luke 8:39
Mark 5:20
The man's gratitude and joy over what had just happened expanded beyond his own family.
To whom are you telling the story?

Seven Lessons:

1. The love of God COMPELS HIM to try and reach even the vilest of people.

2. The love for God should compel you and I TO TELL OTHERS about the love of God.

3. Everything that happens in our life is TO PREPARE US to serve Him and help others.

4. There are a lot of messed up people in the world THAT NEED TO HEAR The Story.

5. People ARE MORE IMPORTANT than our pigs, our prosperity, and our place in life.

6. God is more interested in our AVAILABILITY than our ABILITY.

7. Our obedience in telling the story can impact MORE THAN WE CAN IMAGINE.

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Monday, May 17 - Jeff & Evelyn Fisher
Wednesday, May 19 - Leslie Booher, Tim Braden, Jasmyn Erb
Thursday, May 20 - Kevin Erb
Friday, May 21 - Vaughn Reid, Keith Carpenter
Saturday, May 22 - Bryan & Sarah Carpenter