The Church of Joy, Williamson Ga

Opening thoughts and review:
Good morning. We are in week four of our series titled, Made for Mission. Three weeks ago we kicked it off by saying that “We are all called”. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, God has an exciting plan for your life.

Last week we said, “Ok, if I’m so called then so what now?” We walked through the huge question “What’s my mission?” We shared that ultimately our mission is Jesus’ mission and that must be our 1st priority and then everything falls into place after that. Still, it’s so easy to get off track with competing missions and lose our life focus.

Today we will spend time answering the question, “What’s my message?” What do I actually say while living on mission. If you are already a Christian, then this is at the very heart of following Jesus.

Have you ever tried to explain something to someone and they just don’t get it? Do you ever feel like sharing Jesus is like speaking in a different language? You just can’t seem to get the words out and you’re pretty sure you are confusing the other person more than you are helping them.

If you can relate at all then today’s passage we are studying should greatly encourage you. We are going to look at the same story from two different places. Mark 5 and Luke 8

So the man asks the question, “Jesus, what do you want with me?”
Jesus answers in words and actions: 1) I want to know your name. 2) I want to help you.

Think about it, everyone else wanted to bind him and keep him away but Jesus came to free him.

As the man sat at Jesus’ feet what do you think they talked about? A great question to ask anytime you are reading the
Bible and it says they were talking is “What do you imagine the conversation was about?” I’m just guessing but don’t you think the man somewhere in there probably asked, “So who are you and why did you save me?”

This guy has been a Christian for 5 minutes. Doesn’t he need more training? Instead Jesus gives him a mission. Return home and tell how much God has done for you.

The area that this all happened was called Decapolis because it was made up of 10 cities that were all together. He went all over the place and told people how much Jesus had done for him.

So, what’s my message? It’s simple, to share how God’s goodness has intersected with my life. What did Jesus do and howhas it personally impacted my life. Can you do that? That’s the message you’re supposed to be ready with.

Jesus went back. In Mark 8 we read that the feeding of the 4000 happened in that same region. So Jesus goes on and tells one guy before they send him away. He comes back a little bit later and 4000 men (or probably 12-15,000 including women and kids) What was the difference? There is no other explanation. I believe it had something to do with how God used the testimony of the former demon possessed guy. Think for a second what that means, he probably went and shared about Jesus to everyone. He probably shared with the very people who cuffed him in chains and left him to die. The message was just too good, his past relationships just didn’t seem to matter anymore.

You have no idea the impact God wants to make through you. Jesus took the craziest most insecure guy and used him to build His kingdom.

We limit our testimony and thereby our effectiveness with: “I can’t do this.” “I’m shy.” “I can’t talk with people about how good God is” “This is just not my thing.”

Let me ask you, “Are you known for running around the local cemetery and your neighborhood naked? Has anyone ever chained you up because you are so out of control?” If not, then you have far less to overcome than this guy did and he brought about one of the Bible’s best spiritual awakenings. Stop saying I can’t and Say God can.

God is at work in you so that He may be known through you. You have a mission.
Paul planted
Apollos Watered
God gave increase

Pray for planting moments and courage.
Pray for watering moments and courage.
Trust what God wants to do through you, for His glory.