WE PREACH CHRIST: EXPERIENCING THE HOPE OF JESUS

• One side of Jesus’ life you may not be familiar with is His ability to maintain . Jesus was both meek and strong.
• 1 Peter 2:23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
• Jesus was composed under the most arduous circumstances.

• • When there was a storm, He .
  • When people beat Him, He .
  • When called the devil, He .
  • When arrogant religious people tried to trap Him, He .
  • When sinners approached Him, He loved and .
  • When demons ravaged people, He .

• Luke 8:26-29 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 the tombs outside the town. 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.

• • This man is another of sin.
  • Sin is until it’s not.
  • Sin looks until it isn’t.
  • Sin is until there’s shame.
  • Sin freedom but can only deliver bondage.

• Luke 8:30-33 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.
• Luke 8:34-37 states that Jesus’ actions became widely known, prompting the people to rush out and witness what had occurred.
• The townspeople were not with the man sitting in his right mind. They were incensed that their income (pigs) was now floating in the Sea of Galilee.
• The only one capable of offering help, hope, new life, healing, transformation, and forgiveness was asked to by the people.

• Here’s one of the most tender scenes in the Bible: Instead of being naked and afraid, this man was clothed and at (Luke 8:35).
• Luke 8:38-39 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.
• What was it like when he walked through the door of his house?
• This estranged man, husband, and father is not dressed in mere clothing but, more importantly, clothed in the riches of Jesus’ —a new man.
• Hope is offered , not just on Easter. That’s why We Preach Christ.
• has names – Destroyer, Pain, Regret, Anguish, Hopelessness.
• Forgiveness has a name—Jesus. Hope has a name—Jesus. Grace has a name—Jesus. That is why we preach Christ Crucified.

“The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: grace.” Max Lucado

• This is about repenting from sin before the Holy God who created you. “It’s not about striving to be better; it’s about believing that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.”
• Regardless of your past, would you be willing to reach out to Jesus today, submit to His authority, and ask to be made new? This is not about having life’s problems resolved. This is about confronting the sin and evil we are all born with.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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