In Luke 8 Jesus gets into a boat with his disciples and says to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” Why does Jesus want to go to the other side? Five verses later we discover that Jesus wanted to go to the other side of the lake for one simple reason: to meet a man full of demons so he can set him free. On the way over Jesus and his disciples face a storm. Rather than turning back Jesus goes right through the storm (just like God walked through the storm in Genesis 3 to come after Adam and Eve). Then Jesus steps onto the land (like Joshua stepping onto the contested land of Canaan to claim it as God’s territory). Finally, Jesus meets the man full of demons and breaks the demonic powers off his life and restores him to his right mind and clothes him with a new identity. All this shows us that NOTHING CAN STOP THE LOVE OF JESUS FROM INVADING OUR BROKEN WORLD AND TRANSFORMING US.

The Maniac of Gedara speaks to many. He was a normal man that allowed the enemy into his life leading to his destruction. “For a long time” this man was: 

Oppressed by demons – he was under constant attack from the enemy of our souls. He had let the enemy in.

Homeless – he had burned every bridge of his relational world.

Naked – he didn’t know his identity and purpose. His life was chaos. 

Lived among the tombs – had no life, no joy, he was spiritually empty and dead.

Broke the bonds of his chains – nothing could restrain him. He was enslaved to his habits and addictions.

Driven often into the desert – he struggled with isolation (the devil loves to get us alone, because when we are alone no one can help us).

Tormented – he lived with constant pain (mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically)

• After listening to Sunday’s message, where do you relate most to the Maniac of Gedara? (think about the following: Do you see your life or your loved ones under constant attack from the enemy? Do certain sinful habits seem impossible to restrain? Do you struggle with isolation and find it difficult to connect to Godly community? How are you handling pain in your life?)

When Jesus saved and delivered the Maniac of Gadara, the man was dressed and in his right mind. Jesus had not just saved him. He had completely transformed his life – spirit, mind, body and soul. Then when he begged to go with Jesus, Jesus told him to go back home and tell everyone what God had done for him. The man went back and told the whole city. When Jesus came back the people in the Decapolis (10 cities) were ready to receive Jesus and many saw the saving and transforming power of Jesus in their lives.

• What is Jesus working on in your life right now (spirit, mind, body, soul), and how are you responding to what He wants to change in you?
• When was the last time you stepped into someone else’s world to lead them to Jesus (who is on the other side that Jesus is calling you to reach? Have you ever shared the story of how Jesus has changed you (2 min miracle) with someone?)

On Sunday we learned that favor is the activity of the Holy Spirit on your behalf. It is when God looks at you and smiles. It is God’s blessing on something that you are doing. It is the invisible movement of God in your life and your circumstances. A moment defined by favor is when the Spirit does what you cannot. It makes your best effort more. Favor creates promotion, protection and provision. Favor opens doors that are shut. Favor enlightens the mind, energizes the heart and invigorates the body. It changes the trajectory of your life.

• What is something you are doing or are going to do that you need God’s favor for?

Pastor Russ highlighted three men in the Bible who had the trajectory of their life changed by moments of divine favor. When we look at these men’s lives closely we discover what leads to God’s favor in our life:

David had a powerful “secret life.” He was mighty in private worship. Favor is all about who you are in the secret with God when no one is looking, not just your devotional life. When you live powerfully in secret, you live with favor. Your secret life allows you to see a bigger God than others can see. 

Daniel had a fear of the Lord that was severe (intense). He refused to bow to worldly pressure because of his intense fear of God. His convictions weren’t selective. They were broad. They encompassed every area of his life (sometimes we like to choose what we are committed to and neglect the other parts of our lives Jesus is telling us to walk in obedience in). 

Joseph had a deep faithfulness magnified by endurance. He had a spirit of endurance and resilience through years of injustice. He had to wait with patience for God’s promise to be fulfilled.

• Which of these characters and their qualities speak most to you? Expound on what the Holy Spirit is calling you to do to live a life blessed with God’s favor. As you answer think about the following: 
• Is your secret life where it needs to be like David’s (think about your private worship and who you are when no one is looking)? Is the fear of the Lord “severe” in your life like Daniel (think about where you might be selective in your obedience but neglecting other things God wants you to obey)? Are you enduring faithfully like Joseph?