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?)