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What’s Your Story?

Luke 8:35-39

35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

First, the exorcism left the men with a new posture, that of sitting and resting, in direct contrast to the constant roaming and wandering about the tombs and mountains and wilderness day and night. Christ says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” A problem of sin is discontentment, the lack of peace and rest (Isaiah 57:20-21). However, that all changed when Christ entered the lives of the demon-possessed men to deliver them from the evil adversary.

Second, before the exorcism, the possessed men want nothing to do with Christ, but afterward a tremendous change in attitude occurs: The delivered men want to go with Christ out of reverence and respect for their “Savior.”Jesus, though, has something else in mind: It is more important that they witness to others of what happened. Jesus instructs His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). The man wants to follow Jesus physically, but Jesus wants him to take up his cause for Him.

Third, before their deliverance they wear no clothes, yet afterwards they are clothed (Luke 8:27, 35). Sin makes people shameless and immodest, a natural development due to their separation from the righteous God. The men’s spiritual cleanness is indicated by visible changes; modesty, cleanliness, and appearance improve, as it does when anyone is delivered by Christ. Wherever God’s truth is received, people’s morals improve, reflected in modest clothing.

Fourth, they regain their sanity. Fools, not wise men, reject God (Psalm 14:1), and sin invites Satan into a person’s mind. Ultimately, his influence causes madness. Jesus explains: “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order” (Luke 11:24-25). When a demon is removed, a person’s mind is cleaned of chaos and made orderly. To avoid being possessed again, he needs to replace what was swept out with God’s Spirit and truth.

Fifth, the words “right mind” (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35) suggest the controlling of thoughts and actions, so it indicates, not only sanity, but also self-control. The demons in the men are uncontrollable (“neither could anyone tame him,”Mark 5:4), but when Jesus comes, they recognize God’s authority over them. Evil people cannot control their desires, and society cannot control them, so crime rages on. Living God’s way of life as revealed in the life of Christ is the answer. God provides the right mind to produce the fruit of the Spirit, including self-control (Galatians 5:23).

Jesus instructs the healed man to tell people about his deliverance, particularly those who were familiar and intimate with him. He wants him to be an example of God’s grace, first among his own family and friends, so that they can come to repentance. A Christian is first responsible for witnessing to those closest to him, who will see the greatest difference in him as he lives God’s way of life.

Video: Singing “Beulah Land”

Heart of Grace Singing “Beulah Land”

Enjoy the video!

Lyrics: Beulah Land

I’m kind of homesick for a country
To which I’ve never, never been before
No sad goodbyes up there will be spoken
Time won’t matter anymore

Beulah Land, I’m longing for you
And some day on thee I’ll stand
And there my home shall be eternal
Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land

I’m looking out across the river
To where my faith is gonna end in sight
There’s just a few, few more days
We’re all gonna have to labor
Then I’m gonna take my heavenly flight

Beulah Land, I’m longing for you
And some day on thee I’ll stand
And there my, my home shall be eternal
Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land

Video: Singing “When I Lay My Isaac Down”

Heart of Grace Singing “When I Lay My Isaac Down”

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Lyrics: When I Lay My Isaac Down

Abraham prayed for the day
God would give him a son
Blessed Isaac was his name
The greatest gift he’d ever known
Then came the day, who would have dreamed
God would say “Give him to me
On this mountain you will prove,
It’s you and Isaac, or it’s me and you”

When I lay my Isaac down
Broken heart but my Fathers proud
On this altar here he lays
Just to find it wasn’t him he/(God) wanted me

Most of us I’d dare to say
Have an Isaac in God’s way
On the Altar God will prove
It’s not your Isaac that he wants
He wants you

When I lay my Isaac down
Broken heart but my Fathers proud
On this altar here he lays
Just to find it wasn’t him he/(God) wanted me
On this altar here he lays
Just to find it wasn’t him he/(God) wanted me

Video: Singing “If It Had Not Been The Lord”

Heart of Grace Singing “If It Had Not Been The Lord”

Enjoy the video!

Lyrics: If It Had Not Been The Lord

Who was your shelter through the wind and the rain
Who kept you safe at the enemy’s gate
Who was your shield on the firing line
Who gave you victory – who turned the tide

If it had not been the Lord
Who was on your side
When the world rose against you
When the tide rose high
When the battle was lost
And we drowned in the dark
We would be in despair
If it had not been the Lord

Who was your help when all your friends had gone
Who stood by your side – never left you alone
Who healed your body – who spoke to your storm
Who made a way out of a dead end road

If it had not been the Lord
Who was on your side
When the world rose against you
When the tide rose high
When the battle was lost
And we drowned in the dark
We would be in despair

If it had not been the Lord
If it had not been for mercy
If it had not been for grace
If it had not been for the One who took your place
If it had not been for power
If it had not been for love
If it had not been for Jesus and His precious blood

 

Video: Singing “There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace”

Heart of Grace Singing “There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace”

Enjoy the video!

Lyrics: There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace

What do you say to someone who feels like they’ve lost it all
Over the edge with no one there to break their fall
And what do you say to someone who feels so unloved
Giving themselves away a little bit every day just to be good enough
And what do you say to a hopeless soul who can’t remember their way home
And everything is out of their control

There is no valley, there is no darkness
There is no sorrow greater than the grace of Jesus.
There is no moment, there is no distance,
There is no heartbreak He can’t take you through.
So before you think that you’re too lost to save,
Remember there is nothing greater than grace.

What do you say to someone whose life is on the line
And they’re unsure what happens after their last breath in time
What do you say to someone whose built a wall you can’t break through
And it’s so hard for them to hear the truth

There is no valley, there is no darkness
There is no sorrow greater than the grace of Jesus.
There is no moment, there is no distance,
There is no heartbreak He can’t take you through.
So before you think that you’re too lost to save,
Remember there is nothing greater than grace.

So don’t lose hope, don’t let go
Don’t give up, you are not alone

There is no valley, there is no darkness
There is no sorrow greater than the grace of Jesus.
There is no moment, there is no distance,
There is no heartbreak He can’t take you through.
So before you think that you’re too lost to save,
So before you think that you’re too lost to save,
Remember there is nothing greater than grace.

Video: “Where Two Or Three Agree”

When we gather together in His name we should come expecting the breath of God (Holy Spirit) not only to call us together but to give us new life. The promise of His presence is the reward for when we gather of His name.When the presence of Jesus is there everything is possible and available!

Enjoy the video!

Sermon Notes: https://www.heartofgraceministries.com/blog/after-the-fact/two-three-agree/#.VcZc6XFVhHw

The Purpose Of The Ministry

God’s purpose is to build up the body of Christ. It is not your agenda, your ideals or your doctrines. It is to build up the body of Christ by saving the saving of souls and renewing of weary hearts.

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

V11 – God has a team assigned to the saints to Maturity

  • Apostles and prophets through their writings and words
  • Evangelists teach us the value of soul winning
  • Pastors and teachers keep believers strong in faith
  • They are called to “perfect” or “mature” the saints

V12 – Who is to do the work of the ministry? The saints!

Saints are to do the work of the ministry:

  • saints are those who have been born again
  • All believers are called to do the work of the ministry

We tend to reverse the divine plan by:

  • making pastors do the work of the ministry
  • people show up to listen and critique sermons
  • congregations seek to perfect the pastors to minister
  • we are becoming paid spectators

By doing this:

  • the church becomes as slow as s snail
  • Members miss the blessing of the ministry
  • When the body is not busy it creates busybodies

We must return to being the WHO behind the ministry

V12 – What is the work of the ministry? Anything that builds up the body of Christ!

The ministry is anything that builds up the body

  • to edify is to build up
  • What are you doing to edify? Fellowship? Support? Compassion? Praying?

The ministry is caring for the afflicted

  • Comforting the sick and sorrowful

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

  • Visiting and care for the fatherless and widows

James 1:27

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

  • Being a caregiver for the physical needs of believers

Romans 12:13

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

  • Helping the poor

Romans 15:25-26

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

  • Helping those overtaken by a fault

Galatians 6:1

6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

  • Encouraging one another

Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

V13-16 – What happens when we do all the work of the ministry?

  • The church is unified
  • Believers become Christlike
  • Christians become solid in faith
  • The church is protected from false teaching
  • Love flows through all preaching and teaching
  • The church grows and is known for fellowship and love

– And out of this people can be saved, delivered and set free!