Encountering Jesus: The Possessed Man

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eighth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Possessed Man’. Preacher: Amy Norman. Bible Reading: Luke 8:26-39DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 8:26-39 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we live in a way that demonstrates how thankful we are for our forgiveness? WARM-UP What are the common conceptions or ideas about evil in our culture? How does this contrast to a biblical understanding of the problem of evil? Read Luke 8:26-29 What has just happened before this encounter? How have we witnessed Jesusʼ authority so far? How did the demon-possession affect him physically, relationally, and emotionally? How does that make you feel? Why do you think he had been ostracised from his community? What is the ultimate goal of evil? How do we see the manifestation of evil today? How does the demon-possessed man greet Jesus? What does this show us about evilʼs capacity to recognise the identity of Jesus yet still fail to submit to him as Lord? How–in Christianity–can we be in danger of paying too much attention or too little attention to the reality of evil? How should this encounter shape our approach? Read Luke 8:30-39 Why would evil be afraid of Jesus? How should this be a cause for confidence for us? Does Jesus seem phased by the scale of evil at play? Why not? What was the name of the man? What is the significance of this? What did the demons beg Jesus to not happen? Why did Jesus send them into the pigs? What questions does this part of the story raise? What might the fate of the pigs point to? How did Jesus ultimately defeat evil and when will evil finally be destroyed? How should this reality and future shape our perspective today in the face of evil? What are the two responses by those present? Why were some afraid of Jesus? Should we be? How is it good news–for you and for the world–that Jesus is Godʼs solution to evil? APPLY: How might you take a stand against the ways of evil this week? PRAYER Almighty Lord, thank you that in Jesus you have defeated evil once-and-for-all. Please help us to stand guard against the ways of the enemy, trusting in your Son, and looking forward to his return when evil will be dealt its final blow. In Jesusʼ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What window in your day do you pray for your three people to become followers of Jesus? It might be helpful to set a daily alarm. Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Luke 8:26-39” by Andrew SachAudio: “Surprised by Power” by Christ WrightChapter: “But First Demons” (in World Next Door) by Rory Shiner & Peter OrrBook: “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S.LewisSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: