Comings and Goings

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 8

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the story from Matthew chapter 8, focusing on Jesus’ authority over creation, demons, and spiritual forces of evil. It emphasizes the distinction between merely making a decision to follow Jesus and truly committing to follow Him wholeheartedly. The narrative unfolds with Jesus crossing to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, encountering demon-possessed men, and ultimately being asked to leave by the city dwellers who preferred their old way of life over embracing Jesus as the Son of God and King.

Key Points:

• Following Jesus requires total commitment and acknowledgment of His authority.
• Jesus demonstrates authority over creation, spiritual forces of evil, and disease.
• The Gospel is inclusive, reaching out to all people regardless of background or status.
• Rejecting the Gospel is akin to preferring pigs and demons over Jesus’ authority and transformative power.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 8:28-34

Humor and Anecdotes:

• No specific humor or anecdotes were shared in the sermon.

Key Quotes:

• “Jesus has authority over all the forces of evil in this world.”
• “Darkness cannot rule you because Jesus is king.”
• “Rejecting the Gospel for whatever reason is foolish and dangerous.”

Themes:

• Authority of Jesus: Demonstrated through His power over creation, demons, and spiritual enemies.
• Total Commitment: Emphasizing the difference between a superficial decision to follow Jesus and a genuine commitment to Him.
• Inclusivity of the Gospel: Highlighting how Jesus reaches out to all people, regardless of background or social status.
• Rejection of the Gospel: Illustrating the consequences of choosing worldly comforts over embracing Jesus’ transformative power.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the story of Jesus’ authority over demons and creation challenge our understanding of spiritual warfare today?
2. In what ways do we see a parallel between the city dwellers asking Jesus to leave and modern-day reluctance to fully commit to following Christ?
3. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision to either embrace Jesus’ authority in your life or prefer your own comfort and familiarity. What was the outcome?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The metaphorical significance lies in Jesus’ authority over demons, symbolizing His power over spiritual darkness and evil forces in the world. The story serves as a powerful illustration of choosing between embracing Jesus’ authority or rejecting it in favor of worldly comforts.