1. Luke 8

2. LUKE 8, PART 1 – THE ANNOUNCEMENT “The Kingdom of God is HERE! ” Growing, thriving, and very mysterious. Built on “The Rock” – the power of God’s Word. “Sower” Parable: 3 out of 4 don’t care. Today’s toxin: “thorns and thistles, which choke out the Word…”

3. One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. Luke 8:22

4. Luke 8:23-25 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing! "

7. “SILENCE! ” Jesus to Nature “Where is your faith?” Jesus to Disciples “Who is this?” Disciples to each other You are not exempt from ‘Storms’ JC can lead us into ‘dangerous’ territory

8. “Where is your faith?” Jesus to Disciples “Who is this?” Disciples to each other His Word is His authority.

9. “Where is your faith?” Jesus to Disciples “Who is this?” Disciples to each other JC holds real authority. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

10. “Who is this?” Disciples to each other

11. “Who is this?” Disciples to each other

12. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. Psalm 107:27-29

13. “We are perishing!” Us to Jesus “It is FINISHED!” Jesus to the Fallen World “Where is your faith?” Jesus to us, today. “Who is this?” The big question

14. The Spiritual Storm The Occult Religions are not ‘the same’Primitive religions concern evil spiritsPeople held in bondage.Today: fear-based Postmodernism

15. The Occult Religions are not ‘the same’Primitive religions concern evil spiritsPeople held in bondage.Today: fear-based Postmodernism So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him.

17. …a man who was possessed by demons came out...

18. Bondage For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. Luke 8:26-29 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him.

19. Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.

20. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. Luke 8:30-32 greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. Luke 8:33

21. When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Luke 8:34-36

22. And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. Luke 8:37

24. Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. Luke 8:37

25. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. Lk. 8:38-39

26. 1. Canada – 96% 2. Australia – 93% 3. Great Britain – 90% 4. Germany – 86% 5. Japan – 83% 6. France – 75% 7. India – 75% 8. Israel – 71% 9. Greece – 62% 10. Mexico – 51% 11. Russia – 50% 12. Egypt – 47% 13. Saudi Arabia – 42% 14. China – 41% 15. Cuba – 37% 16. Libya – 25% 17. Iraq – 24% 18. The Palestinian Authority – 19% 19. Syria – 17% 20. Pakistan -15% 21. Afghanistan – 14% 22. North Korea – 13% 23. Iran – 10% PRAY FOR GUIDANCE! “A whopping 96% of Americans have a generally favorable view of Canada, while 3% view it unfavorably,” Gallup reported on its website. “The favorable rating is the highest Gallup has measured for any country in more than 20 years of asking this question.”