• Stories are powerful—they capture our imagination and move our hearts.
  • The stories in the Bible are our stories—they speak to our identity, brokenness, and hope in Jesus.
  • Jesus’ power and love redefine our reality, bringing peace where there was chaos.

Story from Mark 5:1–20

Context:

  • Jesus enters Gentile territory after calming the storm.
  • A demon-possessed man, living among the tombs, meets Jesus.
  • Jesus casts out a legion of demons, restoring the man.

Responses to Jesus:

  • The crowd: Fear → beg Jesus to leave.
  • The healed man: Worship → begs to go with Jesus.
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Transformation of the Demon-Possessed Man

 Defined by brokenness

  • Isolated, tormented, helpless, hopeless
  • Known only by his captivity: “Legion”

But then Jesus shows up

  • Chaos turns to peace
  • The man is restored, re-named, re-purposed
  • He becomes a missionary to his own people

 

Our Story

We were:

  • Held captive by sin
  • Defined by shame, fear, and pain
  • Unable to fix ourselves

But then…Jesus showed up.

Now:

  • We are free
  • We are given new identity
  • We are sent with purpose