From Chains to Gratitude: The Power of Sharing Your Redemption Story
Based on the November 24, 2024 message by Barry Stephens
Have you ever felt trapped by your own "demons"? Maybe it's an addiction, a destructive habit, or a crushing weight of guilt and shame. We all have our struggles, but there's a powerful story in the Bible that reminds us of the freedom and healing Jesus offers – and the importance of sharing that story with others.
The Demon-Possessed Man: A Story of Radical Transformation
In Mark chapter 5, we encounter a man whose life had been completely overtaken by evil spirits. Barry Stephens shared that he often asks his students when teaching about the Gospels, "If you could choose one moment from Jesus' life to witness firsthand, which would it be?" For him, the story in Mark 5 is at the top of the list.
Picture the scene: Jesus and his disciples have just crossed the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory. As they step out of the boat, they're confronted by a terrifying sight:
“There’s this naked, raving, demon-possessed lunatic who lives in the cemetery. And the minute Jesus got out of the boat, this man came from the tombs to meet Jesus."
Mark's account gives us vivid details about this man's condition:
"The man lives in the tombs. No one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. He had often been chained hand and foot. But he tore the chains apart, he broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day he is roaming in the tombs and in the hills, crying out, cutting himself with stones." (Mark 5:3-5)
It's a horrifying picture of a life completely controlled by evil. But here's where it gets interesting – the demons immediately recognize Jesus:
"What do you want to do with me, son of the Most High God? In God's name, don't torture me." (Mark 5:7)
Our Own Demons and the Need for Jesus
While most of us may not experience literal demon possession, we can certainly relate to feeling controlled by our own inner "demons":
"Picture the scene. You and me controlled by our demons, by our addictions, our sins, our failures, our pride... living in isolation from family and friends, at least symbolically roaming the cemetery, longing for release from our demons and the chains that bind us, longing for release from our misery and our loneliness."
Just like this man, we need an encounter with Jesus to break the chains that bind us.
The Miraculous Healing and Our First Response: Gratitude
In a dramatic display of power, Jesus casts out the demons into thousands of pigs and completely transforms this man's life. When the townspeople arrive, they find him "sitting there dressed and in his right mind" (Mark 5:15).
This miraculous change should remind us of our own healing and redemption through Christ. How should we respond?
As Barry shared, ”Our first response should always be gratitude."
The apostle Paul emphasizes this in Romans 1:20-21:
"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him."
Gratitude is not just a nice sentiment – it's essential to our spiritual health and joy. Barry shared that he once heard at a conference, "Want to be happy? Be grateful." The speaker emphasized that "gratitude always leads to joy."
The Call to Share Your Story
But gratitude alone is not enough. Look at what happens next in Mark's account:
"As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.'" (Mark 5:18-19)
Jesus gives this man a mission – to share his story of redemption. And the results are remarkable:
"The man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed." (Mark 5:20)
This man's testimony was so powerful that the next time Jesus visits the region, thousands of people come out to hear him (as seen in the feeding of the 4,000 in Gentile territory).
Putting It Into Practice: Sharing Your Redemption Story
If you've experienced the healing and freedom that Jesus offers, you have a powerful story to tell. Here are some ways to put this into practice:
Reflect on your own "before and after" story. How has Jesus changed your life?
Look for opportunities to share your testimony with others, both believers and non-believers.
Be specific about what God has done for you, just as Jesus instructed the man to tell "how much the Lord has done for you."
Remember that your story has the power to impact others and draw them to Jesus.
As we approach Thanksgiving, let's cultivate hearts of gratitude for all God has done in our lives. But let's not stop there. Like the man in Mark 5, we have a mission to fulfill:
"When we have experienced the impossible healing and forgiveness and freedom and release from our demons, you simply cannot keep quiet. Silence is not an option."
Your story of redemption could be the very thing someone else needs to hear to find hope and healing in Jesus. Don't keep it to yourself – share it boldly and watch how God uses it to amaze those around you.