warm-up

What is a talent you’ve always wanted to have? Why do you want that talent?

Have you ever tried to put something broken back together again and failed? What happened?

Name someone who has helped you through a tough time. What do you appreciate most about him or her?

word

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” MARK 5:19

(Read also MARK 5:1-20.)

The story of the demon-possessed man paints a picture of the spiritual oppression one man faced. However, an encounter with Jesus Christ freed him and brought him back to his right mind, making him proclaim what Jesus had done for him across many cities.

1
We can experience spiritual oppression.

Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. MARK 5:5

The man’s will, mind, and body were oppressed and affected by an unclean spirit. The unclean spirit caused him to have inhuman strength, live naked among tombs, harm himself, and cry out night and day. He could not free himself, and no one else could either control or free him. There are thoughts or circumstances that oppress us, weighing down on our spirits and affecting how we live. What are some worries, habits, or doubts that can oppress us? Was there ever a time you tried to free yourself from oppression?

2
Only Jesus has the power to free us from spiritual oppression.

And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. MARK 5:15

The unclean spirit in the man had named itself Legion, because those oppressing him were many. Jesus did what no other person could do—He threw the unclean spirits out of the man. The man’s oppression had been so strong that when people witnessed what had happened, they were afraid. But Jesus not only freed him and restored him to his right mind; He also clothed him. How can we respond to God's freedom and great compassion for us?

3
Because Jesus brings freedom, we can proclaim what He has done for us.

19And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. MARK 5:19,20

The man wanted to follow Jesus wherever He was going next, but Jesus encouraged him to spread the good news instead to his own people, to tell them how much the Lord has done for him and about God's love and compassion. Jesus’ plan for the man was much greater than being freed from spiritual oppression. It involved even the man's friends and the communities around him. In your sphere of influence, who is God encouraging you to preach the gospel to?

application

Have you ever experienced the freedom Jesus Christ brings upon receiving Him as your Lord and Savior? Would you like to do so today?

What is one area in your life that you feel is an oppression that you need to ask God for freedom from? Who is someone you can ask to pray with you over that area this week?

Is there a family member or friend you know needs to learn about the freedom that Jesus offers? How can you preach the gospel to him or her this week?

prayer

Thank Jesus for freeing and transforming you through His saving grace. Ask Him to reveal more and more of Himself to you as you follow Him.

Ask God to bring you to a deeper understanding of His freedom from oppression. Pray for the courage to stop trying to free yourself on your own, and to allow Him to free you completely.

Pray for open doors for you to share the freedom that Jesus gives us with a family member or friend this week. Ask God to empower you to preach the gospel boldly at all times.

© 2018 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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