We tend to think about and pursue that which feels possible to us. And if something feels impossible to us, we don’t spend much time thinking about how to go after it. Yet I’m willing to bet that most of us have done things we used to believe were impossible. Here’s one I’ve heard from so many people over the years. “When we have children, we will not stay in San Francisco. That seems impossible.” As a dad who has raised kids here for the last 16 years, I’m like, “While there are challenges, I do think it’s something that can be done.” I used to believe that it was impossible for me to become a dancer. That belief led me to never consider trying. And then my wife, whom I love, shared with me her deep desire for us to start taking dance lessons. And while I won’t be going on Dancing with the Stars anytime soon, I can actually do some basic moves.

What have you experienced in your life that you used to believe was impossible?

Maybe you’re now working in an industry you thought was off-limits before.

Perhaps you’ve discovered a skill that your previous self could have never imagined.  

Or you’ve seen God bring a breakthrough in your life that you used to think would never come.

If we’re going to be disciples on mission with Jesus, it really matters what we believe is possible – for Jesus, ourselves, and others.

Today we’re going to look at what almost everyone would have thought was an impossible situation. I’m calling this message, “It’s Possible for Everyone”.

Mark 5:1-20 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man – and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 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.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

What a powerful story about what is possible! Jesus and his disciples have just come through a massive storm while out on the lake in a boat. They’ve just seen Jesus cause the violent wind and waves to become completely calm. And what Jesus did to the storm, He is now doing to a man who’s been demon-possessed for a long time.

Do you believe that an encounter with Jesus can change anything for anyone?

Like, for real? Because you won’t ask Jesus to do something that you don’t think He can do. Before this moment, I’m guessing that no one thought it was possible for this man to be healed and rescued. And I’m assuming we all know people who seem like they will never encounter Jesus and put their faith in Him. It’s not that we have overestimated how far they are away from Jesus. It’s that we have underestimated how far the loving arms of Jesus can reach.

Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

How far do you think God’s arms can reach? And yet, it seems like this man is too far gone. He lived in the tombs. No one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. He tore the chains and broke the irons on his feet. “No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day he would cry out and cut himself with stones.” He was tortured by the demons and ostracized by the people.

Don’t let demons understand the power of Jesus more than we understand the power of Jesus.

(v.7) “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (v.10) “And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.” The demons know who Jesus is and they have to beg for his permission.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.

Because the demons know Jesus has enough power to save and rescue any human being, they try to deceive us into thinking that what is possible is actually impossible. And Satan deceives the lost into thinking Jesus can’t save them or that they aren’t good enough.

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Jesus wants to heal the WHOLE person.

When the people from town come out to see what happened, they observe that the man is sitting there (Luke adds “at the feet of Jesus”), dressed (Luke adds “for a long time this man had not worn clothes”), and in his right mind. We believe that Jesus wants total healing and total freedom for every person. There is sometimes a false dichotomy in the big “C” church. Should we take care of people in compassionate and justice-oriented ways or should we do all we can to help them put their faith in Jesus? The answer is yes.

And the people’s response? They were afraid. Why? Because they know Jesus has power and he’s just drowned their pig business. “They began to plead with Jesus to leave their region” and Jesus grants their request. Think about this. The demons ask to go into the pigs. Jesus lets them. The people of the town ask Jesus to leave and he does. Another request granted.

This man who has been healed begs Jesus to go with Jesus. But Jesus doesn’t grant this request. We know he’s been isolated and for obvious reasons, he has been labeled by everyone in this town. And he’s just encountered the most wonderful human he’s ever met in his entire life. He asks Jesus the question that I would ask also – “Can I go with you?” Mark notes that he begged Jesus to go with him. But Jesus kept saying “no”. Why wouldn’t Jesus let this man go with him? Because Jesus had a mission for him. And I believe the mission Jesus gave him is the same mission Jesus has given us.

Mark 5:19 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.”

“So the man went away and began to tell”. He immediately obeyed Jesus and carried out the mission Jesus had given him. He did this in the Decapolis. What exactly is the region of the Decapolis? The Decapolis was a group of 10 loosely connected Gentile cities. This man became one of the first missionaries to the Gentile people.

Who in your life needs to hear what Jesus has done for you?

And we often think “I don’t know enough to tell someone else about Jesus.” You might not know everything, but you know the story of what Jesus has done for you more than anyone else does. This man didn’t know any Scripture or about the prophecies or even everything Jesus came to do on this earth. But he absolutely knew what Jesus had done for him.

Or we might think, “I don’t have a dramatic faith story like this guy.” If Jesus has brought transformation into your life, that’s pretty dramatic. If he has freed you or saved you or healed you or grown you, you’ve got a story to tell. I cannot tell your story. Your spouse cannot tell your story. Your small group leader cannot tell your story. Only you can tell your story. And the God who has saved us is also the God who sends us. Here’s what happens after Jesus rises from the dead and appears to his disciples:

John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

This man was told to go home to his own people and tell them what Jesus had done.

Who are “your” people Jesus is sending you to so that you can tell them what Jesus has done for you?

Who in your family?

Who in your friend group?

Who in your building or neighborhood?

Who at your school or your kids’ school? (first grade – name on wall; fast forward 10 years later and I’m baptizing that kid on Father’s Day 2021)

Who at the gym or other social groups you’re a part of?

Response:

-Have you encountered Jesus?

-If so, don’t you want that for others?

-Alpha this Tuesday.

-4 weeks away from Easter. More people say “yes” to Easter than perhaps any other Sunday of the year.

Expand what we believe is possible for Jesus.

Expand what is possible for us to share with others.

Expand what is possible for the people God has placed in our lives, but they don’t have the life of Jesus inside of them yet.

Encounter. Healing Mind, Body, Soul. For You and For Them.