Tell Your Story
The man from whom the demons had departed begged him earnestly to be with him. But he sent him away and said, “Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much Jesus had done for him.
Luke 8:38-39 (CSB)
In Luke 8, Jesus cast demons out of a man. Once freed, the man simply wanted to stay with Jesus, driven by his newfound sense of freedom. However, Jesus gave him a different, more important task: to go and share his story. Many of us desire just to be close to Jesus, seeking personal growth and experience. But Jesus instructs us to go and share our faith story, fulfilling our calling to spread His message.
Share your story of what Christ has done. The man had experienced Christ's work firsthand—living under demonic bondage and torment, but Jesus changed that. He was set free and witnessed both the presence and the work of Christ. He had a story about Jesus's impact on his life. As followers of Christ, we also once lived under sin's bondage and rule. But when we encountered Jesus, everything changed. He lifted us from sin’s captivity and granted us the freedom exclusive to a relationship with Him.
Share your story of what Christ can accomplish. I imagine the demon-possessed man tried various sources or activities that seemed to offer hope for freedom. Each of those efforts failed, but Jesus was different. He achieved what everything else couldn't—bringing freedom and healing. The man's story highlights the unique power of Christ, who alone grants life, freedom, and hope. We also have similar stories to share about what Christ has done. How many times do people try to escape the bondage of sin? All those attempts often fall short. The only true source of freedom is Jesus. When we experience that, we must proclaim it, knowing that only Christ has transformed our lives and can do the same for others.
Share your story with others. Jesus instructed the man to return home and share what happened. His focus was on those closest to him—his friends and family. Tell your hometown about Jesus. This command reflects Jesus' expectation that His followers live on a mission—to share how He has changed their lives and to invite others to experience His transformation.
We have been enslaved by sin, but we find freedom through Christ alone. This newfound freedom comes with the responsibility to share Jesus with others and invite them to also experience the fullness of the freedom that is only available in Christ.
QUESTIONS
What good activities can prevent us from fulfilling God’s greater purpose in our lives? (Note: The man was engaging in a good activity by wanting to go with Jesus, but God’s activity— which is greater—was to return home and share the message of Christ.)
What might make our hometown a beneficial and challenging place to carry out the evangelistic task?
