FREE TO SERVE:
Mark 5:1-8, 18-20 NKJV
[1] Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. [2] And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, [3] who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, [4] because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. [5] And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. [6] When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. [7] And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” [8] For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”
[18] And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. [19] However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” [20] And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
When this man who had a legion of demons was set free, he sat at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, listening and learning from Jesus. When Jesus got into the boat to go somewhere else, he begged him that he wanted to be with Him. Jesus told him to go instead, to his family and friends and tell them the great things God had done for him.
And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled (Mark 5:20).
This man decided to serve the Lord in gratitude for all that He had done for him. In response to Christ this man went and evangelized the Decapolis so much so that when Jesus returned there later, multitudes came to hear Him, bringing the sick with them, and many were healed (Mark 7:31-37).
Mary Magdalene and certain other women who were touched by His ministry, chose to follow Him and supported His ministry, enabling Him to fulfill His ministry (Luke 8:1-3). What is your response to all that Christ has done for you? This is what the Lord would say to you …….
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Friends, let us use our liberty in Christ to serve Him. It is our only reasonable sacrifice for all He has done for us.