Jesus, Son of the Most High God

August 24, 2025

Rev. Tim Bruneau

Precis

The story of the demon possessed man with a legion of demons within him shows what God through Jesus can do to bring about change in a life.  We are challenged in this sermon to step out of our comfort zone to have the opportunity to see what God through Jesus can do in our lives.

Sermon

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

  • deals with fear (the sea)
  • Ireland hike – sleep beside tombs?, why am I scared?, Jesus is with me à Lord, you have been our dwelling place… 75th theme – Moses’ Psalm 26:
  • land in Gentile territory, near a cemetery
  • as Jesus steps ashore demon-possessed approaches
  • demons/insane? à met Great Physician
  • last Q by ‘chosen Apostles’ after miracle of calming sea: ‘Who is this?’ – they don’t know!!
  • demoniac answers it with spiritual clarity à what do you want with us: ‘Jesus, Son of Most High God’
  • clearest naming of divinity so far in Gospel!
  • life was horrifying – excluded, out of control
  • driven by demon to solitary places, tombs
  • Jesus saw the pain, had sought to cast the demon out for he begs Jesus to not torture him (not easy case)
  • 30: Jesus asked ‘what is your name?’
  • man or demon?, demons respond to God
  • Legion – beg Jesus not to send them to Abyss
  • herd of pigs (not Israel!) – demons ask JESUS to let them go into them & JESUS allowed them
  • they did & ran into the sea
  • pigherders ran to town, told all – they came
  • man was dressed, in right mind: response?
  • grateful, interest, what else could he do to help?
  • NO!! leave us!, great fear
  • healed man begged to leave & go with JESUS – he was ready for JESUS to “Take my life & let it be”
  • JESUS told him to tell how much G has done
  • he went, sharing how much JESUS had done
  • Individual – demoniac life was chaos; frustration; fear; confusion; isolation
  • JESUS brought order à miraculous cleansing
  • some feel they have ‘legion’ of evil inside – fears, jealousies, hatreds, guilt, despair
  • meet JESUS & as Holy Spirit enters, order arrives
  • many of us don’t relate…perhaps part of crowd?
  • we hear about changed lives with suspicion
  • crowd no longer has to bind/guard him, but it was familiar; miracle was unknown
  • fear further disruption if JESUS stayed
  • interesting – tell JESUS to get lost and he does
  • 3:20: if you open the door, I will enter
  • many of us don’t want change; church is a refuge from unstable world
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson: People wish to be settled; only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them.
  • spiritual growth occurs out of comfort zone
  • don’t have to sleep in a cemetery, BUT, how can you step out of comfort?; volunteer at Mission?
  • care for annoying neigbour?, love difficult family member?, spiritual discipline – pray through Bible?
  • what will cause us to call out to JESUS? & find Him