Savior Divine Lutheran Church
Connect with us!
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Pastor's Message
    • Map
  • Worship
  • Prayer Ministry
  • Community Life
  • Learning
  • Missions
  • Staff

June 19 Worship

6/12/2016

0 Comments

 
The Gospel reading for this Sunday is based on Jesus going to the country of the Gerasenes and being met by a demon-possessed man.  Jesus removes the evil force within this man and the man then witnesses to what Jesus has done for him.  Here is the beginning of the story:

"Then [Jesus and his disciples] arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.  As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him.  For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg you, do not torment me" - for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  (For many times  it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him: What is your name?" He said, Legion: for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Luke 8: 26-31

It can happen to any of us.  We get stuck in our own lives with some destructive habit or addiction.  We yearn to be free.  We may try the best of our efforts to free ourselves, only to discover we aren't making any progress.  Maybe with Jesus' help things can be turned around for us.

Why is this so critical that we do get turned around and not linger in our bad habits or addictions?  It is because unless we do so, we don't have the freedom to give ourselves completely to be in the Lord's service.  We not only are hindered from having the abundant life, but we are less capable of really being fully present to be serving the Lord.

I would ask you to assess your own life.  Is there anything which is holding you back from fully being in service to your Lord? If there is, you can ask for Jesus help.

Jesus cast out the demon in this man and he was free to witness for the Lord.  You may want to read the full reading in Luke 8:26-39.  May God's blessing be in your preparation or worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

    Picture
    Pastor Marty Pauschke

    Archives

    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    RSS Feed

ELCA   Metropolitan Chicago Synod  Augsburg Fortress  The Hills Chamber of Commerce