Learning From A “Crazy Person” – Mark 5:1-17

Text: Mark 5:1-17

Jesus once recruited a “crazy man” to be one of his evangelists

Even though the would-be soul-winner hadn’t exactly finished at the top of the class in one of the leading seminaries (a little sarcasm)…

You’ve probably heard the story about this man. He was possessed by a whole host of demons who made his life miserable; he was violent, annoying, and uncontrollable.

A “perfect candidate” for the “How to be a Soul Winner” class, don’t you think (a little more sarcasm)?

Here’s what the Lord did for him: he threw the demons out, and he gave him his life back.

Can you imagine how wonderful that must have been for this guy?

Living a horrible, self-obsessed life characterized by constant pain and misery, only to have a stranger come along one day and give you the life you thought you’d lost forever?

This man knew he had been given a sweet deal.  Suddenly felt a call to ministry. As Jesus was leaving, the man did everything but stow himself away on the boat. He begged the Lord to allow him to go with him.

When Jesus got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged that he might be with Him.

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 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.” (Mark 5:18-19).

But Jesus did not permit him.  Instead, he wanted him doing these things:

• Go home and tell your story.
• Tell your friends what I did for you.
• Tell your family how I gave you your life back.

In other words, be an evangelist, because that’s what evangelists do. They don’t wear suits and scream and shout on TV. They don’t necessarily work for a congregation, surrounded by books and desks and diplomas.

Evangelists do what this man did.

They go home to their friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for them, and how he has had mercy on them.

• Has the Lord saved you?
• Has He given you your life back?
• Has He given you a reason to live, something to hope for?

Do what the crazy man did.

Go to your friends and family and tell them what Jesus did for you.

You’ll be an evangelist, even without the diploma.