Getting Connected

02/04/2007 Filed in: Just Walk Across the Room
Getting Connected
Mark 5: 18-20
 

We must connect with others so they can be connected to God. If you want to make payments on your primary debt (loving others) you must know how to connect with others.

    • It is important to connect with the right people.
      • Jesus told Legion where to go.

Mark 5:18-20 (NASB):  And as He (Jesus) was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was entreating Him that he might accompany Him.         [19] And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people  and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." [20] And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone marveled.

 
Dr. Oscar Thompson’s Concentric Circles of Concern
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    • It is important to communicate my personal story.
      • Jesus told Legion what to say.

Mark 5:18-20 (NASB):  And as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was entreating Him that he might accompany Him. [19] And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you."        [20] And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone marveled.

    • It is important to connect for the right reasons.
      • Jesus had become so important to Legion, he told his personal story in an increasing circle of connectedness.
        • Gratitude
        • Love
2 Cor. 5:14-15 (NASB):  For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, one died for all, therefore all died; [15] and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
        • Respect
Luke 6:44-49 (NLT):  A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thornbushes or grapes on bramble bushes. [45] A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
[46] "So why do you call me 'Lord,' when you won't obey me? [47] I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. [48] It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. [49] But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."


        • Priority

Luke 19:10 (NIV):  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Luke 24:47-48 (NLT):  With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' [48] You are witnesses of all these things.

Luke 15:7 (Msg):  Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

Could a sailor sit by idle if he heard a drowning cry?
Could a doctor sit in comfort and just watch the patient die?
Could a fireman stand aside, watch people burn and lend no hand?
Can we sit at ease in church with the world around us damned?
Leonard Ravenhill