This morning’s sermon is a “You Get to Finish the Sermon” sermon. You’ll each have an opportunity to put your own ending on it, so pay attention.

Before leaving this world, our Lord entrusted His followers with a very vital and important task: to go and preach His gospel to all nations, all peoples…to the whole of Creation. And the best way to accomplish such a mighty endeavor is to meet people where they are at, regardless of their background, ethnicity, socio-economic standing, moral values, or political views.

When our Lord learned of a demon-possessed man – mentally deranged and spiritually broken – living amongst the tombs instead of the people, He didn’t say, bring this man to me, instead Jesus went to where the man was.

If you notice, this is Christ’s modus operandi throughout scripture; He meets people where they are at, in their need, and then gives them what is needed.

To a thirsty woman, He offered Living Water. To a blind man, He restored his sight. To a distraught father, He healed his daughter. To a grieving mother, He raised her dead son. To those racked with guilt and shame, He offered forgiveness. To a paralytic, He strengthened his leg. To a bent over woman, He straightened her back. To the tax collector, alienated and despised by all, Jesus offered friendship and hope. And to this poor, broken figure of a man from today’s gospel, our Lord gives him peace of mind and restores his soul.

Therefore, meeting and ministering to others where they are at is:

(This is where you get to finish the sermon)

A. Where it’s at.

B. How we perpetuate the Gospel

C. A way to empathize with the struggles, pain, and suffering of others

D. How we extend and manifest God’s love

The choice of ending is yours…but that ending is really just the beginning.