Thesis
Every follower of Jesus carries a story that is meant to be lived forward as an active mission, not filed away as a past memory. Drawing on Mark 5 and the demon-possessed man whom Jesus healed and immediately sent back to his community, Pastor Bill argues that disciples are called to know Jesus personally, grow in biblical community, and go intentionally into the world — using their own testimony, however new or seasoned, as the primary tool for pointing people to Jesus. The danger is letting comfort, distraction, and 'our pigs' keep us from leaning into that calling.
Key points
- 1
Disciples are called to know, grow, and go — planting themselves in Christ, steering through biblical community, and leaning into intentional mission.
- 2
Jesus crossed a storm and an entire sea for one person, showing that no individual is too small a mission — and that He cares more about people than our comfort or finances.
- 3
Caring more about 'our pigs' — comfort, money, convenience — than about people is one of the greatest barriers to living on mission.
- 4
Jesus sent the healed man not into further discipleship training but immediately home to share his story, demonstrating that your story is your mission right now.
- 5
Failing to share your faith when you know you should is not merely a missed opportunity — the Bible calls it sin, an act of rebellion against the God who died to give you that life.
- 6
The gospel is the foundation of every story: all have sinned, God is just and holy, and Jesus took the judgment we deserved so that whoever confesses and believes receives new life.
- 7
Your story carries power when it is current — a living, ongoing testimony of how God is at work keeps your mission credible and compelling.
Outline
Introduction: The Punting Illustration
Pastor Bill uses his experience punting on the River Cam in Cambridge to frame the whole 'Basics' series — knowing Christ gives you balance, biblical community helps you steer, and intentional mission is the push that actually moves you forward.
Big Idea Introduced: Story as Mission
Pastor Bill introduces the sermon's central thesis: your story is a mission, not a memory, and unpacks it through a passage in Mark 5.
Mark 5 — Jesus, the Demoniac, and the Pigs
Walking through Mark 5:14-20, Pastor Bill shows that the townspeople begged Jesus to leave because He had destroyed their livelihood, exposing how easily we care more about our 'pigs' than about people who need Jesus.
The Healed Man Sent on Mission
Jesus refuses to let the healed man join His traveling group and instead commissions him to go home and tell his story — proving that a fresh, personal testimony is all you need to start a movement.
The Problem: Story Becomes Memory
Pastor Bill challenges the congregation to examine whether their faith story has stagnated into a mere memory, drawing a parallel to a fitness influencer whose last highlight reel is twenty years old.
Pastor Bill's Personal Testimony
Pastor Bill shares how his father's near-fatal heart surgery stirred spiritual questions in him at 14, leading to his friend David — convicted by a youth-group message about sharing his story — inviting him to a church Halloween event where the gospel was explained and he came to faith.
Invitation and Call to Action
Pastor Bill leads an invitation for people to place their faith in Christ, then closes by challenging every believer to stop punting and start using their own story as a mission — beginning with the people already in their lives.
Memorable moments
Your story is a mission, not a memory
They care more about their pigs than they do people. And the sad thing is we don't want to admit it. I don't want to admit it. But there are many times in my life I'm the same way. I care more about my pigs than I do people
Our story carries power when it's current
being a disciple is not trying to live for his love. It's not trying to earn something. It's not trying to to get something. It's realizing that he loved you that much
I told you my story to show how to use it as your mission. I did I do anything that complex? I told you my story. That's it. I used three verses. I only quoted one directly
The guy pulled over and said, your turn, Bill. I'm now pulling over and saying, your turn
Application
Pastor Bill's challenge is direct: stop treating your testimony as a past event and start treating it as an ongoing mission. First, honestly ask whether you care more about your 'pigs' — comfort, finances, reputation — than about the people around you who don't know Jesus. Second, recognize that withholding your story when God prompts you is not just a missed opportunity; the Bible calls it sin. Third, you don't need a theology degree or a polished presentation — the healed man in Mark 5 had known Jesus less than an hour before he went to evangelize ten cities. Your story, kept current and shared honestly, is all the credibility you need. Start small: invite someone to church, text a friend, or simply tell one person what Jesus has done for you this week. The punt is over — it's your turn.
