Oakbrook Evangelical Free Church

Introduction
This is a “defining moment” in Jesus’ ministry.
~ People will react either in wonder and faith or in rejection!
For them, their response will be defining moments in their lives

Significant change
New hope and new beginnings
Real change!

Our personalities are distinct: character; traits and social qualities, the way we think, feel and act.

Develops and unfolds gradually undergoing the process of growth and development.  We used to think the big changes were by age 5, etc.

Lifelong - no one age period dominates development.
Certain periods of our lives may be pivotal but not absolute!
Change is taking place all along the life-span.
A lot of who we are comes from a trait perspective.  But how we use and what we do with those traits “are under our control”. Things can change a great deal.  How you relate to others can be changed and developed.
John - young adult.
Woman at the well - mid-life
Nicodemus - over 70!
~ Could be titled, “A Few Days in the Life of Christ”
Up until now in the book the events have developed quickly jumping months and years at a time.

Here the pace slows down to give us a slow motion look at Jesus.
~ “When time slows down in a story important events are being told.”
~ Jesus encounters a spiritual, cosmic struggle in these pages and Jesus is always dealing with the reality of everyday life.

JESUS’ MINISTRY IN AND AROUND GALILEE 4:14-9:50
Jesus returns to Galilee following His temptation.
This section of his Gospel ends with Jesus’ decision to leave Galilee for Jerusalem and the Cross (9:51).

I.  An  Introduction, 4:14-15 - 3 Simple points
1.   Jesus is led by the Spirit
Luke draws attention to the fact that Jesus was under the control of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit empowered and enabled Jesus in his actions and words.

Zechariah 4:6 “So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” NIV

John 14:15-18 “”If you love me, you will obey what I command. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- “the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” NIV
John 14:25-26 “”All this I have spoken while still with you. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” NIV

2.  He draws attention to himself through his teaching ministry
“He taught them in their synagogues”
Rabbi - 14 times in gospels.
Teacher - 41 times

When Jesus came after Lazarus died:
John 11:28 “And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”" NIV

In the upper room
John 13:13-14 “”You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” NIV

In the garden after his resurrection:

John 20:16 “Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).” NIV
3.  “As was his custom”
Brought up by spiritually oriented, disciplined parents.
They knew the importance of attending weekly worship / instructi
They taught their children by example!  No excuses, just consistency

Jesus continued in the pattern he was taught at home!
~ Committed to the ministry of teaching and renewing our love for God!
The greatest command.  The first and central focus of all ministry!
~ The primary goal of Sunday worship!
You and I cannot be hit and miss in this without straying!

1 Corinthians 14:3 “But everyone who preaches speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” NIV

II.  The 4-fold Ministry of Jesus, 4:16-19
To have a synagogue service there had to be 10 males.

A.   Order of Service
Shema is read - Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Prayers given
Scripture read: Torah (Gen - Deut); then the Prophets
Instruction given - teacher linking the passage with other texts
Benediction

Jesus is asked to read during the part of the service given to reading from the Prophets.

B.  The Ministry of Jesus

Claimed to be anointed by the Holy Spirit - 3:21-22

1.    To preach good news to the poor
He is my Savior-Redeemer!
Financially poor
Spiritually poor
Savior / Redeemer
Cleans up my heart and life!
Good news - gives me hope
Oh soul, why are you downcast?
He is the lifter of my head

Psalm 27:1, 5-6 “Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?…For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.” NIV

He is my Savior-Redeemer!

2.    To proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.

He is my liberator and healer!
Psalm 107:13-15 “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. “He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,” NIV

Anyone here bound?  Any slaves here?

He is my liberator
He is my healer!

Exodus 15:26 “He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”" NIV

John 8:12, 32 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life…Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”" NIV

He is my teacher!
John 16:12-14 “”I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” NIV

He is my teacher.  He opens my eyes physically, spiritually, mentally!

3.    To release the oppressed!
Hope is gone!
Depression
Dejection

He is my counselor and comforter!
He is praying for me!

1 John 2:1-2 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” NIV

Romans 8:31-35 “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” NIV

He is my counselor and comforter!
He is my prayer partner and warrior!

4.    He proclaims the year of the Lord’s favor

Not a reference to a day or year.
References to a period of God’s grace.

Isaiah 61:1-2 refers to the Year of Jubilee (once every 50 years)
Slaves freed
Debts forgiven
Property returned to its original owners
He is the explainer of the times.
He is the explainer of my time.
And he announces days of grace!

Who is like my mighty Savior?
Who can take me from His mighty hand.
He is the Rock on which I stand.

You are my Salvation.
My deliverer is the Lord!
Will you accept him into your life?