Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 4:18-24
In vs 18-19 Jesus is quoting Isaiah to tell everyone who He is and why He has come. This sounded good to people in Jesus’ day because of hated Roman rule. It sounds good in our culture because of the popularity of healing and prosperity...for example. The problem of focusing soley on the benefits of 18-19 in this temporal world, is that we all die. Heb 9:27
Who is the father of Jesus? There are only 2 choices to choose from. There is still a wide spread attempt to make Jesus less than He is...God! John 1:1, 3:16, 5:18, 8:24, 8:58, 10:30-33, 20:28
How much of your life are you holding back from God?
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 4:14-19
~Nazareth is the town Jesus was raised in, Galilee is similar to what we would call the “state” He was raised in.
~The synagogue was introduced into Jewish life during their captivity in Babylon—but is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It was began as a place of worship when going to the temple in Jerusalem was impractical or impossible. The synagogue is very similar to our local church. All that was required was 10 people to start one.
~The Bible (Old Testament) teaching in the synagogue was very different from anything a Jew would hear in their culture.
~Exegesis is the verse by verse explanation of the Bible. (The Law, The Prophets, The Writings) In His spiritual life, Jesus was faithful and consistent. Without regular worship attendance, prayer, and Bible reading—you will not see real spiritual growth Rom 8:29 If you are faithful and consistent in spiritual disciplines—you will grow.
~Vs 18-19 is not just about them or them and the Romans...it is about you!
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 4:9-12
What does it mean to tempt or to test God? Doing what you want instead of what God says; taking chances instead of obedient faith; your word instead of God’s Word; sometimes there’s a fine line between faith and stupidity! Ultimately, it is presumption—presuming that God will take care of you no matter what you do.
As in the first temptation, satan is again questioning Jesus’ purpose. So, is this what God made you for?
But there’s another deceit satan has hidden for us in this temptation, which can tend to take us too far the other way. Trust God enough to trust Him without a miracle. Trust God enough to trust Him in a miracle.
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 4:1-4
~Purpose. Is this one life you have so trivial that you would be content to go thru it without a sense of God-given purpose? ~Passion. The 1st Adam and the 2nd Adam, both tempted by food. Hunger is a sign of health
Francois de La Rochefoucauld, "Great souls are not those with fewer passions and more virtues than the ordinary run, but simply those with a stronger sense of purpose."
Psychiatrist Gerald May, "In reality, our lack of fulfillment is the most precious gift we have. It is the source of our passion, our creativity, our search for God. All the best of life comes out of our human yearning - not our being satisfied."
Glenn Jenkins, "This is the desire of the Hindu, a state of passionless peace."