The Mission Statement Of Jesus Christ Series

In a real way, the first 15 chapters of the book of Luke can be summed up in the statement Jesus made when He announced His ministry in the synagogue in Nazareth:

Luke 4:18-19 8 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." ESV

Contained in this proclamation from Isaiah 61:1-2 is the heart of who Jesus is and what He mission is about. I want to read to you a short phrase that is culled from what hit me as I looked once again at Luke chapters 1-15:

"Realize who you are and acknowledge what holds you. Realize who Jesus and His Father are. Leave fear behind and throw yourself on Jesus, trusting Him no matter the cost because He will remove the shackles holding you and is everything you really need."

Realize Who You Are & Acknowledge what Holds You

Hearing but not believing

Chapter 1 - Zechariah (doubted God’s Word)

10:13 Woes to unrepentant cities (did not hear, or repent)

13:1-5 You will all likewise perish unless you repent

Warning to the powerful

11:37 Woes to the Pharisees

12:1-3 Leaven of the Pharisees

6:24-26 Woes to the rich, the full, the laughter.

A Tree is Known By Its Fruit

8:43 "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit."

Realize Who Jesus Is

Jesus, the rescuer

2:8 Shepherds - to you this day is born a Savior

Jesus’ the speaker of power

4:31 "His word possessed authority"

Jesus the creator and sustainer of the universe

8:22 "And he awoke and rebuked the wins and the raging waves, and they ceased and there was a calm."

Jesus the glorified king

9:28 The Transfiguration

God The Gracious Father

15:1-32 The missing sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son

Leave Fear Behind & Throw Your Trust in Jesus

Do Not Fear, Only Believe

8:50 Jairus

11:28 "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

12:22 Do not be anxious

13:22-30 The Narrow Door

Follow Him no matter the Cost

The Cost of Discipleship

9:23 "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

9:46 Who is the greatest?

10:25 The Good Samaritan

12:35 Be ready for action

12:8 Acknowledge or deny

12:49 division between the believing and unbelieving

14:25 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father.."

Because He will remove the shackles holding you, and is All You Need

Setting the Captives Free

4:18 "He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives."

8:26-39 Legion

9:37-43 Epileptic boy

1:37 Nothing Shall Be Impossible for God

11:2-13 Lord’s prayer "how much more will the heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Conclusions

Jesus faced a number of enemies when He came to earth: sin, the devil, the religious authorities, the civil authorities, our flesh, death. He showed convincingly that He had power over all those enemies, but chose instead of conquering to serve, instead of combating to heal, restore, and give.

When Jesus fought it was either to free someone from the physical captivity to the devil so they could believe, or to fight off the religious authorities who held people in spiritual captivity to a system that would not let them believe.

We have the same mission. Look back at Luke 4:18-19

- God’s Spirit is on us (Acts 1:8)

- Our mission is to preach the gospel to those who lack spiritually (Acts 1:8)

- We are to preach freedom to those in captive to sin (Romans 6:22)

- We uncover darkened minds to the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 3:15 - Moses)

- We actually help people become free (not just proclaim it) (John 8:36 "whom the Son of man …")

- The favorable year of the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Jesus was kind in His manner, gentle in His touch, truthful in His speech, and firm in His stance for God.