“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…” (Outline)
January 25, 2009 --
EPIPHANY 3 --
Luke 4:14-21
INTRO: Our Lord Jesus Christ came and lived on this earth as the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus also came as the word made flesh. We gather together around this very living word of God still today. It is the very power of God’s word that is the most important possession in our lives. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"(HEBREWS 4:12). God’s word is able to divide those things that are not easily divided. God’s word can distinguish between the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. You and I do not even know the thoughts or attitudes of anyone else’s heart. God’s word can and does know these differences. Today we examine Jesus’ words and agreement with the very words that Isaiah wrote.
“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…”
I. Believers are filled with God’s Spirit.
II. Believers proclaim God’s message.
I. FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT
A. Verse 14,15. These opening verses are a different time and setting from the following verses.
1. Jesus returned to the region of Galilee. This was after his baptism and wilderness temptation.
2. Jesus’ was welcomed in the area. Jesus taught in synagogues and people praised his teachings.
B. Verse 16. Now Jesus returns to his hometown. Here we are told about his childhood.
1. Jesus attends synagogue on the Sabbath. This was his custom learned from faithful parents.
2. The synagogue leader invited Jesus to read. Jesus stands up to read from the scroll.
C. Verse 17. Jesus finds the portion to be read from the scroll. This portion depicts Jesus, the anointed.
1. Verse 20. Jesus finishes and returns the scroll to the attendant. Jesus sits down to teach.
2. The people wait for Jesus to teach. The people gathered on that day also had God’s Spirit.
3. These people had come to gather around God’s word. They came because of God’s Spirit.
D. Believers, because they are believers, have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some wonder when, how, why, where did this gift come from? Others emphasize the gifts of the Spirit rather than God’s gift of his Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is faith. We are born into this world as enemies of God. By God’s grace our loving Lord brings us into his light by word and sacrament. Believers are given the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism. By the power of God’s word connected with the waters of baptism we are brought into God’s kingdom. This is God’s grace for us. "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir"(GALATIANS 4:6,7). Believers have God’s Spirit.
E. Believers are given faith. Believers are given the Holy Spirit. Because of faith our lives are changed. Our lives are changed completely. Those in this world truly still live in darkness. But now you, every believer, and I are given faith to know what is right and what is wrong. "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us "(1 JOHN 3:23,24). Again, it is the Lord God who provides us faith and lives in us.
F. Temptations are still alive and well in this wicked world, which we call, home. The world would have us think we are too busy to read God’s word. Satan tempts us to miss out on the blessed opportunity to gather around the living and enduring word of God. Our own sinful flesh makes us balk at getting out of our warm beds on a cold day to go to God’s house. Notice that Jesus’ custom was to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath. There is no better example than the very Son of God himself. "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked" (PSALM 84:10). Bad company corrupts good character. God’s Spirit living in us moves to overcome all temptations, excuses, and empty promises found in this sinful, earthly life.
“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…”
Believers are filled with God’s Spirit.
II. PROCLAIM GOD’S MESSAGE
A. Jesus is in Galilee attending worship services, preaching, and teaching. He is invited to read.
1. Jesus opened the scroll to the prophet Isaiah (61:1,2). He reads and the people want to learn.
2. Verse 18a. Jesus was not anointed with oil. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit & power.
3. Verse 18b. Jesus came to proclaim God’s good news = Gospel to the poor in spirit.
B. Jesus was the fuller fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The good news is further described.
1. Verse 18c. Jesus’ message would bring freedom, release, and sight to the blind.
2. The scribes and Pharisees who held people captive to God’s law would come to an end.
3. Those blinded by false teaching would see the light of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
C. Verse 19. “Year of the Lord’s favor” was the year of Jubilee. Every 50 years all debt was forgiven.
1. Slaves would be set free and property would be returned to the original owners.
2. The fullest fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy was standing before them, verse 21.
D. Freedom is a very liberating word. But one cannot understand freedom unless they understand what is means to be held captive. Jesus reminded his hearers that no one can serve two masters. Yet, how very often that very truth describes our lives. There are many attractions in this world that try to distract us from the freedom that God’s word alone can and does give to us. The world would have us believe that having health is everything. True, not one of us likes to be sick. But our souls are far, far more important that any physical suffering. The world would have us trust in wealth, riches, honor, glory, and power. "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to what-ever has mastered him"(2 PETER 2:19). Do not let this world and its’ teaching enslave you.
E. Truly only God’s word provides us with eternal freedom. This is the blessed, divine truth that is ours because of God’s gift of faith by the Holy Spirit. On our own and by ourselves we are lost and condemned creatures. We cannot earn salvation. We do not deserve forgiveness. We cannot buy heaven. Our loving Lord in his infinite love and mercy saves us in spite of ourselves. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death"(ROMANS 8:1,2). The world longs to hear such a message.
F. You and I do not have to wait 50 years for the year of Jubilee to find freedom. We do not even have to wait 50 months, weeks, days, or even seconds. Sin abounds. God freely forgives. "For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation"(1 CORINTHIANS 6:2). Today, this Scripture is fulfilled!
CONC.: Isaiah wrote down the words of prophecy for the benefit of the people of his time and for the benefit of future generations. Jesus read these words for the benefit of the people of his time and for the benefit of future generations. Jesus’ words ought to still ring in our ears today just as loudly, clearly, and powerfully as they did on that day in that synagogue in Nazareth. “TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…”. Today we have God’s word and his Spirit fills our hearts. Today, God’s message needs to be proclaimed even more than ever before. All too many today live in fear. God provides freedom. "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" (JOHN 6:63). “TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…”. May our Spirit-filled hearts bring forth joy-filled lives for the benefit of those still in darkness. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
SERVICES: 1:00pm @ NCF Min.(Sat) / 12:00pm @ NCF Medium (Sun) / 9:30am @ Redeemer (Sun)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM
EPIPHANY 3 readings:
JONAH 3:1-5, 10;
1 CORINTHIANS 7:29-31;
MARK 1:14-20;
(PSALM 62)
