Because of You, Jesus!
Because of You #1 (August 21, 2016)
Isaiah 61:1-4
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
>>> God anoints by His Holy Spirit!
• Literally, “the Spirit [ruwach-breath] of the Lord [Adonai] Yehovah is upon me, because Yehovah has anointed me.”
1. This is the LORD’s promise – a word spoken to His people that will be fulfilled (Isaiah 55:10-11).
God does not waist his “breath;” when the wind of the Spirit blows or speaks it is to accomplish God’s desires.
This is the passage read by Jesus as he began His ministry.
Luke 4:21
“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
2. The Lord’s fulfillment of His word to Isaiah is NEAR and FAR.
In the synagogue at Nazareth Jesus said His coming fulfilled the first part of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Isaiah 61:1-2a
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor. . .
Jesus came full of grace and truth – He came as the suffering servant; Messiah Ben-Joseph. We are still looking forward to the FAR fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy – the great Day of the LORD when He returns as Messiah Ben David, King of Kings to reign forever.
Isaiah 61:2b
and the day of vengeance of our God.
We are living in the in-between or what is often called the ALREADY, BUT NOT YET. Because of You Jesus we have received the grace of God, but the best is still yet to come.
>>> Jesus is anointed to bring the good news.
Isaiah 55:6-7
6 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Jesus’ message of good news was simple: Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 4:17; also Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled . . .”)
>>> Jesus is anointed to bind up the broken hearted.
Matthew 12:15-21
20 . . . a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. . .
Those that the world despises as worthless and beyond helping Jesus will restore and make new.
>>> Jesus is anointed to proclaim liberty among the captives.
• Jesus has come to set us free (John 8:36); therefore let us LIVE OUR LIVES IN FREEDOM!
1 Peter 2:16
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
We do evil and bind ourselves again to sin in the way we treat others; SIN IS SELDOM A PRIVATE MATTER.
>>> Jesus is anointed to announce the year of the LORD’s favor.
God’s grace makes us an overwhelming winner!
Romans 8:31-32
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
The favor of God endures forever!
What is the Holy Spirit Saying to YOU today? As God gives you ears to hear and eyes to see will we now allow Him to transform our heart and empower us to respond in obedience to Him?
Jesus is the anointed of the LORD. Have you allowed Jesus to come in the power of the Holy Spirit to breath life into you and transform your life?
Because of You Jesus! In what ways have you forgotten or taken for granted the anointing of the LORD that has breathed life into you? Let’s praise Him for all He has done for us!
