Luke 2:49
INTRODUCTION:
• The Global Heart of Jesus
• Where does America stand in relation to the rest of the world?
• Global Population as of September 2018 is 7.6 Billion
• America 325.7 Million as of the 2017 census (4.6% of the worlds population)
• Global Economy - Overall, the Global Economy is worth an estimated $79.98 trillion with the US boasting $20.4 trillion of that. (In 2nd and 3rd place are China - 14 trillion, and Japan - 5.1 trillion)
• Government - The United States is a Federal Republic with three branches of government, Legislative, Executive & Judicial which lend themselves to representative and constitutional democracy. We are not Socialist, Cultural Marxist or Communists. We are America… formed by the people, for the people. We are the “Land of the Free because of the Brave!” This makes us unique and much more prosperous than the rest of the world.
• Let’s Recap - America is 4.6% of the world’s population and over 25% of the world’s economy. Therefore, and in light of these truths we, as God’s Church in America, need to ask ourselves a few questions. Here they are:
1. What is the American Church’s responsibility to the world?
2. What should our attitude be towards the rest of the world?
3. Have we represented Jesus well in the areas of Proclaiming Christ, Discipleship and Humanitarian Efforts?
4. Do we really understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a GLOBAL GOSPEL, that Jesus died for the WHOLE WORLD, that the Bible is not a Middle Eastern religious book but it is God’s Word to the WHOLE WORLD?
5. What are we going to do moving forward?
• As we embark upon this series, RED LETTERS, I feel we should do it with a clear understanding that this is God’s message to all of humanity.
RED LETTERS
I. A LOOK AT THE GOSPELS
A. Matthew was a disciple of Jesus and a former publican (tax collector).
1. Matthew focuses on Jesus fulfilling Old Testament prophecies that prove Him to be the Messiah. Matthew shares the lineage of Jesus going back to Abraham. (Luke’s go back to Adam)
2. Matthew uses the term "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets” rather frequently. Matthew refers to the kingdom 55 different times, and the "kingdom of heaven" 35 times. Of the 15 parables recorded by Matthew all but three begin: "The kingdom of heaven is like..."
3. Matthew quotes more from the Old Testament than any other New Testament writer signifying to us that his book is very possibly placed as the first book of the OT to serve as a transitional book between the Old and New Testaments.
4. Matthew ends with his version of what has become known as “The Great Commission.”
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
B. Mark is the son of Mary and the cousin of Paul’s missionary companion Barnabas.
1. Mark begins by focusing on the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. (He was called Baptist because he baptized people in water in the wilderness)
2. Mark focuses more on the works of Jesus (miracles) than His teachings. (He records 20 miracles and only four parables)
3. An interesting note is that all but four of the sixteen chapters begin with the word “And”. (Some scholars have noted that this “illustrate’s how Christ's life and service are a complete and perfect whole.”)
4. Mark 16:14-20 - He to end’s with The Great Commission but emphasis Action, Power & Signs.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
C. Luke was a Gentile Physician! He gives an “eyewitness account” of Jesus life and works. (Especially the miracles since Luke was a physician)
1. Luke gives the longest account of the life and ministry of Jesus and is the only one who covers His childhood, including His visit to the Temple at the age of 12.
2. Luke focuses more on the Humanity of Jesus. (John focuses more on His Diety) He is the only one to:
a) Share about the good Samaritan, the Publican, the Prodigal Son and Zacchaeus.
b) Showing mercy to the thief on the Cross
c) Jesus weeping over Jerusalem
d) Jesus sweating, as it were, great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane
e) He ends by “Opening up their understanding that they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45) and gave them his version of The Great Commission.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
D. John was from Galilee and was the youngest of all the disciples but didn’t write his book until he was a very old man.
1. Known as the “love Gospel” and is used quit extensively for discipleship.
2. Although from Galilee, John wrote of the Judean ministry of Jesus while Matthew, Mark and Luke focused more of the ministry of Jesus when He was in Galilee.
3. John goes all the way back to the beginning of time emphasizing the Diety of Jesus. (Luke focused more on His Humanity)
4. Only in the Gospel of John do we find the story of Christ's first miracle at the wedding in Cana where He turned the water into wine, His conversation about faith with Nicodemus, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, His commending His mother to the care of John at the cross, and His last words on the Cross… "It is finished."
5. The theme of the Gospel of John appears to be “Believe.” (This word is used 100 times in his book)
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
II. LUKE 2:49 AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, HOW IS IT THAT YE SOUGHT ME? WIST YE NOT THAT I MUST BE ABOUT MY FATHER'S BUSINESS?
A. Jesus enjoyed His young life but stayed focused on purpose.
B. Jesus sought to help others understand His purpose
1. I don’t think Jesus was disrespecting His mother. I think He sought to help her understand Him better.
2. He does the same for us today. (His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.)
C. May we as God’s Church be known around the world as a people who:
1. Show forth the praises of God
2. Are familiar with the love and tenderness of the person of Jesus Christ
3. Walk with Righteous Character
4. Live a Holy Life (Purity Proceeds Power)
5. Know Jesus as Savior & Healer of broken hearts, broken homes and broken bodies
• MAY WE BE KNOWN AS A PEOPLE IN WHOM GOD DWELLS…
III. JESUS FASTING AND PRAYING IN THE WILDERNESS
A. Luke 4:4 - There is Life in the flesh & there is Life in the Word of God
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
B. Luke 4:8 - We have the power to put the devil in his place.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
1. We put Satan behind us so he doesn’t cloud our vision or distort our sight.
2. Get thee “behind me Satan” - Its time for the Church to leave the devil behind. Don’t battle him all day. He is a DEFEATED FOE! Advance forward!!!
C. Worship the Lord “Your God”. - When we accept Jesus into our hearts then God becomes “Our God.”
1. Our Rock - 1 Samuel 2:2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
2. Our Defender - Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3. Our Source of Wisdom - Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
4. Our Healer - Exodus 15:26 “… I am the LORD that healeth thee…”
a) Psalms 103:2-3 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
b) Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
5. Our Refuge, Fortress & Trust - Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
6. Our Help - Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
7. Our Father - More than all of this He is… Our Father - Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
CLOSING: JESUS COMMUNICATED TO SATAN… I’M DONE WITH YOU!
Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
A. Some of you need to draw a line in the sand today and tell the devil, “That’s Enough!”
B. You’re an Overcomer! EMBRACE YOUR VICTORY!
C. God is on our side!!!
1. God has His hand on this ministry and God has His hand upon you!
• There is so much more we can learn about God! - Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
