Summary: Part 2 of a 5 part sermon exploring those things forfeited by religious people who deny Jesus. When fault is found with God’s grace we forfeit...

WHEN FAULT IS FOUND-II

Luke 4:16-30

The professors of mathematics & physics were staring away at the flag pole in front of the front of the college building. The professor of English walking by asked, "What seems to be the problem?"

"We," said the professor of mathematics, "were wondering how to measure the height of this flag pole."

The professor of English quickly unscrewed the pole from its moorings, laid it on the ground, whipped out a measuring tape, measured it, & said, "It is exactly 20 feet long," & walked away with a smile & a whistle on his lips.

As the English professor walked away, the over analyzing professor of physics remarked,

"Smart alec. We wanted to know the height, & he tells us the length!"

The mathematics & physics professors forfeited a great deal because they found fault with the the English professor’s means of measurement.

People forfeit a great deal when the find fault with God’s grace.

The synagogue of Nazareth despised the grace offered them in Jesus.

Religious people can find fault with God’s grace.

What is forfeited when God’s grace is frustrated?

When fault is found with God’s grace, we forfeit...

1. Godly Influence

2. Rest

3. Guidance

4—When fault is found we forfeit

ANOINTING(:18a-b)

Explanation:(:18a-b)

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me...”

“Upon Me”—Peculiarly powerful manifestation

“Because”—God chose His Son

“Anointed”—To Designate, Endue or Consecrate—To have authority bestowed or invested by particular means.

Argumentation:

Heb. 1:1-2—“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions & in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

Ps. 45:6-7(Heb. 1:8-9)—“Thy throne, O God, is forever & ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, & hated wickedness; Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee With the oil of joy above Thy fellows.”

Acts 10:38—“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit & with power, & how He went about doing good, & healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.”

Acts 2:22-24—“ “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles & wonders & signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan & foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men & put Him to death. And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.””

Illustration:

Naaman/Captain of the army of Aram/Valiant warrior/Well respected/Leper/Israeli slave girl/She told Naaman of the prophet in Samaria[Elisha]/Naaman came/Elisha sent by messenger for Naaman to wash in the Jordan 7 times/Naaman found fault with Elisha’s manner/Left in a rage/Returned upon taking council from servants/Leprosy cured/Naaman almost forfeited Elisha’s Anointing

Muslims—Claim Jesus was a prophet yet do not seek to understand His teaching.

Application:

?You Forfeited God’s Anointing?

?You given up on what/who is Anointed of the Lord?

?You Found Fault with God’s grace?

5—When fault is found we forfeit

GOOD NEWS(:18b)

Explanation:(:18b)

“...“He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor...

"Gospel"—Good News

Argumentation:

Isa. 52:7—“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!””

Lk. 2:10—“And the angel said to them[shepherds], “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;”

Heb. 4:6-7—“Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, & those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.””

Illustration:

Interest rates/

Lady stopped by house looking for rental house/Looking for good news/If she had found fault with means of grace she would/ve forfeited the good news

PCH sweepstakes mailing/Winning mailing—Throw it in trash/Forfeited Good News

Deny telephone access/

Weather report/News of approaching tornado/Good news of how to be saved

Application:

?You Forfeited God’s Good News?

?You given up on the Good News of the Gospel?

?You Found Fault with God’s grace?

6—When fault is found we forfeit

STATUS(:18b)

Explanation:(:18b)

“...He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;...”

“To the poor”

?What does it mean to be poor?—Not know where your next meal is coming from—No steady work—At mercy of all(Govt./Landlords/Creditors/Employers)—No personal power over destiny—Totally dependant on others— Expendable—

?Why the poor & not the wealthy?—Wealthy people trust in their wealth—no need for a Savior! Wealth blinds them.

The poor don’t see themselves as deserving.—Enter a state where you don’t expect anyone to care for or aid you. Look down on yourself. Accept expendability...Worthlessness.

God thru Jesus shows us our worth. He cares for & aids us & lifts us up.

If we see ourselves as deserving then we have forfeited our lowly status.

BUT...the Poor become rich in Christ!

2Cor. 8:9—“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Argumentation:

Mat. 5:3—“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Lk. 6:24-“ “But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.”

Heb. 11:26—[Moses] “considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”

1Cor. 1:26-29—“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, & God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, & the base things of the world & the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are,”

Jas. 2:1-9—READ—:2-4—“For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring & dressed in fine clothes, & there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, & you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, & say, “You sit here in a good place,” & you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool, have you not made distinctions among yourselves, & become judges with evil motives?” :5—“Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith & heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

Mat. 19:23-24—“And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Illustration:

Person with appendicitis/In need of a cure/To emergency room/Becomes a patient/Patient Status=Cure

Person with appendicitis/In need of a cure/Untrusting of Drs./Goes to bed/Take painkillers/Die/Never allowed himself Patient Status/Never put his trust in Drs.

Application:

?You Forfeited God’s Status?

?You see yourself as “Poor”?

?You Found Fault with God’s grace?

CONCLUSION:

Action:

When fault is found with God’s grace we forfeit

Anointing

Good News

Status

Godly Influence

Rest

Guidance

CHILDREN’S— ‘Good News’

Presented 05/20/01am to:

Providence Baptist church

975 Providence Road

Whigham, GA 31797