The Mission of Christ
Isaiah 61:1-3
ORIENTATION:
• Having been a Christian for a while now I have heard argument after argument on the topic of why Jesus became flesh and died on the cross.
o Jesus came to help us become better people
o Jesus came to build establish the church
o Jesus came to save us
• It was not until I had read and understood the prophet Isaiah (61:1-3) that I realized I did not have to guess what Jesus mission was here on earth, He has told us clearly Himself what it was.
INTRODUCTION:
• Read: Isaiah 61:1-3
• Read: Luke 4:18-20
• Explain that Jesus claimed the prophecy of Isaiah as a prophecy of His mission statement.
PROPOSITION:
• We do not have to guess, wonder or worry about what Jesus mission here on earth was, Isaiah prophesied his mission and Jesus confirms it.
PREVIEW:
Today I will show you:
1. The Focus Of Christ’s Mission On Earth
2. The Function Of Christ’s Mission On Earth
3. The Fulfillment Of Christ’s Mission On Earth
TRANSITION:
So let’s begin by looking at…
I. The Focus Of Christ’s Mission On Earth: Poor and Underprivileged
EXPLAINATION:
• Clearly this passage shows us that the focus of Christ’s ministry was people but not the people you may think.
o Mt. 9:12 "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
o Mt. 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened”
o Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
o Mt. 5:3 “Poor In Spirit, Meek, Those who Mourn”
• In vs. 1-3 we can clearly and plainly see who are the people Christ was focused on:
o Vs. 1 The Poor
o Vs. 1 The Broken Hearted
o Vs. 1 Prisoners
o Vs. 2 Those who mourn
o Vs. 3 Those who grieve
ILLUSTRATION:
I think Christ would surprise us all: If Christ came in the flesh today; I do not think he would seek to have dinner at the house of a priest, pastor, minister but rather He would invite them to come with Him to the home of a Homosexual who has aids and is an alcoholic seeking help. A person who is down and out and realizes that he does not have it together and needs God’s help!
Do you find that offensive? Well the Pharisees sure did… Mt. 9:11 “When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and `sinners’?"
APPLICATION:
•Although this was an extreme example the fact of the matter is that those who realzie that they do not have it together and need God instantly become the focus of Christ’s ministry.
• Does this describe you tonight?
• Maybe you feel like Christ has given up on you?
• Hear Christ in vs. 1-3 as He describes those He came to save… (Read)
TRANSITION:
So we have seen the focus of Christ’s ministry but what about…
II. The Function Of Christ’s Mission On Earth: Proclaim Freedom
EXPLAINATION:
• I have heard it said that if Jesus were here He would be driving a big fat Cadillac and sporting designer clothes.
• The truth is they are close, Jesus would be driving a Hummer because he would have to cart around the 12 disciples.
• But Seriously, Jesus function was not to be our genie in a bottle; Christ came to set us free! Notice vs. 1 “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
o Three images: 1. Bind up wounds, Freedom for Captives, Release from the dark cells of our lives…
• Jesus seeks to set free:
o Those who are broken hearted – Fill our voids
o Those who are in bondage – Chemical Dependence, ect…
o Christians who are trying to earn God’s approval – Legalism
• Jesus understood the struggles of a legalistic approach toward God. He understood the burden of the law and came to set religious minded people free. Gal 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
ILLUSTRATION:
• When we daydream about winning the lottery what is it that we really want? Is it simply material things, power, fame? Or is it more?
• I would submit to you that what we really want freedom! Freedom to live without the yoke of financial burden.
• This is what Christ offers! I dont mean financial freedom but freedom within any circumstance of our lives.
APPLICATION:
• It is the function of Christ’s mission to set you free from the burdens of life. (Phil. 4:11) pg. 993
• Where are you today? We allow Christ to set us free as we trust in Him.
• Today are you free in Christ?
TRANSITION: So we see that when we allow Christ to be our shepherd we find rest and reassurance but lastly we find…
III. The Fulfillment Of Christ’s Mission On Earth: Restoration Of Righteousness
EXPLAINATION:
• How does Christ give us freedom, How does He fulfill His mission to Earth?
• Notice with me in vs. 3 What Jesus considers the fulfillment of His mission to be:
o Giving us a Crown of beauty instead of ashes
o Giving us an Oil of gladness instead of mourning
o Giving us a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair
• What do these three things have in common? It is summed up in vs. 3 “They will be called oaks of righteousness”. RESTORATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
• To be righteous is to be without guilt or sin, You see when you realize that what Christ did for you was not only remove your sin but also your guilt something amazing happens you become free!
• This is the gospel, that Christ was reconciling the world to God by way of the cross so that God would not count mans sins against him. 2 Cor. 5:19 “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.”
ILLUSTRATION:
• Christ wants to restore the worst parts of you, (Jn 13:5 Jesus washed the feet) True freedom is the restoration of righteousness!
• True restoration brings peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
APPLICATION:
• The way Jesus meets our needs is through restoration of righteousness
• Although we were never good and may never be man was created perfect and the restoration of righteousness set’s you that way in the eyes of God.
• Today do you know your righteousness has been restored? Have you been set free from guilt and sin? Do you have the assurance that Christ has cleansed you and made you a new creation 2 Cor. 5:17 “
TRANSITION: So in closing…
CONCLUSION:
• Jesus Christ gave us His mission statement! We do not have to guess what it is; we do not have to argue about why He came. He tells us clearly:
REVIEW OF MAIN POINTS:
• The Focus Of His Ministry On Earth - Poor, broken hearted, prisoners, mourn
• The Function Of His Ministry On Earth – Freedom and release from darkness.
• The Fulfillment Of His Ministry On Earth – Restoration of righteousness
CLOSING ILLUSTRATION:
“A few years ago, an angry man rushed through a Museum in Amsterdam until he reached Rembrandt’s famous painting "Nightwatch." Then he took out a knife and slashed it repeatedly before he could be stopped.
A short time later, a distraught, hostile man slipped into St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome with a hammer and began to smash Michelangelo’s beautiful sculpture The Pieta. Two cherished works of art were severely damaged. But what did officials do? Throw them out and forget about them? Absolutely not! Using the best experts, who worked with the utmost care and precision, they made every effort to restore the treasures.” www.SermonIllustrations.com
CALL TO ACTION:
• Today if you feel like the broken statue or slashed painting, I have a word for you.
• Jesus mission was clear, He came for you, and Jesus came to set you free, Jesus came to restore peace between yourself and God.
• Have you allowed Him to do this?
• Lead in sinners prayer and encourage the people
Close in prayer
