The Heavies For Successful Ministry-2

The HEAVIES For SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY-II—Luke 4:14-15

Attention:

MiniVan is a people heavy design—Made for transporting as many passengers as possible in comfort.

Meal for the starving is nutrient, protein & carb heavy.

Need:

Luke ensures his audience that Jesus returned to Galilee with a vigorous/robust/solid ministry.

Jesus’ ministry is vigorous/robust/solid.

Why is the vigor/robustness/solidity of Jesus’ ministry important?

Who has a vigorous/robust/solid ministry?

4 factors ensuring successful ministry.

Earlier we discovered that...

1—Successful ministry is...

JESUS Heavy(:14a)

Today we will bolster our premise by learning that...

2—Successful ministry is...

POWER Heavy(:14b)

Explanation: (:14b) Supernaturally Empowered(by God’s Spirit)

:14—“Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, & news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.”

Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit.” That is, the Spirit of God empowered Jesus particularly so as He had not allowed His (very personal)temptations to lead Him into sin. Jesus had thus proven Himself worthy of His anointing as Messiah & His physical baptism where He was revealed as the Son of God(3:22).

If I know that sin can be dealt a death-blow in my own personal life, then I become empowered to do the work of the One who has brought sin’s demise.

BUT this is NOT merely mind over matter(AKA ‘religion’ or ‘Oprah Winfrey faith’)! Its allowing God to determine the course of your day. NOT what we’re used to ...or what we prefer....or what we feel like doing or not doing. Its about allowing God to use us, empowered by His Spirit, so that I agree with His design for every moment as it intersects my life.

“Power”—dunamiv—N. f.—1) Strength power, ability—1a) Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts & puts forth, 1b) Power for performing miracles, 1c) Moral power & excellence of soul, 1d) The power & influence which belong to riches & wealth, 1e) Power & resources arising from numbers, 1f) Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts. Strong—Force(literally or figuratively); specially--Miraculous power(usually by implication--A miracle itself).

From—dunamai—V.—To be able or possible.

“Spirit”—pneuma—Strong—A current of air, i.e. Breath(blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively--A spirit, i.e. (human) The rational soul, by implication--Vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman--An angel, demon, or divine--God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit.

Argumentation:

2Cor. 12:9-10—“And He[God] said to me[Paul], “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Why? Because I am not dependent upon my strength but God’s strength in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit—He causes me to recognize the things of God & conversely those things that are not of God.

Immediately following the resuscitation of Jairus’ daughter who had died—Mk. 6:1-6—“Then He went out from there & came to His own country, & His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, & brother of James, Joses, Judas, & Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, & in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people & healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.”

*Acts 10:34-38—“Then Peter opened his mouth & said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. “But in every nation whoever fears Him & works righteousness is accepted by Him. “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, & began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit & with power, who went about doing good & healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

True Power is lodged in Jesus.

Rom. 1:1-4—“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, & declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”