Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled

“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…” (Outline)

January 25, 2009 --

EPIPHANY 3 --

Luke 4:14-21

INTRO: Our Lord Jesus Christ came and lived on this earth as the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus also came as the word made flesh. We gather together around this very living word of God still today. It is the very power of God’s word that is the most important possession in our lives. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"(HEBREWS 4:12). God’s word is able to divide those things that are not easily divided. God’s word can distinguish between the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. You and I do not even know the thoughts or attitudes of anyone else’s heart. God’s word can and does know these differences. Today we examine Jesus’ words and agreement with the very words that Isaiah wrote.

“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…”

I. Believers are filled with God’s Spirit.

II. Believers proclaim God’s message.

I. FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT

A. Verse 14,15. These opening verses are a different time and setting from the following verses.

1. Jesus returned to the region of Galilee. This was after his baptism and wilderness temptation.

2. Jesus’ was welcomed in the area. Jesus taught in synagogues and people praised his teachings.

B. Verse 16. Now Jesus returns to his hometown. Here we are told about his childhood.

1. Jesus attends synagogue on the Sabbath. This was his custom learned from faithful parents.

2. The synagogue leader invited Jesus to read. Jesus stands up to read from the scroll.

C. Verse 17. Jesus finds the portion to be read from the scroll. This portion depicts Jesus, the anointed.

1. Verse 20. Jesus finishes and returns the scroll to the attendant. Jesus sits down to teach.

2. The people wait for Jesus to teach. The people gathered on that day also had God’s Spirit.

3. These people had come to gather around God’s word. They came because of God’s Spirit.

D. Believers, because they are believers, have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some wonder when, how, why, where did this gift come from? Others emphasize the gifts of the Spirit rather than God’s gift of his Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is faith. We are born into this world as enemies of God. By God’s grace our loving Lord brings us into his light by word and sacrament. Believers are given the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism. By the power of God’s word connected with the waters of baptism we are brought into God’s kingdom. This is God’s grace for us. "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir"(GALATIANS 4:6,7). Believers have God’s Spirit.

E. Believers are given faith. Believers are given the Holy Spirit. Because of faith our lives are changed. Our lives are changed completely. Those in this world truly still live in darkness. But now you, every believer, and I are given faith to know what is right and what is wrong. "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us "(1 JOHN 3:23,24). Again, it is the Lord God who provides us faith and lives in us.

F. Temptations are still alive and well in this wicked world, which we call, home. The world would have us think we are too busy to read God’s word. Satan tempts us to miss out on the blessed opportunity to gather around the living and enduring word of God. Our own sinful flesh makes us balk at getting out of our warm beds on a cold day to go to God’s house. Notice that Jesus’ custom was to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath. There is no better example than the very Son of God himself. "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked" (PSALM 84:10). Bad company corrupts good character. God’s Spirit living in us moves to overcome all temptations, excuses, and empty promises found in this sinful, earthly life.

“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…”

Believers are filled with God’s Spirit.

II. PROCLAIM GOD’S MESSAGE