Mobilize is a place where we recap the big idea of the sermon and give some next steps, as you grow in letting God’s word transform your life.
I preached out Luke 4:14-30, Jesus’ inaugural speech as he launched his public ministry.
Here are some highlights from the sermon:
Jesus is in his hometown and teaches in the synagogue that the age of the Messiah is here and that he is at the center of God’s rescue plan. People in Nazareth did no like what he had to say and the story ends with tension and volatility. Here are three things the hearers had a problem with:
- The Messiah’s ministry is going to focus on and bring GOD’S FAVOR. Those listening don’t mind the idea of this but they are surprised that Jesus just talks about God’s graciousness and nothing else. We similarly can have a hard time believing that by saying yes to Jesus and following him, we now are defined by God’s favor and graciousness and not his disappointment and judgement. We can struggle to believe that Jesus and the price he paid on the cross is enough.
- The Messiah is about proclaiming and DEMONSTRATING the favor of God. By adding in Isaiah 58 to the reading of Isaiah 61, Jesus is helping the people understand that the ministry of the Messiah will be one where God’s favor is demonstrated through acts of justice and mercy. As we live into the kingdom and follow Jesus, he calls us to demonstrate who he is in our families, on our streets, in our workplaces and our city.
- The Messiah is going to make a way for this favor to bless EVERYONE. This is the part that the listeners in the story ultimately have a hard time with. They want the Messiah to bless them and then destroy everyone else. They want a kingdom that means the end of Rome. We too can have a hard time with certain people who have wrong us or people groups we see as wrong. We want to see the Day of God’s Vengeance instead of God bringing his favor on them.
Action steps for our week together:
- We are called to be discipled by the Spirit and Word. Spend time in our passage this week-Luke 4:14-30; Isaiah 61 and 58. What is the Spirit saying to you through the text?
- Consider these things with your community this week.
- Consider what about the Messiah made you want to follow him. Share that story.
Which of these misperceptions connected with you? How is Jesus asking to correct your vision or the way you are living in light of that?