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Luke_4_.hwp|
Luke 4:31-44 Key Verse: 4:43 Preach the Goods News "But he said, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'" In this passage Jesus continues to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus' proclamation is accompanied by a demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power. Jesus drives out evil spirits and heals sicknesses, showing us what the kingdom of God is like. Finally, Jesus determines to keep on preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, and to spread the message to other towns. We can learn from Jesus what is the main task in gospel ministry, and how to stay focused on it. As we do, the kingdom of God will advance powerfully among us, and throughout the world. I. Jesus' authority (31-37) Jesus' hometown people in Nazareth rejected his message of good news. Everyone wants to receive honor and glory. No one wants to be despised and rejected. But Jesus was not discouraged. Look at verse 31. "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people." Jesus kept right on teaching the word of God to people. Capernaum was located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It became the base for Jesus' ministry in Galilee. On the Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. There was something different about Jesus' teaching. Look at verse 32. "They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority." People were amazed at Jesus' teaching, because his message had authority. Jesus taught the word of God as it was written. Jesus taught by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught with conviction, simplicity and precision. Jesus believed the awesome power of God's word. Then, when Jesus proclaimed freedom for the prisoner, people felt in their souls that they were set free. They were not only hearing words, but they were being changed through the power of Jesus' message. Frustrations and agonies gave way to peace, joy and new hope. They realized that God loved them and had a good purpose for them. They sensed that they were entering a spiritual world through Jesus' teaching. They forgot all about the trivial problems and enjoyed the living word of God. Look at verse 33a. "In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice" Notice that Luke calls this man "a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit." This indicates that the man was under the dominion of the demon. He was not free; he was a slave to an evil spirit that controlled him. God made man to be free. But when man uses his freedom to sin, he becomes vulnerable to the power of demons and become slaves to them. Demons are very skillful at disguising themselves. But the demon trembled before Jesus' spiritual authority. It caused the man to burst out, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Now detected, the demon revealed what he was doing. It used the word "us" as though it were the man's friend. It tried to plant fear that Jesus would harm them. How did Jesus deal with the demon? Look at verse 35. "'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him." Jesus did not negotiate. Jesus simply commanded the demon, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" and it did. It could not injure the man at all. The man was just fine after the demon left him. Jesus has power to drive out demons and to set prisoners free. Look at verse 37. The news about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding area. The kingdom of God was advancing in power; people were finding real hope through Jesus, and demons were trembling. Preaching the gospel is a spiritual battle against an evil enemy. It is spiritual war. Therefore, we must equip ourselves with the word of God and pray. We must depend on Jesus' power absolutely. Jesus will give us victory over evil spirits. II. Jesus heals the sick (38-41) Look at verse 38. "Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her." Jesus went to the home of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. They asked Jesus to help her. They trusted Jesus and believed Jesus could help them. In this kind of atmosphere, Jesus freely blessed them according to their need. Though Jesus was a guest, he became a servant for the older woman. Jesus bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. No doctor can cure a fever without great effort and sufficient time for a patient to recover. But Jesus simply rebuked the fever and it left the woman. The awful heat and pain went away and she felt like a young woman again. Look at verse 40. "When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them." As news about Jesus spread, all kinds of sick people came to him. What did Jesus do? Jesus healed them laying his hands on each one. Jesus did not treat them as a group, but treated them one by one. Jesus' instrument for healing was his hand. Jesus was not afraid of disease. At the touch of Jesus, the sickness was cured. No matter what kind of disease it was, Jesus healed it with a touch. Jesus' healing overflowed in the community. Look at verse 41. "Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ." Many demons were also being driven out. As we have seen, where Jesus is, there is the kingdom of God. God made man to be very good with perfect health and true freedom in paradise. But when man disobeyed God and fell into sin, he lost paradise. Then sicknesses entered the world, and demons began to roam freely. Jesus came to this world to restore the kingdom of God to mankind. Jesus drives out demons and heals every sickness. People are set free from darkness and restored to wholeness in Christ. They serve Jesus with great joy and thankful heart. Let's welcome Jesus into our hearts right now, so that we may enjoy the kingdom of God. III. "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God" (42-44) Jesus' healing ministry lasted late into the night. There had been many dramatic and exciting events. However, Jesus must have been exhausted. At the same time, many opportunities seemed to open before Jesus; he could do many things. What did he do first? Look at verse 42a. "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place." In the early hours of the morning, Jesus went to a solitary place. In this way he could be alone for quiet time with God. Many people do this when they are in deep trouble. But Jesus did it after making a great success. It was necessary for him to get away from the noisy demons and the amazed crowds. Jesus needed to listen to the voice of God very personally. In this way, Jesus found new strength and wisdom from his Father. Jesus also found what his Father wanted him to do. So Jesus could maintain a clear focus on the main task without deviation. We need this kind of quiet time with God. It is the secret to maintain spiritual strength and focus in serving God. Look at verse 42b. "The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them." While Jesus was spending quiet time with God, people were looking for him, and at last they found him. They wanted to keep him in Capernaum. They realized that Jesus' presence was the greatest blessing upon them. They had experienced a taste of the kingdom of God through Jesus, and they wanted more. Surely, Jesus, who had laid his hand on each one, wanted to spend more time with them. But he did not say OK. Look at verse 43. "But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."" Here we learn very important things about Jesus. First, Jesus did what God wanted him to do, even though his beloved sheep demanded something else. When God's children experience his love, they want to hold on to their human shepherd permanently. It can be a temptation for both of them to lose God as the center of their relationship. Sheep are sheep, and they can be expected to do this. Jesus did not rebuke them. However, Jesus clearly told them that he must go somewhere else, saying, "That is why I was sent." Jesus stayed focused on God's purpose for sending him, instead of pleasing people according to their demand. Gospel workers must learn this from Jesus. Secondly, Jesus decided to keep on preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus' ministry of driving out demons and healing the sick were a great success. Jesus could have launched a new church focused on deliverance and started a hospital. But Jesus decided to keep on preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. The good news is that Christ died for our sins and that God raised him from the dead on the third day. Whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Christ is coming again in power and great glory to reign forever. He brings the final destruction of his enemies and eternal glory to his people. This is the good news that must be preached. Jesus preached this good news regardless of result. Whether he was rejected in Nazareth, or loved in Capernaum, Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God. We, too, must decide to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. All other spiritual blessings, such as healing and driving out demons, will follow. Preaching the good news of the kingdom of God is our purpose, in whatever way God may use us to do so. We must be able to say, "That is why I was sent." The spiritual forces of evil do not tremble before psychology or any other human knowledge. But they tremble and go away before Christ who died for sinners and rose again on the third day. We must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God as Jesus teaches us. This sets prisoners free. Thirdly, Jesus went to the other towns also. Look at verse 44. "And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." Jesus went from Galilee to Judea. Jesus did not settle down comfortably in one place, but kept on going to other places. Jesus wanted to bring the good news of the kingdom of God everywhere, to the whole world. We, too, must be burning to reach the whole world with the gospel. These days I feel that I lost focus in my life. There were times some people called me a man of burning heart. At that time I had at least 5 Bible students every week. When one student did not come, there was always someone else who came to study. I prayed long for them that God may change their lives. When I joined the current company 3 years ago, I also made a vow that I would live a missionary life with a thankful heart. But now I felt that I had a stable job and income. Then, it was not easy to think of something else that I should put my additional effort into other than work. And busy work schedule did not give way to thinking about the purpose and direction of my life. I was not happy than before when I simply prayed sincerely because I did not have any money or a decent job. I learned today that Jesus fully depended on God in prayer. This kept him to have his clear focus always in preaching the good news. I pray that I also have my focus in the good news. I pray that I always pray and rely on Jesus and learn the power of the good news. I pray that I boldly preach this good news to dying souls. In conclusion, Jesus' main focus in his ministry was preaching the goods news. Jesus depended on God fully in his prayers. Then God's miraculous signs followed him. It is the same for us. We cannot win the spiritual battle with our own strength. We must follow Jesus in prayer. Then he gives us power, wisdom, and burning heart for the goods news. Let's keep on praying. Let's keep on preaching the good news of the kingdom of God! |
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