Are You Willing to Follow?

Good Morning!

Last week we looked at Luke 4:14-30 and saw that Luke picked the story of Jesus going to his hometown to use as an introduction to Jesus’ ministry in the northwest region of Galilee.

Luke was showing his readers that there were many that did not respond to Jesus’ ministry in a positive way.

Their ideas about who the Messiah would be and their knowledge of who Jesus was as he grew up kept them from seeing that Jesus and the Messiah were one and the same.

Because they “knew” Jesus, they couldn’t see the truth about who he was.

We discussed that often church goers face the same stumbling block.

Because we grew up in church and we “know” Jesus, we don’t leave room in our minds for us to challenge us.

We have locked in what we believe Him to be and don’t allow ourselves to continue to learn more about the character of Jesus.

Luke continues this introduction into Jesus’ ministry in our passage today.

But we see a very different kind of reaction and response to Jesus, and Luke uses these two vastly different responses to prepare the reader's minds and hearts.

As we learn about Jesus, we are asked how we are going to respond as well.

Today we are going to read in our passage about something that, frankly, doesn’t get a lot of air time in most churches.

One of the things that I love about preaching through a book is that it doesn’t allow me to skip over passages that are difficult to understand or uncomfortable to talk about.

In our time today and in life group, there may be some things that we talk about that may feel uncomfortable, but that isn’t always a bad thing.

Let’s read the next passage in our study and see what God has for us today in His word.

Luke 4:31-44

Luke 4:31–44 CSB

31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. 32 They were astonished at his teaching because his message had authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean demonic spirit who cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Leave us alone! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 35 But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be silent and come out of him!” And throwing him down before them, the demon came out of him without hurting him at all. 36 Amazement came over them all, and they were saying to one another, “What is this message? For he commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!” 37 And news about him began to go out to every place in the vicinity. 38 After he left the synagogue, he entered Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39 So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them. 40 When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to him. As he laid his hands on each one of them, he healed them. 41 Also, demons were coming out of many, shouting and saying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 42 When it was day, he went out and made his way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for him. They came to him and tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Through this section, Luke is making three things quite clear and they are the reasons for this text at this location in the book.

As we just discussed, the passage we looked at last week was picked from the middle of Jesus’ ministry in order to set the backdrop for how the ministry would go between Jesus and the religious.

The passage for today is also framing the ministry of Jesus by showing his power.

We will learn about three specific things today.

Jesus speaks with authority, He holds power over spiritual things, and He holds power over physical things.

Jesus speaks with Authority.

In the opening lines of this section, Luke places us back in Capernaum by saying that they went back down there.

He meant this quite literally because Capernaum was about 1900 feet lower in elevation than Nazareth was.

Keep in mind as we talk about this section the foreshadowing that did last week.

Matthew 11:23 CSB

23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today.

The verses we just read are the summation of the work that Matthew records Jesus talking about.

Jesus went back down to Capernaum and taught them on the Sabbath.

This was his custom.

Those attending the service there at the Synagogue were amazed by his teaching. Luke 4:32

Luke 4:32 CSB

32 They were astonished at his teaching because his message had authority.

They weren’t amazed by his delivery but by the power and authority that he spoke with.

Let me give some context to that testimony from those that were there.

Luke Luke 4:31–32

They had heard teachers every Sabbath all their lives, not to mention all the ones in Sabbath school during the days of childhood. Those teachers were all alike. They set out a problem and then told you what every rabbi who ever taught had said about that problem. Then they went on to the next one without solving the problem. Jesus was different. He did not mention what other teachers had to say. He simply said, This is the truth. Take it or leave it. Crowds came to hear such a message.

Jesus spoke the truth rather than just presenting a problem with no solution.

He wasn’t regurgitating something that someone else said.

Jesus spoke out of experience and knowledge that came from God.

His relationship with the Father is what gave him authority.

He wasn’t telling someone else’s stories or ideas; he was sharing his own.

When I was in college, I took a preaching class.

The professor organized a mission trip to Alaska that year and I went.

One of the things we did when we were there was organized a revival and this professor was going to preach it.

The first night, I remember thinking how amazing his sermon was.

It had so much energy and it drew you in.

About halfway through, I leaned over to one of the other guys and commented on how good it was.

I was informed by this classmate that the professor didn’t write the sermon.

It was the famous, It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming by Pastor S.M. Lockridge.

I was so deflated.

The guy who was teaching a class on preparing, writing, and delivering sermons was preaching someone else’s and didn’t even give the original pastor credit.

While my experience came as a surprise, this was common practice in Jesus’ day.

I read another commentary this week that had a quote from someone who said, “I’ve never said a word of my own thoughts, but only shared what I have been taught by the Rabbis before me.”

I am in no way condemning using the knowledge we gain from others; that is how we learn.

I am simply pointing out that when we have our own experiences with God, they are far more powerful than if we repeat someone else’s.

Jesus’ relationship with God and his connection with the Holy Spirit made a huge impact on all that heard him speak.

It was different because Jesus was able to share God’s heart behind the text rather than speculating or restating someone else’s ideas.

The apostle John shares a story very similar to what Luke is describing.

John 7:37–52 CSB

37 On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” 39 He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified. 40 When some from the crowd heard these words, they said, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some said, “Surely the Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee, does he? 42 Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Messiah comes from David’s offspring and from the town of Bethlehem, where David lived?” 43 So the crowd was divided because of him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 Then the servants came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him?” 46 The servants answered, “No man ever spoke like this!” 47 Then the Pharisees responded to them, “Are you fooled too? 48 Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, which doesn’t know the law, is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus—the one who came to him previously and who was one of them—said to them, 51 “Our law doesn’t judge a man before it hears from him and knows what he’s doing, does it?” 52 “You aren’t from Galilee too, are you?” they replied. “Investigate and you will see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

As we can clearly see, Jesus had great command over the scriptures and spoke in power because He is the son of God.

Not only did Jesus speak with authority, he also showed that his command wasn’t just over words, but over other spiritual beings as well.

Jesus holds power in spiritual matters.

How often do you think about evil spirits, demons, or the devil?

How much do you think they are at play in our lives today?

What do we do if we think we are being affected by evil spirits?

I have mentioned “the enemy” or Satan quite a bit over the course of this study and for good reason.

His temptation and our weakness are what led us to where we are today.

I would say that it is pretty comfortable for us to talk about that kind of thing that happened a long time ago in a place far away.

However, it is another thing altogether to think about it happening right here where we live, in our lives, and in the lives of people that we love.

Years ago after the church flooded and we had to meet in the fellowship hall while we got the sanctuary back in order.

During that time, God told Glen to teach spiritual warfare.

To accomplish that, we read together, and Glen preached on a book by Chip Ingram, The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare.

The author leads that book off with a quote from C.S. Lewis.

There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interests in them. - C.S. Lewis

He then shares a passage from Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. Ephesians 6:10-12

Ephesians 6:10–12 CSB

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

The full meaning of this command is captured in this expanded translation: “Allow yourself to be continually strengthened by the power already made available to you in your new position and relationship with Christ.” It is the power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in you. - Chip Ingram, The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare

We don’t have time today to dive deep into this particular subject matter, but Scripture makes it abundantly clear that there are evil forces at work all around us.

Their goal is to disrupt the work of God among his people.

This is precisely what is happening in our text today.

Luke 4:34–37 CSB

34 “Leave us alone! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 35 But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be silent and come out of him!” And throwing him down before them, the demon came out of him without hurting him at all. 36 Amazement came over them all, and they were saying to one another, “What is this message? For he commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!” 37 And news about him began to go out to every place in the vicinity.

Jesus is teaching, and an evil spirit interrupts what is happening.

Jesus rebukes the demon, tells him to leave the man, and the demon obeys.

Interestingly, the demon becomes yet another reliable witness to the identity of Jesus.

He calls Jesus the Holy One of God.

I believe the intent of the demon was to detract from what God was doing, but in trying to do so, further solidified Jesus’s identity and power.

Jesus shows that he holds all authority and power over the spiritual realm.

Jesus doesn’t just understand the heart of God behind the scriptures; he also understands God’s heart for his people.

This man was being controlled by an evil spirit, and Jesus rebuked it and sent it away.

The people that were present witnessed the authority and power that God gave Jesus.

Following this event, the news about who Jesus is begins to spread all over the region.

From there, Jesus goes to Simon’s house and further shows the power that He holds.

Jesus holds power over physical matters.

Do you have any personal stories of God healing your or someone you know? Please share.

Why is it important that we share stories of God’s power over physical things?

What is this work of God foreshadowing and how does that help spread the gospel?

Luke 4:38–44 CSB

38 After he left the synagogue, he entered Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39 So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them. 40 When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to him. As he laid his hands on each one of them, he healed them. 41 Also, demons were coming out of many, shouting and saying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 42 When it was day, he went out and made his way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for him. They came to him and tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

There are a couple of key elements to this part of the story that I want us to see.

Simon’s family asked Jesus to come and heal Simon’s mother-in-law.

Jesus healed her, and it was instantaneous.

This wasn’t just that the fever broke; she was immediately better to the point that she started serving all her guests.

People were undoubtedly amazed as they left the house and shared their experiences with others.

The word about Jesus spread quickly that day, and people began bringing all their sick to him.

Not only did Jesus heal the sick, he continued to show his power over these evil spirits.

There were more demons cast out, and they continued to verify that Jesus was the son of God.

I have always found it interesting that here and in other places, Jesus tells people not to tell others that He was the Messiah.

As I was studying this week, I discovered why that may be.

Because of the political atmosphere in that part of the world, Jesus did not want people to mistake his mission for the culture’s idea of what the Messiah would be.

He wanted his call and the work of the Holy Spirit to define his ministry, not the local lore or the political landscape.

This whole passage at the end of Luke four is the author setting the stage for Jesus’ ministry.

Last week we learned about a group of people that were amazed, yet their response was to want to kill Jesus.

Today, we see a different group of people who experience Jesus' authority and power, and they welcome it in their lives.

They are excited about it and tell others what they have witnessed.

Luke is setting the stage for his readers.

As we move into the rest of Jesus' ministry, we are going to see both groups of people.

We are going to see how they respond to Jesus and how Jesus responds to them.

He shows a clear distinction between the two.

Luke’s goal is for the readers to hear about who Jesus is and then respond accordingly.

By prefacing the ministry of Jesus in this way, he is asking the reader to decide which camp they will fall into.

The author is asking us the same question.

Before you knee-jerk say yes, I believe that Jesus was the son of God, ask yourself the harder question.

What areas of your life do you find it difficult to give God total authority over?

How often does God take you out of your comfort zone?

Why is that significant in your spiritual growth?

Does that belief mean that you trust him to have total authority and power over every aspect of your life?

We are really good at giving away areas of our lives.

There are some things that are easy to give away.

However, there are also areas that we still cling to and aren’t willing to let Jesus have those.

I was reminded this week about when Kenneth and Kristi Williams visited our church many years ago when we were a baby TGP over in Lee Heights.

They were about to leave to go on mission in Uganda.

Not a short term trip, they were going to live there.

They already had three or four kids and Kristi was very pregnant.

That always impressed me because that meant they trusted God enough to go to a third world country, live over eight hours from any substantial kind of hospital, and have a baby on their own.

Next week we are going to see Luke introduce the first disciples that Jesus called.

One of which was Simon Peter, whom we learned a bit about today.

Simon was a married man, which means he probably had a family.

But because of what he experienced with Jesus and who he trusted him to be, he changed his whole life to follow Jesus.

The question Luke is asking is are we that committed to Jesus that we are willing to follow where ever he leads?

Are we willing to change our lives in order to follow Jesus?

Or are we going to respond like the religious did and deny Jesus’ power and authority?

As we walk through Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, we are going to see people respond in both ways.

Just like those people who faced challenging words from Jesus, we are too.

Luke is asking us to decide up front how we are going to respond to what we learn about Jesus.

Let’s pray.

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