The Ministry of the Second

Luke 4:14–22 NIV84

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

1. Embrace the role of a servant

Savant: A person of learning (brilliant or exceptional skill in a area such as music). Know it all

Servant: One that serves others

Sub-Point 1: Become a servant leaders like Jesus

Matthew 20:26–28 “26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Sub-Point 2: Become more like Jesus in Humility

Philippians 2:3–4 “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Sub-Point 3: Love like you have been loved

John 15:13 “13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Sacrificial Love

Love gives

2. Become a facilitator of the Faith Journey

Facilitator: someone who helps to bring about an outcome (such as learning, productivity, or communication) by providing indirect or unobtrusive assistance, guidance, or supervision

Sub-Point 1: Become a source of support and encouragement by bearing one anther’s burdens

Galatians 6:2 “2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Sub-Point 2: Build each other up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Sub-Point 3: Pray for one another

James 5:14–20 “14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

3. Be faithful in your service

Sub-Point 1: Jesus did not quit when things were difficult

John 19:30 “30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Sub-Point 2: Be content in every role

1 Corinthians 12:18–20 “18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

Sub-Point 3: Be faithful in every position

Luke 16:10 “10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

4. Cultivate a heart of gratitude

Sub-Point 1: God is a better score keeper than we are

Matthew 6:1–4 “1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Sub-Point 2: Always be thankful and full of thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Sub-Point 3: Do everything as if you are doing it directly for God

Psalm 136:1 “1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

Colossians 3:16–17 “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”