Bent Over, Bent out of Shape, or Bent on being like Jesus?

Introduction

Can you imagine a church where Jesus is not welcomed? In our study in Luke this morning we read of the last time that Jesus entered the synagogue in the weeks leading up to Jerusalem and the cross. Can you imagine Jesus saying to Himself,"I will never go there again, they will not allow God in the service.”

Oh Dear Church, as we study this story today in Luke may we never be a church that does not only allow, but to encourage Jesus to be in our midst. Amen.

Turn in your Bibles this morning to Luke 13:10-17.

Luke 13:10-17

Luke 13:10–17 NKJV

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

Prayer Message

By this point in our study of Luke, Luke recorded the life of Jesus in His Galilean ministry in the weeks leading up to that final trip to Jerusalem to face the cross.

We have journeyed through His birth, the miracles, His calling, the choosing and the teaching of His disciples. Now we find ourselves with biblical eyes as we stories of Jesus’ teachings and ministry in the Galilean region of last days. Jesus was in the countryside with people like you and me.

Luke records thirty nine times references to the Kingdom of God?

The Holy Spirit guides the penmanship of Luke to teach us of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 1:1–4 “1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”

What stands out when the King is present in one’s life? How do we touch it , feel it, taste it? How is the Kingdom of God fleshed out here on earth for us believers of Jesus?

The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God describes the rule of God over His creation as king. What is vitally important in understanding the Kingdom of God is to grasp that for us the believer, the Kingdom of God is in the here and now. We do not have to wait on a future event even though His coming again will be glorious, but we can enjoy His presence, rule, and reign in our lives each and every day. Amen.

The Kingdom of God is present wherever the King is found. For us believers, Jesus is present by His Spirit both in the church and the world today.

So, when Luke recorded this event that happened in our time today, Luke is describing what the Kingdom of God on earth should be for us believers, His church. Listen closely, Mt Zion Baptist Church, His church should be a haven, and environment that encourages the Kingdom of God here on earth.

When we see Jesus’ actions, He presents to us the Kingdom of God. Let’s learn today what the church should be in encouraging that haven of the Kingdom of God. T

Church is a People that Exercise Compassion VV. 10-13

In our story this morning, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue and specifically He was teaching on the Sabbath, Saturday, the last day of the week.

Interestingly from this vantage point in the pulpit, I see things from up here you may never see.

Ill. Early on in my calling to the pastorate, I went on a mission trip with my church and I was blessed that I could take a couple of my children on the trip to Chamaltenango, Guatemala. I was to preach at the church that was located on the coffee farm where we were serving as our mission base.

The missionary that owned and operated the coffee farm was going to translate my message to the people as I preached. Around ten minutes before church time I thought we were not going to have anyone attend and with a slow drizzle of rain, people began walking up to the church from all directions, namely more women and children than men. Everyone came on foot or by bicycle and at straight up time to preach, the church house was at full capacity. I began to preach and all of a sudden I assume to keep the babies quiet or it was simply feeding time, three women began breast feeding facing me head on while I was preaching. I really had to work hard to keep my focus on giving that message.

On this day, as Jesus was teaching he noticed a woman that was bent over in a grossly deformed way. As we look at the Greek words used, Luke being a physician, described her as “bent double.” Meaning that she looked like this:

Ill. Her posture

Her back had fused in this manner. All she ever had opportunity to see were dirt floors, grass, and her feet.

She was not able to look at all the beauty we take for granted each day. She would not have been able to notice a beautiful new garment someone may have worn to synagogue. She would not have been able to see the face of a new baby at church. She would not see the mountain range, the Sea of Galilee which I will add are both beautiful, She could not see the Mediterranean Ocean. Maybe, unless she laid down to look out. God did not create our backs in that fashion, but to be able to be straightened.

“She could in no way raise herself up.”

We know that when our bodies do not function as God intended, other issues such as back and neck pain must have been excruciating.

Furthermore, her condition had persisted for eighteen years. Her back had fused with no distinction in her vertebrates. Her disorder was caused by “a spirit of infirmity.” Satan had entered her body not to cause her emotional or mental or spiritual trauma, but he invaded her physical being.

Chaos

There are some insights we gain from this point in the story. Firstly, whether you are a heathen, you are a casual church attender, or you would be a considered a devout follower of Christ, we all encounter the contamination and corruption this fallen world of sin brings. Regardless of our backgrounds, all of us encounter struggles, trials, tribulation, chaos in this world and I reiterate, regardless of Christ or church affiliation or not. Sin affects everyone. Sin has no prejudices.

We know that this woman, this Jewish woman was in church. After all, she was God’s chosen people. Yes, even God’s chosen people had hardships.

We do not know if on that day she attended because she heard Jesus was coming or she had always been in attendance over these 18 years. The scripture does not provide those answers.

Compassion

Notice verse 12 closely with me:

Jesus saw her, He called her, and, He said to her “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”

Verse 13: “and He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

Jesus acted in a way that we should all act when we encounter someone of great need, Jesus showed compassion.

I remind you that I told you 39 times the Kingdom of God is described in the Gospel of Luke.

Jesus told a parable recorded by Luke to teach the Kingdom of God.

Read as I speak the text on the screen:

Luke 14:15–24 (NKJV)

15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ 23 Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”

An earthly story with heavenly meaning.

The Master had planned on holding a large banquet feast and looked with great excitement for many to enjoy the great feast. His aim was that all would attend. The Master was inclusive in nature. There was not a select list, but He was happy will all attending. The servant contacted the guest list and they all made excuses why they could not attend. And the excuses are absurd.

“Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.”

Those that made excuses missed out on the feast because the party went on without them. The Master told the servant to expand the guest list.

What is interesting about this parable is to understand that when God calls us to be a part of what He is doing, we can enjoy blessing in the process. We can be fed and feast and God brings a new guest to His dinner table of salvation and discipleship. The guests could have enjoyed a feast as others were invited to be a part. They missed out.

Note: The feeding will go on without you, but you will miss the blessing of the great meal. You will miss the great satisfaction of being a part of a great feast.

Jesus showed compassion. He acted.

Maybe for no reason any of us can pick up on this morning, you have encountered something this week that has you “bent over.”

Maybe you have a spirit of infirmity. It very well could be that you are sickened this morning by your fallen estate.

If you sense this morning that God is speaking directly to you its because its true. God sees you as Jesus saw the woman. Secondly, God called her and He shared “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”

You have one responsibility in receiving God’s answer to your fallen estate. You must receive His call. You must answer and share with Him that you want something different. I want you to come into my life. I want to enjoy forgiveness from my past and I want you to change my life. And He will, but you must answer His call.

Notice what Jesus did?

Verse 13 “And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

Oh dearly beloved, she did not have to go through a period of rehab and recover over weeks and months, she was made straight that moment.

When you ask Jesus to come into your heart and save you, He at that moment accomplishes several things all at once. Jesus death on the cross and you accepting Him and repenting of your sins and asking forgiveness imputes Jesus’ righteousness upon you. You are made straight holding your head high that you are a clean vessel of Christ past, present and future. In other words, immediately you are joint heirs with Christ and you are a part of the royal priesthood, not in what you did, but what he did on the cross in your stead.

Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Romans 8:1 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Furthermore, you have the promise of the Holy Spirit as our counselor and lastly, we have been made right with Holy God, the Father.

What was her response? She glorified God. And may we glorify God when He works in our lives, Amen?

Church is not Place to Meet Certain Criteria or Certain Standards VV. 14-16

Luke 13:14–16 “14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?””

I do not know if you are aware but this is the last time Jesus is recorded being in the synagogue in the Gospel of Luke. I just wonder if this scene was so tainting and poisoning to Jesus’ spirit that He wanted no part of it.

I would hope and pray that what the Bible recorded and the event that transpired in the church, in the synagogue, was not what kept Jesus out of church.

This scene is the epitome of one that had succumbed over time to stark religion rather than a heart for relationships. He is one that has been so tainted by church life He could not see spiritual forest for the religiosity of trees in his way. This ruler of the synagogue had become so consumed in the rules that he had no heart for restoration and renewal.

What caused him to get so bent out of shape? The woman was bent over and was straightened and he gets bent out of shape. Why?

Was it a positional issue in that something happened in church that he was not aware was going to happen? Was he a control freak? There can not be a movement of God in here. I did not approve it. I’m the ruler of this place. Are you the ruler of your domain here at church or do you allow God to reign?

Or, as I stated, He became so caught up in His job and the rules than He forgot the mission?

Remember that Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments are built on the foundation of loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. All of the commandments are build on those two foundations.

Exodus 20:8–11 NKJV

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

The whole struggle this religious ruler had was a supposed violation of the rules. Not God’s law, but man’s law. The Jews had written supplemental writings to help God in His laws because He didn’t provide sufficient answers or so they thought. So they proceed to write the Talmud and Mishnah which were supplemental writings as to what could and could not be done on the Sabbath as defined in giving understanding to what God really meant. They chose to help God as if He needed help.

Notice in verse 14 than when the ruler addressed, he addressed the crowd. He was indirect in his attack, but he really wanted to address Jesus directly.

Jesus in turn called him and the others hypocrites. Jesus addressed directly.

Jesus was saying based on these rules that you have formulated from the Talmud and Mishnah, you have become so distorted in your thinking that you have more feelings for a jackass than you do a human being.

“Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”:

For example, in the Mishnah, Shabbat 5:1 “On the Sabbath, animals could be led out by a chain or the like as long as nothing was carried. According to Erubin 20b, 21a, water could be drawn for them and poured into a trough, though a man must not hold a bucket for the animal to drink from. That would be work.

Why are these details important? For this man and many I imagine that were attending this synagogue, rules, criteria, a certain standard of actions in church were more important than souls.

It is the idea that when you come into this church you have created a certain standard as to how you expect church should go and if that criteria is not met, you focus on the standards rather than souls.

Animal lovers, listen up. May I submit that we had two dogs over our many years and we loved our animals as well. I know many of you are great animal lovers and that is a great thing, but I want to ask you a hard question. Do you love your animals in greater fashion than your love for the lost or over your fellow church family? Ponder that thought.

Listen clearly to me. You have succumbed to religion when your thought process is totally about the compartmentalization of your faith. Church is something that happens here and it stays here when you leave. When you are here, you are focus on a certain standard, or criteria or a certain constrictive nature as to how church should play out.

A church that encourages a haven for the Kingdom of God is a church with arms out, all are invited, a totally inclusive, unrestrained, a released environment to be who you are and allow God’s Holy Spirit to take over.

Christ and His Church Should Call out to You for Cleansing and being Set Free V. 17

Let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of what this story is all about and what concept we want to take home today from our time together.

Religion at its best is a life of constrictive, restrained, conforming, and a compartmentalized way in which you exercise life within the bounds of that religion. Church happens here and stays here and there is a certain manner that fits in your mold as to how church should be. Congratulations. You have been sucked into religion.

A life in Christ and a life that is lived out for others is inclusive in nature, it a releasing of one’s former life, it is inviting, it is a lifestyle that is comprehensive in nature. Christ and His Kingdom goes with you everywhere and His invitation is open to everyone you come in contact with.

Closing Invitation:

Ill. Time of brokenness at Dalraida Baptist-singing “Surely the Presence”