The Impact of Jesus' Ministry

Luke 4:31-44

Think about a time in your life where the words or actions of a person left an indelible imprint on you—in other words, it doesn’t take much for you to remember what was said or done and how it impacted you:

It could have been something your Grandfather told you when you were 6 that stuck with you.

Maybe it was some motivation from your sports coach—or an invaluable lesson from a teacher you hold on to.

Maybe it was the family vacation and the memories it brought

Unfortunately, maybe the imprint wasn’t so good—childhood struggles, the pain of loss and hurt; the words or actions from a loved one

Maybe it was the actions of a total stranger when you were a young teenager on a plane:

This was me (TELL THE STORY)

There are time stamps in our lives where the words/actions of others stay with us and flood our hearts and minds with whatever feelings they bring.

What should/ought to have the greatest impact on a person’s life are the words and actions of Jesus Christ. Of all the things which Jesus taught, of all the healings and miracles, the words, “It is finished,” should echo in our hearts and minds the most. These words He spoke as He hung on the cross, bearing a cross we rightly deserve.

I. (v.31) Setting and Set-up

Luke 4:31 “Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.”

What about Capernaum?

Manufacturing center of Palestine—it’s location was strategic, always flooded with merchants (people)

Major roads passed through Capernaum’s borders—roads which connected other metropolitan areas (Damascus, Jerusalem, and cities like Tyre and Sidon)

A major caravan route was located there—which led to the Mediterranean Sea

All of this, made Capernaum an ideal place to spread the gospel— “to evangelize”

Why go to Capernaum?

He had been rejected in His hometown and had to move elsewhere

Luke 4:24 “Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.”

Luke 4:28–30 “So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.”

II. (v.32) Jesus taught with authority

Luke 4:32 “And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.”

(CONTEXT) Jesus’ teaching was not ordinary—not the kind of teaching the people were used to hearing—so much so, they were astonished. “His word was with power.”

What this meant (most likely):

He spoke with an authoritative tone and commanding voice

He spoke in the power of the Holy Spirit—and thus the Spirit of God began to work in the hearts of the people

He spoke using His Father’s Word—a message He was commissioned and sent to preach

John 14:10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.”

III. (v.33-37) Jesus’ deliverance of a man with an unclean spirit:

Luke 4:33–37 “Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.”

(CONTEXT)

Note where the man was: “in the synagogue”-- was attending the worship service; and while the Bible doesn’t specify if he was a regular attender or had just come to hear Jesus on this day, there are some observations to be made:

If the man was a regular attender, could the synagogue have been spiritually dead? How could this person attended services time and again and never be helped spiritually

How many of our churches are “dead” and “lifeless,” concerned more with conformity to the world to fill seats, rather than conforming more and more to the truths of God’s Word.

How many of our churches are “dead” and “lifeless” b/c they water down the Gospel in order to protect the feelings of others.

How many of our churches are “dead” and “lifeless” b/c they pitch their tents too close to the city, instead of standing firm in where God has planted them?

How can sinful man know where true life is found, if churches fail to preach Christ and Him crucified

If the man was regular attender or just a casual attender—and the truth is being spoken—how hard must this man’s heart have been, to be so calloused to the love, grace, mercy, and justice for sin that God offered

How many people sit in church, hear the Word of God—the Word of life—week after week and never make a decision to turn from their evil?

How many people live with or around other believers and never make a decision to repent and turn to God?

How many people brush the shoulders of believers day by day, but never decisively turn to God?

How many people live stating the same as this man, “Let me alone? What Have we to do with you Jesus?”

How many people live refusing to count the cost of belief, purity of life, self-denial, and a sacrificial life: rather

Thru wealth cry out: “Leave me alone. Let me secure ourselves, build up, and bank more and more

Thru power cry out: “Leave me alone. Let me take over, exercise authority, rule and reign, dominate, manuever, manipulate as WE WILL.

Thru ego cry out: “Leave me alone. Let me seek recognition, attention, esteem, honor, and praise as we wish.”

Thru their flesh cry out: “Leave me alone. Let me indulge, stimulate, be apathetic, escapte, party, and life as I desire.”

Note the man’s condition: “Unclean spirit”

This means the man was in the grip of, captivated (kidnapped) by the unclean spirit; He was under the spell and will of the unclean spirit, and therefore,

The man was both morally and ceremonially unclean/dirty/and filthy

This means he was worshipping but he was morally unclean and morally corrupt; his life was in disarray

The man was enraged, crying out against purity b/c it was contrary to the purity of Jesus

Darkness will always oppose the light—in this case the unclean spirit was diametrically opposes to the holiness of Jesus

This speaks to so many today:

Sin opposes holiness; why does a person cringe/recoil/stumble with their sin and how they are living when they’re exposed by the truth of Christ?

John 1:5 “And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

This reminds us a truth about God, His Word, and His holiness:

God opposes the dark

God’s Word is the light which overcomes darkness

God’s holiness will ALWAYS expose what’s in the dark

(CONTEXT 2) How the man got here: He didn’t get to where he was in one day

Note some things about Satan—the enemy:

He knows the Word

He knew what God had told Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1) and manipulated it to place doubt in Adam and Eve’s mind.

He quoted Scripture to Jesus during Jesus’ wilderness tempations (Luke 4)

He knows the diety of Jesus

Countless times the demonic recognizes the deity of Jesus—for they feared judgment

James reminds us of this too in James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

He goes to and fro (look at Job 1 and 2)

He hates God and if a person is a believer, Satan is eternally against the believer

The enemy works through five things;

Deception (Revelation 20:10 “The devil, who deceived them...”); the devil works to deceive us

About who God is, that God

Isn’t for us and doesn’t have our best interest in heart

About the truth of God’s Word, leading is to

Distrust and disbelieve in God’s Word

About the image we were created in/for; that

We can create God in our image

We can create in image/identity/worth/value in something other than God

We can create an image/identity/worth/value in ourselves; that we can be like “God,”—in a sense making “gods” of ourselves

We would believe untruths such as

“It’s just the way I was made.”

“I will never be more than what I’ve allowed myself to become.”

About what real love is

Love is how we define it/what we say it is

That God can’t love you b/c of your sin & rebellion

That God abandoned us, that He’s left us alone to figure things out for ourselves

About where true life is found

The things (systems) of this world

Separation to believe and live in the deceitfulness of his lies

“If I can’t trust God’s truth, I will make up my own truth”

If a person doens’t understand the truth of Who’s image they were created in,

A person will seek out an image/identity/worth/value

Money/fame/fortune

Making a name for themselves/acclaim/recogntion

In a marriage, in relationship (whether good or bad)

In friendships (whether good or bad, or in number)

Hiding behind a social media status

A person will resolve to never think they can never live with a different/better/divine image:

Addicts remain in addiction, b/c they never think they can never be more

A person of vanity-remains living in vanity, b/c they define love on what the look like, dress like, or act like.

Wayward children remain wayward, b/c they think they can never go back home

A broken home/marriage remains broken, b/c they think “this is just what marriage is supposed to be.”

Disintegration-While the man here in Luke 4 displayed physical signs of the unclean spirit’s presence, living separated from the truth will alway manifest itself.

What others see about you is the identity you’ve accepted about yourself

Think about the addict and his/her behavior

Think about the vain person and his/her behavior

Think abou the person who feels worthless and unlovable

Think about the friend group one attracts or the relationships one seeks after

Think about how you reject others, b/c you’ve lived feeling you’re rejected

The more and more you live to deceitful identities and misplaced values, the more your life will continue to disinteregrate…it’s what’s known as “the slow fade.”

Isolation—The enemy’s next mission is to see a person “isolated.” Just as this man was without and was made to feel he was all alone (and he was—where was his family or friends, or where were the so-called “religious” people who were to help him?), so to are those who live according to a deceitful and misplaced identity; ultimately, these people will find themselves all alone or thinking they are all alone:

“Who can really love me?”

“Who can really accept me?”

“Where can I go to remove this image I’ve created for myself?”

“Is there no one who understands, is there no one who can help me?”

“I’m on an island and there’s no one to help!”

Destruction—This is the enemy’s ultimate goal—it’s his endgame

To see people stay separated from a relationship with God

What/who the enemy will use:

He sees and exploits weaknesses

You provide a foothold for the enemy, sin crouches at the door—if you think the devil doesn’t go to and fro looking to find and exploit areas of weakness

He uses and exploits our failures

The ways/systems of this world

He uses other people—friends/family/sadly even those in the church (wolves in sheeps clothing)

He uses organized/institutionalized religion

The only thing which combats deceit is the truth of God’s Word

When it comes to God Himself—His nature/character

Yahweh/Jehovah—

Savior/Redeemer, who is

Immediate and involved with His creation

El Shaddai—God almighty

Immanuel—God with us

Jehovah Rapha—God is our healer

Jehovah Jireh—God is our provider

God of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and patience

God is the just justifier

When it comes to the truth of God’s Word

Psalm 119:160 teaches us that God’s Word is truth

Proverbs 30:5-6 tells us that every word of God is pure

Psalm 18:30 teaches that God’s Word is perfect and withouth error

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that God’s Word is the Holy Spirit inspired source for all things

When it comes to the truth of our image:

We are created fearfully and wonderfull, intentionally and with purpose, in the image of the Triune God

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Psalm 139:13–14 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”

We are created with a divine two-fold purpose

Think of how many people ask this question:

God, what is my purpose?

God, why am I here? Why did you create me? What is it you want from me?

God has a two-fold purpose for you

That no one should die in sin without Christ—we were created to be in a relationship with our Creator

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

That we should bear good work, in His name, growing more and more in His Son’s image

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

When it comes to God’s love—what real love it

God’s love is sacrificial

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God’s love is steadfast

1 Chronicles 16:34 (ESV) “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!”

Lamentations 3:22 (ESV) “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;”

God’s love is covenant-keeping

Deuteronomy 7:7–9 “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;”

When it comes to where true life is found

John 1:4 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The goal of the enemy is to see the unsaved deceived, thereby separated from the saving grace of God’s.

The goal of the enemy is to see the saved distracted from living under the sustaining grace of God.

These are goals of the enemy’s workings—and the reason the Son of Man came to us

1 John 3:8 “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

IV. (v.38-39) Jesus heals the most needy

Luke 4:38–39 “Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.”

(CONTEXT) The condition Peter’s mother and the response of Jesus—illustrate a wonderful truth about Christ

She was in desperate need as she was overtaken with a “great fever”

She was so helpless, she couldn’t even speak to ask Jesus for help, and

She was no weakened, she couldn’t even get out of bed to seek after Him

Jesus drew near to her and rebuked the fever by simply speaking the Word

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

How many people are as Peter’s mother:

So overtaken with their own sin & brokenness, life’s circumstances, or loss/sickness, their need is just as desperate?

So gripped with the weight of sin and the burdens of life, they don’t know what to say or even how to speak?

So paralyzed with fear/anxiety, or grief and sorrow, they feel as if they can’t even move?

How many need to hear to the truth

That Jesus Christ is the great hope to the most needful

That no matter how desperate, helpless, or weak a person may feel, if your mind and heart are willing, you can find

Hope

Rest

Healing, and

A yoke that is easy and a burden that is light

V. (v.40) Jesus heals the helpless

Luke 4:40 “When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.”

(CONTEXT) This may come out similar, but there’s another truth to learn here:

It was early evening and Jesus had been ministering all day—He was tired, yet He was approachable

The people (all) who came to Him were helpless—each one had to be brought, yet someone cared enough to bring them

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—YOU and ME)

First—Jesus is ALWAYS available

I believe so many people feel ways like this:

“Jesus is too busy to help someone like me.”

“If Jesus knew who I really am, He wouldn’t help me.”

“I’ve failed so much, sinned too much, that Jesus won’t help me.”

“I keep struggling with the same sins, how could Jesus help me.”

“I’ve been made to feel worthless my whole life, so what worth do I have in Jesus’ eyes?”

“I’ve been rejected my whole life, why would Jesus be any different?”

May I remind you (us):

God does not look over a single person, nor does He bypass over a single person

No one..let me say this again..NO ONE, no matter how helpless or hopeless, ever comes to Jesus that He does not help..rich/poor, strong/weak---the Lord forbids no one to come

Listen to what God tells His people through Ezekiel—it’s a truth just as available to anyone today:

Ezekiel 18:21–22 ““But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.”

Second—Believers need to care enough to bring others—the helpless to Jesus

The account of the four friends who bring the cripple to Jesus is a wonderful example

Mark 2:3–5 “Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.””

VI. (v.41) Jesus rebuked evil spirits/keeping them from false professions

Luke 4:41 “And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.”

Between verses 31-41, we see a day in the life of ministry for Jesus; in verse 42 we see the necessity of devotion in Jesus

VII. (v.42) Jesus sought to be alone/seeking the presence of His Father

Luke 4:42 “Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them;”

If our Lord and Savior knew it was necessary to seek out alone time, to seek out spending time with His Father, how much should believers today, diligenty & sacrificially seek to be alone with God

God’s Word, coupled with a fervent prayer life is our source for everything:

You need encouragement—be devoted to the Word and prayer

You need direction—be devoted to the Word and prayer

You want to know more about God—be devoted to the Word and prayer

You want to find out about His love towards you—be devoted to the Word and prayer

You want to know what it is to be forgiven and to forgive others—be devoted to the Word and prayer

You want to know where true life is found, where true joy and peace are found—be devoted to the Word and prayer

You want to know how to grow more with God—be devoted to the Word and prayer

You want to know what to do with the doubt, that sin, that deceit—read your Bible

Think about this wonderful perspective:

Jesus, while on earth, could only help those who surrounded Him, but

For those today, b/c of His resurrection, He is able to minister to people everywhere—all at once through the Holy Spirit

How many believers need reminding of this

How few people are seeking Him out, when He may be found

VIII. (v.43-44) Jesus’ persistence in His mission

Luke 4:43–44“but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.”

In the broad-stroke, these two verses point at the heart of Jesus:

Every person needs to hear and have the opportunity to respond to the gospel

The gospel is not exclusive (reserved for certain people)

The gospel is inclusive, it’s invitation is for ANY person who might come to Jesus

Jesus would persist in His earthly ministry—despite the pressures of being sidetracked/hindered/or held back

(WORSHIP/CLOSING)

Jesus stated He came to seek and save the lost

Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””

Jesus’ ministry had a purpose

1 John 3:8 “...that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Jesus’s ministry was directed,

Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””

Jesus’ ministry was full of compassion

Matthew 9:36 “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”

What’s the imprint of Jesus’ ministry?

The imprint of Jesus’ ministry is the same today, as it was when He walked the earth; to heal the broken, give sight to the blind, and liberate the captive. The means by which He has accomplished this is the cross and resurrection and this brings us back to our opening:

In His cry, “It is finished,”

The opportunity for peace b/t God and man was accomplished;

Atonement and forgiveness of sins had been accomplished.

At His last breath, Christ became the perfect sacrifice for our sins and in His first breath in resurrection, man’s eternity could be assured:

Through the cross—our sins can be forgiven

Through the resurrection—we have been given eternal life & victory over death

Maybe that’s the imprint you need today:

Maybe you’ve been

Deceived, separated, disintegrated, isolated, and are headed to destruction

Overtaken, overwhelmed, and feel hopeless & helpless, not able to speak or move b/c of the weight of your burdens

May you see and know that it wasn’t a “what” that interceded for the man in Luke 4 or Luke 8, it was a “Who”

Jesus Christ interceded and

Maybe, as a believer, you need to know/be reminded of this imprint:

So the joy of salvation can be renewed in you

So that you find renewed strength to endure and engage in sanctification

So you can step into your divine calling of being Christ’s ambassadors and