As Was His Custom

Embracing the Heart of Christ: Loving Like Jesus

Bible Passage: Luke 4:14–21

Summary: In this passage, Jesus begins His ministry by proclaiming the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, emphasizing His mission to bring good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and liberate the oppressed. He highlights the transformative power of His love and mission, showing us how we can reflect that love in our own lives.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to embody the love of Jesus in practical ways, particularly towards those who are marginalized, hurting, or in need. By understanding the depth of Christ's love expressed in His mission, believers can find motivation to love sacrificially, serve others, and actively engage in their communities.

Teaching: From this sermon, Christians will learn that loving like Jesus involves action—proclaiming hope, healing wounds, and seeking justice. It is an active love that addresses both spiritual and physical needs, calling us to manifest God's love through our daily lives.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus Christ is not only the fulfillment of the prophetic words but also the very embodiment of love. Throughout Scripture, Christ exemplifies the compassion and justice of God, revealing the heart of the Father through His ministry and sacrifice. This passage serves as a reminder that Christ's mission is our mission; as His followers, we are called to continue His work in the world.

Big Idea: To love like Jesus is to actively engage in meeting the needs of others, transforming lives through the power of God's love which we are called to reflect.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon, consider exploring the historical and cultural context of Isaiah’s prophecy that Jesus references. Use Logos to access commentaries that elaborate on the Messianic expectations during Jesus' time and how they apply to His ministry. Delve into the Greek terms used in this passage for ‘proclaiming’ and ‘healing’ to enrich your understanding of the active nature of Christ's love and how it applies to our call to action today.

1. Power in the Spirit

Luke 4:14-16

You could explore how Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit, highlighting that spiritual empowerment is essential for embodying and extending Jesus' love in our own lives. This passage sets the stage for Jesus' mission, reminding us that being filled with the Spirit enables us to live out His love in practical, impactful ways.

2. Proclaim and Fulfill

Luke 4:17-19

Perhaps unpack the significance of Jesus reading Isaiah's prophecy and declaring its fulfillment. Here, explain how Jesus' mission aligns with social and spiritual transformation. His focus on spreading good news, healing, and liberation illustrates the practical outworking of divine love we are called to emulate.

3. Participation in Mission

Luke 4:20-21

Maybe discuss the reaction of those present when Jesus claims the scripture is fulfilled in their hearing. Their response reflects the initial amazement that we can share when encountering Jesus' mission. Emphasize the importance of accepting and participating in this mission of love, and how we, as modern disciples, are to continue bringing this hope and healing to the world.

***Sermon Title: As Was His Custom***

Bible Passage: Luke 4:14-21

Introduction

Good morning, church. Today, we step into a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus Christ—a moment that sets the tone for His mission on earth and provides a blueprint for ours as His followers. In Luke 4:14-21, we see Jesus returning to Galilee, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and proclaiming the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.

The title of our sermon is drawn from verse 16: “As was His custom.” It highlights Jesus’ commitment to worship, community, and the Scriptures—a rhythm we are invited to follow.

What if Jesus had chosen a different path? Imagine a world where He simply performed miracles for personal gain. But that wasn’t His mission. Instead, He embraced the cross as the ultimate symbol of love and sacrifice. Each teaching from the Sermon on the Mount reflected His heart for justice, mercy, and truth. By asking ourselves: How would we respond if confronted by a need for love and compassion, we align ourselves closer to the mission Jesus embraced. What is our role in this mission today?

This passage is not merely a historical account; it is a living challenge to embody the mission of Christ.

Let us explore three key themes: Power in the Spirit, Proclaim and Fulfill, and Participation in Mission.

1. Power in the Spirit (Luke 4:14-16)

Luke tells us that Jesus returned to Galilee “filled with the power of the Spirit,” and news about Him spread quickly.

Before this moment, Jesus had been baptized and endured the wilderness—an experience that prepared Him for the ministry ahead. His spiritual empowerment is a reminder that God’s work cannot be done in human strength alone.

When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.' This was not merely a statement; it was a mission. Consider a modern-day mission trip where volunteers bring hope and service into impoverished neighborhoods. Just as they offer food, companionship, and care, Jesus came to instill dignity and belonging in those abandoned by society. Each act of service we engage in today pays homage to His mission.

Jesus’ custom of attending the synagogue is significant. He prioritized worship and immersed Himself in the Scriptures. For us, this is a call to cultivate spiritual disciplines that keep us connected to God and aligned with His purposes. If Jesus needed the Spirit’s power and the discipline of regular worship, how much more do we?

As followers of Christ, we must seek the Spirit’s empowerment to live out His love. This means prayerfully asking for God’s guidance, opening ourselves to His transformative work, and stepping out in faith, knowing that the Spirit equips us for every good work.

2. Proclaim and Fulfill (Luke 4:17-19)

In the synagogue, Jesus is handed the scroll of Isaiah and reads:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

These words resonate with power. Jesus not only reads the prophecy but declares, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He boldly claims that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision, the Messiah sent to bring spiritual and social transformation.

Notice the scope of His mission: good news to the poor, freedom for the captives, sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed. This is not a theoretical or distant love—it is active and practical, addressing both spiritual and physical needs. Jesus’ mission exemplifies what it means to love with action, not just words.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells His followers, 'For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.' He emphasizes that serving those in need is the same as serving Him. This concept challenges us to see Christ in everyone we encounter. By meeting basic needs, we reflect His unconditional love and grace, becoming His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs it.

Whether it’s serving the marginalized, advocating for justice, or offering hope to the hopeless, we are called to carry this mission forward.

3. Participation in Mission (Luke 4:20-21)

After reading, Jesus rolls up the scroll, hands it back, and sits down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue are fixed on Him. Then, He declares, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Imagine the amazement—and perhaps the confusion—of those present.

This moment challenges us to move beyond amazement to participation. It’s easy to admire Jesus’ words and mission, but the real question is: Are we willing to join Him? Are we willing to proclaim good news, bring healing, and seek justice in our own communities?

Participation in Jesus’ mission requires courage and intentionality. It means stepping into uncomfortable spaces, loving those who are difficult to love, and prioritizing God’s kingdom over personal convenience. But as we do, we become living witnesses of the transformative power of God’s love.

Application

Proclaim Hope: How can you share the good news of Jesus in your daily life? Perhaps it’s through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, or inviting someone to church.

Heal Wounds: Look for opportunities to bring healing to those who are hurting—whether through a listening ear, a helping hand, or advocating for those in need.

Seek Justice: Consider ways to address injustice in your community. This might involve supporting local ministries, volunteering, or standing up for marginalized groups.

Christ-Centered Conclusion

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of love, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, and the ultimate example of compassion and justice. His mission is our mission. To love like Jesus is to actively engage in meeting the needs of others, allowing His transformative love to flow through us.

In Isaiah 61:1-3, we find the prophecy of the Messiah who would bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim good news to the poor. Jesus, upon reading this in the synagogue, affirmed His mission. Our calling, as His followers, is to carry forward that mission—seeking justice, rendering aid to the oppressed, and being vessels of His unconditional love.

As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves: How can we, empowered by the Spirit, embody Christ’s mission in our daily lives? May we, like Jesus, make it our custom to love, serve, and proclaim the good news. And may our lives testify to the truth that God’s love changes everything.

Amen.