I Must -Liberty Baptist Church Snow Hill

Text: Luke 4:43 “43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.”

Introduction - Would you take your Bibles this evening and turn to the book of Luke? We will be in the fourth chapter of Luke.

As you turn there, I want to thank you all again for being so gracious and welcoming. My wife and I have surely enjoyed being in the house of the Lord with all of you. And we know without a doubt the Lord is at work in our lives as well as you all.

You know that the greatest work being done in the world is not in the alabaster buildings in Washington, DC, or in some large national meetings. Still, the greatest work being done in the world is what God is doing in and through His people in local New Testament churches.

That great work is happening both in the life of the church body as a whole, but also in the hearts of individual Christians.

As we think about this particular time in the life of this local church, we may begin to consider the passage of time and the precious commodity that God has given to us.

I want you to know, undoubtedly on the authority of the Word of God, that the Lord has a wonderful plan for this local church— and the Lord has a plan for you.

It is exciting to consider that the God of all creation, the Lord Jesus Christ, has a plan for me and for you.—And it is a marvelous plan, an excellent plan.

I want us to examine this passage briefly this evening with the purpose of hearing from the Lord.

Would you first notice with me in verse 1, the Bible says,

Luke 4:1 “1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,”

We see in these verses the Lord’s wilderness temptation. — This chapter contains the beginning part of the ministry of the Lord. Look down at verses 13 and 14.

Luke 4:13–14“13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”

The Bible tells us in verses 15 and 16, Luke 4:15–16 “15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

Notice verses 28-31. Luke 4:28–31 “28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way, 31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.”

We learn that sometimes the hardest place to be a witness is in our own home and hometown. Now the Lord settles in His Galilean headquarters in Capernaum.

The Bible says in verse 32, Luke 4:32 “32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.”

Look now at verse 38. Luke 4:38 “38 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.”

Verse 40 tells us “40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.”

Now notice our text verse. Look at verses 42 and 43 and pay careful attention:

Luke 4:42–43“42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. 43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.”

I want to encourage you to underline these two words in your Bible, such powerful words. The Lord Jesus Christ says, “I must”

Let’s pray

Through the course of this message, we will really be answering the question, “What determines the course for my life?”

What determine the course for your life?

This is a question my wife and I have been presented with recently with increasing intensity. We see in our text a record of the beginning part of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In my Bible, there are sections of Scripture set in a different color to signify words that are from the Lord. Here we see some of those recorded words.

We read at the beginning of the Lord’s ministry as the incarnate Son of God, His temptation in the wilderness by Satan.

We next see that Luke records His preaching and teaching in His hometown of Nazareth. We read the account of their swift rejection of Christ.

From there, we find the Lord in Capernaum. And we are told in the Gospel records that much of what the Lord did up in this northern area of Galilee occurred from His base of operations there in Capernaum.

But we see something peculiar right from the beginning of the Lord’s preaching and teaching work.

In the wilderness of Judea, He was tempted.

In His hometown of Nazareth, He was quickly rejected.

But here in Capernaum, His message was accepted, and the folks compelled the Lord to stay where He was.

The temptation now came from the world to become complacent.

Stay where you are comfortable…

Remain where you are popular… 

Speak to those only who are willing to receive you!

Oh, my friend, we are reminded of how Philip the evangelist so emulated the Lord Jesus Christ, being obedient to God’s call upon his life.

Philip the evangelist was a leader. He struck out from Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that some had the idea that they were to do what the Lord had commanded, when God allowed Saul to persecute the followers of Christ.

We read in the eighth chapter of Acts, verses 3 and 4, “3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

In verse 5, the Bible says, Acts 8:5 “5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.”

I believe Philip received the message. He understood. Sometimes, the Lord allows circumstances to enter our lives to break us out of complacency. He went to those who were despised and rejected, the Samaritans.

In verse 6, we read these words, “6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”

Can you imagine how it was for Philip? Much like the Lord in Capernaum, Philip experienced the great privilege and joy of seeing people turn to the Lord!

Acts 8:8 tells us, “8 And there was great joy in that city.”

So much had happened, and that meeting was so powerful that news reached Jerusalem about everything going on. The apostles Peter and John were sent to see firsthand the work the Lord was doing.

And just as a side note, I reminded that when we are found following the Lord Jesus Christ and obedient to Him, great and mighty things take place!

In verse 26, despite all the work, no doubt was present there in Samaria… the Bible says, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.”

God’s says in effect, ‘Hey Philip, I want you to go to the desert… There is a single soul that needs to hear the gospel…’

In fact, I am adding to what is being said here. The Holy Spirit does not even tell Philip who is in the desert; He says Arise and go.

We see in this passage in Acts A movement in the life of an individual based on the will of the Lord.

What are you trying to say, Pastor James? I am simply trying to show you the power of these two words, “I must.”

You and I this evening need to be Christians with character who are willing to say, “I must…” follow the Lord.

I want you to understand first that this “I must” given by the Lord is a declaration that must be made.

I. A Declaration

We see in our text here in Luke 4, that the people (vs. 42) “sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. “

But the Lord, in response, makes a declaration as to what moves Him.  What is it that moves the Lord?

The Lord was not interested in the popular vote.

The Lord was not interested in the comfortable surroundings.

The Lord was not interested in what was just convenient.

The Lord made a declaration of loyalty to the will of the Father. Over and over again, the Lord declares this throughout the gospel record of John.

Unfortunately, we do not have the time for us to look at all of the declarations of the Lord to this end, but you are welcome to write these down and look at them later: John 4:34, 5:30, 6:38-40.

The truth is that today, some need to make a declaration of commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.

My friend, can I would like to remind you that this is not a religious exercise, but a commitment to our awesome God, as long as He has us on this side of eternity.

I am reminded of some earlier words of the Lord, before we see Him in this moment. In this, we see the perfection of our Savior— how that He always did that which pleased the Father.

Could you and I have that testimony this evening?

Could we say in all sincerity and truth that I am committed to doing only that which pleases the Father?

You will remember the remarkable scene in Luke chapter 2. We are told how Mary and Joseph came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover (Luke 2:41)

There they were, having travelled in with a caravan of relatives. They went through the week’s festivities, no doubt tired from all of the week’s events, and were headed back home to their home and Nazareth.

As they traveled along, they noticed that they had not seen their little boy Jesus.

The Bible tells us that they thought He had been with some of the other family. (Luke 2:44)

They went back to Jerusalem and having sought Him find the young Lord of glory sitting in the Temple speaking with the doctors of the law.

You can imagine how shocked Mary and Joseph were at this sight.

When asked “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing…” the Lord made this direct statement in Luke 2:49 “49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

What a declaration!

Secondly, this statement “I must” is not only a declaration, but it determines a direction for your life.

II. A Direction

Every decision you make for the Lord ought to result in a direction for your life.  James, the half-brother of our Lord, stated by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, James 2:17 “17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

Many in the early years following the 1st Century had thought that perhaps Paul and James were contradictory to one another, for Paul preached that Salvation was by God’s grace through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.

And yet James declares, Your faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yet, the Holy Spirit is declaring to us that our lip service should be evident in our life service.

In other words, my commitment to the Lord, my declaration of “I must follow the Lord,” should result in a definite direction in my life— otherwise I am just giving lip service.

It is an affront to the Lord for us to declare with our lips that we will follow Him but not act upon our commitments.

The Lord uses powerful language in Matthew 15:8, declaring, “8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”  

My friend, are you willing to make a decision that results in a definite direction for your life?

Many times, decisions and declarations are made, but the direction of our lives does not follow through.

In Luke chapter 24, beginning in verse 3, we read about the angels who reminded those who had come to the tomb of the Lord’s prior words.

Luke 24:3–7 “3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 

The declaration, I must, leads to a definite direction in the life of a believer.

The Lord Jesus Christ, being God in the flesh, knew that He must be delivered.

Not only do we see a declaration in this phrase, a direction having made this decision, but thirdly, I want you to consider that the Lord’s statement “I must” showed:

There is no way to walk in this life without determining that you are going to follow the Lord. There is no way to be right with God without determining in your heart that your life is about Him.

You might say, Pastor James, how much of my life does the Lord expect from me? And my friend, the answer is everything.

That wonderful Bible verse in Romans 12:1–2 says it plainly “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Are you proving to a lost and dying world what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God?

I am reminded of the statement by John the Baptist—- He declared with determination that His life was about the Lord.

We saw this morning how John the Baptist faithfully declared who He was and who the Lord is. Imagine the temptation that he went through with the religious rulers coming and tempting him to be jealous or take upon Himself some glory that was not his.

John the Baptist knew who He was, because He lived in the presence of God.

John the Baptist declared He was simply a voice crying in the wilderness. He says, I am just a voice for the Lord.

In the third chapter of John again we read, “26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.”  They were attempting to tempt Him, ‘What are you going to do about this, John? All men are following Him?’

Some of the worst pride I’ve seen is centered around ministry. Think of the disciples jockeying for position on several occasions recorded for us in the gospel records.

But John the Baptist says- He is determined in His reply, John 3:30“30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 

John the Baptist had determined to follow the path that the Lord had laid out for him. He was not concerned with what the rest of the world thought— He was determined to walk with the Lord day by day.

This, my friend, is the practical secret to the Christian life. I must walk with the Lord this day!

Lastly, we must note this: if we declare tonight, “I must…” follow the Lord… it will result in a destination.

IV. A Destination

Did you know that the Lord has the very best life for you to live following Him?

The Lord said on one occasion to His disciples, which by the way is true for us today as well, He said in the fourth chapter of Matthew in verse 19, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

There is an expected end for those who follow Christ.

In John 9:4, the Lord Jesus Christ declared, “4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

There was a space of time divinely appointed for the Lord to accomplish the will of the Father.

And there is a space of time that God has determined for you to accomplish works that He has set aside for you to do.

Ephesians 2:10 — one of my favorite verses in all of the Bible, because it declares that we are not just to sit, sour, and soak after salvation, but that the Lord has a great purpose and plan for us, as well as an expected end… It states, “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

In Luke 13:33, along the same line, Jesus declared, “33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.”

The Lord’s path was established even before the foundation of the world. This was not plan B or C for the Lord; it was the plan decided upon by the eternal counsel of the Godhead before the foundation of the world was ever laid.

For the child of God, your destination is determined, my friend.

Acts 19:21 provides a shining example in the life of Paul, illustrating his determination to see those in Rome. Regardless of the chains that were before him, regardless of the suffering that was before Him, the Word of God states, Acts 19:21 “21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Let me help you. He was not going there on a vacation. All along the way it was revealed to Him how he would go to Rome— in chains, and yet He says in Acts 20:24 “24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul recognized His destination — the end of His course! The end of His race!

Friend, we ought to rejoice because the Lord has revealed to us the destination for His children.

I would like to leave you with one last “I must” found in the Scriptures. Would you look at 2 Peter chapter 1 with me.

Let’s begin reading in verse 12.

2 Peter 1:12 “12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”

Peter says, As long as the Lord allows me to walk in this world, I am going to remind you of what you already know—that you may be established.

Then in verse 13, “13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;”

He repeats Himself—forgive the preacher for repeating Himself. Peter says, I am going to give you some Peanut Butter Theology— I am going to stir you up so you don’t become a divided man.

But now notice the very next verse:

2 Peter 1:14 “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”

We all have an inevitable appointment with God. Peter, in penning these two short epistles, tells the Christians, I must shortly put off this my tabernacle.

Paul said it this way in 2 Timothy 4:5–8 “5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Romans 13:12 “12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”

My friend, this is one thing you can count on: we are all headed somewhere—— and secondly, all of us have an inevitable meeting with God.

In this little phrase, we learn so much — for the Savior declared I must preach to other cities also…

In this, he made a declaration.

Secondly, we see that decision results-or should result—in a direction.

I believe this is where most people err… They come to the church house on Sunday and make a declaration concerning their lives, but on Monday, they do nothing about the decision they have made.

Thirdly, we understand that the Lord determined to follow the will of the Father…You and I, likewise, if we are going to commit to follow the Lord, if we are going to declare “I must”— we must be determined day by day and moment by moment to do so.

Lastly, all of this leads us to a destination — I am so grateful that God’s Word says He will finish what He has begun in us.

But my friend, our destination is an inevitable meeting with God.

The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27,“27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Let me ask the question, are you prepared tonight to meet God face-to-face?

The Lord Jesus Christ stated to Nicodemus in John 3:3, a religious leader, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

He makes a revelatory statement about spiritual eyesight— A man cannot see the kingdom of God unless He is born again.

Perhaps you are here tonight, and none of this makes sense to you. Friend, you cannot see the kingdom of God without being born again.

He then revealed a further truth in verse 5, John 3:5 “5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

You might say How can I one day be with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven when I physically die, How can I be right with God?

The Lord Jesus Christ states, “Except a man be born of water of the Spirit , he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” 

You cannot be a citizen of Heaven without a spiritual birth.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you have never been born again —you are not ready to meet God face to face… The Lord repeats twice Ye must be born again…

I am sure there are many Christians here at Liberty Baptist Church who would love to take the Bible and show you how you can receive that wonderful gift of Salvation and be ready to meet God.

For the Christian, are you willing to declare tonight—- “I must follow Christ”

During this in-between time, it is vitally important that you determine to follow the Lord. Will you come and commit to the Lord and tell Him at this altar, Lord, I am determined to follow you?

Maybe there are some here that have made declarations in times past but have failed to act upon their commitment to the Lord, I would challenge you to come and seek forgiveness from the Lord claim 1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness...”, enjoy restored fellowship be obedient to whatever the Lord has told you to do.

Let’s pray