Sermon Tone Analysis

*The Message of the Master (Luke 4:31-44)*

As he looked down at the sick man, the doctor decided to tell him the truth.

He said, “I feel that I should tell you that you are a very sick man.

I'm sure you would want to know the facts.

I don't think you have much time left.

Now, is there anyone you would like to see?” 

Bending down toward his patient, the doctor heard him feebly answer, ”Yes.”

The doctor replied, “Who is it?”

In a slightly stronger tone, the patient said, “Another doctor!”

*Intro: *Perhaps you have faced a prognosis like this man, and perhaps you have requested a second opinion.

We often face situations in life that are difficult.

Not only do we face difficult times, but we often realize that we have no way of altering the course of our situation.

*    Give Background.

*In our passage in Luke today, we are shown the wonder-working power of Christ.

He casts out demons and heals various sicknesses.

If we were living in Jesus day, we would say, “I want to see another doctor.

I want to see Jesus.”

But, I have not entitled my message, “The Miracles of the Master,” but rather, “The Message of the Master.”

Why?

Because we will also find that Jesus, Himself, reveals His purpose for coming down to earth.

His purpose is to preach a message.

* Read Luke 4:31-44 *

* *

*1.       **both the master and the message were confirmed by signs and wonders (31-41)*

a.

These signs and wonders are all set within the backdrop of conflict.

The conflict between good and evil.

*b.        *The Message was confirmed – Source – From God

                i.

The authority of Jesus’ teaching confirmed that Jesus was not only God’s Son, the Messiah, but that Jesus had the message from God.

              ii.

Confirmation of where the ultimate power and authority resides.

c.

The Master is confirmed – Identity – God’s Son, The Messiah

                i.

The demons~/ Satan’s henchmen declare who Jesus is.

              ii.

The healings and the exorcisms reveal who is behind this power –God Himself.

*APP: We can believe God’s Word because it is true.

Jesus really did these things.

*

* *

*2.       **The message of the master was preached to the masses  (42-44)*

a.        Jesus main purpose for coming to earth was to preach~/ teach the message.

He came at a time of transition.

He was asking the Jews to change from belief in the promise of a person, the Messiah, to belief in a person who had come, that is Himself, the Messiah.

*b.        *Jesus preached the Fulfillment of OT prophecy~/ Timing

*c.        *Kingdom of God established Now by His coming and to be continued until its completion at the return of Christ.

*d.        *Becoming a part of the Kingdom of God is possible through repentance and faith.

*Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) *From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

*Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV) *14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel."

*3.

**Application (31-44)*

*a.        **Turn from Sin and Trust Christ for salvation* – Share the Gospel

*b.        **Trust that God is all-powerful … *

                i.      to handle the enemy’s attacks.

Demons cringe at the word of God.

*             ii.

*to heal any sickness.

He may choose not to heal, but when He does not heal it is not because He is not able.

*c.        **Know the Word of God, so you can recognize the work of God.

*

                i.

Not just the facts of God’s Word, but to really understand it.

The people knew the word, but they could not discern that Christ was the Messiah.

ii.

Why do we need to recognize the work of God?

So we can start to participate in what God is doing.

He knows what we need in our personal lives, in our families, and in our church.

*THREE KEYS TO RECOGNIZING GOD’S WORK*

1.

A right relationship with God – Obedience

2.        A right relationship with our neighbor (family, friend, foe)

3.        A right understanding of God’s Word.

(There is no spiritual discernment apart from God’s Word.

The Word of God shapes our thinking and our understanding so we can see what God is doing.)

*d.        **Recognize that we are called to be God’s messengers.

*

                i.

Jesus was sent.

ii.

Jesus said to the disciples, “As I have been sent, So send I you.”

iii.

Today we, who follow Christ, need to hear again the call of the Master that says, “so send I you.”

*ILL: Ravi Zacharias, Hien Pham, and the Sovereignty of God*

*Conclusion:* The message of the Master is that God is in control.

He has brought about His purposes and plans.

He sent His one and only Son into the world.

Jesus ended up on the cross, but God’s purposes and plans were at work in all of this.

God is able to conquer the evil, with good.

Therefore we need to trust Him for salvation, we need to know Him more through His Word so we can weather the difficult times of life.

We need to obey Him.

*Invitation:* Call the lost to salvation.

Call the saved to new growth in their walk with God.

ILL: Ravi Zacharias tells an amazing story about God’s sovereignty and purposes.

During his ministry in Vietnam in 1971, one of his interpreters who traveled with him was Hien Pham, an energetic, devoted young Christian who had worked very closely as a translator with the American military forces, purely as a civilian, with no official or military responsibilities.

He just knew English so well that he was able to be of immense help to them in their linguistic struggles.

By virtue of that same strength he also worked with the missionaries.

He and Ravi traveled the length of the country and became very close friends before Ravi bade him good-bye when he left Vietnam to return home.

Ravi and Hien were both very young, and neither of them knew if our paths would cross again.

Within four years Vietnam fell, and Hien's fate was unknown.

Seventeen years later, in 1988, Ravi received a surprise telephone call that began with, "Brother Ravi?"  Immediately He recognized Hien's voice.

They got caught up with their pleasantries, then Ravi asked him how he had managed to get out of Vietnam and come to the United States.

Ravi was not prepared for the story He was about to hear.

Shortly after Vietnam fell to the Communists, Hien was arrested.

Accused of aiding and abetting the Americans he was in and out of prison for several years.