Jesus goes to capernaum

Identity informed His purpose. The purpose shaped the mission. The mission informed the message and lifestyle. The mission,message, and lifestyle informed the world and brought others into the mission.

Background:

We are continuing walking through the accounts of Jesus Life. Last week we looked at the time Jesus spent back in his hometown of Nazareth. We learned that as Jesus revealed his identity and mission of the gospel to all the nations, in the synagogue Jews attempted to push him off of a cliff. We talked about the idea that it is possible at times for us to fall more in love with our religious expressions than our Savior.

This week we are going to look at this account of Jesus in Capernaum in Galilee.

Text: Matthew 4:12-25

I. Jesus Identity Informed His Purpose. Matthew 4:15-16 ; Isaiah 9

It seems in this passage of scripture that the author(Matthew) is making a point. He is comparing the two kingdoms. One kingdom lived under the shadow of death(rule of darkness) and in stark contrast Jesus is the great light proclaiming to the inhabitants of this dark realm that the Kingdom of heaven is near and is coming to rescue them from the dark ruler of their realm.

This message that Jesus began to preach fits perfectly into this idea. The new king is coming now prepare for his reign by living under his demands.

A. To bring light into the darkness

B. To bring hope to those living under the oppressive rule of death.

II. Jesus’ Purpose shaped the mission. Matthew 4:17

A. What was the mission? to preach repentance. Why?

1. It is important to point out that the first word of the Gospel is repent! There is no entry into the Kingdom of God unless one repents.

2. Secondly it’s important to note that the emphasis or the reason of our repentance is not just placed on our eternal destiny, but to join Him in his work, the kingdom work( God’s kingdom exist in anyplace where God’s people do God’s will, God’s way). How do we know that? Well look what Jesus does next in Matthew 4:18-21

B. Because the Kingdom of God has come near?

III. Jesus Mission shaped his lifestyle and message. Matthew 4:23-25

A. An intentional mission Matthew 4:23a - He didn’t wait for people to come to Him. He went to them.

1. Jesus sought out places and opportunities to teach the good news.

2. Jesus inserted himself into the culture

B. An intentional lifestyle of sacrificial service to those who were still in the harvest.

1. Did Jesus spend more time attending to the needs of his own disciples or did he meet their real need by taking them with him to serve?

2. Serving people still in the harvest meant being willing to love those who are a mess. Matthew 4:24

- If you are going to live out the mission of the gospel you are going to have to be willing rub elbows with those who are sick, filthy(physically and morally), and living in very dark places.

IV. The Mission, Message, and Lifestyle informed the world and brought others into the mission. Matthew 4:25, Matthew 4:18-21

A. Jesus called disciples out of the harvest

Understanding what took place in John 1:35-42 makes this part of the story make sense. This wasn’t Jesus first encounter with Peter and Andrew. These two men had been disciples of John the Baptist. They witness John’s proclamation that Jesus was the Messiah. Since by the time this story had unfolded John the Baptist had already been arrested these men had returned to their former trade of fishing. It is entirely possible that the brothers James and John had heard of these events prior to Jesus call.

1. The best preachers, teachers, evangelist, and missionaries are still in the harvest.

2. Jesus did not leave his disciples where they were but plunged them into a life that would radically change them.

1. Do you think the disciples always on board with what Jesus was asking of them?

2. Do you know that it takes great love and dedication to help people become what they need to be even when they don’t necessarily know who they want to be.

The mission will require great discomfort both on part of the leaders and you , but we are in this together. Can’t we help one another bear the weight of the discomfort of change, realizing that its uncomfortable for everyone. Can we embrace the discomfort of discipleship together? If we will do that, we will turn this place upside down for the Glory of God.

1.Our Identity informs our purpose.

2. The purpose shapes our mission.

3.The mission informs our message and lifestyle.

4. The mission,message, and lifestyle informs the world and brings others into the mission out of the harvest.