Good News If You Believe (2)

2020-12-05 AM

why did they turn on him…

because he told them he would not do many miracles

—why—because of their unbelief

—this happened in OT and he turned to Gentilrs

what happened: he put words in their mouths…

Luke was a highly educated Greek… doctor… gentile and the only gentile Bible author… if true he wrote more of th Bible by volume than Peter, John, even Paul!

he was sent—

to proclaim to us

Big idea: Jesus came for those who know they are broken…. the mission of Jesus

the gospel is for ragamuffins—

everything is good until they discover the ragamuffins are included then a dark storm of anger homicidal comes

side thing: make public worship your holy habit… jesus did if this was the only passage in the bible

you cannot just feed someone and leave them inter despair—people who call the church—we care but we want them to have the whole program—that is what jesus came to give

local boy makes good: mrs newly remembered me

Luke 4:22 A Local Boy

The return of the local-boy-made-good is not always the triumph that legend has it. Around the turn of the century there was a young man named James Lewis Kraft who was a clerk in Ferguson’s general store at Fort Erie, Ontario, across the Niagara River from Buffalo. Kraft had been born on a farm near there. He was obviously a good clerk, appreciated by his employer, because he was making $150 a month—a good salary in those days.

A neighboring storekeeper, a man named Land, remembered him very well. Years later, when Kraft revisited the Land store on a trip home, the elderly proprietor identified him with every sign of pleasure. A good deal of water had gone over the falls during that interval. James Kraft had founded the Kraft Cheese Company in Chicago. The company’s products had reached practically every grocery store in the U.S.A. and adjacent Canada as well. Millions of dollars in advertising had etched the Kraft name into public consciousness, and J.L. Kraft had every expectation that neither the name nor the products had bypassed the admiring attention of his old friend.

But Land merely said, “Why, hello, Lew. Haven’t seen you for years. You still clerkin’ up at Ferguson’s?”

It couldn’t, as the saying goes, have happened to a nicer guy. For J.L. Kraft was a humble man, even though he built a multi-million-dollar business.

Bits & Pieces, July 21, 1994, pp. 19-21

as far as we know jesus never returned to nazareth

[ill] statue from broken things

[ill] what are you looking for?

they did not see themselves

Jesus angered them with two true stories—elijah and elisha

his miracles were a means of drawing people to his teaching

The ruins of Sarepta are scattered over the plain, at intervals, for more than a mile: one group is on the coast, and may be the remains of the ancient harbour. These lie on a tongue of land which forms a small bay, and pleasantly varies the monotony of the otherwise unbroken coast line. Fine crops brighten part of the plain around, though only the small village of Surafend, the modern representative of the ancient town, is actually surrounded by green. Sarepta was famous for its wine in the early Christian centuries, but it got its name in the Hebrew Bible — Zarpath — from its being in still older days a chief centre of the glass works of Phoenicia — the word meaning "melting-houses." It belonged to the territory of Sidon, and must have been a large place, if we may judge from the number of rock-tombs at the foot of the hills. Its supreme interest, however, to all Bible readers lies in its connection with the great Prophet Elijah. A place is still shown at the old harbour where a Christian Church once stood, on the alleged site of the widow's house in which the prophet lived. But no value is to be attached to such a localization, though the spot is still called "The Grave of Eliiah," in the belief that he finally died there. During the reign of the Crusaders, Sarepta was strongly fortified, and made the seat of a bishop, who was subject to the Archbishop of Sidon; but as early as the end of the thirteenth century it had sunk into utter desolation. Legend has tried to identify it with the home of the Syrophcenician woman whose daughter Christ healed, but there is no ground for this fancy. Its fame must always rest, for Christians, on the noble lesson of faith in God taught by the prophet on the one hand, and by the great-hearted widow on the other.

6 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mk 6:1–6). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

next week:

[ill] jim combs advice—nice church nice people

[ill] when family couldn’t come we asked andy…

[ill] Ryan Vuich

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”” (Luke 4:18–19, ESV)

why Was Jesus Sent

Why Jesus Came from Heaven to Earth | 12 Reasons

Summary:  In nearly 50 years as a born-again Christian until now, I don’t recall ever studying this specific topic in detail. I have found it fascinating and illuminating. I trust you will, too. It reveals a variety of important reasons why Jesus came from heaven to earth.

John 3:17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

1) Jesus came to earth “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). His heart is not to condemn, but to bring salvation to all who will receive Him.

In February 1969 I was an Air Force officer on temporary duty at McChord AFB, Tacoma, Washington. I had bought a New Testament, and I found myself reading it night after night. The truth of the Gospel broke through, and I willingly accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior all alone there in my room on base. How could this happen? Why? Because Jesus, the wonderful Son of God, left heaven and came to earth to seek and to save the lost sinner Jim. And He did that also for each one of you!

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1 John 4:9  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

2) Jesus was sent down from heaven to earth, died for our sins, and rose again from the dead to enable us to move from death to life (John 5:24). From eternal condemnation in hell to eternal life in heaven. And Jesus makes this life available to all of us if we will “turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:21).

Before His death and resurrection — and long before ours — Jesus promised, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). He has delivered from fear of death (Hebrews 2:15) all who repent and believe in Him and has granted us eternal life in His glorious presence.

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Acts 3:26  When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.

3) God the Father sent Jesus “to bless you.” God is not a vindictive, hostile God. He loves you! His heart and His intention are to bless you. And He does that through Jesus by…

4) …turning each of you from your wicked ways. Heaven is a place of absolute, 100% holiness, purity, and perfection. There will be no wickedness there. And through the saving power of Jesus Christ, God enables us to begin participating in that heavenly holiness by turning us from iniquity right now on earth.

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Luke 4:43  But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

5) Jesus was sent to preach the good news of God’s kingdom.

In teaching us how to pray, Jesus said, “Our Father in heaven … thy kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:9-13). When I pray the Lord’s prayer and come to this portion about God’s kingdom, I often pray something like this: “Lord, rule and reign in my heart … in my home … in my family … in our church … in our nation…”

John the Baptist’s first biblically recorded message was: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, NASB). Jesus’ first recorded public preaching was: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17, NASB). The Bible describes the Lord Jesus Christ as “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). In serving Jesus right now, while we live on this earth, we are serving the One who has received from God the Father “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Through Jesus we pray to the Father, “Thy kingdom come!” And that kingdom of God has come to this earth in the Person of Jesus Christ.

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Luke 4:18-19  “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.”

6) Jesus was sent to proclaim good news to the poor. This poor man (me) was lost in sin, spiritually bankrupt, until I heard and embraced the saving Gospel (the “good news”) of Jesus Christ. God sent His Son from heaven to earth to bring that good news to our ears and our hearts.

7) He was sent to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As a result, we were imprisoned and held captive by our sins and all the foul habits resulting from our sinful natures. But Jesus was sent to save us and bring us freedom from those captivities.

8) He was sent to bring recovery of sight to the blind. This is certainly true spiritually, as the truth of God’s Word breaks through to us and we turn to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance. It is also true physically. While on earth Jesus healed the blind, the deaf, the lame, and those afflicted with all kinds of illnesses. And Jesus still heals today! Why? Because He “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He saved people from sin 2,000 years ago, and He saves us from sin today. Likewise, Jesus healed the sick 2,000 years ago, and He does the same today, in the 21st century.

9) He was sent to set the oppressed free. The Father sent the Son to earth to free us from oppressions of all kinds. Are you under stress, pressures, afflictions, perhaps even crushing calamities? Look to Jesus. He was sent to set the oppressed free, and that absolutely includes you!

10) He was sent to proclaim the “year of the Lord’s favor.” That favor from God can be yours today. His blessings are not just for the ancient Bible heroes; they are not just for those already in heaven. They can be yours today in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul exhorts us: “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor” (2 Corinthians 6:2). How can I receive God’s favor, His blessings? — “No matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

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Mark 10:45  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

11) Jesus was sent to serve, to give, not to be catered to. He washed their feet, He gave His life. This is astounding! The King of kings, the Lord of lords, came from heaven to earth to serve! Ask yourself: If Jesus, the Lord and Savior, left heaven to serve us in His life, death, and resurrection for our salvation, how much more should we be humble, willing, self-sacrificing servants of the Lord and of our fellow man?

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John 6:38  For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

John 12:49  For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.

12) Jesus was sent from heaven to earth to do the Father’s will and to speak the Father’s words. He said, “I do nothing of myself” (John 8:28). Our Savior Jesus was entirely committed to submitting His own will to that of God the Father. So should we. The perfect example of our Lord gives new meaning to the prayer He taught: “Our Father which art in heaven … thy will be done…” (Matthew 6:9-10, KJV).

And as Jesus did, so should we determine that our speech, our words, our conversations, will reflect the words and the heart of God. This confirms the great importance of reading our Bibles regularly, so that we are increasingly familiar with the thoughts of God on a multitude of subjects and can share those divine thoughts in our everyday speech.

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John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

John 20:21  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

In Acts 1:1, Luke looks back on “all that Jesus began to do and teach.” He was sent to do the above dozen things (and more, if time permitted listing them all). But now, in this Age of the Church, He has commissioned US to continue to do and teach these things.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says that “We are … Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” In this time between the Lord’s first and second coming, Jesus has sent His people with His same commission: “AS the Father has sent ME, I am sending YOU.” We now have Christ’s commission — and the privilege — to minister as His ambassadors:

1) to seek out the lost and tell them about the Savior Jesus Christ

2) to lead lost sinners from death and hell to life in Christ

3) to be messengers to the world of Christ’s desire to “bless [them]”

4) to exhort people to turn from wickedness to a pure, holy Savior who loves them

5) to tell them about the kingdom of God, that there is a loving, almighty God who rules this earth and the entire universe

6) to proclaim the good news of the Gospel to the poor (and the rich, and all in between)

7) to minister the freedom Christ brings to those imprisoned by sin, addictions, and bondages

8) to bring divine healing to the sick, the infirm, and even the blind

9) to deliver the Gospel message that in Christ we may be set free from every oppression

10) to tell hopeless people of God’s desire to show them His favor

11) to live as Jesus did on earth — to serve and to give

12) to do the Father’s will daily (“thy will be done”) and to speak His words to this world as ambassadors of the Son of God