WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR RECEIVERS?

Call to Worship (Psalm 23)

Come, walk in green pastures. We follow the Shepherd. Come, lie down in green pastures. We trust the Shepherd. Come, dine at the table of abundance. We are fed by the Shepherd. Come, dwell in God’s house. We live in the Shepherd’s care.

OPENING PRAYER

Thank you, loving God, for bringing us to this time of worship. Refresh us and heal us again. Remind us of the many ways in which you have blessed our lives with your abundant love and your presence. Guide our hearts and our spirits that we may hear your words and our souls may be stirred into active service to your people. In the name of the Good Shepherd, who leads us to life, we pray. AMEN.

Invitation to the Offering (Psalm 23, 1 John 3)

The Shepherd cares for us, providing all that we need in abundance. The Shepherd calls us to love one another in truth and action. May our gifts reflect our trust in the Shepherd’s care. May our offerings show our willingness to love one another.

Prayer

Amazing Lord, you ministered in awesome ways. You cared not for the world’s success paths. You cared not for immediate victory for the kingdom. You responded not when loved ones rejected you. You continued seeking the Father’s will and doing it. Teach me to minister like you. Teach me to love the poor and oppressed whom no one else loves. Show me how to bring good news to lives that face only bad times. Give me the power to overcome Satan and his ways. Let me empower people through the Holy Spirit rather than inhibiting them through the devil. Thank you for the opportunity to minister kingdom good news. Amen.

Prayer

Amazing Lord, you ministered in awesome ways. You cared not for the world’s success paths. You cared not for immediate victory for the kingdom. You responded not when loved ones rejected you. You continued seeking the Father’s will and doing it. Teach me to minister like you. Teach me to love the poor and oppressed whom no one else loves. Show me how to bring good news to lives that face only bad times. Give me the power to overcome Satan and his ways. Let me empower people through the Holy Spirit rather than inhibiting them through the devil. Thank you for the opportunity to minister kingdom good news. Amen.

Luke 4:18-19New International Version

18 “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, 19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Introduction:Jesus came to this world with a job to do. A job that He still performs! He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He came to:

1. Preach The Gospel To The Poor - To herald the good news to those who were destitute of wealth, position, influence and honor. Those who, literally, cower before a great God. Jesus came to the needy, financially and spiritually! (Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17.)Food costs money, last only a short time, and meets only physical needs. But God offers us free nourishment that feeds our soul. How do we get it? We come, listen, seek, and call on God. God’s salvation is freely offered, but to nourish our souls we must eagerly receive it. We starve spiritually without our daily bread. (Ill. Where did He find you?) 2. To Heal The Brokenhearted - To cure those who have suffered extreme sorrow! Speaks to those who's spirit has been crushed. Literally, "to be under the foot of a conqueror". (Ill. Jesus knows! - Job 23:10; Jesus cares! - 1Pet. 5:7; Jesus is There! - Heb. 13:5; Jesus is Working! - Rom. 8:28) Don't give up, the Lord is on your side! (Ill. Ever been there?) 3. To Preach Deliverance To The Captives - Literally: "Those held at spear point") To declare that there is freedom to everyone held captive by Satan's spear! Ill. Sinners are held captive, they are in bondage to Satan. Jesus can set them free! Note: Some saints are held captive - Ill. Samson - Blinds, Binds, Grinds! (Ill.Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. Pro. 13:15) Jesus can set the sinning saint free! To be free, a person must submit under God's mighty hand! (1John 1:9) (Ill. Where did He find you?) 4. Recovering Of Sight To The Blind - To give sight to those blinded by smoke. Literally, the mentally and spiritually blind. Ill. Satan's power to deceive - 2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Co. 3:14; 2Co. 11:14; 1 Tim. 4:1. Jesus can open the eyes blinded by Satan! (Ill. Blinded to hell, consequences, dangers, etc!) (Ill. Where did He find you? Ill. Ever been there?) 5. To Set At Liberty Them That Are Bruised - To release from bondage those that have been crushed, or oppressed. Satan is having a great time at the expense of God's children! He has no right to trash your life! He has no right to infiltrate your mind, he has no right to devastate your life. You have the authority over him, Eph. 4:27; James 4:7; Rev. 12:11) (Here is the secret - 2 Cor. 10:5) You do not have to be continually beaten up! Jesus has promised you the victory, 1 Cor. 15:57. But, it is up to us to walk in it! (Ill. Don't you need to be set free?) 6. To Preach The Acceptable Year Of The Lord - To proclaim that the doors of salvation have been opened, the doors of healing and ministry have been opened. To remind us that there is coming a blessed time when God's people will be with Him in Heaven, Rev.21:4. To remind us that there will come a day when righteousness and blessing will reign on the earth! (Now is the right time to have God move in your life! Regardless of your need!)

Conc: There's more to Jesus than meets the eye! He is far more than a babe in a manger or a pale, dead figure on a cross. He is the risen Lord this evening and He is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. He is making intercession for you right now, Heb. 7:25. He loves you and wants to help you if there is a need in your life. Don't do like the people of Nazareth did and try to push Him away. Bow to Him and let Him have His way in your life.His would be a ministry of compassion for all those who were injured by sin, the devil and the battles of life. He promised to deal tenderly with all who needed His touch, Isa. 42:3, "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.")

A. How can you help others?

B. Your experiences often provide clues for how you can help others.

C. Authentic peace is found in doing what you were created to do.

D. God is glorified as we serve.

Benediction (1 John 3)

Nourished by the Shepherd’s abundant love, go forth to walk in the paths of righteousness. Love one another in truth and action. May God’s abundant blessings abide in you forever.