God's Spirit Causes Godlike Action

Luke 4:1, 14-22

Introduction:  What does it mean to be a Christian or a disciple of Christ, but to follow His ways, to try to be like him?  And where did Jesus learn the proper behavior?  From God’s Spirit!  And God’s Spirit will teach us to act like God would act if He was in our place.  We are going to look at some incidents in Jesus’ life and make some application for us.

I. Jesus was filled with the Spirit     vs. 1, 14

    A. 3:21-22

    B. John the Baptist’s parents were filled with the Spirit    1:41; 1:67

    C. God’s prophets were filled with the Spirit

         1. Micah 3:8

         2. John the Baptist   1:15

         3. Apostles   Acts 2:4; 4:8   (Paul   Acts 9:17; 13:9)

    D. Christians were filled with the Spirit

         1. Acts 4:23-31    an unnamed group

         2. Stephen   Acts 7:55-56

         3. Acts 13:52    disciples

    E. Christians are commanded to be filled with the Spirit   Ephesians 5:18

    F. What does all this filling with the Spirit mean?

         1. The phrase does not necessarily mean the same thing every time

         2. Sometimes it refers to God speaking through people in miraculous ways

         3. In the case of John the Baptist being filled before birth, it may mean God’s closeness or presence

        4. In Eph 5:18 the verb is imperative (command form). 

             a. We are told to “be filled”, implying that we have some control over it. 

             b. In order to be filled with wine we have to drink it into our body; in order to be filled with the Spirit we must take Him into our spirit

                 1) Ask in prayer to be filled

                 2) Consume the word (Scripture) which was inspired by the Spirit

II. God’s Spirit caused Jesus to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy    vs. 18-20

    A. Good news to poor people

    B. Freedom to those help prisoner by sin

    C. Heal those with physical disabilities

    D. Help people with problems

         1. θραύω:  literally break in pieces, as pottery; figuratively and passive, of persons broken in spirit by oppression, be downtrodden, be overwhelmed with trouble

         2. ἄφεσις:  the process of setting free or liberating - “release, liberty.”

    E. Announce that today is the day of salvation  II Corinthians 6:1-3

    F. God’s Spirit calls us to do all we can in these same areas

III. God’s Spirit motivates godlike behavior   

    A. Jesus was doing exactly what the Father would do

    B. Ephesians 4:22-32  If we don’t do these things, we grieve the Spirit because we are not allowing ourselves to be lead by Him

Conclusion:  Are you asking “What would Jesus do” if He was in my place?  How can we follow Him without asking that question?  Are you filling yourself with God’s Spirit by studying His word and prayer?

Plaisance Church.  ECD, Guyana.  June 6, 2004.  AM.

Enterprise Church of God.  ECD, Guyana.  August 27, 2006.  AM.