Preaching the Kingdom of God On Purpose Luke 4:38-44

INTRO: From God’s first spoken words in the creation account His plan was to have this family that would live in all of His goodness and provision.

This family would be in intimate relationship with God and with each other.

In our series on spiritual warfare we talked about what happened to that plan, THE FALL, THE SUPERNATURAL REBELLION OF GENESIS 6, AND THE TOWER OF BABEL. But in Genesis 3:15 there is an ancient prophecy of the seed of woman that would bruise the head of the serpent and the serpent’s seed would bruise His heel. The Coming of Jesus was the inauguration to restore and make right all that sin had corrupted.

The Kingdom of God which is righteousness, Peace, Joy in His Holy Presence, would free mankind from sin, disease, and death.

Jesus as Healer, keep in mind this is normal everyday stuff when we choose to live in the Kingdom of God.

Background:

Jesus has left the Synagogue in Nazareth after being kicked out for reading Isaiah 61:1-2, and expressing that this was speaking of Him. Lk. 4:14-30

After this Jesus delivers a man possessed with a spirit of an unclean demon. Lk. 4:31-37

Simon’s Mother In Law Healed. Lk 4:38—39

Jesus Enters Simon’s Home. Lk. 4:38-39

1. Simon’s mother in law is suffering from a high fever.

NOTE: Matthew says she was “lying sick n bed with a fever.” Matt. 8:14 Mark Says she was lying sick with a fever 1:29-30.

2. “They asked Him to help her” Mark says they “immediately spoke with Him.

NOTE: One of the greatest hindrances to the healing power found in God’s kingdom is a failure to ask. Most children I have ever seen not only ask their parents when they need something but often they beg and bargin to get what they need.

ILLUST: James says “you have not because you ask not . . .” 4:2. Jesus told the parable of the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8. The unjust judge only gave the woman what she needed because he wanted her to stop bothering him. God, however, says when my children cry out to Me I will bring swift judgment on their behalf.

NOTE: It makes no sense for His children to not ask the all powerful, all knowing Father to help them. The question Jesus has in Luke 18 in the parable of the unjust judge is will I find my people “ASKING”? Will I find my children depending on my presence!

3. “ Standing over her” Matthew and Mark both say he touched her hand or grabbed her hand.

NOTE: The compassion and intimacy of God is here experienced in the power of touch. Look at vs. 40 “and laying His hands on each one of them.”

However touch is not required!

Touch conveys a tenderness and authentic concern that moves the Father’s heart and encourages those who are sick.

4. Jesus rebukes the fever.

a. the word “rebuke” (epitimao) “Primarily refers to the action of corrective rebuke. “ Throughout the gospels Jesus rebukes demons Lk.4:35,41 but he also rebukes the wind and waves Matthew 8:26. Although this fever could have been caused by an evil spirit, it would not have to be and more than likely Jesus was “correcting” a physical issue that was causing the fever. So Jesus corrects the infection and the fever goes.

b. Note the “immediate” response. Matthew and Mark record the same response, “she got up and waited on them.”

NOTE: The only right response to encountering the Kingdom of God, the person of Jesus in our life, is to get up and serve others. Jesus came to serve and not to be served as an example to how we are to live as citizens of His kingdom.

Any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him v.40-41

A. Skin diseases, baldness, blindness, deafness, bacterial infections, digestive issues, . . . and demon possession.

B. Laying hands on “each one” He was healing them.

C. Demons were also coming out of many shouting “You are the Son of God”

NOTE: Disease is a consequence of sin, other passages in the scriptures reveal that demons can inflict disease but this is not the point here.

NOTE: The Demons recognized and knew that Jesus was the SEED of Genesis 3:15. They knew Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61. He was the Christ, anointed to bring good news to the afflicted . . . freedom to the prisoners. They recognized The King was inviting people into His Kingdom.

I Must Preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, For I was sent for this purpose. 42-44

NOTE: Jesus has left to pray, the people are searching for this man who can heal all their diseases but it’s the demons that recognize The King of the physical and spiritual realms is present and His Kingdom is setting everything right that is wrong.

The Kingdom is Where righteousness, goodness, wellness, wholeness dwells. It’s where Jesus is welcomed and depended upon. Which means it’s not a place, it’s a PERSON!

The Kingdom has always been the PALN. Mankind living in God’s presence and provision forever.

NOTE: All those including Peter’s Mother in law have since this healing died from some kind of disease. So the Plan is not that I would live in This Sinful broken world forever. . .

CLOSE: THE PLAN IS THAT THOSE WHO TRUST IN CHRIST THE SON OF GOD, WILL BECOME CITIZENS OF A KINGDOM WHERE JESUS REIGNS NOT SIN, JESUS REIGNS NOT DISEASE, JESUS REIGNS NOT DEPRESSION OR BROKENNESS. . .

AND WHILE YOU AND I ARE STILL HERE ON EARTH WE HAVE TO DECIDE, “DO WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT KINGDOM OR DO WE SIMPLY WANT HEALED FROM A SICKNESS TO KEEP LIVING IN THIS ONE?”

WHEN CHRIST CHOOSES TO HEAL AND HE DOES, IT IS TO REVEAL THE NATURE AND THE PERSON OF JESUS WHO CAME NOT TO MAKE US LIVE LONGER HERE BUT TO INVITE PEOPLE INTO HIS FAMILY WHERE ALL THAT IS WRONG IS FOREVER MADE RIGHT IN HIS PRESENCE.