Ministry Non Negotiables Affirmed (Scripture read, explained and affirmed
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
Ministry Non Negotiables - Scripture Read, Explained & Applied
Ministry Non Negotiables - Scripture Read, Explained & Applied
(Luke 4:14-41, 42-44)
Introduction:
Our promises/non-negotiables are affirmed both by what we say and what we do. Promises must be both verbalized and lived!
It isn’t only what we say but what we do. Genuine trust and believing is always and has always been much more than words.
Jesus walking on the water - Matt 14:22-33; Mk 6:45-52; Lk 8:22-25; Jn 6:16-21 - recorded by in all of Gospel accounts .
12 disciples in the boat in the storm. Matthew recorded the most detail - long way from land, 4th watch, Jesus walking on the sea but not initially recognized.
but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.
Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you ON THE WATER.
Peter, got out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus. BUT when he saw the wind he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried Lord save me. Jesus, reached out, took his hand and said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Is faith what we confess to believe, what we say or what we do or both?
While each of must carefully weigh that probing question, we cannot answer it for others. Perhaps that was why only Matthew recorded Peter walking on the water and then with quotes and not other comments.
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
“Talk is cheap. Words are plentiful. Deeds are precious.” (Ross Perot -later, US Texas business man, entrepeneur, aspiring politician, philanthropist)
“It is not by telling people about ourselves that we demonstrate Christianity. Words are cheap. It is by costly self-denying Christian practice that we show the reality of our faith.” (Jonathan Edwards - 18th century American preacher/evangelist)
Although Jesus’ ministry non-negotiables make perfect sense to believers, to unbelievers they are often regarded only as life options. Most of that ambivalence stems from an increasing dismissal of what the Scriptures and Jesus said about us, about life and His ministry. Understanding that, Jesus opened, read, explained the Scriptures. In so doing, Jesus provided a ministry model for us as believers.
Then as now, there were a plethora of voices claiming to speak the truth. For the most part rather than addressing those other voices, unless they portended to speak authoritatively according to the word of God, Jesus simply allowed the Scriptures, the word of God to speak and for the Spirit of God to work in the hearts of those who would listen and believe.
1. Jesus read the Scriptures in NAZARETH (Is 61:1-2) - 4:16-19
Context - 4:14-15:
Returned from beyond Jordan to Galilee
Report about Him went out through all the surrounding country.
John the Baptist proclaiming baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins - 3:3 - all region around Jordan.
People were in expectation - 3:15 - asking whether he might be the Christ - told about Christ
With many other exhortations Jn preached the good news to the people - Herod the tetrarch imprisoned Jn the Baptist
BUT before that so many people were baptized that Luke’s record was that in essence all of the people were baptized and also Jesus.
Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove.
Voice came from heaven - “You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.
Power of the Spirit:
Baptism - Holy Spirit descended - form of a dove - 3:22
Began ministry - about 30 years old - 3:22 - customary age for entering the office of a prophet or priest or king - 3:23
In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting.
Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
Devil’s tempting Jesus - interruption - 40 days - the devil left and the angels came and were ministering to Jesus - Matt 4:11
Taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all - 4:15
2. Jesus explained the Scriptures - 4:20-30
3. Jesus taught the Scriptures with authority & power in CAPERNAUM - 4:31-37 (Jn 2:12)
4. Jesus affirmed the Scriptures by ministering compassionately & purposefully - 4:38-41