Emory Baptist Church

The Big XII

Here in the middle of Luke 6, we find a list of the twelve disciples or as some like to call them…the Big 12.  Therefore, we are not looking at an athletic conference this morning, but the 12 apostles.

 

This list is not only found here in Luke 6.  You can find this list and another similar to it in Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-19, and Acts 1:12-13. 

 

You might wonder what in the world can we learn from a list like this.  However, there is much more here than you might have originally thought.  I am going to share with you a few 5 observations, and then an application for everyone. 

 

 

Observation #1-6:12

12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

 

Verse twelve tells us that Jesus went off to the mountain, and He spent the whole night in prayer.  It seems that He was alone.  Why would He do this? 

 

Simply put, it was to be alone with His Father.  Remember that Jesus was fully God and fully man.  However, there are times when His own knowledge is restricted by God the Father. 

 

Perhaps, this was one of those times. Therefore, He went away to ask God whom He should choose from His followers to be in His inner circle. 

 

Notice also that He spent the whole night in prayer.  That would have been anywhere between eight and ten hours.  Can you even imagine it?  Spending an entire workday in prayer is mind-boggling. 

 

Consequently, if Jesus needed to spend time in prayer before decisions were made, shouldn’t you and I be committed to the same?

 

Not to do so would demonstrate our folly or our arrogance.  Which is it for you? 

 

Even though Jesus tells us to pray and teaches us to pray, prayer is often not popular for us, the church.  How do I know?  Your pastor struggles with prayer.  We struggle to staff our prayer room.  Wednesday night prayer meeting is often our smallest gather of the week.

 

Brothers and sisters, help me and allow me to help us be more committed to prayer.  Pray before we act.  Pray before we talk.  Pray first and pray last.  Pray for the little, and pray for the big. 

 

 

Observation #2-6:13a

13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.

 

Notice in verse thirteen that Jesus called His disciples to Himself.  Then He chose the 12 from the whole. 

 

What does that mean?  There were more than twelve.  A disciple is a follower, learner, and student.  Is that true of you? 

 

Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus or is that a term reserved for those radical Christians?  The reality is that every Christian is a disciple.  Let’s make sure that we are living like it.

 

 

Observation #3-6:13b

13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.

 

From His disciples, He chose twelve to be His closest followers.  He would pour His life into them for three years and then send them out with His authority as apostles. 

 

The word “apostle” mean sent one.  It also assumes that you are carrying a message. 

 

In one regard, we are all apostles if you have been born-again.  We are commissioned to carry the gospel everywhere.  That is true for pastors and church staff and deacons and each and every church member.

 

In another sense, these men were special.  These men were Apostles with a capital “A.” 

 

They were Jesus’ inner circle.  They witnessed the resurrected Christ, and many of them went on to write books of the Bible.  In that regard, these type of Apostles no longer exist today.

 

Why 12?  I believe this “twelve” corresponds with the twelve tribes of Israel.  They led God’s chosen people. Consequently, this twelve would lead the bride of Christ also as God’s chosen people. 

 

 

Observation #4-6:14-16

14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

 

The twelve apostles were ordinary and uneducated men.  BTW, Peter is always listed first as he was their unofficial leader.  Judas was always listed last as the traitor.

 

At least four were fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James, and John.  One was a despised tax collector: Matthew. 

 

Another was a political activist who would have hated the tax collector: Simon.  Matthew worked for Rome, and Simon the Zealot hated Rome. 

 

There was nothing special about these men.  They weren’t popular.  They weren’t intelligent.  They weren’t wealthy by the world’s standard. 

 

As a matter of fact, most of them were poor and would become poorer in following Jesus, and yet, they changed the world.  What does Jesus want from you?  I would say He simply wants total surrender, and He can use you to change the world. 

 

Oswald Chambers said, “God can achieve His purpose either through the absence of human power and resources, or the abandonment of reliance on them.  All through history God has chose and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on Him made possible the unique display of His power and grace.  He chose and used somebodies only when they renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources.”

 

 

Observation #5-6:16

16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

 

Judas Iscariot with was Jesus for three years.  He ate, slept, walked, fished, did ministry with Jesus and the other eleven. 

 

He fooled them, and he fooled plenty of people beyond them, but he didn’t fool God.  When Judas died, he was immediately separated from God and Christ in hell for eternity. 

 

You may be a member of EBC, and you may have been married for fifty plus years.  You may have fooled your family and your friends and all of Emory and Rains County, but if you died today, you would spend an eternity in hell because you have never been born-again.  Today, I invite you to be saved. 

 

 

Application for All

11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

 

Go back and look at Luke 6:11. The Pharisees were outraged at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, and from this point forward, were looking to take Him down.

 

What do you do when opposition comes?  What do you do when problems occur?  What do you do when trouble ensues?

 

Consider this.  Pray through it.  Gather a team.  Expect to change your world and maybe even the entire world! 

Who Needs a Rest?

If you have your Bibles, please find Luke 6.  As we continue in our verse by verse and chapter by chapter study of Luke, I want to share a message with you entitled, “Who Needs a Rest?” 

 

The answer to that question is all of us do.  God created us this way, and He created a Sabbath for us.

 

Sabbath is a word found throughout the Old and New Testaments, and it literally means an interruption for rest.  It is related to a word that means to cease or to desist.

 

I feel like this is a fairly well-known fact, but in case you didn’t know, God created the Sabbath in Genesis 2 after creation.  See Genesis 2:1-3. 

 

1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

 

Therefore, God rested on the seventh day or what we know as Saturday after six days of work creating everything.  He didn’t rest because He needed it, but He knew we would need it and thus provided an example.

 

In the OT, the Sabbath was on Saturday or literally sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.  It was a day of rest and worship for the nation of Israel, and had specific instructions attached to it.  The most well-known would be those found as part of the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:8-11. 

 

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Consequently, the OT also contains a lot of laws pertaining to the Sabbath and what could be done and what shouldn’t be done.  With that in mind, look at Luke 6:1.

 

 

1. The Interrogation of Jesus by the Pharisees about the Sabbath, 6:1-2

1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grain fields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” 

 

It was the Sabbath on Saturday, and Jesus and His disciples were walking through a field picking and eating grain.  Some Pharisees saw them and accused them of violating the Sabbath. 

 

How so?  Was it wrong to eat the grain?  No, it wasn’t wrong to eat the grain. 

 

In the eyes of the Pharisees, what was wrong was what happened before they ate.   What did they do before they ate?

 

They had to have picked and rubbed the heads of grain in their hands.  That amounted to harvesting and was prohibited work on the Sabbath. 

 

Were they not aware of Deuteronomy 23:25?

 

25 When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain.

 

Surely, they were.  However, they considered work to have happened regardless. 

 

 

2. The Explanation from Jesus to the Pharisees from God’s Word about the Sabbath, 6:3-5

3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” 5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

 

Jesus answered them with the Bible.  Jesus reminded the Pharisees of a story about David from 1 Samuel 21. 

 

BTW, King David was a type of Christ.  What does that mean?  In many ways, but not all, King David foreshadowed Jesus Christ. 

 

David was with some of his army, and they were hungry and needed to eat.  Therefore, they entered the temple and ate some bread that was supposed to be for the priests only. 

 

However, it was the priest who gave David the bread and authorized his eating along with his men.  In effect, Jesus was saying if David could reinterpret the Law, and I am greater than David, then it is ok to for my disciples and I to pick grain and eat it on the Sabbath. 

 

Notice verse 5.  He said, the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.  Who was the Son of Man? 

 

It was Jesus.  He was claiming to be God, and claiming to have the authority to reinterpret the Law as He sees fit.

 

 

3. An Illustration of Mercy that took place on the Sabbath, Luke 6:6-11

6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

 

Verse 6 takes us to another Sabbath or Saturday.  Jesus went to a local synagogue and was preaching.  There was also a man whose hand was withered.  We might say atrophied.

 

This is significant because the left hand was considered evil in Jewish culture, and therefore, this man could not work or hold a job if his only option was working with a withered right hand. 

 

The scribes and Pharisees watched Jesus closely.  They were like predators ready to pounce on their prey.  However, Jesus knew their schemes and their evil desires, and so He asked them a question about the man before He healed him. 

 

BTW, How did Jesus know their thoughts?  He knew their thoughts because Jesus was God, and God is omniscient or all-knowing.  

 

And, remember the Pharisees have their own idea of work.  The text seems to indicate that they would have considered healing as work and violating the Sabbath.

 

He asked in verse 9, “Is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or destroy it?” 

 

Understand what Jesus did.  He equated good with saving a life and evil with destroying a life.  They were speechless.

 

Consequently, Jesus acted…on the Sabbath.  He did good to this man.  He mercifully healed his hand and restored life to him enabling him to work and live normally in society. 

 

How did the Pharisees respond?  Look at verse 11.  The Pharisees were filled with rage because Jesus decided to save a man’s life…even on the Sabbath. 

 

 

Conclusions

What does all of this mean for you and me this morning, and how does it apply to our lives?

 

First, the Sabbath is important.  We need to rest.  It doesn’t have to be on Saturday, but it needs to be 24 hours in a week.

 

Exodus 23:12, 12 Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

 

Exodus 31:12-17, 12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”

 

Exodus 35:1-3, 35 Then Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them, “These are the words which the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”

 

However, the Sabbath is not only important for the Christian, but the only true rest that any person can every have is in Jesus.  Stop trying to work your way to heaven.

 

Matthew 11:28-30, 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

This is an invitation to be saved.

 

Second, Jesus is God, and how He interprets the Law is right.  He can reinterpret the Law.  He can heal a withered hand, and He can save your life today.

 

Third, whether it is the Sabbath or any other day, when you have the opportunity to do good, do it.  That doesn’t mean we skip corporate worship for service and ministry projects.

 

However, we need to remember Proverbs 3:27. 

 

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.

 

It has also been well said, “Good omitted is evil committed.”

 

Will You Believe?

This morning, we join Christians all over the world celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We’ll see that in just a minute from John 20.

 

However, I want to begin this morning reminding you why Jesus’ resurrection is different than every other resurrection.  The reason is that, truthfully, while there have been multiple resuscitations, there has only ever been one resurrection. 

 

What’s the difference?  Someone who has been resuscitated eventually died again.  That’s not true with Jesus.  He was resurrected never to die again.

 

In the OT, there were multiple resuscitations before Jesus.   Elijah resuscitated a widow’s son.  Elisha resuscitated the Shunammite’s son, and a dead man was resuscitated when his body touched Elisha’s buried bones.

 

1 Kings 17:21-22, 21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” 22 Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.

 

2 Kings 4:20, 20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

 

2 Kings 4:32, 32 When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed.

 

2 Kings 4:35, 35 He returned and walked back and forth in the house, and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

 

2 Kings 13:21, 21 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

 

In the NT, there were multiple resuscitations after Jesus.  Peter resuscitated Tabitha.  Some believe Paul was resuscitated, and Paul, himself, resuscitated Eutychas.

 

Acts 9:40-41, 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.  41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

 

Acts 14:19-20, 19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

 

Acts 20:9-12, 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

 

There were even multiple resuscitations in the NT by Jesus.  He resuscitated Jarius’ daughter, a young man at Nain, and His friend Lazarus.

 

Mark 5:41, 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

 

Luke 7:15, 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

 

John 11:43-44, 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

 

And it was the resuscitation of Lazarus that set the stage and foreshadowed the RESURRECTION of Jesus!

 

John 11:25, 25 Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 

Now, turn your attention to the Resurrection Morning of Jesus, and honestly answer this question, “Will you believe?”

 

 

10. John believed because of what he envisioned, John 20:1-10.

1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”  3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.  11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.

 

John 20 begins on Sunday morning after Jesus had been crucified in John 19 and laid in a garden tomb.  It was still dark, but Mary Magdalene came to the tomb to finish preparing Jesus’ body in their embalming process.

 

When she arrived, she found the stone already rolled away, and this sent her into panic.  She thought Jesus’ body had been stolen.

 

Out of fear, she ran to tell John and Peter.  When they heard, they then ran to the garden tomb to see for themselves. 

 

Peter went in first and examined the grave clothes.  Then John joined him, and verse 8 tells us that John believed after he saw or envisioned what had happened. 

 

In fact, Jesus had been resurrected just like He said He would, and now John got it.  It sunk in.  It clicked.

 

We see some really obvious evidences for the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection in these first few verses.  First of all, we see how history has evolved.  Because Sunday was the day that Jesus was resurrected, the Christian church began worshipping on Sunday rather than Saturday, and has done so for approximately 2000 years. 

 

Second, the first witness of the empty tomb was a woman.  If this was a fictional story, that is not how it would have been written in the first century. 

 

Third, the tangible evidence was overwhelming.  The stone had been moved, and the body was gone.  John believed because of what he envisioned.  Will you believe?

 

 

18. Mary believed because of who she encountered, John 20:11-18.

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”  She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”  14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”  She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”  16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).  17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”  18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

 

Unlike Peter and John, Mary didn’t go inside the tomb, and evidently didn’t talk with Peter and John when they exited.  Therefore, she was still under the impression that Jesus’ body had been stolen. 

 

In verses 12-13, we see Mary’s conversation with the angels who were there at the tomb.  Mary eventually saw Jesus even though she didn’t recognize Him at first. 

 

She thought He was the gardener of the garden tomb, but when He said her name, she believed because of who she had encountered.  She had encountered the resurrected Jesus.

 

In verse 17, not wanting to lose Him again, Mary grabbed Jesus around the legs, but Jesus reminded her that He still had to go to His Father.  Therefore, she couldn’t continue to hang on to Him. 

 

Mary then went to the other disciples to let them know who she had encountered, and she believed because of who she encountered.  Will you believe?

 

 

• Thomas believed because of what he experienced, John 20:19-29.

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”  24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”  So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”  26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”  28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”  29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

 

In verse 19, it was Sunday night, and this group of disciples was hiding for fear of their lives and what they had seen happen to Jesus.  When He joined them in the room, He showed them His hands and feet where the nails had pierced His body.

 

They rejoiced when they saw Him alive.  However, at this time, Thomas wasn’t with them, and verses 24-25 record his response to their report.

 

Fast-forward to approximately a week later in verse 26.  Thomas was with them now, and Jesus came to them again.

 

In verse 27, He had Thomas put his fingers into the actual holes in His body.  Because of what Thomas experienced, He then believed crying out, “My Lord and my God” in verse 28. 

 

Thomas believed because what he experienced.  Will you believe?

 

 

Conclusion

John believed because of what he envisioned.  Mary believed because of who she encountered.  Thomas believed because of what he experienced.  What about you? 

 

Did you know that this gospel was written for that very purpose?  Luke recorded these events in great detail so that you and I would believe.  See 20:30-31.

 

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

 

This morning, will you believe and be saved? You can do that by admitting that you’re a sinner, believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sin, but He didn’t stay dead.  His resurrection affirms all that He said.

 

Now, will you call on Him to save you and confess Him as your Lord and Savior?

Jesus is Superior!

Take your Bibles and turn to Luke 5:33. I want to share a message with you this morning entitled, “Oil and Water Just Don’t Mix.” 

 

Oil and water don’t mix because of their molecular properties.  You have probably observed such in a science fair project, and we have certainly seen this reality in oil spills in the oceans around the world. 

 

In today’s text, Jesus reminds us that Judaism and Christianity don’t mix.  This is because Jesus is Superior! 

 

 

1. A Comparison of Students, Luke 5:33

33 Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” 

 

Look at verse 33.  It seems that the Pharisees asked the question of why Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast and pray like the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees. 

 

These comments were probably a reference to Jesus’ disciples eating and drinking at the reception thrown by Levi or Matthew in honor Jesus.  They were seen as party animals by the scribes and Pharisees.

 

The Bible is full of different types of fasting which is the abstention from food.  Most of the time, the occasions were sorrowful or mournful, and fasting was seen as demonstration of God providing during a difficult time with His presence than actual food.

 

 

2. Jesus’ Comments on Sorrow, Luke 5:34-35

34 And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”

 

Beginning in verse 34, Jesus answered the question about His disciples and their not fasting with an analogy about weddings.  In short, He said this time was not a time of sorrow with fasting but one of celebration like a wedding.

 

In first century Jewish culture, newly married couples didn’t go on a honeymoon immediately following the wedding ceremony.  Instead, they joined family and friends for a wedding reception that usually lasted seven days.  It was a multiple-day event that was an occasion for celebration. 

 

Therefore, while the bride and groom are present, let’s celebrate.  Jesus was making Himself out to be the groom, and His disciples, or the church, was the bride. 

 

In verse 35, Jesus went on to say that when the groom is taken away from the wedding party, that will be a time to fast and mourn.  This is veiled reference first of all to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and second to His ascension and departure from the earth. 

 

When He is present, don’t demonstrate sorrow with fasting.  Celebrate His presence with joy!

 

 

3. Christ is Superior, Luke 5:36-39!

36 Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. 39 And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

 

Our last section is the continuation of Jesus’ words with three parables.  Each parable begins with the words “no one” in verses 36, 37, and 39.

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  Jesus gave three very common and well-understand illustrations of the truth that Judaism and Christianity just don’t mix. 

 

The first parable is found in verse 36.  If you have an old garment, and it develops a hole, don’t patch the hole with a new garment. 

 

Why not? When the new garment patch is washed, it will shrink and tear away from the old garment.  Also, the new garment won’t match the old garment.  New and old just don’t mix, and Judaism and Christianity just don’t mix.

 

The second parable is found in verse 37.  It involves wineskins.  Wineskins were animal skins that were used to hold grape juice while it fermented. 

 

As the juice fermented, it expanded the wineskin.  Then the empty wineskin would dry and become brittle.  Therefore, you would not put new grape juice that had not fermented into an old wineskin that had already expanded once, had then dried out, and was now brittle. 

 

Instead, you should put new wine into new wineskins.  Why?  If you didn’t, the old wineskin would bust when the new win expanded during fermentation. 

 

You would lose the wineskin and all of the grape juice.  New and old just don’t mix, and Judaism and Christianity just don’t mix. 

 

The final parable is in verse 39.  However, it not only is a parable, but it is also a condemnation. 

 

Jesus said that once you drink old wine or fermented juice, you will not settle for new wine or unfermented juice if old wine is what you’re wanting.  You will say that the old is good enough.  Old and new just don’t mix, and Judaism and Christianity just don’t mix.

 

 

Conclusion and Application

So what does all this mean?  The Pharisees were wanting to take a few of Jesus’ practices and teachings and ad them to Judaism, and then everything would be just right. 

 

Here’s the problem.  Judaism and Christianity just don’t mix.  Old and new just don’t mix.  Oil and water just don’t mix.  Why?  Jesus is superior!!!

 

Now, let me conclude with three very specific applications.  First, if you’re here this morning, and you have yet to call on the name of the Lord to be saved, and you’re thinking that you will add a little of Jesus to your morality. 

 

It won’t work.  Oil and water just don’t mix.  Jesus doesn’t need any help in saving you.  When it comes to forgiveness of sins, heaven, and eternal life, it is only Jesus saves.  Will you call on Him today?

 

Second, Christians today often try to mix the ways of the world with the ways of the God.  It won’t work.  Oil and water just don’t mix.  See 1 Corinthians 10:21.

 

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

 

This morning, as it relates to salvation and sanctification, Jesus is superior.  Therefore, trust in Jesus alone to save you and sanctify you making your more like Himself.

Can We See Strange Things Happen at EBC?

I invite you to find Luke 5:17-26.  This morning’s sermon is entitled, “Can We See Strange Things Happen at Emory Baptist Church?”  That question will make more sense after we read today’s text. 

 

Just for your information, this same story is also found in Matthew 9 and Mark 2.  In our sermon series through those books, I have shared a sermon entitled, “Four of Kind Beats a Full House.” I wish I could take credit for that sermon title, but I actually heard it from Steve Stroop, pastor of Lakepointe Church in Rockwall.

 

Let me take just a moment to trace that thought.  As it relates to how poker hands rank, I know that the best hand possible is a Royal Flush.  That is a ten, a jack, a queen, a king, and an ace all in the same suit.  The next best hand is the Straight Flush.  That is something like 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the same suit. 

 

Just under a Straight Flush is four of a kind.  That could be four 2’s or four 7’s or four 10’s.  And just under four of a kind is a full house, which is three of a kind and one pair.  Four of a kind beats a full house.  Four of a kind beats a full house in poker and in today’s story from Luke 5.

 

 

1. Jesus’ Audacious Claim, 5:17-20

17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.  20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

 

Verse 17 begins with Jesus teaching.  Even though Luke doesn’t specify, we know from Mark that this occasion happened in an individual’s house, and as you will see, it must have been a large house due to the size of the crowd. 

 

In this house, along with common folks, were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting and listening to Jesus.  They had come from every village of Galilee and Judea. 

 

These were Jewish religious leaders.  They were known for their strict and literal understanding of the OT.

 

The end of verse 17 tells us that the power of the Lord was present for Jesus to perform healing.  We have seen Him heal previously and will continue, but keep in mind that this occasion begins as one devoted to teaching as that was Jesus’ primary ministry on earth.

 

In verse 18, we are introduced to some more individuals in this story.  Luke says some men were carrying a paralyzed man on a bed or mat.  Mark says it was four friends.  Evidently, they heard about Jesus’ ability to heal and were trying to get their friend to Jesus. 

 

However, verse 19 says they couldn’t get through because Jesus was in the middle of the room, and the crowd was too thick all the way around Him.  This was a full house.

 

BTW, this is the way it should always be.  When there is preaching, the house should always be full, and that should be true regardless of the preacher.  Why?  Because the preaching of God’s Word is more important than your day off.  The preaching of God’s Word is more important than your “honey-do’s.”  The preaching of God’s Word is more important than your hunting, fishing, or golfing, and the preaching of God’s Word is more important than your child’s extracurricular activities.

 

Therefore, they went to plan B.  They used an outside ladder to carry their paralyzed friend on the roof.  They then begin to take the roof apart in order to lower him down setting Him at Jesus’ feet.  Can you even imagine the scene? 

 

In verse 20, Jesus had stopped teaching and spoke directly to the paralyzed man.  However, notice how Luke worded this verse. When Jesus saw THEIR faith, He spoke to the man.

 

In this text, we see the power of intercession.  We see how absolutely essential it is that we act on behalf of others.  We must pray for them.  We must go to them.  We must bring them. 

 

This is the picture of four of a kind beating a full house.  It does in poker, and it did here when these four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. 

 

These four had cooperation.  When was the last time you picked up 175 pounds of dead weight?  It’s not easy. The cooperated together and carried this man who was helpless otherwise. 

 

These four had determination.  They couldn’t get him into the house.  Did they give up?  Did they wait?  Did they ask Jesus to come outside?  No, they made their way to the roof, dug a hole, and lowered him down and placed him at the feet of Jesus. 

 

These four had motivation.  They knew Jesus could heal their friend. 

 

However, first, Jesus saved him, and when the words of forgiveness came from Jesus’ mouth, the Pharisees were in disbelief.  This was an audacious claim.

 

BTW, look at exactly what Jesus said.  Your sins are forgiven. 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, did you know that your sins separate you from God?  God is holy, and He cannot have fellowship with sinners.  See Romans 6:23.

 

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Our sin is a stench in His nostrils.  Our adultery deserves death.  Our arrogance deserves death.  Our gluttony deserves death.  Our greed deserves death.    Our laziness deserves death.  Our selfishness deserves death.

 

However, when we receive God’s Son, Jesus, as our personal Lord and Savior, God can and will have fellowship with sinners through His sinless Son, and He gives us the gift of eternal life in heaven.  The OT has wonderful word pictures of what forgiveness means.

 

Psalm 103:12, As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 

Isaiah 38:17, Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

 

Jeremiah 31:34, No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

 

Micah 7:19, He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

 

 

2. The Pharisees’ Appropriate Question, Luke 5:21

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

 

They were thinking that Jesus had just committed blasphemy.  That is to put yourself in the place of God. 

 

They knew that only God could forgive sins…and they were right.  So, do you know what Jesus was saying?  He was saying, “I am God!”

 

 

3. The Paralytic’s Amazing Conduct, Luke 5:22-26

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”  25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

 

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking, and so He posed a dilemma in verse 23.  Is it easier to say a person’s sins are forgiven or to say get up and walk? 

 

It is certainly easier to say a person’s sins are forgiven because you can’t see that.  Nobody knows if they are or aren’t. 

 

However, if you say to a paralytic, “You are healed,” and yet, he can’t walk, you are a fake.  You are a fraud.  Therefore, it is much easier to say a person’s sins are forgiven. 

 

However, Jesus didn’t leave the situation.  He not only saved the man, look at what He also did. 

 

Look at verse 24.  In order to verify that in fact He was God, Jesus told the man to get up and walk.  You know what?  He did. 

 

Verse 25 says he immediately got up and picked up his bed and went home glorifying God.  God had saved him and healed him instantly. 

 

Verse 26 says all who saw this miracle and heard this miracle were amazed.  The paralytic’s conduct was amazing.  He couldn’t walk, but now he walked.   

 

The story ends with the crowd including the Pharisees and teachers of the law being in awe of what they had just witnessed with their own eyes.  They were glorifying God as well and saying, “We have seen strange things today.” 

 

That phrase literally means paradox.  A paradox is a statement or experience that seems to contradict itself.  In this instance, the paralytic came into the house unable to walk.  However, he left the house walking on his own power.  Another paradox is that most of the crowd would have thought this man had committed some really bad sins, and as a result, God punished him with paralysis.  However, he left the house having been saved with his sins forgiven.  That is a paradox. 

 

 

Conclusion

So here is my question.  Can we see strange things happen at Emory Baptist Church?  Can we see terrible sinners gloriously saved?  Can we see the deathly ill miraculously healed? 

 

It depends.  It will depend a lot on you.  Remember what verse 20 says, “Seeing their faith…”  Much of what happened to the man involved the faith of his friends.

 

Last Sunday, we had Friend Day at EBC.  Thank you for inviting friends, and thank you to friends for coming.

 

On March 24, we will celebrate Palm Sunday, and our Celebration Choir will be sharing their Easter Music Presentation.  Will you bring someone with you to church?

 

Easter Sunday will be March 31.  In 2021, we had 390 on Easter Sunday.  In 2022, we had 410 on Easter Sunday.  In 2023, we had 440 on Easter Sunday.  

 

In 2024, I am challenging you to have pack this auditorium with 500 people.  Here’s why.

 

The point of this story is that Jesus could forgive sins because Jesus was God.  He was omnipotent in verse 17.  He was omniscient in verse 22.  He was omni-benevolent in verse 23. 

 

Jesus was God, and only God can save and forgive sins and give eternal life, and that is the message that we want to share at Easter.  See John 11:25.

 

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 

Nobody Washes the Soap

Calling Disciples

When one speaks of being a disciple of Jesus, some church members through the years have tried to convince me that being a disciple is different than being a Christian.  They have essentially tried to convince me that being a disciple requires more than being a Christian. 

 

However, the New Testament knows no difference between disciples and Christians.  To be one, was to be the other. 

 

As a matter of fact, the books of Acts uses the term “disciples” on 27 occasions.   All 27 occasions refer to Christians not more mature Christians.  See Acts 11:26.

 

26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

 

The occasion of Luke 5:1-11 can also be found in Matthew 4 and Mark 1.  However, it is not the same event John 21.  While there are similarities, there are too many differences.

 

In Luke 5, it was mid-morning.  Peter, Andrew, James, and John had been out fishing all night, and they had caught nothing.

 

In calling it a day, they had beached their boats. They were then cleaning their nets and getting them ready for the next night.  That’s what professional fishermen did day after day and night after night.

 

In today’s text, Jesus called these men to be His disciples.  Specifically, that meant Simon Peter.  What did that mean?

 

 

1. Following Jesus can seem illogical, Luke 5:1-4.

1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.  4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 

 

In verse 1, the multitude of people had heard about Jesus’ preaching and His healing ministry.  They wanted more. 

 

Notice, in verse 1, that they understood that God was speaking.  The “word of God” doesn’t refer to our Bibles.  It refers to Jesus being God.

 

He was originally on the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret.  This body of fresh water was also known as the Sea of Galilee. 

 

Jesus saw two fishing boats that would been 20-30 feet in length.  However, at the time, they were empty because Peter and Andrew and James and John were washing their nets getting ready for the next night.

 

In order to get a better hearing, Jesus got into Simon’s boat, and asked him to put out in the water just a bit.  This would allow folks to see and hear better.

 

After He finished preaching, Jesus told Peter to do the illogical.  Why was it illogical?

 

Jesus was a carpenter by trade.  Peter was a professional fisherman.  He had fish all night.  He caught nothing.  Why would he take the word of the non-fishing carpenter?  It was illogical.

 

Following Jesus can also be illogical.  There will be times when it doesn’t make sense. 

 

For example, it may not make sense to just pray rather than taking action.  It may not make sense to give your tithe when you “need” a new car.  It may not make sense keeping yourself sexually pure when the world’s mindset is that you should never buy a car without testing driving it first. 

 

Also, consider the sermon on the mount when Jesus talked about true happiness in this life.  See Matthew 5:3-10.

 

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

2. Following Jesus will always be worthwhile, Luke 5:5-8.

5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 

 

Even though it was against Peter’s better judgement, he obliged.  Look at verse 5.

 

BTW…The devil will try to convince you like he tried to convince Peter that this carpenter doesn’t know about your situation. 

 

How could He know about marriage?  He was never married.  How could He know about raising kids?  He wasn’t a parent.  How could He know about money?  He was poor.

 

Jesus’ was and is omniscient.  That means He knows all, and that includes everything that is best for you regardless of what area of your life. 

 

Therefore, Peter believed and obeyed.  Verse 5 says he let down the net in the deep water.

 

BTW…Without faith and obedience, it is impossible to please God.  That is what Peter did here.  He believed, and He obeyed.  See Hebrews 11:6.

 

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

Was it worth Peter’s while?  Look at verse 6.  A miracle happened.

 

They caught so many fish that the nets were breaking and the boats were sinking.  This was an act of the not only omniscient Jesus but the omnipotent Jesus.  He caused their nets to be full of fish. 

 

In verse 8, when he recognized why the nets were, he also recognized who he was in light of who Jesus was.  Consequently, he fell at Jesus’ feet and confessed his sinfulness. 

 

Peter’s confession is reminiscent of Isaiah.  See Isaiah 6:5.

 

5 So I said:

 

“Woe is me, for I am undone!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King,

The Lord of hosts.”

 

Needless to say, I don’t think Peter regretted doing the illogical.  I never have either. 

 

I have never regretted writing a tithe check. I have never regretted sharing the gospel.  I have never regretted being faithful to my wife.  I have never regretted praying too much, and neither will you. 

 

 

3. Following Jesus may cost you everything, Luke 5:9-11.

9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

 

Verse nine says that Peter and all those with him were astonished or amazed at all that had happened.  Jesus told them not to let this miracle scare them. 

 

Why would they be scared?  This miracle was supernatural.  It was contrary to nature.  Think about if you were in their shoes.  If you were Peter or Andrew or James or John, would this be a little creepy or cringe?

 

At the end of verse 10, these two sets of brothers were given their assignment from that point forward.  However, it wasn’t just their assignment.  Brothers and sisters, it is our assignment as well.

 

We are to catch men alive or catch men for life.  That is literally what the end of verse 10 says. 

 

Consequently, as Christians, as Disciples, as Followers of Jesus, our job is point people to Jesus.  Whoever God brings in our path, that is the only reason He didn’t take us to heaven already so get to work!

 

In verse 11, these two sets of brothers left every thing and every one and followed Jesus.  They left everything behind.

 

Jesus would extend this invitation multiple times in Luke’s Gospel.  See 14:33 and 18:22.

 

33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

 

22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

 

These men left behind the greatest catch ever.  They left behind their business.  They left behind their family. They left behind their friends.

 

Are you willing to do the same today?  If Jesus called you to sell your business and do something new for Him, would you do it?

 

If you follow Jesus and your family isn’t on board, will you still do it?  If you follow Jesus and your friends don’t want to come, will still follow?

 

 

Invitation

My first invitation is for anyone to follow Jesus for the first time by admitting that you are a sinner, believing that Jesus died on the cross in your place, and call on Him to save you.

 

My second invitation is for anyone to follow Jesus completely in every area of your life.  That means your marriage and your parenting and your money and your business and baptism and church membership.

 

My second invitation is for anyone to follow Jesus into vocational ministry.  It may mean leaving behind everything including your business, your family, and your friends.

 

However, following Jesus for the first time or again is always worth it.  Won’t you do it today?

Jesus' Absolute Authority

I want you to take your Bibles this morning and turn to Luke 4:31. I want to talk with you this morning about a subject matter that is not too common of a topic in Baptist churches.  I want to talk you about the ministry of physical healing.

 

In today’s church culture, when we talk about a physical healing ministry, that is usually in reference to an individual’s physical healing ministry.  However, I don’t believe that spiritual gift is still active today, but you are more than welcome to disagree with me.

 

This morning, we are going to see in Luke 4 the physical healing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.  While I don’t believe that individuals can heal others today, I certainly believe that Jesus physically heals and can heal you this very morning. 

 

Even though we are going to see Jesus physically healing many this morning in Luke 4, the primary message from today’s text is Jesus’ absolute authority.  You will find that word twice in today’s text: 32 and 36.

 

Jesus’ absolute authority applies to His teaching ministry.  Remember, that was His primary ministry, and He began that ministry close to home in Galilee.  That is like a county.  Last week, we saw Him in Nazareth. 

 

Today, He is in Capernaum, and He first ministered to His countrymen on the Sabbath and in the synagogues.  That’s what verse 31 tells us.

 

Verse 32 says that people were astonished at His teachings.  Why?  His word was with authority. 

 

Now, in order to demonstrate His authority further or authenticate His authority, Jesus healed many.  His miracles authenticated His message. 

 

In the next several verses, we are going to see that Jesus’ absolute authority was demonstrated when He healed an individual spiritually.  He then healed an in-law physically, and He then healed in mass completely. 

 

 

1. Jesus’ absolute authority was affirmed when He healed an individual spiritually, Luke 4:33-37.

33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”  35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. 36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” 37 And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region. 

 

Look at verse 33.  There in Capernaum in the synagogue was a man who was demon possessed. 

 

BTW…Let me take this opportunity to remind you that demons are real.  They were real in Luke 4, and they are real today, and just like this individual was demon possessed 2,000 years ago, individuals can be demon possessed today.

 

Also, demons are spirit beings, and they are evil.  If you are a follower of Christ, you cannot be demon-possessed because darkness and light cannot occupy the same space.  However, demons can and will terrorize Christians and attempt to make their earthly lives hell on earth.

 

Finally, demons are extremely powerful.  Here in Luke 4, this demon physically threw this man to the ground.  However, they are not omnipotent.  That is reserved for God, and each and every demon is less than the one, true, and living God.

 

This demon spoke through the man and begged Jesus to leave them alone.  Notice that this demon was very aware of and knowledgeable of who Jesus was. 

 

He knew Jesus was from Nazareth.  He knew Jesus was more powerful and could destroy him.  He knew Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Messiah. 

 

BTW…This demon is proof that knowledge alone doesn’t save.  Remember James 2:19.

 

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

 

This demon believed the truth.  However, to be saved, you must believe personally and repent.  You must turn from your sin and yourself and turn to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

 

In verse 35, because Jesus has absolute authority, He rebuked or commanded the demon to shut up and come out.  What happened?  The demon obeyed, and this individual man was healed spiritually. 

 

The people confirmed it, and this miracle affirmed Jesus’ absolute authority and the message He was preaching.  Consequently, word began to travel about all that Jesus was doing.

 

 

2. Jesus’ absolute authority was affirmed when He healed an in-law physically, Luke 4:38-39.

38 Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 39 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.

 

Look at verse 38.  After Jesus healed the individual man in the synagogue, He made His way to Simon Peter’s house. 

 

When He arrived, He found Simon Peter’s mother-in-law with a high fever.  Remember, Luke was a physician so he described her fever as high while the other Gospel writers just said fever. 

 

BTW…Notice from this text that Peter had a house and was married.  The idea that ministers shouldn’t own property and can’t be married doesn’t find its basis in the Bible.

 

Jesus was then asked to heal her.  Again, like He did previously with the demon-possessed individual man, Jesus rebuked or commanded the fever to be gone, and it was.  Why?  Jesus has absolute authority, and these miracles authenticated and affirmed His message.

 

Also, while this in-laws healing was physical, it was a picture of the spiritual.  When Jesus healed Peter’s wife’s mother, she immediately began to serve others. 

 

When Jesus saves you, He doesn’t save you to sit and soak.  He saves you to serve Him by serving others.  Commit to and find your place of ministry today!

 

 

3. Jesus’ absolute authority was affirmed when He healed in mass completely, Luke 4:40-41.

40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”  And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

 

Brothers and sisters, if words have meaning, and they do, these next two verses are going to astonish you.  Look at verse 40.

 

When word began to get out of the miracles that Jesus was performing, the crowds came.  Verse 40 says that at sundown, folks were bringing their sick and infirmed family, friends, and neighbors to Jesus for Him to heal them.

 

And you know what?  He did…every single one of them. 

 

Jesus not only continued to heal in mass, but He also continued to heal spiritually by casting out demons.  How could He do this?  He did this because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world has absolute authority.  That means His authority is supreme, and all other authority is subservient to His.

 

Finally, in verses 42-44, we end in a similar way as we began.  Jesus’ primary ministry was a teaching/preaching ministry.  Remember, the crowds were amazed at the authority with which He preached. 

 

Jesus even said in verse 43 that preaching and teaching was why He came.  That message was affirmed and authenticated through miracles. 

 

Again, remember His ministry started close to home.  Verse 44 says He preached in all the synagogues in Galilee.  Going to the synagogues reminds us that Jesus first tried to take His message of hope first to His own countrymen, the Jews.

 

 

Conclusion

So allow me to conclude with two final thoughts.  First, spiritual healing is far more important than physical healing.  In other words, healing the heart of sin is better than healing the heart from clogged arteries. 

 

Let me explain further.  Jesus is the great physician, and He can heal any sickness, any disease, any infirmity, any time and any place and for any one. 

 

However, if that person who is physically healed has not been spiritually healed and dies and goes to hell, what good is a cure for cancer?  What good is being able to walk again?  What good is being about to see again?

 

Before Jesus heals you physically, His first desire is to heal you spiritually by saving your soul.  Today, you can begin a personal relationship with Jesus and having forgiveness of sin, a home in heaven, and eternal life if you will admit you are a sinner and call on Jesus to save you today.

 

Secondly, and this what you might not have expected to hear this morning, I believe that God’s will is always physical healing unless the person who is sick personally knows otherwise.  Consequently, when I pray, I pray in that manner.

 

Let me explain.  Matthew 6:10 says for us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

10 Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

How is God’s will done in heaven?  It is done perfectly without sin.  That means there is not sickness.  See Revelation 21:4.

 

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

 

Therefore, I believe God’s will is always to heal unless the person who is sick knows otherwise.  See 1 Corinthians 11:29-32.

 

29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

 

These Corinthians Christians were sick and died because of their sin specifically related to the Lord’s Supper.  Therefore, it was not God’s will to heal them.  It was God’s will to discipline them.

 

Therefore, if you are sick and need healing, I invite you to confess your sins to the Lord and believe that His will is for your healing.  And I would be more than happy to anoint you with oil and pray over you.

 

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Jesus' Earthly Ministry

We return to Luke 4 this morning and consider Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Last Sunday, Bro. Ronnie showed Jesus’ temptation from the devil in the wilderness. 

 

In one sense, you could say that Jesus’ baptism started His earthly ministry.  His temptation then prepared Him for His earthly ministry.  Today’s text then shows us the beginning.

 

 

1. Jesus’ earthly ministry was furthered by the Holy Spirit, Luke 4:14-15.

14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. 15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 

 

Verse 14 says that Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.  This was the Holy Spirit furthering or empowering His earthly ministry that included a strong teaching/preaching component. 

 

Dr. Luke often highlights the presence and work of the Holy Spirit more so than the other gospels.  So far, we have seen that to be true specifically in Jesus’ life.

 

Luke 1:35, 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

 

Luke 3:22, 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

 

Luke 4:1, 1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

 

Also, in these first two verses, we see that Jesus had returned home to minister.  That home was Galilee.

 

And, He gave His initial attention to the Jews.  We know that because He taught in their synagogues.  His ministry first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles is very important for today, and we will come back to that in just a minute. 

 

BTW…If my ministry and our ministry at Emory Baptist Church is not furthered and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are wasting our time.  Consequently, you will hear me pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work in our worship service.  We need to ask the Lord to fill us with His Spirit when we evangelize our coworkers and classmates.  We need to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our community ministries.

 

 

2. Jesus’ earthly ministry favored the outcast, Luke 4:16-19, 23-27.

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

 

In verse 16, Jesus came home, and He went to the local synagogue on Saturday to preach.  In verse 17, He took the scroll of Isaiah and read from Isaiah 61. 

 

In verse 18, Luke again highlights the Holy Spirit furthering and empowering Jesus’ ministry.  He then spoke of 5 different groups of people that His ministry would include, and they all could be considered to be outcasts of society.

 

First, Jesus would preach the gospel to the poor.  Second, He would heal the brokenhearted.  Third, He would proclaim freedom to the captives or prisoners free.  Fourth, He would help the blind see, and fifth, He would set free those who were oppressed. 

 

In conservative Baptist circles, we like to think Jesus was talking spiritually about these groups: the spiritually poor and the spiritually broken and the spiritually addicted and the spiritually blind and the spiritually oppressed.  And He was.

 

However, brothers and sisters, Jesus’ earthly ministry favored the literal poor and literal broken and the literal prisoner and the literal blind and the literal oppressed.  Why?  Because they knew they needed a Savior. 

 

Consequently, if Jesus’ ministry favored these outcasts, our must too.  We can’t be like Jesus and shy away from these messy, different, groups that are in desperate need.

 

Yes, it will take time.  Yes, it will be messy, and yes, it will require patience.  And that is exactly what Jesus did and wants from us. 

Jesus’ earthly ministry favored the socially outcast and also the ethnically outcast.  That is the reason for verses 25-27.

 

25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 

 

In verse 25-26, Jesus reminded His hometown folks that God sent Elijah to one widow in Israel.  Do you know what was unique about her?  She was a Gentile.

 

In verse 27, what was unique about Naaman the Syrian who was a leper being cleansed and healed?  He also was a Gentile. 

 

Brothers and sisters, if we are going to ministry to this community, we have got embrace who our community is.  If you want to minister to those in Allen or Frisco or Lewisville, then you should go to church there.

 

Now I want to make a very specific application, and that is to immigrants.  Our country has an immigration problem.  Our immigration system is woefully broken, and the greatest nation in the world, in my opinion, needs comprehensive immigration reform. 

 

First, we need to secure our borders.  Second, all of those who are here illegally need to go to the end of the line for naturalization.  Third, they need to undergo a criminal background check.  Fourth, they need to pay some type of monetary fine for coming or staying illegally.  Fifth, they need to learn our primary language of English. 

 

However, what about those who are here?  Do we give them amnesty?  We do not.  Do we deport them?  We do not. 

 

As a church, we must welcome them, love them, and minister to them.  Jesus’ earthly ministry favors them, and ours should too.

 

 

3. Jesus’ earthly ministry fulfilled prophecy, Luke 4:20-22.

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

 

After Jesus read from Isaiah, notice what He said in verse 21.  He said that He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 61.  In other words, He was the promised Messiah, and He was the central figure or character in God’s plan. 

 

We have seen these in recent Sundays, but it is so paramount that we must proclaim it again and again.  Jesus is promised Messiah.  He is the Savior of the Jews and the Gentiles.  Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world.

 

Consequently, that is the message that God planned for Jesus to share with hometown first.  And that is the message that we are to share with our families first. 

 

However, family ministry is hard.  It was hard for Jesus, and it will be hard for us. 

 

23 He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’” 24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.

 

In verse 23, the Nazarenes wanted to see some miracle to validate Jesus’ message.  Jesus then rebuked them with verse 24.  No prophet is accepted in his own country. 

 

Family and community ministry is hard.  However, family and community ministry is worth it.

 

Some will be amazed like those in verse 15 and verse 22.  Others will be angry like those in verses 28-30.

 

15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

 

22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.

 

28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. 30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

Conclusion

Our ministry should follow Jesus’ ministry: furthered by the Holy Spirit, favoring to the outcasts who recognize their need, and fulfilling the plan of God specifically to our families and community.

 

Also, if you don’t receive the message God has shared with you, eventually, His mercy will move.  That is what we see in these Nazarenes being so upset with Jesus that they wanted to kill Him.  My invitation is to receive Him today.

 

 

 

 

 

The World is Not Enough!