One Message - Two Responses

One Message - Two Responses One Message - Two Responses Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Salvation; Revelation; Gospel; Responses to Jesus / Luke 4:14-30 The message of Jesus is preached there are two ways to respond: to accept or to reject. When people accept the message it is because they are changed by the truth. When people reject it is not because we need to change the truth. Dont change the message of Jesus just because people reject it. People reject the message because of themselves not because of the message. Their problem is they are too familiar that they dismiss the message or they reject the scope of the message. We must continue to preach the message of Jesus though because it is the only message of salvation - Jesus is the only way Introduction 1. When it comes to the fitness industry the message of the truth leading to health and fitness has been lost a. The message has been lost in favor of the message leading to the wallet and money i. This means promising things untrue ii. Changing requirements - 1. what eating right and exercising is too hard - you dont like to sweat? 2. You can lose weight easily without diets and without exercise 3. If this is true sign me up - because who in their right mind would diet and exercise if they didnt have to???? b. The new message may be monetarily profitable for the one giving the message but the message given to the one seeking health and fitness is unprofitable because it is untrue 2. The message of fitness and the path to health has only changed in order to bring in more people and appeal to the masses. a. It didnt actually increase fitness or health for anyone - it actually made the wallets of those doing it fatter 3. Luke brings us to what he portrays as the beginning of Jesus's ministry and we get front row to the message Jesus teaches. a. We need to see that this message Jesus teaches has two responses - always b. We also need to see and understand that the message of Jesus should not change i. It should illicit one of two responses - the message is the message the people need to hear fro spiritual fitness - for CrossFitness › Lets read the account together › SLIDE Luke 4:14-16 CSB 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, being praised by everyone. 16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. › SLIDE Luke 4:17-19 CSB 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, and unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. › SLIDE Luke 4:20-22 CSB 20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 He began by saying to them, "Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled." 22 They were all speaking well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from his mouth; yet they said, "Isn't this Joseph's son?" › SLIDE Luke 4:23-24 CSB 23 Then he said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to me: 'Doctor, heal yourself. What we've heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in your hometown also.' " 24 He also said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. › SLIDE Luke 4:25-27 CSB 25 But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah's days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them except a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 And in the prophet Elisha's time, there were many in Israel who had leprosy, and yet not one of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." › SLIDE Luke 4:28-30 CSB 28 When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged. 29 They got up, drove him out of town, and brought him to the edge of the hill that their town was built on, intending to hurl him over the cliff. 30 But he passed right through the crowd and went on his way. › SLIDE The Message of Jesus › SLIDE Luke 4:16-17 CSB 16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, and unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written: › SLIDE Luke 4:18-19 CSB 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. › SLIDE Luke 4:20-21 CSB 20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 He began by saying to them, "Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled." › SLIDE Luke 4:23-24 CSB 23 Then he said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to me: 'Doctor, heal yourself. What we've heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in your hometown also.' " 24 He also said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. › SLIDE Luke 4:25-26 CSB 25 But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah's days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them except a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. › SLIDE Luke 4:27 CSB 27 And in the prophet Elisha's time, there were many in Israel who had leprosy, and yet not one of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." 1. Jesus message was recorded in Nazareth a. This is Jesus's hometown - where He had been brought up b. This was the town everyone knew Jesus to be from and this is the town where Mary and Joseph raised Him 2. His message was given in the synagogue a. Synagogue was attended on Sabbath day b. Note the first two words of this sentence - as usual or as was His custom i. Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath as usual - it was a habit for Him ii. Think of all the reasons people tend to leave or stay away from church 1. The people 2. The leadership 3. I can be the church anywhere - i dont need the building iii. Jesus entered the synagogue - it wasnt even commanded to go - He did it willingly 1. How different was it for Jesus - still all sorts of trouble in the synagogue 2. Yet He went as was His custom - He desired to worship God and He desired to be with God's people worshipping a. If Jesus desired it and sought it how much more should we today not forsake the fellowshipping together › SLIDE Hebrews 10:25 NKJV 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. c. Jesus stood up to read i. In synagogue there wasnt much formal clergy - each week someone from the community would be chosen to read scripture and give the sermon ii. Jesus was chosen for this week - not too surprising given that He was in His hometown and His reputation as a teacher and everyone wanted to know if it was true what they have been hearing about His teaching. 3. His message was Isaiah 62:1-2a a. They brought Him the scroll i. Upon receiving the scroll either could be true - because it says that Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the place it was written (which would have been towards the end of the scroll and hard to find given that they had no chapter or verses) 1. Isaiah 61:1-2 was the reading from the prophets for that week 2. Jesus chose this prophecy specifically ii. Either way I think Jesus perfectly timed or perfectly chose this scripture because it is about Him and His message › SLIDE - CSB version but Jesus would have read the Hebrew or Septuagint version The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, b. Reading it Jesus rolled the scroll back up, handed it to the attendant and then He sat down i. When they taught in those days the scripture would be read standing and the sermon would be sitting down 1. It says that the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were upon Jesus - they were fixed on Him ii. Jesus says today as you listen this Scripture has been fulfilled - point number 1 1. Perhaps this wasnt all He said at this point - but now this is just speculation but perhaps Jesus preached the Good news to the poor and proclaimed the release of the captives and recover of sight to the blind and set free the oppressed - finishing by proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor a. The Good news preached and the proclamation of the year of the Lord's favor - the year of Jubilee - where all is undone and forgiven 2. Jesus says this is Me - I am the Lord's anointed - the Messiah and this is the time of Good news for like the year of Jubilee the Lord is offering a way for salvation iii. Jesus then moves to make another point - 1. No doubt you will quote this proverb or parable to me 'Doctor heal yourself. What we've heard that took place in Capernaum - do here in your hometown a. Essentially the proverb is saying Doctor Keep yourself well first - a sign of distrust i. We would say things similar "Dont trust a sick doctor" or "Dont trust a skinny cook" b. Perhaps Jesus was speaking of what was in their minds or of what was in their future for something similar will be said on the cross › SLIDE Luke 23:37-39 CSB 37 and said, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews. 39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" › SLIDE Matthew 27:42 CSB 42 "He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 2. Either way Jesus was assessing their attitude of unbelief - this was His hometown and they were skeptical of Jesus being the Messiah a. They had heard of great things in Capernaum i. Luke's gospel starts here and then goes to Capernaum - remember Luke's order is not chronological it is thematic b. In Capernaum Jesus performed signs and miracles already i. Recorded in Johns Gospel 1-4 c. They thought since He was from Nazareth they were owed some sign or wonder i. It isnt unreasonable request - Jesus would work signs and miracles elsewhere but Jesus is not under their will or authority › SLIDE Matthew 12:39 CSB 39 He answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. › SLIDE Matthew 16:4 CSB 4 An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Then he left them and went away. iv. Jesus's third point is that a prophet is not accepted in His hometown and when that happens the message goes to those outside 1. He gives two examples here one of Elijah and one of Elisha a. Both of whom were used to bless and save the "heathen" at a time when Jews also were in need but were not helped because they would not listen to the message and would not receive the prophets 2. Jesus is showing that God wants to bless all - not that if the Jews dont receive well then fine He will take the Gentiles - but that He always intended to save both - but the Jews missed out on blessing because of their unbelief of the message. › SLIDE The Two Responses to Jesus's Message › SLIDE Acceptance › SLIDE - one repsonse to the message of Jesus Luke 4:14-15 CSB 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, being praised by everyone. 1. Firmly believe that Jesus never changed His message no matter where He preached - sure He may have used other scripture and illustrations and words but the essential message of Now is the time of salvation and His name is the one by which you must be saved never has changed. 2. All over Galilee outside his home town He was praised by everyone a. This wasnt a false praise or flattery this was genuine praise by those who heard His message and were for the first time given hope eternal and relief in their struggles b. These were those who heard that Jesus is coming for them to save them i. The poor - the poor in spirit ii. The captives - those enslaved to sin iii. the blind - those who couldnt see the truth iv. the oppressed 1. Everyone who heard HIs message found themself within His proclamation of the year of Jubilee › SLIDE - the other response to the message of Jesus Rejection › SLIDE - the keyword here is the word YET Luke 4:22 CSB 22 They were all speaking well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from his mouth; yet they said, "Isn't this Joseph's son?" › SLIDE Luke 4:28-30 CSB 28 When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged. 29 They got up, drove him out of town, and brought him to the edge of the hill that their town was built on, intending to hurl him over the cliff. 30 But he passed right through the crowd and went on his way. 1. Those in Nazareth heard Jesus words about who He came to set free, and that He was the fulfillment of the Lord's promise of Messiah a. They loved His message of hope - they said His words were gracious and they were amazed by them b. Look at the keyword in this though - this was not true praise - they listened with skepticism and cynicism in their hearts i. They were speaking well, and amazed - then the word YET comes into play ii. As they listened to the message they started to reason within themselves why it might not or could not be true c. They were then confronted with Jesus words about the proverb and them seeking a sign to prove it to them 2. They full on outwardly and openly rejected the message of Jesus when He told them that God would save all who received the message - including Gentiles! a. Jews believed that Gentiles were good for only keeping the fires of hell hot b. Jesus saying they would be recipients of the grace and salvation of THEIR Messiah - this was enough to bring them to being enraged and blood lusted i. They surrounded this crazy man and somehow walked Him out the Synagogue and up the hill to a ledge where they would force Him to fall ii. Funny thing then Jesus right in front of them performed a miracle - He walked right past them out of harms way › SLIDE The Problem Is Not the Message Why these two different responses to the same message? There is a danger in familiarity 1. The Jews of Nazareth couldnt believe what they were hearing because they couldnt see past Jesus - Jospeh's son and see Jesus the Son of God Messiah a. Sometimes when we are familiar with someone long enough we dont take them seriously when they come into authority b. Sometimes familiarity causes us to take things for granted i. Why do you think that in a country where we have the most resources to access a bible in any translation we want, resources to study and learn the Bible - the freedom to assemble and worship - why do we remain unconvinced of our need for God, unconvinced of what the Bible and what Jesus teaches? › SLIDE There is a danger in Pride 1. Jesus said He came to save a certain people • The poor • the captive • the blind • the oppressed a. If we cannot admit and see our true spiritual condition we will miss out on the salvation of Jesus. › SLIDE They love the truth when it enlightens them, but hate truth when it accuses them b. Jesus told the Jews that they were in the same need as the Gentiles and this angered them - they could not admit they were just as destitute as the Gentiles! Proclaim Jesus message unadultered › SLIDE We do not change the message of Jesus just because people reject it God's word is not to be watered down to make it palatable - it should be proclaimed so those who need it - hear it and accept it. The message of Jesus meets needs, exposes sin, identifies wrong thinking, and reveals pride and preaches belief in Jesus as the answer for all These 17 verses serve as Luke's summary of Jesus entire ministry. Jesus would declare Himself Messiah - the Jewish hearers proved themselves unworthy of God's blessing and the Gospel would go to the Gentiles. Whats your response to Jesus's message? Will you be Saved or will you miss out on the blessing of God while others around you are saved? Are you able to come to salvation the same as everyone else at the same place as everyone else? Admitting you are a sinner in need of a savior? Accepting Jesus Christ as the Savior sent by God? Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:55 PM September 27, 2019.