Tom Mount – September 1, 2024

 

Scripture reading: Luke 4:31-37 SLIDE 1-2, SLIDE 3-TITLE

Introduction

  • Today is Part Two of last week’s message. We’ve seen that, following his baptism/anointing, Jesus announced his Messianic mission and divine authority to begin establishing the Kingdom of God (Lk 4:16-19; cf. Isa 61:1-2; 58:6). The people of Nazareth rejected his message and tried to kill him.
  • Jesus relocates to Capernaum and begins to exercise his royal authority by exorcising a demonic spirit (Lk 4:31-37).
  • In today’s text (Lk 4:38-44) two sections. 1. Jesus heals many people and exorcises several demons. 2. Spends time with his heavenly Father in prayer, fellowshipping and getting guidance. PRAY. SLIDE 4

 

Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others: Luke 4:38-41

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

  • rebuked the fever, and it left her – epitimao, same as in v.35, 41: shows his authority over the supernatural realm; this shows his authority over the natural realm (cf: 8:24).
  • she got up at once and began to wait on them – hospitality was a high cultural value and the senior woman of the house was most responsible for it.
  • at sunset – why sunset? So as not to break the fourth commandment.
  • various kinds of sicknesses… demons came out – Of Jesus’ thirty-six specific miracles: 1) Seventeen were healings, 2) Seven were exorcisms, 3) Three were resuscitations, 4) Nine were nature miracles. Lesson: SLIDE 5 He is Lord of literally ALL things! Nothing is left out.
  • laying his hands on each one – SLIDE 6 a ritual action that alters reality. It can impart guilt, authority or healing. Jesus gives this ritual and its power to us (see Mk 16:18; 1 Tim 5:22).
  • demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah – They wanted to disrupt his ministry (Mk 1:45). He didn’t want known liars to be his spokesmen.
  • First section: exercises his royal authority. Second session: SLIDE 7

 

Jesus meets with the Father: Luke 4:42-44

42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

  • At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place – Why did he go? SLIDE 8 Mark 1:35. SLIDE 9 Luke 5:16 Guidance (cf. John 5:19) and fellowship (John 8:29).
  • they tried to keep him from leaving them – Note: this is the exact opposite response of those at Nazareth. This is the pattern of his ministry: some crave to be with him; others want nothing to do with him. We, too, will attract some and repulse others SLIDE 10 (2 Cor 2:15-16).
  • good news of the kingdom of God – Cf. Lk 1:33 (Dan 7:14; Isa 9:7). SLIDE 11 For a first-century Jew, this meant God’s intervention to bring history to a just conclusion: i.e., save his people, judge evil, reward good, and reign through the Messiah for a certain period of time before ushering in the new heaven and earth (cf: Rev 20:1-7).

Takeaways

  • SLIDE 12 Meditate continuously on the fact that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords! Trust him, his power and authority in every situation you encounter. Worship him as the transcendent, sovereign Lord of all.
  • Embrace the fact that you are his duly commissioned royal ambassador use his delegated authority to proclaim the truth, heal, bless, curse evil, wage spiritual warfare and extend his kingdom on earth through the power of his Spirit.

Holy Communion SLIDE 13