The Mission of Jesus: Life, Liberty, & Love

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "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 freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

In this passage, we find Jesus in a natural setting; his hometown of Nazareth and in the temple where he had previously taught. Jesus was just following the normal order of a first century worship and accepted the welcoming offer to the newest "Rabbi" in town to read the Holy Word. Notice that the scroll of Isaiah is "handed" to Jesus, he does not "pick" it out to read, but is given the scroll and led by the Spirit to share that particular passage. Jesus then gives us the Spirit filled an anointed activites that He would perform to set people free, and activites that we the church should still be following today.

1. EVANGELISM.

" He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor."

The word "preach" here in the original Greek carries the connotation "to bring the good news with a message intended to cheer up the hearer."To the paraplegic Jesus said, "Be of GOOD CHEER, your sins are forgiven." (Matt. 9:2)To the disciples on the storm-tossed sea - "Be of GOOD CHEER, it is I, be not afraid." (Matt. 14:27)To His disciples when He told them He was going to heaven - "These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation. But be of GOOD CHEER, I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33)

2. ENCOURAGEMENT

"He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted." Brokenhearted" is a very descriptive word. It is used in the Bible only here and in the verse from Isaiah which Jesus quoted.
The bad news is there are a lot of brokenhearted people in this world. They suffer from broken relationships, they come from broken homes, they experience broken health, and a lot are broken financially.

The Bible concept is to be "made whole". (Mt. 9:22, 15:28; Mk. 6:56; Jn. 5:6,14; Acts 4:9) The Greek word "whole" can be defined: "To cause to be; to generate; to become." This wholeness is only accomplished through the work of Holy Spirit. He is the only One who can work on the inside where the broken heart beats.

3. EDIFICATION

"To preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind."
Once a person is made whole again through Christ, they need to experience the recovery and restoration process. This too, is a work of the Spirit.The scripture utilizes two very colorful words to describe people without Jesus: "CAPTIVES" and "BLIND".It also uses two powerful words for the restoration process: "DELIVERANCE" and "RECOVERY".

Edification is a good Bible word that describes the recovery or restoration process. Edification builds people up again, and is the opposite of the destruction and brokenness sin causes.

2 Corinthians 13:10/This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Romans 14:19. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

1Thessalonians 5:10-11/ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

4. EQUIPPING

"To set at liberty them that are bruised."

"Its one thing to be set free, but how are we supposed to handle the scars that sin leaves? How do we deal with the "bruises"?
The word "liberty" here literally means "freedom by pardon, forgiveness and remission".The words pardon and forgiveness are pretty clear, but remission is a Bible word we don’t use as much today.

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." - John 8:36

2 Peter 1:3. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

5. EXALTATION

"To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

Christ is talking about the Lord’s favor here - the gracious offer of Himself. Christ is the only "acceptable" offering for our sins.

WHAT is the result of this offering of Himself for our sins?

Jesus said, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32)

John 14:12, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

Ever wonder about what kind of those GREATER WORKS Jesus was talking about?

They are the works of the Spirit he proclaims here in this passage!

It is SIN that makes us POOR, that BREAKS our hearts, that takes us CAPTIVE, that makes us BLIND to God’s truth…IT IS SIN THAT IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF OPRESSION AGAINST THE CHILDREN OF GOD!

JESUS did not come to this world just to PREACH DELIVERANCE, or BRING DELIVERANCE to us, BUT to BE DELIVERANCE!

IS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD ON YOU?

Questions to Discuss:

1. Is it reasonable to expect that the power of the Spirit will be as great in a Christian today as it was in Jesus?
2. Why can being around the very poor make us feel uncomfortable? Can we with integrity declare good news to the poor without seeking to alleviate their poverty? Can the two be separated?
3. Who around you is a prisoner? How can you declare freedom to them with sensitivity?
4. How should you heal the brokenhearted in your world?
5. Who are the oppressed in your particular community? How can you assist them and help them find justice?
6. What main points did Jesus make to the people of his hometown (v 24-27)? ( 1Kings 17:14-16, 2 Kings 5:1-14)
7. Why were the people angry with what Jesus said? Do you get angry if someone tells you the truth about yourself? Why do we sometimes avoid facing the truth about ourselves?
8. What kind of reception from others should you expect when you speak the truth?
9. How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of worship? How about the importance of knowing the Scriptures.

(Sermon excerpts and 5 points taken from "Liberty When Life's Not Fair" by Pastor Brian Atwood of the Pathway Church of Huntsville, AL.)

The Temptations of Jesus; The Pride of Life

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' " Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:9-13

In the third and final temptation, the devil appeals to the "pride of life", trying to get Jesus to rely on himself other than the faithfulness of the Father. For the first time in this passage, the devil quotes scripture, citing Psalm 91, albeit, leaving out the "in all your ways" and twisting the Word to fit his actions.

When a child of God is in the will of God, he can claim the Father’s protection and care... but if he willfully gets into trouble and expects God to rescue him, then he is tempting God. (See Exodus 17:1-7)

Our Lord’s reply was, “on the other hand, it is written”

(Matthew. 4:7 NASB), `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'

Jesus balanced Scripture with Scripture to get the total expression of God’s will.

When WE try to live OUR life outside the WILL of GOD, we exhibit the PRIDE of LIFE!

So, how do we hear God's voice, how do we determine His will?

“For whatever is not of faith is sin” (Romans. 14:23),
and “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans. 10:17)

We live by faith, we obey God and His Word, we hear his message...and His message is the Gospel and the message is JESUS!

"When the devil had finished all this tempting,

he left him until an opportune time."

Notice that the devil will attack sometimes in our weakest moments and sometimes even right after a victory. He attacks at what is most adventageous to his plan...and most harmful to us.

Summary of the Temptations

· Satan questioned the FATHER’S LOVE when he tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread.
· Satan questioned the FATHER’S HOPE when he offered Jesus the world's kingdoms this side of the cross .

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3

· Satan questioned the FATHER’S FAITHFULNESS when he asked Jesus to jump from the temple and prove that the Father would keep His promise.

The enemy attacked the 3 basic virtues of the Christian life—

FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:33

FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE…
They remain today…because of Jesus…and what He did for us in the desert…and on the cross.

LOSE Your Pride, LIVE your life, and LOVE the Lord

Questions to Discuss:

1. What is the essence of the third temptation, to throw oneself down from the temple? How do we face this temptation today?



2. Did Jesus have any special powers at his disposal to resist temptation that Christians today don't have?



3. What lessons about how to resist temptation does Jesus teach us disciples in this passage?



4. In what situations are you sometimes tempted to put the Lord to the test?

The Temptations of Jesus-Lust of the Eyes

The Temptations of Jesus: The Lust of the Eyes

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'

Luke 4:5-8

Interesting...isn't it? What would tempt a king...kingdom? We usually automatically think of of the problems we have with "lusting" with our eyes in regard to sexual images...but, that's not what is going on here in the text. It is a far deeper and more widespread issue...It is GREED...it is COVETING...or at least it is the devil's attempt to draw us off our course as he tried to draw Jesus off his collison course with the cross...and eventually resurrection.

The second temptation is to authority and worldly glory. This sounds like a vision...thus the phrase "in an instant". Instantly, Jesus can see each of the kingdoms of his day: Herod's petty domain closest to him, then Rome's towering buildings and Caesar's court, and all the other empires. Jesus could see it all.


The devil said to Jesus, "If you worship me, it will all be yours." What was Satan's bargain? The Greek word for "worship" is proskuneo. "Proskuneo used to designate the custom of prostrating oneself before a person and kissing his feet, the hem of his garment, the ground, etc.; the Persians did this in the presence of their deified king, and the Greeks before a divinity or something holy; (fall down and) worship,prostrate oneself before, do reverence to, welcome respectfully.'

The Father had already promised to give the Son all the kingdoms of the world:
“I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”
Psalm. 2:7–87

…but first the Son had to suffer and die. (John 12:23–33)

The suffering must come first, then the glory. “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?".
Luke 24:25–27

Satan’s offer to Christ was valid, but his terms were unacceptable, and the Savior refused.Satan had said nothing about service, but Jesus knew that WHATEVER we worship, we will serve.

Service to the Lord is true FREEDOM, but service to Satan is terrible BONDAGE!
God’s pattern is to start with suffering and end with glory...while Satan’s pattern is to start with glory and end with suffering. If we can recognize this...we can avoid this trap of the lust of the eyes.

Jesus took the cross before the throne…and just as there were NO shortcuts for Him...There are no “shortcuts” in the Christian life, and there is no easy way to spiritual victory and maturity.

What is one of Satan’s biggest shortcut to us: GREED

“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."” Luke 12:15

WHAT IS IT THAT GETS YOU OFF COURSE? What is the recurring distraction to your Christian walk...the "shortcut" that the evil one continues to place in front of you?

How do we resist that temptation...that pull of what our eyes see, our greed, our coveting of the things of others, or even more of the things we already have...?

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

2 Peter 1:3-4

Questions to discuss:
1. What is the essence of the second temptation, to attain power and splendor?

2. What similar temptations do we face today?

3. What physical or mental needs and desires make us vulnerable to temptation?

4. What is the source of the divine power in 2 Peter 1 and how do we apply it to our walk?

The Temptations of Jesus: Lust of the Flesh

Luke 4:1-13
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.' " 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' " 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' " 12 Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Temptations...what tempted you this week? Was it big...small...or was it that same one that you constantly find yourself struggling with, you know, the one that is your true thorn in the flesh, your Achilles heel...the one the devil knows just how to attack? We must learn that the devil will always tempt in these 3 areas, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

In this posting, we will be dealing with the first temptation only, ...just like we did in the sermon this morning. I feel that we can learn more from individually discussing them, rather than talking about all 3 at once, like I have ususally done.

The devil appealed to the lust of the flesh, in this case hunger or our physical needs, the cravings that come from within our flesh and body. In fact, His deity was the basis for the first of the three temptations. “Since you are the Son of God,” Satan argued, “why be hungry? You can change stones into bread!”

In this first temptation, Satan suggested that there must be something wrong with the Father’s love since His “beloved Son” was hungry…God fed Israel..couldn’t Jesus feed himself?

Satan subtly used this same approach on Eve in the garden: “God is holding out on you! Why can’t you eat of every tree in the garden ? If He really loved you, He would share everything with you!”But the test was even more subtle than that, for Satan was asking Jesus to separate the physical from the spiritual.Satan wanted Jesus to disobey the Father’s will by using His divine power for His own purposes. Satan wanted Jesus to change his IDENTITY.

His IDENTITY is OUR IDENTITY!-To we who truly follow Christ, WHO we are as Christians and HOW the world sees us.

The Bible speaks to this pull from the world on us in 1 John 2:16:
"Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him." (The Message)

TEMPTATION is Satan’s weapon to defeat us, but it can become God’s tool to build us

James 1:2–4, 13–17
2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4.Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

12. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14. but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Christ must be first in everything,

or He is first in nothing

(Matthew. 6:33).

It is better to be hungry in the will of God than satisfied out of the will of God. When our Lord quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, He put the emphasis on the word man. As the eternal Son of God, He had POWER to do anything, but as the humble Son of Man, He had AUTHORITY to do only that which the Father willed.

As the Servant, Jesus did not use His divine attributes for selfish purposes (Philippians. 2:5–8). Because He was man, He hungered, but He trusted the Father to meet His needs in His own time and His own way. You and I need bread for the body (Matthew. 6:11), but we must not live by physical bread alone. We also need food for the inner person to satisfy our spiritual needs.

This FOOD is the Word of God
Psalm 119:103/How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Jeremiah 15:16/16. When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.

1 Peter 2:2/Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

What DIGESTION is to the body, MEDITATION is to the soul. As we read the Word and meditate on it, we receive spiritual health and strength for the inner person, and this enables us to obey the will of God.

Most of us Christians don’t realize that we have the same spiritual resources that Jesus used when He faced and defeated Satan:

1. Prayer (Luke 3:22),
2. The Father’s love (Luke 3:23),
3. Power of the Spirit (Luke 4:1),
4. Word of God (“It is written”).

The Word of God will successfully defeat the devil...or his demons. How much time THIS week did YOU spend in God's Word....how well in your desert, your wilderness, your temptation or trial can you reply..."It is written".

Questions to Discuss:
1. Is temptation only merely inevitable, or is it necessary to our growth as disciples?
2. What is the essence of the first temptation, to turn stones into bread? Which temptations we face are similar?
3. What physical or mental needs and desires make us vulnerable to temptation?
4. In what situations are you sometimes tempted to put the Lord to the test?
5. Where did Jesus get the answers he gave the Devil in verses 4, 8, and 12? 6. How did Jesus resist temptation? How can you become skillful in using the Bible & Scriptures as Jesus did?

The Herald of the Truth-Luke 3:1-22

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar--when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene-- 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.' " 7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. 11 John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" 13 "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. 21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

In studying this week's passage we really see 2 things: this is a story of John and Jesus...it is a story of one ministry ending...and one ministry beginning.

From the passage we can learn this about John the Baptist:

• John the Baptist was a voice “crying in the wilderness”

(Luke 3:4; see also Isaiah. 40:1–5, John 1:23). He was like the herald who went before the royal procession to make sure the roads were ready for the king.
He rebuked their sins and announced God’s salvation, for without conviction there can be no conversion.

• John the Baptist is compared to a farmer who chops down useless trees.

John reminded them that God gets to the root of things and is not impressed with religious profession that does not produce fruit.

• John the Baptist was a teacher.

He not only preached publicly, but he also had a personal ministry to the people, telling them how to practice their new faith (Luke 3:10–14).

What is not brought out a lot on this passage is John's relationship, his personal ministry to the people. In verses 10-15 we see this verbal exchange....and look at what John speaks to the crowd that has come to hear his words:
1) The Crowds-Be Generous
"The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
2) The Tax Collectors-Be Honest
"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
3) The Soldiers-Be A Person of Integrity & Gratitude
Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."

But then, he tells of one to come, one who will baptize them in a new way...

John knew that Jesus of Nazareth was the perfect Son of God who had no need to repent of sin.
Why then was the sinless Son of God baptized?

-His baptism gave approval to John’s baptism
-His baptism identified Him with the sinners that He came to save.
-His baptism was the official start of His ministry (Acts 1:21–22; 10:37–38).

But our Lord’s words tell us the main reason for His baptism:
“for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew. 3:15)

In the way pictured by His baptism in the Jordan. Many Bible scholars agree that NewTestament baptism was by immersion, which is a picture of death, burial, and resurrection.
Our Lord’s baptism in water was a picture of His work of redemption (Matt. 20:22; Luke 12:50). It was through His baptism of suffering on the cross that God “fulfilled all righteousness.”

So, Why Do We Need Baptism?
Jesus didn’t only SET our example…he COMMANDED us to FOLLOW it.
Mark 16:16/Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Matthew 28:18/Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (NOTICE: ALL AUTHORITY!)
19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20

In a verse used for baptism emphasis time and time again, we sometimes have put too much emphasis on the first part...and not realized the power and blessing attached to the second part.
Acts 2 :38/"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 39. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40. With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:39-41

Here’s the point I believe…If you have been putting off…or dodging being baptized…you aren’t just putting baptism off…you are in reality rebelling against the AUTHORITY & COMMANDMENT of CHRIST.
Have you heard the “voice”…is the “soil” of your heart ready…do you need “teaching”…or will you stay out of the authority of Christ?

Questions to Discuss:

1. What was the basic message of John the Baptist? (Luke 3:3) Exactly what is repentance? What are its two sides?

2. How sensitive was John to the crowds that came to hear him? (Luke 3:7-8) Why was John harsh with them? How would you feel if your pastor or a teacher called you a vicious snake?

3. If baptism was a sign of repentance from sin, why did Jesus ask to be baptized?

4. What do you think Jesus was saying to the Father as he was praying after his baptism?

5. Why would Jesus be baptized along with all the sin-laden people at the river that day? Wasn't he in danger of miscommunicating to them who he was?

6. Why do you think God staged the dove to descend in a visible way?

7. What was the significance of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at this time in his life? Did everyone see this symbol of the Holy Spirit, or was it just visible to John and Jesus?

8. How did Jesus interpret the Voice that sounded from heaven?

9. Did Jesus become the Messiah at this point? Or become divine? Or how do you understand this decisive event?

Whose House Are You In?- Jesus at the Temple

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:41-50

Have you ever misplace or lost your child? At the grocery store, a ballgame...AT CHURCH? As a parent, you know how terrifying that can be. So, most of us can understand Mary and Joseph's panic and reaction. But, what we probably do not understand...is the boy Jesus' reply and actions.

"Why is it that you were looking for me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?"

It can also be translated "in the things of My Father", but the idea is the same. Jesus was affirming His divine sonship and His mission to do the will of the Father.

That is huge, a major point...a true foundation that He will base His entire ministry and focus on the rest of his life.

This morning we looked at the traits of the boy Jesus we could see from our passage in Luke

1. He grew in a BALANCED way without neglecting any part of life. (Luke 2:52)
2. His PRIORITY was to do the WILL of His Father (Luke 2:49 & see Matthew. 6:33)'
3. He knew how to LISTEN. (Luke 2:46)
4. He knew how to ASK the RIGHT questions. (Luke 2:46)
5. He LEARNED how to work.
6. He was OBEDIENT to His parents. (Luke 2:51)

Please note that on the verse Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well, notice that "all these things" is referring back to verses 31 & 32/31. So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

We pray amiss and out of God's will when we take this verse to mean "everything"...God gives us what we need in accordance to His will, His plan, & His purpose for us in His kingdom.

It is these traits, these inherrent characteristics that begin to form the man Christ Jesus as he steps into ministry. This is our ONLY look at his childhood, Jesus the boy, and what we see is very impressive. We will not get another glimpse at this Jesus by God's Word until he is age 30, and comes to John baptizing in the river Jordan

So, What was happening to Jesus between the ages of 12 and 30? There are some apocryphal books that attempt to fill the gaps. But even a casual reading will show that these were written much later than the first century and are fairy tale-like stories. One tells of Jesus changing toy pigeons into real birds. It isn't unusual to find gaps in biographies in the Bible. The story of Jesus isn't unusual in this way.

The most likely explanation is that nothing of paramount importance to His ministry or fulfilled prophecy happened in this period. The Bible tells us only that he grew in grace and wisdom and appeared to be the ordinary son of a carpenter. He was an apprentice carpenter with Joseph his father. This is apparent when he speaks of things like yokes, what makes a good foundation and whether or not a building could stand, and many other "carpentry" like terms in his teachings.

With these kind of core values, this kind of upbringing & teachings, this type of foundation... no wonder the Father proclaimed, "This my MY beloved son, I am well pleased in Him." The real question we must ask is, "Can the Father say the say the same thing about us?"

Questions to Discuss:
1. How did Jesus respond to his parent’s frantic arrival? How did he answer his parent’s concern for him? (2:49) How did he then behave?(2:51)
2. How does this story illustrate the tension that Jesus may have felt between obedience to his heavenly father and obedience to his earthly parents?
3. Of the four ways in which Jesus grew (in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, in favor with man), which one needs the most work in your life? (2:52). What would our life be like if we embraced and put into practice the 6 traits we see in the boy Jesus...how would it make our lives different?

Scriptural references for the 6 traits in this morning's sermon-(Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 21:21, Proverbs 8:34-35, 2 Timothy 2:15, Luke 11:9-10, Mark 6:3 & Exodus 20:12)

Living in The House of the Lord-Anna's Story

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:36-40

Some people just persevere; they just don't give up when life hits them in the face. So is the second person to meet the child Jesus in the temple. I mean, imagine...losing your spouse after only 7 years of marriage...and if you are a woman in these times...not many available options. But, Anna didn't give up...her faith, her gift of prophecy, her endurance lead her to the one place where she could be considered "useful"...God's holy temple.

Notice what we find Anna doing in her "regular" day:

• Worshiping...day and night
• Praying
• Fasting

Hmmm, most of us have a hard time "worshiping" in our "temple" 6 hours a week...much less "day and night." As for me, I think I would have enjoyed "hanging out" with this first century 84 year old worshiper...I believe I could have learned from her...I believe I could have deepened my relationship with God by being around her.

Think about this...at this point of Luke's story we have met 2 people who "recognized" the Christ...but, look at their lives, look at their righteousness, look at their hearts. Maybe if we would become more like Simeon and Anna...we could "recognize" Christ in our lives more clearly.

May we come to a "daily" worship that opens both our eyes and our hearts to recognize Christ.

A Closer Look at Anna

• Anna is the same name as Hannah, meaning "He was gracious." 1 Sam. 1:20


• Anna was a prophetess. Scripture records 3 named prophetesses: Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4) and Huldah (2 Chron. 34:22). In the New Testament, we are told that Philip had 4 daughters that prophesied. (Acts 21:8-9)


• Anna was the daughter of Phanuel. The same as Peniel, meaning "Face of God" (Gen.:32:20). Ironic, that this worshiper, this humble servant would one day see the true "face of God".
  

Questions To Discuss:
1. Who was Anna? (2:36-37) What was her response to finding Mary, Joseph, and Christ in the temple? (2:38)
2. In what ways do you see God working behind the scenes in the events of Christ’s childhood?
3. In what ways are Simeon and Anna examples to us? What roles can other Christians have in our life of faith? As a Christian, what role can you have in another Christian’s life of faith?