July 20, 2010
Central Truth
What is this? A new teaching with authority!
And they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority. (Luke 4:32)
31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! 1 4:34 Or Leave us alone What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.
40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who 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, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. 2 4:44 Some manuscripts Galilee
Have you ever read a great story of life change in a book or watched one in a video or on stage? How about a story in which God uses somebody to greatly change another person's life?
When I hear stories like this, I celebrate both the person transformed and the person God used in the process. However, I have a significant urge to be the one God used. Or to say it a little more crassly, GIVE ME SOME OF THAT! I’m not looking to hoard all the great ministry opportunities, but I do deeply desire to be used by God for significant kingdom work. Luke, while documenting some of the great miracles of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, demonstrates how wonderful it is to be used by God in significant ways.
He also shows one key thing required to be used by God. Look again at Luke 4:32 & 36.
What was one thing all the people noticed about Jesus? In a word: AUTHORITY! So if authority is critical to effective ministry, how do we get it? You can’t wish it into your life, you can’t buy it, you can’t get it from someone else, and you can't try to have the authority that comes from heaven. You have to train for it! It comes from a lifestyle of journeying well with God. Jesus gives us one clue later in this passage. "Jesus left and went to a secluded place." (Luke 4:42)
Although crowds frequently sought out Jesus when He went to secluded places, He prioritized time alone with the Father. Authority in Jesus’ life came from a moment-by-moment yieldedness to the Father built upon years of memorizing and meditating on the Scriptures and the character of God.
We may never cast out demons or heal fevers. However, we do know that the Lord will use us in other ways. "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." (2 Chronicles 16:9a) Now, GO GET YOU SOME OF THAT!
1. How is your time alone with the Father? Do you spend time listening?
2. What steps can you take to yield more fully to God's Spirit?
3. Are you actively engaging in people's lives so God can use you?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Talk about good news that you have heard lately.
2. What Good News was Jesus talking about in verse 43? Where did He say He was going to preach the Good News?
3. In following Jesus’ example, where can you tell others about His Good News?