Jesus: Our Offensive Mission and Radical Redemption
Summary
In the weeks leading up to Easter, we embark on a journey through a series titled "Jesus Storming at Gate," inspired by Matthew 16:18. This series aims to challenge our understanding of Jesus and our calling as His followers. Jesus portrays the kingdom of Satan as a fortified city, with the church as the invading army. We are not on the defensive; we are on the offensive, led by Jesus, the head of the church. Our mission is to follow Christ in the most important battle for the world and ourselves.
Today's story from Luke 4:14-30 marks the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, following His victory over Satan's temptations. Jesus returns to His hometown, Nazareth, and delivers His first sermon, which is a paradigmatic message explaining His life and mission. This sermon creates a shockwave of God's grace, calling us to join Him in spreading this grace to the world.
To understand this shockwave, we must grasp three truths: the universal concern and promise of God, the unique claim of Christ, and the unchanging cause of God's redemption. Jesus reads from Isaiah 61, proclaiming the good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, and liberation for the oppressed. This prophecy, originally for the Israelites in Babylonian exile, speaks of God's jubilee—a time of restoration and hope.
Jesus intentionally omits the part of Isaiah's prophecy about God's vengeance, emphasizing instead His mission of jubilation and joy. He claims to be the fulfillment of God's promise, declaring Himself as God's jubilee and our redemption. This radical claim sets Christianity apart from other religions, focusing on a relationship with Jesus rather than following a set of teachings.
The reaction of Jesus' hometown people is mixed. Initially impressed, they become skeptical and even hostile when Jesus challenges their expectations and ethnocentric views. This story serves as a reminder that Jesus never leaves us neutral; we must either accept Him as the Messiah or reject Him.
In our modern context, we must be cautious of aligning our faith too closely with cultural or political identities. Our true identity should be rooted in Christ, not in cultural or political victories. As a community, we are called to stand together, empowering each other to live out our faith authentically and share God's love with everyone.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Offensive Nature of the Church: The church is not on the defensive but is called to be on the offensive, storming the gates of the enemy with Jesus leading the charge. This requires us to actively engage in the spiritual battle, following Christ as our true King. [00:50]
2. Jesus as God's Jubilee: Jesus' first sermon in Nazareth reveals His radical claim to be the fulfillment of God's promise of jubilee and redemption. This sets Christianity apart, focusing on a relationship with Jesus rather than adherence to religious teachings. [18:14]
3. The Danger of Familiarity: The people of Nazareth initially marveled at Jesus' words but quickly turned hostile due to their familiarity with Him. This story warns us against allowing familiarity to breed contempt or false expectations in our relationship with Christ. [23:18]
4. Cultural Christianity vs. True Faith: In our modern context, we must be cautious of aligning our faith too closely with cultural or political identities. Our true identity should be rooted in Christ, not in cultural or political victories. [31:55]
5. The Power of Community: As a community, we are called to stand together, empowering each other to live out our faith authentically. Together, we can demonstrate what it means to be true followers of Christ and share God's love with the world. [38:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:50] - Introduction to the Series
- [03:50] - First Shockwave of Jesus Christ
- [07:30] - Universal Concern and Promise of God
- [12:00] - Jesus' Omission of Vengeance
- [18:14] - Unique Claim of Christ
- [20:42] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecy
- [23:18] - Reaction of Nazareth
- [27:00] - Spiritual Nepotism
- [31:55] - Cultural Christianity vs. True Faith
- [36:09] - The Role of Community
- [38:36] - Call to Action and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:18
- Luke 4:14-30
- Isaiah 61:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 16:18 reveal about the nature of the church and its mission? How does this align with the sermon’s depiction of the church as an offensive force? [00:50]
2. In Luke 4:14-30, how does Jesus' reading from Isaiah 61 set the tone for His ministry? What specific elements of the prophecy does He emphasize? [12:00]
3. How did the people of Nazareth initially react to Jesus' sermon, and what caused their reaction to change? [23:18]
4. What is the significance of Jesus omitting the part of Isaiah's prophecy about God's vengeance? How does this omission reflect His mission? [12:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the church being on the offensive challenge traditional views of the church's role in the world? What implications does this have for individual believers? [00:50]
2. Jesus claims to be the fulfillment of God's promise of jubilee and redemption. How does this claim set Christianity apart from other religions, according to the sermon? [18:14]
3. The sermon warns against the danger of familiarity with Jesus leading to skepticism. How can believers guard against this in their own faith journey? [23:18]
4. The sermon discusses the risk of aligning faith too closely with cultural or political identities. How can believers ensure their identity remains rooted in Christ? [31:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea of the church being on the offensive. How can you actively engage in the spiritual battle in your daily life? What steps can you take to follow Christ as your true King? [00:50]
2. Jesus' claim to be God's jubilee emphasizes a relationship with Him over religious teachings. How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus this week? [18:14]
3. Consider the danger of familiarity breeding contempt in your relationship with Christ. Are there areas in your faith where you have become complacent? How can you reignite your passion for Jesus? [23:18]
4. In what ways might your faith be influenced by cultural or political identities? How can you refocus your identity to be rooted in Christ alone? [31:55]
5. The sermon highlights the power of community in living out faith authentically. How can you contribute to and benefit from your faith community this week? What specific actions can you take to support others in their faith journey? [38:36]
6. Reflect on the concept of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise. How does this understanding impact your view of salvation and your relationship with God? [20:42]
7. The sermon calls for believers to share God's love with everyone. Identify one person in your life who needs to experience God's love. How can you demonstrate Christ's love to them this week? [36:09]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as an Offensive Force
The church is not meant to be passive or defensive; it is called to actively engage in spiritual warfare, storming the gates of the enemy with Jesus as the leader. This perspective challenges the common notion of the church as a refuge from the world, instead positioning it as a proactive force for change and redemption. As followers of Christ, we are called to participate in this mission, recognizing that our faith is not just a personal journey but a collective movement towards transforming the world. [00:50]
Matthew 11:12 (ESV): "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage in spiritual battles in your community this week, following Jesus as your leader?
Day 2: Jesus as the Fulfillment of Jubilee
Jesus' first sermon in Nazareth reveals His radical claim to be the embodiment of God's promise of jubilee and redemption. This sets Christianity apart by emphasizing a personal relationship with Jesus rather than mere adherence to religious rules. Jesus' mission is one of restoration and hope, offering freedom and healing to all who accept Him. This understanding invites us to see Jesus not just as a historical figure but as the living fulfillment of God's promises, calling us into a transformative relationship with Him. [18:14]
Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today, seeing Him as the fulfillment of God's promises in your life?
Day 3: The Peril of Familiarity
The people of Nazareth initially marveled at Jesus' words but quickly turned hostile due to their familiarity with Him. This story warns us against allowing familiarity to breed contempt or false expectations in our relationship with Christ. It challenges us to continually seek a fresh understanding of Jesus, avoiding the trap of assuming we fully know Him. This requires humility and openness to the new ways God may be working in our lives and communities. [23:18]
Mark 6:4 (ESV): "And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you allowed familiarity with Jesus to limit your faith? How can you seek a renewed perspective of Him today?
Day 4: True Faith Beyond Cultural Christianity
In our modern context, it is crucial to distinguish between cultural Christianity and true faith. Our identity should be rooted in Christ, not in cultural or political victories. This calls for a faith that transcends societal norms and expectations, focusing on a genuine relationship with Jesus. It challenges us to evaluate where our loyalties lie and to ensure that our faith is not merely a reflection of our cultural surroundings but a true commitment to following Christ. [31:55]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Are there aspects of your faith that are more influenced by culture than by Christ? How can you realign your identity to be rooted in Jesus?
Day 5: The Strength of Community
As a community, we are called to stand together, empowering each other to live out our faith authentically. Together, we can demonstrate what it means to be true followers of Christ and share God's love with the world. This collective strength is vital in a world that often values individualism over community. By supporting one another, we can create a powerful witness to the transformative love of Jesus, encouraging each other to grow in faith and service. [38:36]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a stronger faith community this week? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others in their walk with Christ?
Quotes
We have only five weeks left until Easter Sunday. Which is April 20th this year. So just a little over a month. That means our spring gospel series has to be short. So it is my prayer that God will give us his fast and furious grace through his word. So starting today, we will look at the five stories of Jesus that challenges our minds and our heart to see who Jesus really is. And who we are called to be. [00:00:26] (33 seconds)
I entitled our gospel series, Jesus Storming at Gate. Jesus Storming at Gate. I got this expression from Matthew 16, 18, verse 18. I will build my church and the gates of Haiti will not prevail against it. Here Jesus portrays a satanic kingdom as a fortified city. Gates of Haiti means well organized and determined forces to resist reign of God. And the church as the invading army. We should know we are not a defense. We are in the offensive. Amen. [00:01:01] (39 seconds)
Being a Christian means following our true king, Christ. Following Christ means fighting the most important battle for the world and us. As we follow Jesus storming at the gate, we will find out who Jesus really is and also what our true calling is. With that, let me introduce our first story of Jesus storming at gate today. [00:02:07] (28 seconds)
The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim the freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, and set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. What Jesus just read was Isaiah chapter 61, verse 1 and 2. And we need to note the three important facts about the Jesus' citation of Isaiah. [00:05:12] (30 seconds)
Jesus' first sermon was the shortest only eight words yet the most powerful sermon he ever preached it was obviously more than one sentence but the reason Luke said only one sentence is because that's the thesis of his sermon and that thesis is a shocking thesis in his first sermon at hometown Jesus declared he is a fulfillment of God's prophecy of a jubilee and God's promise of a restoration in one word Jesus made this radical unique claim about himself I am God's jubilee and I am your redemption. [00:14:22] (47 seconds)
The radical claim of Jesus as a God's jubilee and redemption is what makes Christianity different from all other religions. Other religions tell us what to do for salvation. But Christianity tells us who brings us salvation. Who saves us. Other religions convey the teachings and principles to achieve salvation. Christianity calls us to the person of Christ for salvation. [00:19:00] (27 seconds)
Reaction of Jesus' hometown people to Jesus' first preaching was very interesting. And confusing. It's controversial. They went from marveling at his wisdom and spirit to almost murdering him. From raving reception to rioting rejection. Why? Why? Many find the reason in verse 22. All spoke well of him or amazed at the gracious word that came from his mouth. And they asked, isn't this Joseph's son? [00:22:51] (37 seconds)
Many devotional commentators think that Jesus' hometown people became skeptical and cynical toward Jesus because of their familiarity with Jesus. So initially they say, wow, great preaching. And then all of a sudden they say, hey, by the way, this guy fixed my fence. Or this guy, you know, repaired my table and all that. And then, you know, isn't he, you know. Yes, familiarity breeds a contempt. [00:23:27] (28 seconds)
More than you think God is your God, you need to recognize that God is everybody's God. This idea is that God is on my side is actually dangerous. More important than God is on my side, we have to remember, am I on God's side? Am I on God's side? That is critical. That is very important. [00:29:35] (24 seconds)
American Christians often gravitate toward a power or seek to align with the political party. We base our behavior more on popular culture than prophetic words Jesus spoke. As a result, we are angrier and more divided within both our nation and our church than we have been in a very long time. As a pastor, I have firsthand saw cable news and social media, not the New Testament, regularly define how American Christians think and speak. Rather than church seasoning culture like the salt, it's a distinct flavor has instead been diluted by the culture. [00:32:48] (42 seconds)
I believe the community plays a very pivotal, critical role in our calling. Because individually, we cannot do this. As a community, we can do this far much easier and better. Let me give you an illustration. Let's say that I love, you know, this cartoon stuff, comic, you know, cartoon characters. That I'm a fan of, you know, Iron Man. And somebody knew that and gave me, you know, in the Passover Appreciation Month, gave me the real expensive, you know, their Iron Man mask and the whole, you know, stuff. [00:36:38] (37 seconds)
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