gracious jesus: jesus' ministry launch

JESUS’ MINISTRY LAUNCH

By Priyadarshini John

GRACIOUS JESUS1. PRESENTING THE KINGThe King is BornThe Greatest ProphetJohn Baptizes JesusThe Tempter Lures JesusJesus’ Ministry Launch

PRESENTATION OVERVIEWJESUS’ MINISTRY LAUNCH

Matt 4:12-25, Lk 4:14-371. What is Ministry2. Christ’s Anointing3. Preach Good news to the

poor4. Proclaim Liberty to the

captives5. Recovery of sight to the

blind6. Our Ministry7. Discussion

WHAT IS MINISTRYThe Greek word diakonia meaning “service.” Includes: Waiting tables (Acts 6:1) Caring for the poor (2 Corinthians 9:9-12) Proclaiming the gospel (Acts 20:24).

“Definition: The faithful service of God’s people rendered unto God and others on His behalf to bring Him glory, build up His church, and reach out to His world.”

MAKING DISCIPLESAfter His baptism and John’s arrest, Jesus moves to Capernaum and chooses his first disciples. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”Matt 4

KEY VERSESCHRIST’S ANOINTING

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Mark 4

CHRIST’S ANOINTINGIn Luke 4:17, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He unrolled it to Isaiah chapter 61. Why did he turn to Isaiah and why chapter 61?.

CHRIST’S ANOINTINGIt tells specifically about Christ’s work as Messiah.

PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…” 18a

Who are the poor referred by Jesus?

PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POORThey are the poor in spirit not finances.The poor in spirit are those who: Know that they need God. Admit spiritual destitution due to sin and

helplessness to deliver themselves from their dire situation.

Recognize utter worthlessness of spiritual currency and inability of their own works to save them

TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVESFreedom for some is: Turning 18 years old. Legally leaving their parent’s

home and running their own lives

Getting their driver’s license

TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES

The prodigal’s son never understood his freedom and thought he should:

Not be restricted. Have freedom from

his father Have full financial

control

His idea of freedom made him a prisoner.


Adam and Eve thought freedom was: Rebelling against

God Listening to the

devil (Gen.3) Becoming like God

Instead mankind lost real freedom and became a slave to sin


How do we chose to use the freedom God has given us?

TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVESWithout Jesus:• There is no real freedom. • We struggle to find the meaning of life.• We become more thirsty and empty and

restless.• We become a prisoner to despair and fatalism.

Jesus’ completing God’s work in this world provides the real freedom that men need.

TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVESThe secret to freedom in Christ is given in John 8:32, “If you hold to my teachings you are truly my disciples, then you will know the truth and ..

RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND

When Jesus heals the blind man in John 9, he not only physically heals him but points him to “The Light of the World” (john 8:12) and opens his spiritual eyes.


This put the spotlight on the ones who were truly blind i.e. the pharisees and religious leaders.


People can be blinded by their desires for:• Money• Lust• GloryJesus truly opens our blind eyes to see. (Jn.9:25)


.”

TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED

Physical oppression is abuse. Spiritual oppression is:• Hurt from a life

of sin.• Fear and

captivity under the devil (2 Tim 2:25-26).

TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVORThe year of the Lord’s favor means:• Salvation• Year of Jubilee (once in 50 years)• Liberty in the land.• Time to cancel all debts• Free slaves.(Lev.25:8-55)

OUR MINISTRYIt was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service [diakonia], so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

OUR MINISTRYWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

OUR MINISTRYPaul tells his readers that their attitude toward each other “should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

OUR MINISTRYWhen we seek to glorify God in all we do, all we do becomes ministry.

JESUS’ MINISTRY LAUNCHDISCUSSION1. In what ways, using our gifts, can we continue the ministry of Christ to proclaim:• Good news to the poor?• Liberty to the captives?• Recovery of sight to the blind?• Liberty those who are oppressed?• The year of the Lord's favor?2. What is the importance of discipleship? What lessons do we learn from Jesus?