JESUS' MISSION ON EARTH

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

RECOGNIZE the significance of what Jesus read in the synagogue at Nazareth; BE MOTIVATED to explore our spiritual gifts and consider what God may want us to do with our lives; and CREATE a list of our spiritual gifts with ways God can use each. 

FOCAL VERSES 

Luke 4:14-21

KEEP IN MIND

"And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Return From the Wilderness (Luke 4:14-15)

2. Preaching in Nazareth (vv. 16-17)

3. Outlining His Mission (vv. 18-19)

4. The Shortest Sermon Ever (vv. 20-21)

IN FOCUS STORY

Sam showed up for church a few hours early. It was Youth Sunday, and as the president of the Young Peoples Auxiliary, he was charged with delivering the Sunday morning sermon this week. He definitely had pre-sermon butterflies. He knew others in the church were more qualified than him and had far more experience. The church had a number of people who had earned degrees from credible universities, while Sam had just started working on his bachelor's degree. There were also a few national evangelists in the ministerial alliance. Sam was an avid Bible student, but he hadn't been preaching that long. He wasn't really sure that he was called to be a preacher. Still he had prayed and fasted all week, asking that the Lord speak through him. 

An hour later, Sam delivered one of the most powerful sermons ever preached at his church. The pas tort and others confirmed as much. As he got on his knees later to thank the Lord for blessing the message and the messenger, Sam realized that once he opened himself to stepping out in faith to speak God's Word, he felt the Lord's leading and anointing. 

In today's lesson, we learn that our destiny, like our mission, is determined by the Lord. We must be prepared to boldly declare His will. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Nazarenes. The people in the town of Nazareth did not have a good reputation in the region of Galilee. Their unpolished dialect and lack of culture, religious devotion, and morals could have been the cause. The resident of Nazareth were considered to be aggressive people, scathing and fiery. Indeed, when Nathanael first heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, he asked, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (from John 1:46, NLT).

Nazareth. Jesus spent His childhood and youth in this small town, from which He set out to visit the towns and villages of Galilee. After the destruction of the second temple, some Jews lived at Nazareth and it was the seat of the priestly family of Pises. After His death, Nazareth, in its association with Jesus, began to enjoy a place of prominence. 

BACKGROUND

Luke, a doctor, was not among the twelve apostles. On one of Paul's missionary journeys, it is assumed that Luke possibly was saved. Luke began to accompany the Apostle Paul, and some portions of the book of Acts included "we" sections, denoting Luke's presence (Acts 16:10; 20:5, et al.). Luke 4 begins with the temptation of Jesus. Jesus went on a forty-day fast after His water baptism. Satan came to tempt Him at the end of His Fasting period. The temptations reveal the deceit of Satan and what he will do for power. This all occurred before Jesus went into the synagogue at Galilee. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What was the atmosphere around Jesus when He came into Galilee (Luke 14:14)?

2. What does Luke point out about Nazareth (Luke 4:16)?

3. What does the passage from Isaiah say is Jesus' mission as Messiah (v. 18)?

4. What was Jesus sent to proclaim (v. 19)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Would the impact of this passage have been the same if it had been the first thing Jesus did in His ministry?

2. Luke 14:18 doesn't just list the activities of the Messiah, it includes the recipients of each. What is the significance of each pairing?

3. What is the "acceptable year of the Lord"?

4. What is the significance of Jesus going into the synagogue (Luke 4:16, 20)?

5. Explain what confirmation (if any) Sam, the In Focus character, received regarding his call. 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

We are called to preach the Good News to the poor and proclaim freedom to those imprisoned by sin. We tend to leave that to others. Develop a plan to support the P.A.W. Mission Program or to engage in the evangelism efforts of your church or council. If you are already involved in such outreach programs, recruit others to be a blessing to all "nations, tongues, and tribes."

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1. Often we work in ministry based on what others do, what is popular to do, or what just needs doing. While that may be helpful to the body, it may not be fulfilling the passion and call God has for you. This week, complete a spiritual gifts inventory. While it is not the only way to find your gifts, it may help you confirm or negate your thinking. Go to God in prayer, asking for clarity for the next steps in your life. And by all means speak with your pastor. 

2. Don't have the Holy Ghost? That's step one. Seek today to be saved!

(Except from the P.A.W. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.)