1 00:00:06,490 --> 00:00:10,000 The Heavenly Father just soften our hearts to Your word. 2 00:00:10,010 --> 00:00:14,530 Lord, we thank you for Tony, this message that he has for us 3 00:00:14,620 --> 00:00:17,610 that comes ultimately from you. God, I just pray that you will 4 00:00:17,620 --> 00:00:21,430 speak powerfully through him. Father, I also pray for our 5 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,390 Sunday school and team classes. We thank you so much for the 6 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:29,910 children of our church. I just pray over the teachers in 7 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,299 their classes. God, you were just guide them 8 00:00:32,970 --> 00:00:36,160 and teach them well words that they can teach the kids as well. 9 00:00:36,550 --> 00:00:41,410 We pray this in your name, Amen. OK, my name's Tony. 10 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,850 Good morning, Church. The last time I gave a sermon, 11 00:00:44,910 --> 00:00:47,750 91 octane petrol was at dollar 7A litre. 12 00:00:49,150 --> 00:00:52,040 Now you older people will know when that was. 13 00:00:52,110 --> 00:00:55,040 How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin was actually a new 14 00:00:55,050 --> 00:00:59,230 worship song. Britney Spears was at top of the 15 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:05,140 music charts with the classic Oops I Did It Again and Why 2K 16 00:01:05,150 --> 00:01:08,280 was a potential threat to Western civilization as we knew 17 00:01:08,290 --> 00:01:12,090 it. If you guess the year 2000, you 18 00:01:12,100 --> 00:01:15,450 are correct. So it's been a while since I was 19 00:01:15,460 --> 00:01:18,840 in the pulpit. My smart watch just told me, 20 00:01:18,890 --> 00:01:23,220 just gave me this message. You you're hire is 120 beats per 21 00:01:23,230 --> 00:01:28,750 minute and you are inactive. Probably think I'm having a 22 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:30,530 cardiac arrest or something, I don't know. 23 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:36,290 Today a message comes from Luke 431 to 44. 24 00:01:36,340 --> 00:01:39,710 So we'll be focusing on the authority power that Jesus has 25 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:44,430 over the spiritual realm and the physical realm Glow also be 26 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,060 looking at his divine mission. Before we get into our 27 00:01:47,070 --> 00:01:48,980 passenger, I want to begin with the true story, which 28 00:01:48,990 --> 00:01:52,760 wonderfully testifies to the power of and authority of Jesus 29 00:01:52,770 --> 00:01:58,350 and the work of the Holy Spirit. Situated 214 kilometres NE of 30 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:01,370 Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, it's a tiny wee island called 31 00:02:01,380 --> 00:02:04,930 Archie. Barely 6 metres are not metres, 32 00:02:04,940 --> 00:02:07,290 6 kilometres across at its widest point. 33 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:11,130 And pre European times that people of Archie were a vicious 34 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,950 people. They were so vicious that on one 35 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,950 occasion Archer and warriors, after conquering the land of 36 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:23,200 Moki, forced the surviving local people to prepare an oven, to 37 00:02:23,210 --> 00:02:27,110 kill and to cook, and then surrendered the flesh of their 38 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,550 own people to be taken back to Archie. 39 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:34,370 That's how cruel they were. It was a spiritually dark time, 40 00:02:34,380 --> 00:02:36,770 not just for the people of Archie, but for the people of 41 00:02:36,780 --> 00:02:40,370 the Cook Islands. But God in his mercy had other 42 00:02:40,380 --> 00:02:43,630 plans. In October of 1822, earlier 43 00:02:43,640 --> 00:02:45,990 Pagan priests proclaimed prophecy to all the people of 44 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,190 Artur. Ohh, people of art, You, the 45 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:50,790 children of tumour, will soon arrive on our island. 46 00:02:51,020 --> 00:02:52,810 They have a canoe with no Outrigger. 47 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,790 Their bodies are covered with clothing from their heads down 48 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,390 to their feet. They have a mighty God in 49 00:02:58,400 --> 00:02:59,710 heaven. His name is Jehovah. 50 00:03:00,990 --> 00:03:05,040 All gods will be driven into the red eating chestnuts and will be 51 00:03:05,050 --> 00:03:09,030 burned with fire. We repeated this prophecy on 52 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:13,500 multiple occasions. Of course, that didn't make the 53 00:03:13,510 --> 00:03:17,120 local chiefs very happy to hear a prophetic message like that. 54 00:03:18,060 --> 00:03:22,230 They became very angry. They wanted him punished. 55 00:03:22,580 --> 00:03:26,870 So ohh yeah had no choice. He escapes into the forest. 56 00:03:27,910 --> 00:03:31,250 A search party was seen in the forest to find him and bring him 57 00:03:31,260 --> 00:03:34,220 to justice. They came back empty handed. 58 00:03:34,790 --> 00:03:38,240 Oya was never seen overheard of again disappeared. 59 00:03:38,750 --> 00:03:42,120 Nine months later on Saturday the 19th of July 1823, a ship 60 00:03:42,130 --> 00:03:44,720 was spotted on the horizon by a couple of soldiers who were out 61 00:03:44,730 --> 00:03:46,920 fishing. The soldiers reported the news 62 00:03:46,930 --> 00:03:50,160 to Partida, a sub chief who in turn reported the news. 63 00:03:50,170 --> 00:03:54,070 The wrong maternity, the high chief of Archie put it in wrong. 64 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:57,840 Matani go out to meet the boat. They go out in separate out 65 00:03:57,850 --> 00:04:00,290 riggers. As they draw closer Chief Ranger 66 00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:03,520 Matani calls out who is this and where are you going? 67 00:04:03,690 --> 00:04:05,860 Putida and the other canoe shouts back. 68 00:04:06,090 --> 00:04:10,410 Don't you see this big canoe? I can take them on in his 69 00:04:10,420 --> 00:04:11,890 wisdom. Wrong about, Tony replied that 70 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:15,650 Chandler made parties think twice about attacking that boat. 71 00:04:16,459 --> 00:04:20,250 He says this, but hold this ship and look at its masts, the 72 00:04:20,260 --> 00:04:22,590 multitudes of ropes. Who said that the land of the 73 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,170 gods below could strike the land of the gods above? 74 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,450 It is difficult for a weak lane to kill us. 75 00:04:28,710 --> 00:04:31,130 Take a strong land. Wrong about Tony. 76 00:04:31,140 --> 00:04:34,540 Didn't come out of the titty to go back to shore and that he 77 00:04:34,550 --> 00:04:37,110 would go out and meet the ship and its crew of course, but 78 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:42,480 Tidier was very disappointed and reluctant to return on board the 79 00:04:42,490 --> 00:04:44,540 ship. Wrong of Itani was greeted with 80 00:04:44,550 --> 00:04:48,100 great joint blessing by the Reverend John Williams and he 81 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:51,060 was also accompanied by some Tajin missionaries who were 82 00:04:51,070 --> 00:04:53,410 doing the translating wrong of a tonic. 83 00:04:53,420 --> 00:04:57,200 Was very surprised to also see on board Tamatoa the chief from 84 00:04:57,210 --> 00:04:59,900 Ataki. Tamatoa told Rogan Batani how 85 00:04:59,910 --> 00:05:03,060 they burned their idols and that the big houses of rock had been 86 00:05:03,070 --> 00:05:05,880 built to worship the new God who was in heaven. 87 00:05:07,630 --> 00:05:09,860 Wrong Meeting was invited to stay on board where he was 88 00:05:09,870 --> 00:05:13,130 exposed more and more to the not just the power love of God, but 89 00:05:13,140 --> 00:05:16,460 the story of Jesus the Son of God who loved the world and gave 90 00:05:16,470 --> 00:05:18,240 his life for the forgiveness of sins. 91 00:05:19,540 --> 00:05:22,130 The following day is Sunday. The Reverend John Williams 92 00:05:22,140 --> 00:05:24,550 reaches special sermon just for wrong of attorney. 93 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:27,390 It came from the book of Isaiah chapter 44. 94 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,750 Nine. See this How foolish are those 95 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:34,720 who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really 96 00:05:34,730 --> 00:05:37,640 worthless. The people who worship idols 97 00:05:37,650 --> 00:05:40,800 don't know this, so they are all put to shame. 98 00:05:41,900 --> 00:05:45,290 The reverend impressed upon ringtone that used uselessness 99 00:05:45,300 --> 00:05:48,470 of idols. They have no power because they 100 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,950 made from wood. They have no life in them. 101 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:52,970 Wrong about. Tony was very moved by the 102 00:05:52,980 --> 00:05:57,070 sermon, but he wanted to put the missionaries to a test for 103 00:05:57,080 --> 00:05:59,390 before he would agree to destroy his idols. 104 00:06:00,110 --> 00:06:03,940 He invited Reverend John Williams and Papa Isha, a Taj 105 00:06:03,980 --> 00:06:07,430 missionary, to come to shore. They agreed. 106 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:12,560 They follow Chief Wrong Matani to his medal and once they got 107 00:06:12,570 --> 00:06:14,850 there, he was going to put them to a test. 108 00:06:14,980 --> 00:06:20,020 He pointed to a sacred Grove that had sugar cane in it, and 109 00:06:20,030 --> 00:06:21,840 he said this. I invite you to eat some sugar 110 00:06:21,850 --> 00:06:26,220 cane from that sacred Grove. If you do not die, then I'll 111 00:06:26,230 --> 00:06:28,190 shall believe in your guide and burn my idols. 112 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,680 But if you die, we know what's gonna happen, right? 113 00:06:32,390 --> 00:06:34,560 That will be the end of you and your God. 114 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,870 Pieces of sugar cane are brought to the missionaries PE. 115 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:42,450 The Tahisha mission knew about sugar cane because he'd eaten it 116 00:06:42,620 --> 00:06:46,660 and ratio on which is in Tahiti so he's not worried. 117 00:06:47,140 --> 00:06:49,940 Plus he has a faith in God, probably. 118 00:06:49,950 --> 00:06:52,910 It picks up there. It starts munching on it and he 119 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:58,060 says this in his native language to the wrong Mitani and the 120 00:06:58,070 --> 00:07:04,270 people of Archu. Imma mono mono roti data it in 121 00:07:04,280 --> 00:07:06,790 my Mona Mona raw translated to English. 122 00:07:07,750 --> 00:07:10,460 This is sweet food. Man will not die. 123 00:07:10,510 --> 00:07:15,340 It is very sweet. The people marvelled as the 124 00:07:15,350 --> 00:07:18,360 missionaries continued to chew the sugar cane and wonder that 125 00:07:18,370 --> 00:07:21,120 the great powers of their God which protected them from harm 126 00:07:21,130 --> 00:07:23,640 and death. Upon seeing the pair have got 127 00:07:23,650 --> 00:07:25,860 demonstrated right before and wrong about, Tony immediately 128 00:07:25,870 --> 00:07:28,750 declared his submission to the true God of heaven. 129 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,720 He ordered that everyone, all the idols be collected and 130 00:07:32,730 --> 00:07:34,590 burned. He ordered everyone to come 131 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:36,610 forward and listened to the teaching of the missionaries. 132 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:41,580 Realising his responsibilities to two other islands, Chief 133 00:07:41,590 --> 00:07:44,490 Wrong Batali asked Reverend John Williams to preach the gospel to 134 00:07:44,500 --> 00:07:48,130 Mutiara and Monkey. This, of course, made the 135 00:07:48,140 --> 00:07:50,510 reverend very happy and the missionaries were sent on their 136 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:52,590 way, accompanied by Wrong and Matani himself. 137 00:07:54,350 --> 00:07:56,940 The message of the Gospel and the message of salvation became 138 00:07:56,950 --> 00:07:59,550 the daily subject for discussion and homes everywhere. 139 00:08:00,300 --> 00:08:03,710 The Gospel of Jesus Christ freed the people that hurt you from 140 00:08:03,780 --> 00:08:07,590 spiritual darkness, brought an end to the continual bloody 141 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:11,780 tribal wars, end of cannibalism, improvement to their family life 142 00:08:11,790 --> 00:08:13,530 and positive changes in their attitude. 143 00:08:14,810 --> 00:08:17,250 But most importantly is salvation and peace with the one 144 00:08:17,260 --> 00:08:19,830 true God through His Son Jesus Christ. 145 00:08:20,820 --> 00:08:23,920 Not long after this is the Gospel spread through the Cook 146 00:08:23,930 --> 00:08:26,210 Islands. The London Missionary Society 147 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:29,050 going to train many Cook Island Mardi missionaries who were sent 148 00:08:29,060 --> 00:08:32,030 out to other Pacific islands and this blew me away when I found 149 00:08:32,039 --> 00:08:35,669 this out. They went as Far East as Samoa 150 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,980 and as far north as Topping New Guinea trying to share the 151 00:08:38,990 --> 00:08:42,570 gospel of Jesus Christ. I've titled my message today, 152 00:08:42,580 --> 00:08:45,040 Jesus the great Deliverer. So what's the deliverer? 153 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:48,270 The Bible's quite clear. Someone that rescues someone 154 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:53,500 from danger, bondage, or sin. This role is primarily held by 155 00:08:53,510 --> 00:08:58,080 God, but also individuals like Moses, Joshua, the judges of 156 00:08:58,090 --> 00:09:01,680 Israel, and the Old Testament. But today I just want to focus 157 00:09:01,690 --> 00:09:06,230 on the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ, the one who can rescue 158 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:08,170 us from the power of evil and sin. 159 00:09:09,860 --> 00:09:12,310 Before we get into today's pages, let's do a quick recap 160 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:16,910 and what we've learned so far. Chapters 3 and 4 Andrew sung 161 00:09:17,220 --> 00:09:20,930 outlined how Jesus was validates Messiah by God the Father and 162 00:09:20,940 --> 00:09:24,080 God the Holy Spirit and is at his baptism. 163 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,930 Andrew also explained how Jesus genealogy linked him to King 164 00:09:28,940 --> 00:09:33,360 David, Abraham and Adam which is a fulfilment of the prophecies 165 00:09:33,370 --> 00:09:37,910 relating to the Messiah. Dan took us through the 166 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:41,250 temptation of the in the desert Jesus temptation. 167 00:09:41,260 --> 00:09:44,490 We learnt the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be 168 00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:49,040 tempted personally by the devil. We also learn how Jesus rebutted 169 00:09:49,050 --> 00:09:52,460 each of these three temptations of Stada with the Word of God. 170 00:09:53,790 --> 00:09:57,670 Last week, Billy spoke regarding Jesus announcing himself as the 171 00:09:57,710 --> 00:10:01,460 promised Messiah, and this is what Jesus read in the synagogue 172 00:10:01,470 --> 00:10:03,710 of Nazareth. I'm going to read it out again 173 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:05,540 because it's going to be important for where we start. 174 00:10:07,510 --> 00:10:10,270 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord is 175 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:12,070 anointing me to bring good news to the poor. 176 00:10:12,770 --> 00:10:16,600 He sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to 177 00:10:16,610 --> 00:10:20,600 the captives and the opening of prison to those who are bound, 178 00:10:20,610 --> 00:10:24,200 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour and the day of 179 00:10:24,210 --> 00:10:28,860 vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn during the 180 00:10:28,870 --> 00:10:31,930 temptation and the desert. Jesus proved He could get 181 00:10:31,940 --> 00:10:35,920 victory over Satan's temptations and a face to face encounter. 182 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:41,510 But if he is the true Messiah prophesied by Isaiah, he must 183 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:45,570 have the power and authority to free others from prisons of 184 00:10:45,580 --> 00:10:50,700 darkness, not just himself, those prisons that bind them. 185 00:10:51,780 --> 00:10:55,610 And today's passage will indeed see Jesus the Messiah fulfilling 186 00:10:55,620 --> 00:10:58,830 Isaiah's prophecy of freeing people from physical and 187 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:03,340 spiritual prisons. Now let's turn today's passage. 188 00:11:03,350 --> 00:11:09,600 It's Luke 4, 31 to 44. I'll be reading from the new 189 00:11:09,670 --> 00:11:14,170 Living Translation. Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a 190 00:11:14,180 --> 00:11:17,210 town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every 7th 191 00:11:17,220 --> 00:11:19,930 day the year 2. The people are amazed at his 192 00:11:19,940 --> 00:11:22,030 teaching as he spoke with authority. 193 00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:26,210 Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by 194 00:11:26,260 --> 00:11:29,670 demon and evil spirit cried out shouting Go away. 195 00:11:30,020 --> 00:11:33,210 Why are you interfering with us? Jesus of Nazareth, you come to 196 00:11:33,220 --> 00:11:37,070 destroy us. I know who you are, the Holy One 197 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:39,880 of God. But Jesus reprimanded him. 198 00:11:39,890 --> 00:11:41,280 Be quiet. Come out of the man. 199 00:11:41,790 --> 00:11:44,180 He ordered it debt. The demon threw the man to the 200 00:11:44,190 --> 00:11:47,260 floor as the crowd watched, and then it came out of him without 201 00:11:47,270 --> 00:11:50,310 hurting him. Further Amazed, the people 202 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:54,900 explain what authority and power this man has as the words 203 00:11:54,910 --> 00:11:57,480 possess. Even evil spirits obey him, and 204 00:11:57,490 --> 00:12:01,130 they flee at his command. The news about Jesus spread 205 00:12:01,140 --> 00:12:03,430 through every village and the entire region. 206 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,620 After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon's home 207 00:12:08,610 --> 00:12:10,820 and he found Simon's mother-in-law very sick with a 208 00:12:10,830 --> 00:12:13,160 high fever. Please heal her, everyone 209 00:12:13,170 --> 00:12:15,490 begged. Standing at her bedside, he 210 00:12:15,500 --> 00:12:17,080 rebuked the fever and it left her. 211 00:12:17,610 --> 00:12:19,720 She got up at once and prepared a meal for them. 212 00:12:20,580 --> 00:12:23,450 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the 213 00:12:23,460 --> 00:12:25,730 village brought sick family members to Jesus. 214 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,670 No matter what their diseases were, the touch of His hand 215 00:12:29,680 --> 00:12:33,740 healed everyone. Many were possessed by demons, 216 00:12:33,750 --> 00:12:37,500 and the demons came out of His at his command, shouting, You 217 00:12:37,510 --> 00:12:39,870 are the Son of God. But because they knew He was the 218 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:43,410 Messiah, He rebuked them and refused to let them speak. 219 00:12:44,870 --> 00:12:48,000 Early the next morning, Jesus went out to an isolated place. 220 00:12:48,290 --> 00:12:51,030 The crowd searched everywhere for him, and when they finally 221 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:52,550 found him, they begged him not to leave. 222 00:12:53,390 --> 00:12:55,580 Whether you replied I must preach the good news of the 223 00:12:55,590 --> 00:12:59,370 kings of other towns also cause that is why I was sent. 224 00:13:00,550 --> 00:13:04,430 So we continue to travel around preaching in the synagogues. 225 00:13:06,630 --> 00:13:09,280 So there's just a breakdown of what we're gonna go through 226 00:13:09,290 --> 00:13:12,590 today, and we're gonna look at the source of Jesus authority. 227 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:14,080 That's what we're gonna move on to next. 228 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:16,750 We can look at his own authority over this. 229 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:21,790 Evil spirits, his power and authority of his sickness and 230 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:24,360 his mission. So let's begin. 231 00:13:24,870 --> 00:13:30,460 What we notice in the opening verses 31 to 32 is the people's 232 00:13:30,470 --> 00:13:34,410 amazement at the authority Jesus preached with God. 233 00:13:34,420 --> 00:13:38,230 Spoken word and written word always get a response. 234 00:13:38,340 --> 00:13:40,750 When Jesus spoke, he was theologically accurate. 235 00:13:41,470 --> 00:13:44,820 His word immediately could be related to life. 236 00:13:46,700 --> 00:13:49,210 So what was the source of Jesus authority? 237 00:13:50,580 --> 00:13:54,800 Jesus authority is rooted in his identity as the Son of God, the 238 00:13:54,810 --> 00:13:58,000 Creator of the universe, the creator of all things seen and 239 00:13:58,010 --> 00:14:00,760 unseen. Here's the encountered Word of 240 00:14:00,770 --> 00:14:04,380 God. This is highlighted quite well 241 00:14:04,390 --> 00:14:09,000 in John One versus one to five. In the beginning was the Word, 242 00:14:09,090 --> 00:14:12,100 and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 243 00:14:12,110 --> 00:14:13,900 He was with God and the beginning. 244 00:14:14,570 --> 00:14:16,160 Through him all things were made. 245 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,330 Without him nothing was made that was made. 246 00:14:20,470 --> 00:14:23,580 In him was life and life. That life was the light of all 247 00:14:23,590 --> 00:14:26,170 mankind. The light shines in the 248 00:14:26,180 --> 00:14:28,270 darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 249 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:35,000 And Luke 3/21/22 and his baptism. 250 00:14:35,010 --> 00:14:38,700 Jesus Missions Endorsed by God the Father and empowered by the 251 00:14:38,710 --> 00:14:44,160 Holy Spirit. Jesus also spoke with an 252 00:14:44,170 --> 00:14:46,470 authority that originated in Himself. 253 00:14:47,290 --> 00:14:50,000 It wasn't based on someone else's great ideas. 254 00:14:50,690 --> 00:14:53,920 He did not need to quote previous rabbis or traditions to 255 00:14:53,930 --> 00:14:57,890 prove his words were true like the Pharisees often did in Jesus 256 00:14:57,900 --> 00:14:59,240 day. There were two main schools of 257 00:14:59,250 --> 00:15:01,930 thought amongst the Pharisees and I learnt this as I was 258 00:15:02,340 --> 00:15:05,190 preparing for the Simon. One school was influenced by 259 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:08,720 Rabbi Shamir. Very conservative. 260 00:15:08,790 --> 00:15:12,420 Probably you'd say closer to on the spectrum to Jesus. 261 00:15:12,850 --> 00:15:15,860 The other was influenced by Rabbi Hilal the Elder. 262 00:15:16,710 --> 00:15:19,660 It was very liberal, and you're gonna find out how liberal soon. 263 00:15:20,980 --> 00:15:24,170 I just want to give you a quick example of the difference 264 00:15:24,180 --> 00:15:27,220 between the two factions of Pharisees with their views on 265 00:15:27,230 --> 00:15:32,310 good reasons for divorce. The scholarship me believed only 266 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:34,230 sexual sin was the grounds for divorce. 267 00:15:34,620 --> 00:15:38,910 However, the School of Halal believed that almost any 268 00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:44,000 inconvenience suffered by the husband was valid grounds for 269 00:15:44,010 --> 00:15:47,160 divorce. For example, accidentally 270 00:15:47,170 --> 00:15:54,010 burning the husband's meal, and then later traditions, there has 271 00:15:54,020 --> 00:15:55,800 been finding a more attractive woman. 272 00:15:58,100 --> 00:16:01,780 Ladies, just imagine for a moment being married to a 273 00:16:01,790 --> 00:16:06,410 follower of Rabbi Hillel. Nervous times that would be. 274 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,520 Let's move on to verses 33 to 34. 275 00:16:10,750 --> 00:16:13,620 This marks a significant moment where Jesus authority has 276 00:16:13,630 --> 00:16:17,000 demonstrated not only through his teaching, but also by his 277 00:16:17,010 --> 00:16:20,550 power over the spiritual realm, particularly demons. 278 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,480 Here is an interaction between Jesus and the demon. 279 00:16:25,130 --> 00:16:28,660 Luke highlights 3 critical points about Jesus and his 280 00:16:28,670 --> 00:16:33,500 ministry. One the reality of demonic 281 00:16:33,670 --> 00:16:38,530 opposition. This incident immediately 282 00:16:38,540 --> 00:16:42,960 follows Jesus authoritative teaching in verse 32, suggesting 283 00:16:42,970 --> 00:16:46,730 that the presence of Jesus and as true divine authority and 284 00:16:46,740 --> 00:16:49,130 holiness provokes a manifestation of evil. 285 00:16:50,180 --> 00:16:58,930 The demon is unable to remain silent in Jesus presence #2 The 286 00:16:58,940 --> 00:17:01,110 demon recognises Jesus's identity. 287 00:17:02,940 --> 00:17:04,700 The demons speaking through the man cries out. 288 00:17:04,740 --> 00:17:08,030 I know who you are, the Holy One of God. 289 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:12,369 This is a profound, voluntary confession of Jesus's unique 290 00:17:12,380 --> 00:17:17,480 authority and identity. The demon addresses him as Jesus 291 00:17:17,490 --> 00:17:21,160 of Nazareth, acknowledging his human origin and local identity. 292 00:17:21,980 --> 00:17:25,190 The demon then addresses him as the Holy One of God. 293 00:17:25,500 --> 00:17:31,010 That's a title for the Messiah affirming Jesus divine purity in 294 00:17:31,020 --> 00:17:34,210 nature. The spiritual realm immediately 295 00:17:34,220 --> 00:17:38,650 recognises the supreme holiness and power of Jesus, a truth that 296 00:17:38,660 --> 00:17:46,410 many listeners at the time were slow to grasp. 3 The deeming 297 00:17:46,450 --> 00:17:49,800 declares his fear that Jesus has come to execute final judgement 298 00:17:49,810 --> 00:17:52,730 and destruction on Him before the appointed time. 299 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:57,550 The demons frantic questions. What do you want to do with us? 300 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:01,270 Have you come to destroy us? Reveal an immediate, terrified 301 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,220 recognition of Jesus's purpose. Empower. 302 00:18:05,870 --> 00:18:10,370 This is echoed in the book of James verse 219 where he says 303 00:18:10,870 --> 00:18:17,580 you say you have faith for you believe there is one God good 304 00:18:17,590 --> 00:18:21,310 for you. Even the demons believe this, 305 00:18:21,380 --> 00:18:27,030 and they tremble in terror. James doesn't pull any punches 306 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,250 here. That first ought to make us all 307 00:18:29,260 --> 00:18:32,330 pause and think and ask a very uncomfortable question. 308 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:40,740 Is my belief the kind that saves change is telling us that it 309 00:18:40,750 --> 00:18:42,780 takes more than just agreeing with effect? 310 00:18:44,030 --> 00:18:46,350 Look at the demons. They are the most convinced 311 00:18:46,360 --> 00:18:50,960 theologians in existence. They know God's real. 312 00:18:50,970 --> 00:18:54,460 They know he's won. They know Jesus as the Son of 313 00:18:54,470 --> 00:18:56,120 God. But does that knowledge save 314 00:18:56,130 --> 00:18:58,830 them? No, I don't know. 315 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:01,590 It makes them tremble in terror at the coming judgement. 316 00:19:03,550 --> 00:19:06,320 Many people walk around with a similar insufficient faith. 317 00:19:07,570 --> 00:19:09,300 They can tick all the boxes. All right. 318 00:19:09,310 --> 00:19:12,760 Yes, I believe in God. Yes, I believe Jesus lived. 319 00:19:12,770 --> 00:19:16,680 He's a good guy, but this is just an intellectual head 320 00:19:16,690 --> 00:19:20,020 belief. They believe about Jesus, but 321 00:19:20,030 --> 00:19:24,320 they haven't trusted in Him. You will meet people in churches 322 00:19:24,330 --> 00:19:27,990 like that. O what's the difference between 323 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,390 a belief that a demon holds and the faith of a follow of Jesus? 324 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:36,210 The difference is very simple. True faith is not just 325 00:19:36,220 --> 00:19:41,540 agreement, it is allegiance. And that again, it's not just 326 00:19:41,550 --> 00:19:46,380 agreeing with facts, it's aligning yourself with the Son 327 00:19:46,390 --> 00:19:49,090 of God, putting your faith and hopefully in Him. 328 00:19:50,450 --> 00:19:53,060 It's the difference between saying, I'm going to do a little 329 00:19:53,070 --> 00:19:56,600 demonstration here. I believe that chair can hold me 330 00:19:58,730 --> 00:20:02,950 and actually sitting down on it. That's the difference. 331 00:20:07,030 --> 00:20:10,320 Saving faith is trust that moves you from action to submission. 332 00:20:11,370 --> 00:20:15,080 It's when you repent, turn away from living your own life of sin 333 00:20:16,210 --> 00:20:20,240 and turning to God, trusting completely and what Jesus did on 334 00:20:20,250 --> 00:20:23,400 the cross. His death paid the penalty for 335 00:20:23,410 --> 00:20:27,230 your sins, and as their resurrection proved His power 336 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:32,380 over death, He transfers His goodness to you and you stop 337 00:20:32,390 --> 00:20:36,320 relying on your own. God does it all. 338 00:20:37,870 --> 00:20:42,020 Your job is to submit and to believe the truth. 339 00:20:43,150 --> 00:20:45,900 The demons believe the effects and travel and terror are true. 340 00:20:45,910 --> 00:20:48,310 Christian believes the facts and submits. 341 00:20:50,670 --> 00:20:53,480 If your belief is nothing more than affect you agree with, 342 00:20:54,410 --> 00:20:57,280 James says, you are doing no better than evil spirits. 343 00:21:00,540 --> 00:21:04,940 But today you can have a faith that saves, not a faith of the 344 00:21:04,950 --> 00:21:06,690 head only, but of the faith of the heart. 345 00:21:08,210 --> 00:21:11,670 Will you just stop agreeing with the facts about Jesus and start 346 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:14,240 trusting Him as your Lord and Saviour today? 347 00:21:15,990 --> 00:21:18,610 The invitation is open. Repent and believe. 348 00:21:18,890 --> 00:21:22,930 Don't just believe about Him, choose to believe in Him. 349 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,570 And I invest 32. The people were astonished by 350 00:21:27,580 --> 00:21:31,470 the authority of his teaching here in versus 33 to 35. 351 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:35,250 They witnessed the the authority of the power, His power of an 352 00:21:35,260 --> 00:21:39,110 evil spirit. Jesus doesn't need in cantations 353 00:21:39,120 --> 00:21:41,700 or rituals. A simple command is enough from 354 00:21:41,710 --> 00:21:47,450 him and verse 35 Luke chapter 4 Jesus, Leah. 355 00:21:47,530 --> 00:21:50,020 Jesus immediately silences the demon. 356 00:21:50,090 --> 00:21:54,460 Jesus does this for three reasons #1 Jesus wants to mean 357 00:21:54,470 --> 00:21:58,760 full have full control and maintain it over the situation. 358 00:21:58,850 --> 00:22:01,040 He does not need endorsement from an evil spirit. 359 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:08,490 Two, it was not Jesus time to have his full messianic identity 360 00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:13,070 proclaimed, especially not by demons, which could lead to 361 00:22:13,080 --> 00:22:16,380 misunderstandings or political zealotry associated with the 362 00:22:16,390 --> 00:22:20,490 term Messiah. Jesus would not allow the truth 363 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:25,340 advised His identity to be stained by being associated with 364 00:22:25,350 --> 00:22:30,240 the mouth of demons. This passage powerfully 365 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:35,120 establishes Jesus as the Messiah of God, who is authority extends 366 00:22:35,130 --> 00:22:39,030 not just interpreting the law, but also to cut conquering 367 00:22:39,500 --> 00:22:43,320 spiritual forces. True followers of Jesus cannot 368 00:22:43,330 --> 00:22:46,110 be possessed by demons as they were filled with the Holy Spirit 369 00:22:46,120 --> 00:22:48,880 from the moment they repented of their sins and put their faith 370 00:22:48,890 --> 00:22:52,950 in Jesus Christ. There are no recorded incidences 371 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:55,190 of believers being possessed by demons in the Bible. 372 00:22:56,050 --> 00:23:00,510 The same cannot be said for unbelievers, particularly in 373 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:04,610 Jesus's time where it's clearly evident that demonic position, 374 00:23:04,620 --> 00:23:08,730 influence and influence was at an all time high trying to 375 00:23:08,740 --> 00:23:13,270 derail Jesus from his mission. However, whether you're a 376 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:17,270 Christian today or not, you can be influenced by evil spirits. 377 00:23:17,910 --> 00:23:21,330 You don't have to be possessed to be influenced by them. 378 00:23:22,500 --> 00:23:24,440 They can influence you from the outside. 379 00:23:26,610 --> 00:23:29,120 There are many methods by which demons insane attempt to 380 00:23:29,130 --> 00:23:30,920 manipulate and control us externally. 381 00:23:31,770 --> 00:23:33,890 This morning I just want to focus on one of these. 382 00:23:35,260 --> 00:23:41,690 The area of personal temptation we read in here is 218. 383 00:23:42,010 --> 00:23:44,920 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to 384 00:23:44,930 --> 00:23:46,330 help those who are being tempted. 385 00:23:47,930 --> 00:23:50,000 Firstly, being tempted, it's not a sin. 386 00:23:51,310 --> 00:23:55,040 Jesus was tempted. Jesus has fully God. 387 00:23:55,130 --> 00:23:59,120 He's fully man, fully immersed in our world. 388 00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:03,930 He became one of us, so he knows what it's like to endure 389 00:24:03,940 --> 00:24:08,470 hardship, suffering, and the pressure of temptation. 390 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:14,150 He knows it #2 Jesus is able to help us when we are facing 391 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:17,880 temptation. The Greek word translated for 392 00:24:17,890 --> 00:24:22,260 help poor efsi, means to run to the aid of. 393 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:27,070 This highlights the active intervention of Jesus through 394 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:31,680 the work of the Holy Spirit to help you and I God is not just a 395 00:24:31,690 --> 00:24:35,890 distant, sympathetic observer of our struggles, but one who's 396 00:24:35,900 --> 00:24:38,380 experienced our struggles first hand. 397 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,770 Thirdly, because Jesus has conquered suffering and 398 00:24:43,780 --> 00:24:46,730 temptation and his humanity, here's the authority and 399 00:24:46,740 --> 00:24:49,390 practical understanding to support strength and protect us 400 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:56,670 by the power of the Holy Spirit. And lastly, one more I'd like to 401 00:24:56,940 --> 00:25:01,820 this I'd like to to consider First Corinthians 10/13. 402 00:25:02,350 --> 00:25:05,430 No temptation is overtaking you except what is common to man. 403 00:25:06,090 --> 00:25:08,500 But God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted 404 00:25:08,510 --> 00:25:13,030 beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also 405 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:16,570 make the way of escape that you may be able to spirit. 406 00:25:18,360 --> 00:25:22,440 And this, this pull assures His listeners and us that we are not 407 00:25:22,450 --> 00:25:24,700 alone. Poor reassures us that the 408 00:25:24,710 --> 00:25:28,980 struggles we face are not unique, overwhelming, or 409 00:25:28,990 --> 00:25:32,300 impossible. Every temptation we encounter is 410 00:25:32,310 --> 00:25:36,770 one that other humans have faced before, which means it can be 411 00:25:36,780 --> 00:25:42,640 overcome with God's help. This help combats that feeling 412 00:25:42,650 --> 00:25:46,700 of no one understands ohh it's too strong. 413 00:25:46,770 --> 00:25:49,700 I cannot do anything and I've been there. 414 00:25:52,010 --> 00:25:55,540 God by his authority and power regulates the testing we face as 415 00:25:55,550 --> 00:25:58,000 believers. I like to think of it this way. 416 00:25:59,180 --> 00:26:06,390 God has Satan and his demons on a very short leash in terms of 417 00:26:06,440 --> 00:26:10,130 believers. This doesn't mean the temptation 418 00:26:10,140 --> 00:26:13,950 will be easy, but it confirms it will always be conquerable. 419 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:17,560 With this help. He has them on a tight leash. 420 00:26:20,360 --> 00:26:23,230 God never allows a temptation without also providing a means 421 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:25,790 of escape. So many times we don't even 422 00:26:25,800 --> 00:26:28,030 bother to think of the way out when we're tempted. 423 00:26:30,670 --> 00:26:33,080 We walk into situations and get blindsided. 424 00:26:33,090 --> 00:26:36,960 Ohh, where did that come from? And then reflecting later you go 425 00:26:37,010 --> 00:26:40,050 ohh not again. I fell for that one again. 426 00:26:41,620 --> 00:26:45,450 But this way of escape often requires intentional choice and 427 00:26:45,460 --> 00:26:48,710 action on our part. We must to choose to obey God or 428 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:52,230 not. Remember, God's goal was not 429 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:56,280 necessarily the immediate removal of the temptation, but 430 00:26:56,290 --> 00:27:01,850 in this verse, the strength to bear it and stand under the 431 00:27:01,860 --> 00:27:04,920 pressure until the temptation passes or we escape it. 432 00:27:06,750 --> 00:27:09,880 God's goal is to build a stronger, more resilient faith, 433 00:27:10,450 --> 00:27:15,890 a faith centred on Him, not necessarily on your convenience. 434 00:27:19,610 --> 00:27:22,120 The last piece I'd like to consider regarding temptation as 435 00:27:22,130 --> 00:27:25,760 James for 7:00 to 8:00. So humble yourselves before God, 436 00:27:25,770 --> 00:27:27,740 Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 437 00:27:28,910 --> 00:27:31,130 Come close to God and He will come close to you. 438 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:35,600 And the moment of temptation we should pause and then mention 439 00:27:35,610 --> 00:27:37,510 there. We should pause in the humble 440 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:39,480 ourselves before God, asking for His help. 441 00:27:40,740 --> 00:27:43,670 When we do this, we play our place ourselves firmly under 442 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:48,000 God's authority and the power of the Holy Spirit state and his 443 00:27:48,010 --> 00:27:50,480 demons cannot stand being in the presence of a believer 444 00:27:50,490 --> 00:27:53,160 surrendered to God. So they will give up and they 445 00:27:53,170 --> 00:27:56,310 will leave. They all say this in themselves. 446 00:27:56,420 --> 00:28:01,660 I've got bigger fish to fry, or other fish. 447 00:28:03,410 --> 00:28:06,170 However, if we do give into temptation, God's grace and 448 00:28:06,180 --> 00:28:10,070 mercy is there. Also, don't forget that first 449 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:12,390 John 19 says this. If we confess our sins, he's 450 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:13,960 faithful. Just forgive our sins and to 451 00:28:13,970 --> 00:28:16,420 cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 452 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:20,480 This is the promise for the believer. 453 00:28:22,220 --> 00:28:25,490 This space provides assurance that when we as a believer 454 00:28:25,500 --> 00:28:29,250 sincerely confess our sins, God will faithfully He won't just 455 00:28:29,260 --> 00:28:35,010 forgive us, He'll cleans us. Christian, when you fail, keep 456 00:28:35,020 --> 00:28:39,360 getting back up. Don't ever stay on the ground. 457 00:28:43,730 --> 00:28:49,890 This is a promise you will fail. I remember this is not on my 458 00:28:49,900 --> 00:28:51,030 notes. It's just a quick sign. 459 00:28:51,940 --> 00:28:53,240 There's a preacher called the Rogers. 460 00:28:53,250 --> 00:28:57,420 He's got an awesome testimony and he was giving, I think it 461 00:28:57,430 --> 00:29:00,820 was a Promise Keepers events and he said, do you know what do you 462 00:29:00,830 --> 00:29:05,820 know, spiritual growth is not a line, it's a spiral. 463 00:29:07,750 --> 00:29:09,160 If you imagine this is God, right? 464 00:29:09,170 --> 00:29:10,740 God's here somewhere above me, right? 465 00:29:11,390 --> 00:29:14,680 It's not a line, it's not linear, it's a spiral. 466 00:29:14,750 --> 00:29:16,310 God will make you go around the block. 467 00:29:17,240 --> 00:29:23,140 You've got a problem with anger? Let's start with your wife and 468 00:29:23,150 --> 00:29:25,050 then we'll think about you saving the world. 469 00:29:26,350 --> 00:29:30,430 OK, how about that annoying employee of yours? 470 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:37,320 That's how God operates. When you look back, sometimes 471 00:29:37,330 --> 00:29:43,170 those sins take years and and a lot of it is because we're not 472 00:29:43,180 --> 00:29:48,820 being obedient with saying to God, we've got it and you don't 473 00:29:48,830 --> 00:29:52,990 got it. OK, so what's some practical 474 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:56,240 steps we can take? This is something I've done 475 00:29:56,250 --> 00:29:59,930 recently, not as a physical book, but kind of mentally, but 476 00:29:59,940 --> 00:30:02,350 I will get to it. It's called taking making a 477 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:04,970 spiritual journal. This is the kind of thing you 478 00:30:04,980 --> 00:30:08,530 can record when you're tempted. Where are you? 479 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:12,810 Where are you can be a place of temptation. 480 00:30:14,150 --> 00:30:16,830 Obviously, if you're a recovering alcoholic, this thing 481 00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:20,540 places on we're going to be Rd. you probably don't want to be 482 00:30:20,950 --> 00:30:25,770 walking past a lot. Ohh whoops, I got another way I 483 00:30:25,780 --> 00:30:29,290 said so that I'll go back to a the time of day. 484 00:30:29,360 --> 00:30:33,830 Watch out when you're tired. First thing in the morning, last 485 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:35,060 thing at night. Watch out. 486 00:30:37,490 --> 00:30:40,820 Record physical emotional triggers at the time. 487 00:30:40,950 --> 00:30:43,330 I'm just, I just addressed this. Are you stressed? 488 00:30:45,220 --> 00:30:53,240 Watch out, certain people situations might trigger it now 489 00:30:53,250 --> 00:30:55,000 and all this. I'm not saying you go run and 490 00:30:55,010 --> 00:31:00,140 hide everywhere, just be aware of it when you you can't. 491 00:31:00,150 --> 00:31:02,880 If you've got a problem with your boss, you gotta go to work. 492 00:31:05,140 --> 00:31:10,720 Just be aware of it. What thoughts were in your mind 493 00:31:10,730 --> 00:31:13,370 trying to persuade you It's okay to give in to the sin? 494 00:31:14,290 --> 00:31:18,400 What types playing? What is your reasoning? 495 00:31:18,410 --> 00:31:24,900 What is your justification? Find scriptures right them out. 496 00:31:24,910 --> 00:31:28,390 If you have to definitely read them out that relate to your 497 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:31,300 point of temptation or weakness. Write them out. 498 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:35,980 Here's some here Anxiety Philippines 4 six to seven. 499 00:31:35,990 --> 00:31:40,580 We know that, we know that one. Are you, are you tempted by last 500 00:31:40,590 --> 00:31:44,240 first commencing 618 gossip and bitterness? 501 00:31:44,250 --> 00:31:47,260 Now that's something God started with me. 502 00:31:48,300 --> 00:31:51,390 And slander in the workplace particularly. 503 00:31:51,620 --> 00:31:55,120 Very easy to join in with another, right? 504 00:31:55,190 --> 00:31:57,980 Ohh, he's no good. He's slack. 505 00:31:58,230 --> 00:32:01,850 Well, she's slack. There's something that's an area 506 00:32:01,860 --> 00:32:03,290 God's working on with me right now. 507 00:32:06,540 --> 00:32:11,750 Now this is this is important. I know it sounds kind of 508 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:13,930 ritualistic. Ohh. 509 00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:16,930 In the moment of temptation, it's actually good to have a 510 00:32:16,940 --> 00:32:20,750 prayer. I'm going to read through this. 511 00:32:23,580 --> 00:32:26,650 Lord, I'm feeling and you insert the emotion. 512 00:32:26,700 --> 00:32:28,970 Now it might not be a feeling, it could be a thought. 513 00:32:31,340 --> 00:32:33,830 I I'm feeling this way right now. 514 00:32:33,880 --> 00:32:39,230 I know this is a gateway too. Whatever the temptation is, I 515 00:32:39,240 --> 00:32:41,950 surrender this feeling to you or this thought. 516 00:32:43,050 --> 00:32:46,500 Help me to turn my attention to something else, some kind of 517 00:32:46,510 --> 00:32:49,120 positive action. It could be prayer, could be 518 00:32:49,130 --> 00:32:51,500 reading scripture, it could be a healthy activity. 519 00:32:51,570 --> 00:32:56,560 Ohh I'm going for a run and receive your strength instead of 520 00:32:56,610 --> 00:32:58,550 seeking satisfaction in this scene. 521 00:33:00,430 --> 00:33:08,930 Overtime you'll see patterns relating to your temptation and 522 00:33:08,940 --> 00:33:12,410 with the Holy Spirits help, you can come up with a better plan. 523 00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:18,430 So you're not gonna be easily ambushed because, you know, it's 524 00:33:18,440 --> 00:33:22,150 the that time of night, it's this situation, it's this 525 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:26,540 person. And you're not just walking in 526 00:33:26,550 --> 00:33:32,430 and being ambushed every time. Now let's turn our attention to 527 00:33:32,440 --> 00:33:35,860 verses 38 to 42, getting near the end. 528 00:33:36,990 --> 00:33:43,520 In these verses we see Jesus ministry moving from the public 529 00:33:43,530 --> 00:33:46,840 square of the synagogue to the private space of Peter's home. 530 00:33:47,630 --> 00:33:52,050 Jesus sees in response to individual need by instantly and 531 00:33:52,060 --> 00:33:54,280 completely healing Peter's mother-in-law. 532 00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,570 Many other people were also brought to Jesus for physical 533 00:33:57,580 --> 00:34:00,740 and spiritual healing. What can we learn from this 534 00:34:00,750 --> 00:34:04,560 passage? One, Jesus is complete authority 535 00:34:04,570 --> 00:34:06,860 and power over the natural world and the spiritual world. 536 00:34:07,010 --> 00:34:10,340 He demonstrates his power over the natural world by completely 537 00:34:10,350 --> 00:34:13,770 healing Peter's mother-in-law and others suffering from 538 00:34:13,780 --> 00:34:17,260 sickness. Jesus shows us compassion for 539 00:34:17,270 --> 00:34:22,360 mankind, care for individual humans beings, human beings and 540 00:34:22,370 --> 00:34:26,510 their welfare. Challenge for us is Jesus calls 541 00:34:26,520 --> 00:34:32,949 us to care about individuals, to live a life of compassion and 542 00:34:32,960 --> 00:34:34,929 sacrifice, serving others in the same way. 543 00:34:35,590 --> 00:34:39,850 It's very easy and I'm guilty of this, to get so busy in our 544 00:34:39,860 --> 00:34:44,460 daily lives, so self absorbed. If you're a male, it'll be your 545 00:34:44,469 --> 00:34:47,530 work. I'm not gonna speak for ladies. 546 00:34:47,540 --> 00:34:52,659 I'll get in trouble. We get so self absorbed we 547 00:34:52,670 --> 00:34:55,440 failed to take the time to serve individual people as the Lord 548 00:34:55,449 --> 00:35:01,700 Jesus did and our our public square will be our workplaces, 549 00:35:02,410 --> 00:35:06,140 our places of learning, our homes, our church, and even our 550 00:35:06,150 --> 00:35:13,260 home groups. We can found to look at the for 551 00:35:13,270 --> 00:35:17,050 individuals to pray for others, to be a listening in when people 552 00:35:17,060 --> 00:35:21,910 are struggling or hurting, to help others in practical ways, 553 00:35:23,340 --> 00:35:26,210 and maybe even if by the direction of the Holy Spirit, to 554 00:35:26,220 --> 00:35:32,710 share the Gospel. Sometimes the loads may not be 555 00:35:32,720 --> 00:35:36,920 calling you to be the at the end of the the person doing the 556 00:35:36,930 --> 00:35:39,470 harvesting. Sometimes the Lord's calling you 557 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:43,600 to be the link in the chain. I'm going to read a real story 558 00:35:43,610 --> 00:35:44,840 now. You older folk will know this 559 00:35:44,850 --> 00:35:48,600 story so it will be a little bit nostalgic for you, but younger 560 00:35:48,610 --> 00:35:50,120 people might not know this story. 561 00:35:51,350 --> 00:35:59,490 This involves Randa main name Mr. Mr. Gina of George St. as a 562 00:35:59,500 --> 00:36:01,310 humble man. This happened in US. 563 00:36:01,400 --> 00:36:05,720 He was in in a Sydney, Australia, a time of the Second 564 00:36:05,730 --> 00:36:08,990 World War. Mr. Gina made it his daily 565 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:11,650 routine to walk down George Street, 1 of Sydney's busiest 566 00:36:11,660 --> 00:36:14,010 thoroughfares and approached strangers. 567 00:36:15,640 --> 00:36:17,940 He would ask them a simple but profound question. 568 00:36:18,630 --> 00:36:23,870 Excuse me Sir, please don't be offended, but if you were to die 569 00:36:23,880 --> 00:36:25,840 tonight, we would you spend eternity. 570 00:36:26,990 --> 00:36:31,150 He spoke to at least 10 people a day for 25 years. 571 00:36:34,040 --> 00:36:36,690 When Christian ministers later tracked him down, Mr. Jenner, 572 00:36:36,700 --> 00:36:40,770 now an old man and very humble, confessed with tears in his 573 00:36:40,780 --> 00:36:41,630 eyes. Do you know what? 574 00:36:41,640 --> 00:36:47,740 I've never let anyone gross. I've never let anyone to. 575 00:36:47,750 --> 00:36:52,740 Christ, that's what he thought. However, the minister told the 576 00:36:52,750 --> 00:36:55,520 story. Reverend Francis Dixon began to 577 00:36:55,530 --> 00:36:58,860 share his Mr. Jenna's encounter and won by one. 578 00:36:58,870 --> 00:37:00,710 People came forward with their testimonies. 579 00:37:02,090 --> 00:37:05,160 They explained that Mister Jean is direct, persistent question. 580 00:37:05,170 --> 00:37:08,560 A single link had been developed because of it. 581 00:37:09,390 --> 00:37:13,730 It had been the first steps and the journey to faith for many 582 00:37:13,740 --> 00:37:19,360 people. One person recounted a young man 583 00:37:19,370 --> 00:37:21,980 who was in the Royal Navy. He gave his heart to Jesus that 584 00:37:21,990 --> 00:37:23,510 very night after hearing that question. 585 00:37:24,810 --> 00:37:28,480 Another was a young woman in the role, Nigel Service. 586 00:37:28,710 --> 00:37:33,670 There were several others. Mr. Jenner never saw the fruit 587 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:36,270 of his labour. He was not the Reaper who led 588 00:37:36,280 --> 00:37:40,420 them in prayer, but he was the vital, vital solar and planter, 589 00:37:43,670 --> 00:37:47,220 the initial link that got people thinking about eternity and 590 00:37:47,230 --> 00:37:51,160 started the chain moving. Other people and events 591 00:37:51,170 --> 00:37:54,100 completed the process later on, but Mr. Jenna's story highlights 592 00:37:54,110 --> 00:37:57,820 the that every act of faith and kindness and sharing the 593 00:37:57,830 --> 00:38:02,120 Christian message, no matter how small or unrewarded it seems at 594 00:38:02,130 --> 00:38:05,680 the time, can be a crucial link to someone's part of faith in 595 00:38:05,690 --> 00:38:08,940 Jesus Christ. And if I look and a lot of you 596 00:38:08,950 --> 00:38:14,170 out here will know those lengths, I know for me there was 597 00:38:14,180 --> 00:38:15,530 a guy at school called Phillip Rigby. 598 00:38:15,540 --> 00:38:19,880 He made some feeble attempts trying to share Jesus with me. 599 00:38:21,040 --> 00:38:24,460 It wouldn't be until I was 19, so that would have happened when 600 00:38:24,470 --> 00:38:26,950 I was 18, a year later, that I'd come to faith. 601 00:38:27,780 --> 00:38:29,270 But I know Philip was praying for me. 602 00:38:30,060 --> 00:38:34,160 You tried. The Lord will honour any attempt 603 00:38:34,170 --> 00:38:38,280 to do anything you do in His service, even if you fumble your 604 00:38:38,290 --> 00:38:41,860 way through it. Right. 605 00:38:41,870 --> 00:38:44,570 We nearly there people. That's turned our attention to 606 00:38:44,580 --> 00:38:47,630 the final versions of our passage today versus 42 to 44. 607 00:38:48,690 --> 00:38:51,300 Jesus had spent the previous day healing many people and the 608 00:38:51,310 --> 00:38:54,510 crowds were keen for more. However, he withdraw early in 609 00:38:54,520 --> 00:38:58,990 the morning to a solitary place. This shows Jesus prioritising 610 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:02,270 his relationship with God over the demands of ministry. 611 00:39:04,370 --> 00:39:07,330 If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to prioritise his time alone 612 00:39:07,340 --> 00:39:11,970 with his Father for prayer and renewal daily, how much more do 613 00:39:11,980 --> 00:39:15,990 we? We must try to avoid the 614 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:19,400 constant noise and business of life to spend under interrupted 615 00:39:19,670 --> 00:39:22,690 quality time with God. It's not that God needs it. 616 00:39:22,700 --> 00:39:30,340 You need it reading His Word, listening term, being 617 00:39:30,350 --> 00:39:33,600 spiritually refreshed, and learning to discern His will for 618 00:39:33,610 --> 00:39:37,840 the day. In verse 43, when the crowds 619 00:39:37,850 --> 00:39:40,880 find him and beg Him to stay, Jesus firmly states I must 620 00:39:40,890 --> 00:39:44,470 preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to other towns 621 00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:49,490 also. That's why I was sent Jesus. 622 00:39:49,500 --> 00:39:52,250 The central mission is the proclamation of the Kingdom of 623 00:39:52,260 --> 00:39:58,590 God, healing and exorcism. Exoticisms were important, but 624 00:39:58,600 --> 00:40:03,610 they confirmed Jesus's message. They were not his core mission 625 00:40:06,370 --> 00:40:10,270 and 1st 44 Jesus immediately immediately acts on his mission 626 00:40:12,260 --> 00:40:15,440 and travels preaching and other synagogues throughout Judea. 627 00:40:17,040 --> 00:40:19,950 This emphasises the largest scale of his ministry beyond a 628 00:40:19,960 --> 00:40:23,770 single city Oregon region. So what can we learn from these 629 00:40:23,780 --> 00:40:25,390 verses? There are two points I want to 630 00:40:25,400 --> 00:40:30,950 highlight. Jesus had one machine, one 631 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:34,570 focus, preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God. 632 00:40:36,180 --> 00:40:40,530 We must also clearly identify our primary God-given mission 633 00:40:42,300 --> 00:40:44,880 and ensure that we're not distracted by secondary, though 634 00:40:44,890 --> 00:40:52,160 sometimes good, activities. And finally, Jesus refused to be 635 00:40:52,170 --> 00:40:54,540 distracted from his mission by local popularity. 636 00:40:55,800 --> 00:40:58,870 His mission was always meant to be expanding outwards to other 637 00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:03,210 towns, to other cities, to people that hadn't heard the 638 00:41:03,220 --> 00:41:06,120 gospel. The challenge for us as 639 00:41:06,130 --> 00:41:09,120 believers and the church is to maintain an outward looking 640 00:41:09,130 --> 00:41:14,050 perspective, sharing the gospel, moving beyond our comfort zones, 641 00:41:15,620 --> 00:41:20,050 beyond our local communities. Reach out to those who have not 642 00:41:20,060 --> 00:41:26,380 yet heard the message. Let me close in prayer, Father 643 00:41:26,390 --> 00:41:30,690 God. There's a lot in here in this 644 00:41:30,700 --> 00:41:35,000 passage. We thank you that you are 645 00:41:35,010 --> 00:41:36,840 sovereign. You know all things. 646 00:41:37,130 --> 00:41:39,400 You have plans for each person in this room. 647 00:41:45,340 --> 00:41:51,150 You are all powerful. You always are higher than 648 00:41:51,160 --> 00:41:54,260 always, your thoughts higher than ours. 649 00:41:54,480 --> 00:42:00,480 Your power, your authority, your love, your compassion, Your 650 00:42:00,490 --> 00:42:07,740 holiness. You're messy beyond compare. 651 00:42:08,170 --> 00:42:09,810 We thank you for your word this morning. 652 00:42:11,010 --> 00:42:13,140 We thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit and our lives. 653 00:42:13,150 --> 00:42:18,360 Jesus, we thank you for dying in our place, a death we deserved. 654 00:42:18,430 --> 00:42:21,600 We deserve to have the full wrath of God on us, but out of 655 00:42:21,610 --> 00:42:25,210 Your mercy, Your love, and Your grace, You came to earth and 656 00:42:25,220 --> 00:42:32,740 became one of us. Help us, Lord, as we wrestle 657 00:42:32,750 --> 00:42:39,510 with temptation, keep our eyes fixed on You, not on the world, 658 00:42:39,960 --> 00:42:45,620 not on our own interests, not might we see you as you truly 659 00:42:45,630 --> 00:42:49,150 are. Lord, Sometimes we don't spend 660 00:42:49,160 --> 00:42:52,000 the time in the world we need to to come to know who you really 661 00:42:52,010 --> 00:42:55,550 are. Help us to prioritise time with 662 00:42:55,560 --> 00:43:02,590 You and to look to serve others. It's individual people as you 663 00:43:02,600 --> 00:43:05,920 did, ask these things in Jesus name.