READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Jesus’ mission was to redeem mankind from sin, and free us for joyful obedience to God. What’s our mission as His disciples in society?
1. Biblical Theology of Sin & Death – Plagued by pain, suffering and illness that go unresolved, people expect death as an ultimate, irreversible part of life. Christianity, however, makes clear that
- God did not design death to be a part of life. Sin entered humanity through the first man Adam who chose to disobey God’s law when tempted by the devil. The human race has inherited Adam’s sinful tendency to use our God-given freedom to go against God’s will for us.
- The wages of sin are death. As sinners we will all die since death is active when sin is present. Jesus bore the sins of the world so that death could act on Him. But being Himself sinless, death had no permanent effect on Him. God’s Word in Romans 6:23 promises that although “the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.”
- God designed us for eternal life with Him. Jesus did what we cannot do for ourselves – He died for our sins, thus breaking death’s permanent hold on us. All who believe in Him shall likewise escape death by passing from death to life!
2. What was Jesus’ mission? Jesus came on a mission to rescue His people from enslavement to the sin of lust, greed, and scornful pride that rob us of life’s eternal treasures with God in heaven. We are poor and oppressed if riches and earthly status ensnare and keep us from entering the covenant kingdom of God.
While in Nazareth one sabbath, Jesus proclaimed to the religious crowd in a synagogue, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) Referring to the Old Testament law of setting free the poor from debt in the year of Jubilee, Jesus announced that He had come in the “year of the Lord’s favour” to proclaim Good News that would set prisoners and the oppressed free, and give sight to the blind (v18-19) as prophesied in the time of Isaiah.
3. Who gets the freedom Jesus gives? Only those who accept the help that God gives, even those who have not known Him but are willing to trust and obey His Word. When saying that a prophet was not welcome in his hometown (v24), Jesus foretold that His people would not welcome Him as their Saviour. He likened them to the widows and lepers among their Jewish ancestors whom God’s prophets of old did not go to help. Instead, Elijah was told to supply a desperate widow’s need in Zarephath, Sidon; while Elisha cleansed and healed Naaman the Syrian of leprosy. (v25-27)
The response to God’s offer of salvation can come in two ways. The Jews who had heard Jesus preach that day but rejected God’s compassion to save their enemies, became furious and attempted to throw Him off a cliff. (v28-30) Then there are those who like the widow and Naaman, have not known Jesus but are open to hear and receive the freedom He promises them. God’s Jubilee reset extends His mercy and redemptive grace to every person in all the world – regardless of status, race, language, religion, or nationality. In God’s sight, everyone is equally loved and can receive the freedom of eternal life that Jesus brings to those who accept His help.
Our necessary response to the freedom Jesus brings
- Accept Jesus wholeheartedly to be set free from sin
- Resist the temptation to trade heaven’s joys for temporary gains on earth
- Proclaim our freedom through missions and outreach so that many more can be reset to live freely in Christ
- Love God by loving also those outside His family
God’s purpose for us is not to remain comfortably ensconced in pious religiosity. Christ has commissioned us to go and free others as we ourselves have been freed for joyful obedience.
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- In your own opinion, list as many thoughts on why God had to send Jesus to us. What do you think is the mission and purpose of Jesus? What would be different today if the New Testament didn’t exist? What would be the way for salvation if we only have the Old Testament (if you are a Jew and non-Jew/Gentile)?
- Read Isaiah 61:1-2 & Isaiah 58:6. Both passages were written post-exile, where the Jews returned to Jerusalem under Babylonian’ rule. Who are these poor, prisoners, blind, oppressed? Why were they poor, prisoners, oppressed? Are there any similarities from our times today? How would you define those who are poor, imprisoned, blind, oppressed today?
- Read Luke 4:16-22. A long time has passed since Isaiah. Jews have the Pharisees to help them with the OT laws and righteousness. Why is it not enough? What is the mission of Jesus? Who do you think Jesus is sent specifically for? What does Jesus mean in v21? How is it fulfilled?
- (Harder question) Read Luke 4:25-27 – Elijah and Elisha were prophets sent by God to warn and guide Israel in the Old Testament. Widow in Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian described non-Jews/unbelievers but were open to God. What do you think Jesus was trying to tell his audience about God’s salvation?
- Put yourself back in the days of Jesus – If one is a noble Jew, attended synagogue faithfully, pious and pursue a good life – how would that sit with Jesus? Read Luke 4:28-30. How would you feel if Jesus preached this sermon today in church? What reflections would many have? How would this sit with you?
- (From the sermon) What freedom does Jesus gives to everyone of us? What is required of us then? What is our mission?
