The Power of the Word
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· 7 viewsGod's word has power. God's word had the power to enthrall Ezra's people all morning long. Jesus began his preaching ministry by proclaiming that this word, treasured through the centuries, is at last fulfilled in him.
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Proclamation of the Word
Proclamation of the Word
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“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,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Introduction
Introduction
I think all of you would agree with me that there is power in the written and spoken word. Think about it, wholesome words will build up people while the opposite will tear them down. Words spoken at the wrong time or not all all can be hurtful. Our words spoken at the right time, and with the right attitude, can be words of grace that can empower and encourage individuals, nations, and even the world. Listen to these words found in (Proverbs).
I
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Here are some ways words changed History
Here are some ways words changed History
1. Martin Luther King Jr. – “I Have a Dream” speech
a. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against the injustices being fought against during the Civil Rights movement. King’s voice reverberated throughout the nation as he stood and said, “With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
a. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against the injustices being fought against during the Civil Rights movement. King’s voice reverberated throughout the nation as he stood and said, “With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
2. Ronald Reagan – “Address to the Nation after the Challenger”
2. Ronald Regan – “Address to the Nation after the Challenger”
a. In light of the shocking tragedy of the 1982 Challenger explosion, President Ronald Reagan addressed a shell-shocked nation and honored the lives of those lost in the pursuit of exploration. Reagan spoke in his usual strong and caring way when he said, “…The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them…” Reagan’s strong and compassionate countenance offered comfort to a nation mourning the loss of true “pioneers.”
a. In light of the shocking tragedy of the 1982 Challenger explosion, President Ronald Reagan addressed a shell-shocked nation and honored the lives of those lost in the pursuit of exploration. Reagan spoke in his usual strong and caring way when he said, “…The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them…” Reagan’s strong and compassionate countenance offered comfort to a nation mourning the loss of true “pioneers.”
3. Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis
3. Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis
a. Martin Luther sparked the flames that engulfed the corrupted institution of the church and brought forth the Protestant Reformation. Luther began his famous document simply saying, “Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed….”
a. Martin Luther sparked the flames that engulfed the corrupted institution of the church and brought forth the Protestant Reformation. Luther began his famous document simply saying, “Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed….”
4. The United States Bill of Rights
4. The United States Bill of Rights
a. According to the Bill of Rights Institute, “The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power.” The Bill of Rights is one of the most, if not the most, important document in United States history. This document safeguards the nation against corruption and oppressive rule. Take note of this document and know that the government that challenges it and seeks to alter it is the corrupt rule it sought to safeguard us against.
a. According to the Bill of Rights Institute, “The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power.” The Bill of Rights is one of the most, if not the most, important document in United States history. This document safeguards the nation against corruption and oppressive rule. Take note of this document and know that the government that challenges it and seeks to alter it is the corrupt rule it sought to safeguard us against.
5. Jesus Christ
5. Jesus Christ
a. (ESV)
a. (ESV)
21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Connection to the Word
Connection to the Word
Just before our focus scripture today, we see Jesus being led into the wilderness where he is tempted for 40 days. We are told after Jesus Baptism, He was filled with the Holy Spirit and Led into the wilderness to be tempted. It is very interesting just as Israel was let into the wilderness for 40 years and failed temptation. Jesus was led into the wilderness and succeeded where Israel had failed. Jesus combated every temptation using the word of God, demonstrating that not even the Son of God, and Son of Man, can do it on his own. He is dependent upon his God for life, faith and mission.
Connection to the Word
Connection to the Word
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Jesus returns to Galilee after His wilderness temptation led in the power of the Holy Spirit. We see in (verse 14) of our focus scripture that everyone who heard Jesus speak and read the scriptures in the synagogues was filled with excitement and wonder because they all were glorifying Him. Brothers and sisters the Word of God is powerful. Listen to this scripture from the book of (Nehemiah).
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
8 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
Just as all the people listening to Ezra read the Law of Moses and were enthralled by the hearing of God’s word. So were the people of Galilee. Word was spreading about this Jesus, who heals and performs miracles, but most of all he proclaims the word of God in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Luke wants you and I to know that the same Holy Spirit who leads Jesus in saying no to the worldly temptations in the wilderness is the same Holy Spirit who now leads Jesus in saying Yes to a mission given to Him by God.
“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,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
When Jesus reads in the synagogue in Nazareth, he is declaring that he is the promised Messiah of God as the prophet Isaiah describes. He has been given a ministry, anointed by God to spread the good news of the Gospel to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and to set free all of those who are oppressed. He is to proclaim that the year of the Lord’s favor is at hand. Not only that but in (verse 21) of our focus scripture Jesus is making the statement that God’s word is fulfilled in their hearing. That Jesus is the fulfillment of the word.
And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Doesn’t that shed new light on these scriptures that we read in the beginning of the book of (John).
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Orientation: Living the Word
Orientation: Living the Word
Brothers and sisters, if you talk to a Hindu, Buddhist, Mormon, and people in any of the other world religions and ask them why they believe what they do their response will sound very much like that of a Christian. I was raised that way, I had this experience or encounter. However, brothers and sisters it is not enough to base our faith on an experience or encounter. What are we told in (Romans)?
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Everyone, I think that Martin Luther hit the nail on the head when he began his thesis with “Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light.” What is that held the People in Ezra's time captive? What was it that held the people of Galilee captive? It was that the truth was being proclaimed. Prophesy we being fulfilled before their very eyes and light was shinning into a darkened world.
All the world religions cannot be true. Christianity, through Jesus Christ answers all the questions of life more thoroughly, comprehensively and more consistently than any other world view.
Closing
Closing
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Brothers and sisters, today's focus scripture is mission statement for Jesus’s ministry. Just as Jesus was dependent upon his God for life, faith, and mission we also must be dependent upon God. Are you captivated by God’s word? How much time have you spent in the word this week? How much time have you spent in prayer speaking to Jesus. Just as the Holy Spirit gave focus to Jesus’s life and mission; he does the same for you and me. Just as the Holy Spirit helped Jesus to see what was real through the truth of God’s word let Him do the same for you. Let Him help you say no to the temptations of the world and yes to the mission that he has for you. To bring good news to the poor, to liberate the captives, sight to the blind and freedom to the oppressed of the world.