Sermon Recap: Luke 4

Did anyone catch how similar Sam and Pastor Nate looked on Sunday? The likeness was uncanny. Good thing it was another name tag Sunday or I would not have been able to tell them apart.

What are your rhythms? What are the customs you've identified in your life for growth? And who is the smartest person in the room?

As Pastor Nate led us through Luke 4, we see that after Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he resumed his ministry in Nazareth. "And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read" (v. 16).  We read that all were amazed by and spoke well of him. Later in this chapter while Jesus is teaching in Capernaum, a city of Galilee, "they were astonished" (v. 32). In this section of Scripture, there was a man in the synagogue who had the spirit of an unclean demon in him who cried out,

"Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God" (v. 34). Even the spirit knew who Jesus was and could identify his power. At that mocking, Jesus rebukes him, saying, "'Be silent and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, 'What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!'" (v. 35-36).

How do we posture ourselves amongst the smartest person in the room? Are we willing to listen? Are we open to learning? And on the flip side, how often do we find ourselves being the critic of Scripture? Scoffing or shrugging our shoulders because we resist truth. Let us not hear the words of Jesus as mere suggestions for how we can live, but rather the words of authority from a loving God in whom we are obedient.

I had the privilege of spending the weekend with two of my dear friends. One is the wife of a pastor in Santa Barbara and she was grieving the loss of congregation members who have recently left the church because they do not agree with the authority of Scripture. Her heart is in such sorrow, not because of church numbers, but because they have witnessed more and more people denounce their faith or become angry with the church for taking a stand in truth. In Luke 4, even the unclean spirits know Jesus and listen. Catch this, church. The authoritative truth of Scripture is not merely a good suggestion on how to live.

Pastor Nate then asks, What is more important than a miracle? Luke 4 is filled with accounts of healing but at the end of the chapter, as we see more people seeking him out, Jesus says this:

"I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose" (v. 43). 

What's more important than a miracle? The good news being preached. Who's the smartest person in the room? Jesus, obviously. Are you willing to have a posture of learning and a heart that is open to receive truth for the sake of making His kingdom known? Let us not miss Him in light of skirting around His truth. Next Sunday we'll be in Luke 5. Don't miss it!

If you would like to talk to a pastor, please call the church office at 209-532-1381.