The Lordship Of Jesus (Part 2) - [Luke 4:31-37]

Read that you blink 25 times every minute and one blink takes about a fifth of a second and Therefore I read if you take a 10-hour automobile trip Averaging 40 miles an hour. You'll drive 20 miles with your eyes closed and then I read a theologian and he said far more surprising than that.

Some people go through life with their eyes closed to the real person of Jesus Christ. They settle for only believing in his death and resurrection. They seem to care little about his person in life. But as you know Luke the Great Physician in the gospel of Jesus according to Luke.

Wants to make sure you understand of course his substrate death, of course his little resurrection. But also who he is his person his character how he acts how he thinks how he deals with people. And so please take your Bibles and turn to the gospel of Jesus according to Luke.

We're in chapter 4 and we realize as we're studying this great gospel that we see who Jesus really is. He hasn't come to Calvary yet. We're not in chapter 23. And so what can we learn about Jesus before he dies?

He doesn't just come on to be born and then die on the same day. He has a life and that life is meant for many reasons because he's going to perfectly obey God's law like Adam should have like David should have like we should have but also so we can Get a picture into who he's who he is.

What's he like? And so we never want to separate who Jesus is from his benefits. And of course every Christian loves sermons about Jesus because he's the one that sought us and bought us with his redeeming love.

You think about when you first fall in love and you just can't stop thinking about that person and morning noon and night you want To learn more about them and understand them better. It's the same thing when it comes to the Lord Jesus.

And so at Bethlehem Bible Church, we are committed To highlight the Lord Jesus to speak well of him in song the Lord's Supper and of course from the pulpit. So far in Luke there are many things that are happening including remember the virgin birth of Jesus.

So that he is sinless and he doesn't have to pay for his own sins. We've seen the baptism of Jesus not for his own sins. But to identify with people that he is in fact truly human and then the father remember said this is my beloved son in whom I'm well pleased and the Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove.

We've seen the genealogy of Jesus to be the right King to be the the right Messiah. You have to have the right genealogy have to come from the right tree. And so Jesus of course comes from the right tree we see that in Luke 3 and then in chapter 4 remember Jesus is in the wilderness and he's being tempted and Unlike Adam in the garden and unlike Israel in the wilderness who both succumbed to temptation.

Jesus doesn't succumb to temptation and finally there's a man who can stand on this earth and say no to Satan. No to temptation and it's the Lord Jesus the victorious One over Satan. And now we come to chapter 4 and we've been learning about Jesus and how he is Truly man, but truly the Messiah.

The Power of Jesus in Teaching and Exorcism

So today we're going to be in Luke chapter 4 verses 31 through about 41 and our outline comes from two weeks ago, and it's super simple. For truths about Jesus for verities about Jesus and every truth has its consequence.

We're going to look at the power of Jesus the deity of Jesus the authority of Jesus and the compassion of Jesus. We're going to look at his power his deity his authority and his compassion. And since he's powerful you're going to have hope and since he's God You need to believe him and since he's Lord you need to obey him and since he's compassionate.

You know that he cares for you. And so let's look at that first truth again with a little fleshing out from a couple weeks ago Luke 4 31 and following Luke wants you to know the power of Jesus so you can have hope now and in the future.

Luke 4 31 and he went down to Capernaum. That is Jesus in elevation. He goes from Nazareth down to Capernaum a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath and they were astonished at his teaching for his word possessed Authority and of course the Lord Jesus shows up and he takes a personal Poll and he asked for people what they believe about truth so his sermon can reflect that.

No, he has power and authority. He's sent by the father and he proclaims the truth and the response is they're astonished at his teaching. Now the other teachers would quote people all the time the scribes would say scribe so-and-so Pharisee so-and-so rabbi so-and-so a Bible teacher so-and-so, but that's not how Jesus preaches Jesus truth incarnate shows up and he says things like truly I say to you you have heard it said.

But I say to you Verily verily truly truly. He doesn't have to quote anyone. Of course, he could quote the Old Testament and sometimes he does but Jesus Preaches unlike these other teachers with power and authority.

I don't know if you've ever said to yourself I'm sure you've said it you're listening to a sermon and pretty soon you forget Who's preaching and you're sitting under the word and you think the God of the universe knows me?

He knows what I'm thinking. He knows what I'm struggling with and it's like God is talking to only me. He knows me. He sees me. And can you imagine the Lord Jesus with that kind of authority that kind of power when he teaches?

I mean, I if you ask me who would I listen to in all the world who's alive now? And I'd love to sit at his feet and listen to a sermon that person would be I think Sinclair Ferguson. But can you imagine?

Paling in comparison to Sinclair Ferguson Jesus is in a synagogue and he begins to preach and they're amazed at his teaching. They're dumbfounded. Powerful teaching spellbinding teaching. They should have expected it because back in Deuteronomy 18 God said through Moses.

There's going to be the greatest preacher that ever lived and he's going to come to you. It says in Deuteronomy 18 and I will raise up for them a prophet like you Moses from among their brothers and I will put my words in his mouth and he shall speak to them all that I command him and Whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name.

I myself will require it of him. God said there's going to be the ultimate prophet the ultimate proclaimer. He's going to show up and now Jesus has arrived and they are Dumbfounded they're astonished you listen to a sermon you think who who talks like this?

Who is this person? They're out of their senses literally in the Greek language. He's preaching not as the scribes mark says he's preaching with authority and intensity and with earnestness. But not only does he teach with authority look at verse 33 his authority reaches To the demonic realm.

And in the synagogue, there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon and he cried out with a loud voice. Ha what do you have to do with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are the Holy One of God.

But Jesus see his power see his authority rebuked 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. Now the first miracle that Jesus ever did John tells us is turning water into wine.

But the first miracle that we see here in Luke is this initial Signal miracle so that you might save yourself. Jesus has power out of the 20 or so miracles that Jesus does in Luke. This is the first one and As I said a couple weeks ago, but I think I forgot to finish my story and Brian Bartlett made sure he Asked me the question.

That was good. By the way, if Brian Bartlett ever comes up to you and says I have a question for you a theology question. What do you think? Here's what I think. I'm gonna go home and study before I answer him because he's already studied himself.

Normally that's demons. Spirits and I would why would Luke say it's unclean. Because he's letting you up front. This is a really really bad one because who can have power over the spirits. Who can have power over demons who can have powers?

Over the authorities and principalities if Jesus has power over a demon let alone an unclean demon. His power over everyone else. This is not your low-level Typical run-of-the-mill demon in other words, and Jesus is powerful and he rebukes this demon.

He's not going to let the demons say anything and interrupt the demons crying out with a loud voice literally a megaphone bellowing. Putting a whole ruckus there. What are you gonna do with me Jesus of Nazareth?

And look what he calls him again in verse 34 the demon calls Jesus the Holy One of God. Now when we think of holiness, we think of sinlessness and that's true. But holiness really means set apart for something special for a mission.

Satan and his emissaries know that Jesus had a mission to seek and save the lost. I know who you are. Good angels know what Jesus is Going to do and what he's called. Luke 135 a good angel said the child will be born called.

Holy the Son of God. And of course when you read Luke You should be a good Bible student say this is what Luke is trying to tell his audience. And by the way, as you read the book you say I am in fact part of that audience by reading 2 ,000 years later.

And you ought to say that Jesus I trust in as a Christian is powerful over every demonic force and every force. You ought to say to yourself something like Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20 and 21 now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think.

According to the power at work in us. I heard one Bible teacher He just kind of preached it this way now to him who is able. Now to him who is able to do now him who was able to do far more abundantly.

To him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond what we ask or think here's this God who is able he has power. And so when you are afraid of Satan or demons. Are you afraid you lose your salvation or afraid of anything in the future?

You ought to remember Jesus the powerful one is going to protect you. The God of peace Paul said in Romans 16 will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

The prince of darkness grim we tremble not for him. What we also saw last week and this will be a little quicker. Not only does Luke want you to know about the power of Jesus so that you have hope now and in the future.

He wants you to know about the deity of Jesus. So you're not out believed by a demon so that you're not out believed by a demon you say you believe. Well demons believe too. Let's take a look verse 33 go back to there.

No, how about 34? What do you have to do with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know Who you are the Holy One of God and. Then if you look at Luke for 41 and another account the same thing happens.

Demons are coming out crying. You are the Son of God. He rebuked them. He would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ Nazareth those people there didn't know and they run him out of proverbial dodge the demons know.

You can tell that Luke is crafting this in such a way so that you in fact have to come face-to-face with I. See what's going on here? But do I really know Jesus? Intellectually, I know but demons intellectually.

No, I don't want to have a false faith JC Ryle said can you imagine if you're a deceived person going into hell with the last words on your mouth saying? But I know about him. I know him. I know him. Don't let a demon out believe you.

I Grew up at a Lutheran Church, and I understood the Nicene Creed. I had to memorize it. I've rememorized it then I reforgot it again. But I would say things like this. I believe one Lord Jesus Christ only begotten Son of God begotten of the Father before all world Worlds God of God light of light very God of very God Begotten not made being of one substance with the Father by whom all things remain.

Who for us men in our salvation Came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary was made man. Was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried in the third day he rose again according to the scriptures and ascended into heaven and Sitteth at the right hand of God the Father and he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead whose kingdom shall have no end.

Wonderful truths. True truths. Essential truths, but they can't just be intellectual truths. You have knowledge and you agree to that knowledge, and then you trust a Wholehearted trust. The people of Nazareth would not believe the demons believe.

But it's not a true belief and so obviously Luke is wanting you to say to yourself. It's one thing to say Jesus is the Savior and as Luther said it's another to say Jesus is my Savior. Jesus is Lord is one thing.

The Lordship of Jesus and Submission to His Authority

Jesus by God's grace is is my Lord and I trust that's what you say is Jesus is your Savior and your Lord. The third truth Found in verse 36 and following is Jesus wants you to know his authority. Luke wants you to know Jesus authority.

So you admit so you submit to Jesus. Lordship? Power first deity second now authority of Jesus. So you submit to that authority or you submit to his Lordship. Verse 36 and they were all amazed and said to one another what is this word for with?

Authority and power. He commands unclean spirits, and they come out of him. Now there are many ways to describe Jesus many ways to describe his preaching. Here the writer describes his preaching as with authority.

I believe 21 times in the gospel of Jesus according to Luke. Authority is talked about when it comes to Jesus. Authority to rebuke. To proclaim. To teach. To forgive sins. To be the Lord of the Sabbath.

I have authority, but it's a derived authority from Scripture. David had authority, but it was derived from Scripture. Jesus doesn't derive any authority because he has authority. Because he's eternally God and the nature of his teaching.

Authoritative the nature of his ability to cast out demons. Authoritative he just says a word no potions. No spells. No incantations.

That's what they were used to and.

Jesus has authority to cast out demons and What's the response? They're talking about it mark says they begin talking to one another. It's like you hear some sermon, and you have to talk about it. Probably some sermons are so boring you talk about the Red Sox afterwards, but they're more boring the most boring sermon.

But that's another John Henry story. If you were there listening you talk about it after you wouldn't think about lunch. You wouldn't think about anything and you tell other people verse 37. Reports about him went out to every place in the surrounding region.

Without phone calls without Instagram without telegrams without anything else. The word is getting out because this is amazing. No one is like this person. No one is like Jesus and the report goes out.

It's where we get the word echo and echo just means a sound and it's just a sound goes out.

Reverberates.

A.

Snowball effect. And as I prayed earlier the report has gone out even to West Boylston population 7 ,000. I think it's gone to India. It's gone to Omaha. It's gone to everywhere. So the writer wants you to realize Jesus is Lord.

He has authority and power, so let's make it very personal because truth is practical. We believe in the lordship of Jesus. Dear Christian, he is your Lord and Savior and therefore he has rights to say things about.

Who you sleep with. What your view of abortion is what your view of the government is what your view of the world view? What about marriage? What about? Money, what about any situation in the world whatever the Bible addresses?

He is Lord. How to raise children. Therefore let all the house of Israel. Peter said in Acts 2 know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ. Romans 14 for to this end Christ died and lived again that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living.

And therefore we as Christians we say we want to submit to the lordship of Jesus and Surrender to those areas in our lives where it doesn't seem like he's Lord, and he we would like him to be more Lord in that area.

Jesus said why do you call me Lord Lord and do not do what I tell you? Jesus is Lord. But not only that I want you to see. That Jesus has power deity authority and now number four compassion. Luke wants you to know about the compassion of Jesus so that you know Jesus will receive you Shepherd you Comfort you and stick with you, and we'll see this first with an individual then with a group the compassion of Jesus verse 38 and He arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house.

Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever and it left her and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

Now if you're going to read old writers. Puritan writers. Maybe the easiest one to read is Thomas Watson because he's just biblical Christ centered and easier to read. Here's what Watson said and I agree with him, and I bet you do too No action of Jesus's has fallen short of the ideal.

He's full of surprises, but they're surprises of perfection. You're never amazed one day by his greatness the next by his littleness. You're quite amazed that he's incomparably better than you could have expected.

And that's what this miracle here is supposed to have. You do you're gonna say to yourself. Oh this he's better than I thought. He's better than I thought. Now here we see the Lord Jesus dealing with an individual and We realized that Simon had a house by the way when he had to leave everything to follow Jesus He certainly had things to leave.

We also realize that it's okay for Simon to have been married. The first Pope was married. Did you know that? I thought that would get a bigger laugh or smile, but that's okay. It's okay to have a wife.

Paul had a wife first. Corinthians chapter 9 talked about it.

But that's not really what we're after here, we're after.

Jesus being kind to people. Jesus being gentle to people. Jesus caring about people. Of course. Power. Authority. Majesty. Shut your mouth demon-possessed people. Zip your lip. Be muzzled. Actually it said earlier in the text, but the same Transcendent Holy One of God, how does he deal with people?

Hurting people. People that need kindness and compassion. People acquainted with grief, how does he deal with those people. Does in fact Jesus receive sinners? So Jesus leaves the synagogue he goes to the house and Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, so they're asking Jesus of course Do something about it.

He stood over her and rebuked the fever verse 39 and left her and immediately she rose him again to serve them. Now we have four Gospels for good news accounts of Jesus Matthew Mark Luke and John. They all talk about Jesus from different perspectives.

Maybe his humanity. Maybe his servanthood. Maybe his deity. But three of them are kind of the same Matthew Mark and Luke are the same and so we call those what kind of Gospels synoptic Gospels. That kind of look the same and so you can get some information from Matthew and Mark if you're in Luke and so Mark gives us a little bit in for more information and Mark says she's lying sick.

With a fever. It's like she's thrown down on the bed. She's got such a bad feel it fever. Maybe you felt so bad before you just like cast yourself on the bed. You're too weak. You're too tired. You're too hot.

You've got such a big.

Temperature fever.

This is not a small little deal. This is not just. You know, you'll you'll be better in the morning. The language is where we get the word fire. She's got a fire. She's got some kind of fever. We're not told it could be dysentery.

It could be.

Sweat shivering.

Suffering from a high fever. What do you do back in those days? You can read about all the ways they would try to heal people and it's really not too good.

A.

Medical quackery really. And here what would Jesus do? What would Jesus do? There's a great fever. What would the great physician do? I think probably Luke knew about bedside manner. Ever been to a doctor with a bad bedside manner.

I Wonder what Jesus bedside manner is. I mean, he's transcended. He's great. He's glorious. He can do whatever he wants. He has got power. He's got authority. I Had a cancer treatment years ago in 2017 in New York, and I thought it was the right one.

I had ten options. I did the one. I came back. I needed a Boston doctor. I told this particular Boston doctor about what I had done. He thought it was a bad idea and told me I was really dumb to do that.

I Told him my copay was dumb too. I mean, here's Jesus. She's got a hot burning fever.

What does he do?

Luke the physician sees Jesus and writes it. He stands over her not proud and arrogant and boastful. But like a doctor would come over not sitting at the chair not far off. But he comes right over and Matthew and Mark both say he touched her.

Matthew 8 he touched her hand. Mark one. He took her by the hand. How did you know? that for Jewish men, especially. Dealing with Gentiles is one thing. And by the way, he just Jesus talked about the widow of Zarephath and leper Naaman from Syria.

Gentiles. They're low, but also if you were a rabbi if you were a man even you wouldn't be touching a woman. Jewish teaching said sometimes that you want to have contact with the woman's hand men not even to count money from your hand to hers.

To be very very careful also in Jesus the great physician the great healer touches her. He didn't have to he could. He cast out demons with a word. He doesn't have to touch. Why does he touch the leper in the next account?

Why does he touch?

Simon's.

Mother-in-law, he goes over to her and heals her with a touch. Kindly tenderly compassionately warmly. 2 ,500 years ago. Here's one account that the Greeks had for bedside manners. The physician ought to be confidential chased sober not a winebibber.

He ought to have an appearance and approach that is distinguished. Everything ought to be in moderation. Be solicitous in your approach to the patient now with head thrown back arrogantly or hesitantly with a lowered glance.

But with the head inclined slightly as the art demands. The physician ought to hold his head humbly and evenly. I like this part. His hair should not be too smooth down nor his beard curled like that of a degenerate youth or Reformed Baptist pastor.

Oh, no, sorry. Yeah, just kidding great. Gravity signifies breadth of experience. He should approach the patient with moderate steps. Gazing calmly at the sickbed. He should endure peacefully the insults of the patients.

Can you imagine you watch the Lord Jesus? The eternal Son of God power authority majesty glory coming back on the clouds. How does he act with people? To give us insight into the Lord Jesus. I'd like you to turn to Matthew chapter 12.

Jesus.

Heals that mother-in-law. Jesus heals a daughter. Jesus raises people from the dead. Should we be surprised? There was another healing in Matthew chapter 12. And this was said after the healing because I want you to see the Lord Jesus and his compassion.

Of course, he's sovereign. Of course, he's transcended. Of course, he's holy. Of course, he's righteous. But that's not all because he's the perfect man. He's the true man. Matthew 12 verse 15. Jesus aware of this withdrew from there and many followed him and he healed them all and he ordered them not to make him known.

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the Prophet Isaiah. This is what we read last week from the pulpit. Isaiah 42. Behold my servant whom I have chosen my beloved with whom my soul is well-pleased.

This is about Jesus. I will put my spirit upon him and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets a Bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick.

He will not quench. Until he brings justice to victory and in his name the Gentiles will have hope. Behold my.

Servant.

The father calling Jesus the servant can you think about all the service projects in all the world all the service? Opportunities you have in the world and here is the servant of the servants with the most important service ever.

Given God's choice God's Son to go on this service project and to make sure you pay attention. The first word of verse 18 is.

Behold.

So often I think about myself when I start thinking about my problems. I need the word behold. I need to have my eyes lifted up by faith instead of concentrating on me myself and my problems. Behold remember.

This is the one in whom God is. Well, please. And if you're in Christ It's well pleased with you and I specifically want to talk about verse 20 this morning. Bruised reeds smoldering wicks. Now if you think of.

Generals.

You think of conquerors? What do conquerors and generals do? With the feeble and the frail and those that contribute nothing to the cause. What would Alexander the Great do. What did he do? What did Napoleon do?

What did Cyrus do? What did Nebuchadnezzar do? What did Belshazzar do. What did Stalin do. How do conquerors conquer with the strong and with the mighty. They're ruthless.

They crush.

When Jesus comes the Holy One of God, is he different? How does he deal with people? Well here the text talks about two things bruised reeds and smoldering wicks. Now what were reeds? By the way, they were just everywhere any kind of marsh any place where water was.

You can get it by the River of Banks and you just cut them and you could use them for all kinds of things. You could use them as a toothpick. You could use them as a as a writing instrument. You could use them as something to measure something or you could use them for a flute.

They're thin. They're fragile. They're tiny. They break they get worn and When they're worn out you throw them away and it's no big deal. No one would ever confront you the elders would not call you into my office and say you just threw away a bruised Reed, I mean they're everywhere.

Shepherds used them all the time. I Mean they're just fragile they don't work at all. Well, there's smoldering wicks as well. What do smoldering wicks do?

They smolder.

Last night we had some folks over to our house before the ladies went out and we had candles there. And we blew out one of the candles and that thing just kept smoldering. I Mean, it's it's bugging me.

I mean, what do I do? And I'm not even Alexander the Great. You lick your fingers to make sure you don't get burned and snuff that thing out. Would you be offended if I did that to the candle? I mean flax is cheap.

Remember back in the old days you'd have a little kind of lamp and it'd be olive oil. And you'd have that little flax there that little wick would go in there and by the way. Do you see what Jesus is doing here when he's quoting Isaiah what Matthew's doing?

I? Don't know. Do you feel like you're strong in the faith and strong bodily and emotionally and you just are on top of your game. All the time or is there some bruising in your life? Do you feel fragile?

Do you feel broken? Do you feel down do you feel I mean seasons in life? That's how we all feel. What can you contribute when you're like that. Does Jesus really need to have people in the Lord's army and remember when you're a kid?

I'm in the Lord's army. Yes, sir. Well, what if I'm not in the Lord's army because I've been the infirmary. I'm in the Lord's infirmary. I Know we have some visitors today. I don't usually sing Smoldering wicks.

They cause trouble they cause smoke. They don't help they hurt. They take away time effort money. Now how long it would take for me to get that smoldering with to fan up into a light last night. Forget it snuff it out, but go go to Marshall's and buy another candle.

Well, it's supposed to light stuff up. It's not supposed to make smoke smoke. And you know when it comes to people a lot of people and I'm talking about just not you. But me seem to create more problems than what they're really worth.

Especially Jesus doesn't need to use people. Snuff it out and throw it away. Who cares about that little flax. Gonna take more time and patience and effort and care to get that thing going. Jesus said come to me all who are labor all who labor and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart. Does Jesus take the bruised reed and just say you're done you're out. Does Jesus take the smoldering flax and the wick and just snuff out?

Now when I was a Lutheran child I was an acolyte who how many people here were acolytes in one kind of denomination or other? Several were and I was trained how to be an acolyte and I was to hold the I think there's a technical name for them.

The taper like this and at the end of the taper. They had a wick and on the flip side of the taper. They had a bell. That was a snuffer. And I was to walk. I was put to put my robe on and everything my white robe and I was to walk out.

Elbow up. I still remember that and to start the service. I was to light the six candles up on the altar. And I always remember this because it was a panic attack. It was second service at Calvary Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska and the acolyte before me.

Did what they're not supposed to do. They took the bell to end the service to snuff everything out and they snuffed it really hard and Broke off the wick and. So I have six candles to light one two. Everybody's there the congregation three four five six.

It won't light and I just stood there trying trying trying to light that thing. You do not feel my pain, obviously. I just want to hang up the taper and go back. What do I do? Somebody snuffed that out too hard.

Isaiah 42. Matthew 12. It's not about reeds and wicks. It's a figure of speech to talk about weak and helpless people. People that are seemingly of no use who struggle who've been abused who are burnt out who can't seem to do much and seen the multitudes.