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THAT IS WHY I WAS SENT

Luke 4:31-44

Key Verse: 4:43

"But he said, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'"

            Yesterday America celebrated her independence day. This passage is about the Independence Day for the people of Capernaum. With his power and authority, Jesus set them free from all sicknesses and demon-possessions. Moreover Jesus proclaimed freedom for all prisoners of sin through preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Then he said, “That is why I was sent.” In this passage, we want to think two things:  First, Jesus’ authority and second Jesus’ mission. Through this bible study, we may submit to the absolute authority of Jesus and learn his mission spirit that never gives up teaching and preaching the good news of the kingdom of God.

I. That is why I was sent (31-32, 43)

As we learned last week, Jesus went to his hometown and preached the good news. He proclaimed that God had sent him as the promised Messiah to give freedom to the prisoners, and recovery of sight to the blind, and to release the oppressed. Surprisingly, his hometown people rejected his message, saying “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” They even tried to throw him off the cliff. Have you ever been rejected by your family members or your best friends? My mom told me “If you want to talk about Jesus, do not come home!” My friends told me “If you say even a word about Jesus, we would not see you again.” It was really heart breaking. I could not talk about Jesus anymore because I wanted to be accepted. I wanted to be just a friend and a good son to my mom who became a widow in her young age.

How about Jesus? Look at verse 31. "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people." He went down to Capernaum. On the Sabbath, again he began to teach the people. In his home town, he was almost killed because he taught the word of God. However, he was not discouraged. He was not daunted. He kept right on teaching the word of God to people. Here, I want to ask Jesus: “Is the teaching the words of God that important? Is it worthy to give up friends and even family members?” We can find Jesus’ answer in verse 43. “But he said, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'” He said “That is why I was sent!” It means teaching and preaching the good news of the kingdom of God is his life purpose, his life direction, and meaning of his life. To Jesus, teaching the word of God is more important than his own life. Then why is it so? Among us, is there any who were save without hearing the word of God? No one. Salvation comes from faith, but faith comes from hearing the words of God. The word of God makes people wise to obtain salvation from their sins and escape from eternal condemnation (2Ti 3:15). The word of God is the way to know God and to receive salvation. Since Adam’s fall, men have been wondering and dying. It is not because of lack of knowledge. It is not because of lack of humanistic love. It is because they do not have the words of life.  But Thank God that Jesus came to give us the word of God. Jesus was sent to give the source of eternal life, the words of God. How desperately Jesus wanted to teach the word of God to the people as his first priority.He said, “I must…”  He was threatened by his home town people, but he preached the gospel. He was accused by religious leaders and Pharisees, but he preached the good news. He was arrested and condemned to death, but he preached the good news of the kingdom of God. He was nailed on the cross, but still he shared the good news with a criminal on a cross.

How much do we concern about sharing one words of God? Consider this carefully “Jesus was sent to preach the gospel.” Teaching the word of God is not a hobby. It is not something we do with our free time.  It is precious mission from God.It is the mission that is worthy of our lives.  Why are we here? God sent us here to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.  Do you know who might be the best fisher of man in NJ? I think it is M. Abraham Moses Kim. Whenever I went out fishing, I found him passionately sharing the gospel with sheep, sometimes sitting by sheep,  sometimes even kneeling down before sheep.We all know his one clear prayer topic to serve 1 American sheep with 1:1 Bible Study.  I believe God will grand him his prayer topic. The one word we share could save one soul. It could be through fishing, or through small talk with our friends. As you know, the one word on a small gospel fly changed a terrible sinner into a powerful Gospel messenger. In Nazareth, Jesus preached the good news. In Capernaum, Jesus preached the good news. In Judea, Jesus preached the good news. It is because that is why he was sent! In this summer, by any means, we may share the words of God. We may carry out 1:1 Bible study with life giving spirit. That is why we were sent!

II. The authority of Jesus.

What picture of Jesus do you have in your mind? People picture Jesus as a humble, kind and gentle shepherd.  However we find Jesus who has all authority in haven and on earth. With the authority, he taught people. With the authority, he drove out demons. With the authority, he healed the sick. Look at Verse 32. “They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.” When people heard Jesus’ message, they were amazed at his teaching. They were overwhelmed by the power of the words of God as if they were hearing the very words of God from God himself. When he taught the kingdom of God, their hearts were filled with hope for the kingdom of God. When he rebuked them, his message cut their heart and made them repent of their sins. When he taught God’s love and mercy, someone praised God for his mercy, and some other shared tears of repentance for God’s love that forgives all their sins. Indeed his message had authority. It was not like the authority that pulls over our cars and gives us ticket. This is the authority that forgives all our sins. It is the authority that makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus. It is the authority that changes our heart desires to love God.

How could his teaching has such authority? Was it because he spoke in a loud voice like the teachers of the law? Was it because he loaded over people with teachings of regulations like Pharisees? Firs of all, Jesus’ teaching has authority for he taught the truth, the words of God. The word of God itself has authority and power. He taught not theology, nor philosophy, nor his won ideas, but the truth, the words of God. Second of all, Jesus taught the word of God with conviction. He believed the awesome power of God's word. Jesus proclaimed freedom for the prisoners by faith. What happened? All sinners who heard and accepted his message have been set free from the prison of sin. M. Matthew was set free from guilty and lust. I was set free from self-condemnation. We are set free from the prison of sin. Let us share the truth the words of God with conviction. “Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Look at verse 33-37.  Here we can see that Jesus has absolute power and authority over devils, evil spirits. Look at verses 33 and 34. "In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Nowadays, many people already know about demons through movies, books, and TV. However people get wrong impression about demons. Some people think that they can get along with demons and be friend with demons.

Do you know why demons are friendly to you? The fact is there are no demons which are friendly. They are friendly to us because they want to possess us, and to control us and eventually to destroy our lives. Demons can take residence in a man’s body, and has full control over his mind and actions. Like his master Satan, his mission is to enslave the man and destroy his life. Once a manpossessed by a demon, he is not free, but a salve.  Devil wants to destroy our lives. It was to destroy our faith, our marriage, our unity, our prayer alter, and our mission. Crafty demons are very skillful at disguising themselves. Even they are able to disguise themselves as angels of light (2 Cor 11:14) and can even work miracles (Rev 16:14). For Father’s day, Sarah brought cards what she made at her school. There was a card that she filled out some blanks to make complete sentences: “I love my father because “--------.” One of the sentence is “My father spends most of time _________” She filled the blank and made a sentence. It was not “Reading Bible” nor praying. The sentence is this “My father spends most of time doing computer.”  I was shocked. But that was the fact. The first thing I do in the morning was to turn on my notebook and do internet. Whenever I went home, the first thing I do is also to open my notebook. I feel like I cannot live without Internet for a day. Even though many days I skip reading Bible, I never miss surfing internet or watching movies.

One day, I found that one watching movies clips in the computer from, another watching a movie in the basement, another watching a movie in the second floor living room and another watching a movie in brother’s room. I wonder what is going on. It seems like we all are possessed by something. We should read the Bible, and meditate the words of God day and night. But day and night we are surfing internets for nothing and spend most of time watching movies. What do you think? If you think, “Ha! What do you want with us, M. Peter? Surfing Internet and watching movies are not sin. Have you come to cut off the internet and prohibit watching movies? You act like that only you are holy.” Then, we should really exam ourselves carefully what possess our heart, and our mind. Satan is working in many different ways. It blinds our eyes and minds. It make us rebel against God’s command. It possesses our heart and mind and makes us slave of our desires, emotions, and feelings. What should we do? What should I do? We should listen to Jesus’ command.

Look at verse 34 and 35. “While Jesus was teaching the words of God, the demon cried out "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God! "'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him." The demon trembled before Jesus’ spiritual authority and revealed itself. Interesting thing is demons know who Jesus is. Demons know that Jesus is the son of God, the Christ and he came to destroy the kingdom of Satan and throw all demons into hell. However, the demon could not do anything. One thing they can do was crying out in a loud voice to hinder Jesus’ Bible study. Making big announcement about Jesus, they wanted to plant doubt about Jesus’ true identity. Later religious leaders accuse Jesus as the prince of demons. How did Jesus deal with the demon? Jesus did not negotiate. Jesus did not plead. Jesus commanded the demon: “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon shut up his mouth and came out.  Wow, demons are very obedience to Jesus. They had to be obey Jesus for Jesus has absolute power and authority over devils. He has power to drive out demons and to set the prisoner free. We should listen to Jesus’ command. We should listen to the words of God that rebuke us. Jesus may command: “You, lazy demon, come out of him!”, “You, lustful demon, come out of him!” “You, rebellious demon, come out of him!” “You, porn demon, come out of him!” “You, selfish demon, come out of him!” Jesus may set us free from all kinds of demons that possess our heart. We may love God with all our hearts, minds, strength and souls. People were amazed again. Look at verse 36 and 37 “All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" The news about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding area. I am sure that hearing the news, people found hope of God, but the demons troubled.

In verse 38-41, Jesus demonstrates his authority by healing the sick. After the bible study in the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon. Peter might invite Jesus and the disciples to a dinner. Entering the house, they might expect the sweet smell of delicious lamb soup. Instead, they heard the news that Mom was suffering from a high fever. In those days, high fever was dangerous. Some times people lost their hearing or sight, even their lives. But thank God!  Jesus was with them and they had faith to ask Jesus for help. Jesus always blesses faith. How did Jesus help her? Look at verse 39. Jesus bent over her, and rebuked the fever. Then the fever completely left her. Immediately, she got up and began to wait on him. What kind of authority is that even fever obeyed? Jesus rebuked the fever in the same way he later rebuked the winds and waves on the stormy Sea of Galilee. It is the authority of the one who created the heavens and earth. It is the authority of the creator of our lives. Jesus has authority over even our sickness and our bodies.

Look at verse 40. When the sun was setting, people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and among them were many demon-possessed people.. It seems like they waited until sunset to visit him for they did not want to violate the Sabbath. We do not know how many people were brought but they brought all who were sick. In New Brunswick, there are two big hospitals and there are also so many doctors’ offices. Still doctors are busy to treat their patents every day. It could be hundreds or thousands people brought to Jesus. What did Jesus do? Verse 40b says, "...and laying his hands on each one, he healed them." Jesus did not reject them. He welcomed them with compassion. Jesus has all authority over all, so he could heal them all at once. Instead, he laid his hands on each one. He laid his hands on everyone and healed them one by one. When we look for a doctor, we might think about 2 basic things; First. Dose he care? Second, does he ability to heal? Jesus is the doctor who cares for all kinds of sick people with compassion. Jesus is the doctor who can heal all kinds of sickness. Jesus has authority even over sicknesses.

            There are many who claim authority over us such a governments, boss, professors, even gang members. Even demons and sin claims authority over us.   But Allauthority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. Jesus has all authority over our lives, our bodies, even our sicknesses.  When we submit to demons and sin, we we become slaves of sin which leads to death. But when we submit to Jesus’ authority, there will joy and happiness. By obeying Jesus’ teaching, we may submit to Jesus. Jesus may rule over us and lead us to righteousness.  Jesus may crush the kingdom of Satan in us and bring the kingdom of God in us.

III. "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God" (42-43)

In this part we can learn how Jesus maintained his focus on God’s mission and how he practically carried the mission.

First, Jesus' quiet time with God (42a). He taught the word of God in the Synagogue. He drove out a demon. He headed Peter’s mother in law. More than that, He had healed hundreds of sick people by touching them one by one. He must have been exhausted. Still people were looking for him.  There might be a lot of work to do for Jesus: healing the sick, teaching the Bible, training disciples, and building up community. In his busy schedule, there is one thing he never gives up. Look at verse 42a. "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place." In the early hours of the morning, Jesus went to a solitary place. There he had quiet time with God. According to Mark, he prayed. No matter how busy he was or how tired he was, he found time to pray. When I was busy, the first thing I give up was prayer. When I was tired, the first thing I stop was also prayer. Then I found myself working hard without clear direction. When Jesus was busy, the first he did was prayer. When he was tired, the first thing he start is prayer. Then he was able to focus on God’s mission. In his prayer, Jesus found new strength and wisdom from his Father. In his prayer, Jesus also found what his Father wanted him to do. So Jesus could maintain a clear focus on the main task. We need this kind of quiet time with God. We should never give up prayer time  no matter what. Even if we are too busy, we should find time to pray. It is the secret to maintain spiritual strength and focus in serving God.

Second, Jesus' clear spiritual direction (42b-43). People wantrf Jesus to stay with them in Capernaum. They might plead with Jesus, “Jesus, please stay with us!” Look at verse 43. “but he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Here we learn about Jesus’ mission spirit.

In the first place, Jesus did what God wanted him to do. People wanted him to stay with them.  But Jesus clearly told them that he must go somewhere else, saying, "That is why I was sent." Jesus stayed focused on God's purpose for sending him, instead of pleasing people according to their demand. Preparing summer bible conference, what I think of most was how to please  new generation. Even when I prepared message, I thought much of how to appeal to campus students. When we make directions for conferences, I though much how to please all of them; How to please Missionary Sarah, How to please M. John, and how to please 2 generations. Then I found out that we have no directions. Pleasing everyone means no direction. There is no way to do so.

Rather than, we should make decision to do what God want us to do. It is to teach and preach the kingdom of God. We should never give up teaching the bible by 1:1 Bible Study. Jesus’ ministry could stand, and grow because the base of his ministry was the words of God. The base of our UBF ministry is also the words of God. God has blessed UBF 1:1 ministry to raise up disciples of Jesus among campus student and pioneer 98 countries with the gospel of Jesus. We must decide to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.

Thank God for Jesus who made clear mission direction. We must preach the good news of the kingdom of God. That is what God want us to do. That is why God sent us here. Though there are many demands as our ministry grows, we should not lose our focus on campus mission. Preach the gospel to the campus students and raise them as disciples of Jesus. Preaching the good news of the kingdom of God is the purpose and meaning of our ministry and each one of us. 

Look at verse 44. "And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." Jesus went from Galilee to Judea. Jesus did not settle down comfortably in one place, but kept on going to other places. Jesus wanted to bring the good news of the kingdom of God everywhere, to the whole world. We should pray for the other town. What might be the other towns for us? John Park Jr. is praying for Middle East country. Turkey is the other town. Even North Korea is the other town. God bless our NJ ministry to preach the good news of the kingdom of God to all towns in NJ.

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. He came to peach the good news of the kingdom of God. We may submit to Jesus. We may preach the good news of the kingdom of God to others campuses in New Jersey also.