A message at our annual Eastbrook Outdoors service on how Jesus is the ultimate rebuilder and repairer of all that is broken in our selves, our city, and our world. (Luke 4:1-21)
SERMON OUTLINE
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus in the Wilderness
- The wilderness
- The wilderness of hunger
- The wilderness of solitude
- The wilderness with the devil and temptation
- The wilderness with God’s Word and God’s Holy Spirit
From the Wilderness, Jesus Comes with Good News
- Good news of spiritual power
- Good news of promises fulfilled
- Good news for the poor
- Good news for the imprisoned
- Good news for those who cannot see
- Good news for the oppressed
- Good news of God’s favor
- Good news found in Him
Making It Real for Us
- Facing into the wilderness with Jesus
- Entering into new life through the good news of Jesus
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What was some of the best news you have ever received in your life? What happened? Why did that news or message mean so much to you?
- This weekend is Eastbrook Outdoors, and we have a stand-alone message that builds on our exploration of Nehemiah. We are looking at Jesus’ ministry in Luke 4:1-21. Before you read that Scripture, ask God in prayer to speak to you through His word and then read that passage aloud.
- Immediately after His baptism, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (verses 1-2). Why do you think this was a necessary leading of the Holy Spirit?
- How would you summarize the temptations of the devil that Jesus encountered in the wilderness (verses 3-12)?
- How do you think this mirrors the story of Israel in history? Why might that be important?
- Jesus truly begins His public ministry after the wilderness testing. Jesus’ visit to His hometown synagogue in Nazareth brings a decisive moment of self-identification and sparks mixtures of anticipation and tension with others. Evidently, Jesus regularly attended the worship gathering of the synagogue (see 4:16), which included readings of Scripture. Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2 and 58:6. What stands out to you about these words from Isaiah the prophet?
- It was normal for someone to teach from the Scripture from the seated position. It is likely that Jesus spoke longer than what Luke recorded but that the key statement was what we read in 4:21. Why do you think Jesus’ statement here so important?
- How do you need to experience Jesus’ good news ministry today? What is one specific thing that God is speaking to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Jesus’ words in Luke 4:18-19.
- Go on a “wilderness” walk this week somewhere outdoors for at least 60 minutes, inviting God to speak to you in two ways: 1) let God show you areas where you are struggling with temptation and sin – move into repentance by turning from that sin; 2) let God show you places God wants to bring new life and rebuilding that echoes Jesus’ words in Luke 4:18-19.
- Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus
- N. T. Wright, Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters