Rev. David Holwick ZI
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 1, 1989
Luke 4:14-21
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I. Jesus' mission of good news.
A. "Evangelism" is Greek for "good news."
B. His good news was radical.
1) Not for the content, so much as the recipients.
II. The good news is for a specific group.
A. Rich people would be expected..
1) Wealth was considered a sign of God's favor.
a) Wealth and spirituality went together.
2) But Jesus didn't see it that way.
a) Woes. Luke 6:24
b) Hard for them to get to heaven. Luke 18:24
1> Humanly impossible. Luke 18:27
B. Jesus' good news was aimed at the poor. Luke 4:18
1) The kingdom belongs to them - (alone?) Luke 6:20
III. Who are the poor?
A. A wide range of meaning:
1) Material poverty. Luke 6:20
2) Spiritual poverty. Matthew 5:3
a) OT prophets: those who depend solely on God.
B. Further descriptions:
1) Prisoners, blind, oppressed.
C. Jesus favored these people: preached, ate, talked with them.
IV. Scandal of gospel for the poor.
A. Jesus got more opposition to his good news than call to repent.
1) His quote from Isaiah 61:1-2 omits:
"and the day of vengeance of our God."
a) Possible reinterpretation of Luke 4:22.
1> They did not "speak well" of him, but against him.
2> They were not "amazed," but shocked.
3> "Gracious words" alludes to his quoting the words of
God's grace and omitting the vengeance.
b) Explains rest of chapter better.
1> Their indignant surprise at end of 4:22.
2> Jesus' sharp response in 4:23.
3> Their desire to lynch him in 4:28-29.
2) They wanted the bad guys of the world to get fried, not saved.
B. Poor are often not righteous.
1) Welfare family in West Lafayette.
Oppressive odor of pit bull and heat in run-down trailer.
Beer cans scattered about.
(Enjoying himself, as was rare for him to be out of jail)
Food and dirty dishes piled on table.
Watching cable TV movie channel. (I didn't subscribe)
a) Such people more righteous than me, a Baptist minister?
2) The gospels explicitly link poor to sinful activity.
a) Prostitutes, tax collectors, "sinners" lumped with poor.
C. Salvation is not for righteous people.
1) Salvation not based on how worthy or moral we are.
a) Truly moral people don't need a doctor. Luke 5:31-32
b) Based on God's free love for us, whether rich or poor.
2) No one is truly righteous or rich (just think they are).
a) Poor recognize their need for God.
b) When they are saved, they are grateful. Luke 7:39,42,47
V. Material & spiritual applications.
A. Most people consider themselves poor.
1) At least not as rich as next person.
a) Psychologists: we have a need to feel superior.
b) Yet we know we don't measure up.
2) Do we see ourselves as poor before God?
B. Jesus came for such people.
1) Self-righteousness condemned.
VI. What Jesus does for the poor.
A. "I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly."
B. Acceptance by God.
C. Burdens lifted.
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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