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Kingdom Ministry

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Kingdom Ministry: LK 4:16-21

Read the passage and use it as a model or overlay for all Kingdom ministry.

Note that Jesus did not just randomly quote a verse from the prophets and say, “This is who I am and what I do!” No, he intentionally adjusts the passage to fit his ministry on earth – changing some words and excluding the heavenly aspects. He is quoting from Is 61:1-2, when suddenly on the fifth phrase he flips back a couple chapters in his mind and uses the vocabulary of Is 58:6   (Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and) “to let the oppressed go free,” (and that ye break every yoke?). Then after finishing the sixth phrase he puts a period, rather than completing the thought of Isaiah which extends Jesus’ ministry into the heavenly job assignment.

So Jesus was very intentional about the description of his ministry. And so should we. This is an accurate description of his ministry on earth. It should be a model for ours as well.

  1. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to…” The Source of all ministry is the Anointing of God’s Spirit upon me, and presence with me.
  2. Five aspects of Kingdom ministry: ( As a teacher you may want to allow your students to study each phrase and find a word or theme that would capture each aspect of Kingdom ministry. Then find some stories of Jesus ministry and the apostles to validate it.)
    1. “Preach the Good News to the poor” = the message of forgiveness of sins.
      1. Eg – Sinful woman feeling the good news of freedom from sin, acceptance before God, hope of belonging to Good and God.
      2. Find more examples
    1. “Proclaim freedom to captives” = Deliverance from power of Satan.
      1. Eg – All the demons cast out in Jesus and apostles ministry.
    1. “Recovery of sight to the blind” = Healing for the sick.
      1. Examples
    1. “Release the oppressed” = justice. Lit “oppressed” = the broken hearted. The crushed and wounded in heart and spirit. Those who are beat down by injustice.
      1. Eg -Touching the leper = physical as well as social healing!
      2. Eg – Including and honoring women.
    1. “The year of God’s favor” = invitation into the community of the Spirit.Lit it is speaking of Jubilee year. The year all of the poor and captive and disenfranchised and forgotten have been looking forward to.  Year of canceling all debts, enslaved going free, property and land being restored, families reunited who were separated for lack of ability to repay debts. Magical year of turning the world upside down with God’s kind of justice – the poor get the advantage! A new community of the Spirit where righteousness shines out and all men are respected and accessible to God.
      1. Eg – Inviting Matthew to join.

Read Is 61 for the Kingdom view of Jubilee :

  • Justice. – people treating people right
  • Righteousness. – people living in the ways of God – bright display of God’s purity and truth.
  • Inclusion – even the outcast and foreigner are part of the community, based on God’s inclusion, rather than any man made barrier.
  • God dwelling among his people. – His presence tangibly experienced among us – every person with the Spirit, young and old.

So all Kingdom ministry has these 5 elements. See it in Jesus ministry in just 2 chapters:

  • Forgiveness – lk :5:17ff
  • Healing – 4:38f
  • Deliverance – 4:31ff
  • Justice – 5:12ff
  • Invitation to join community – 5:8ff

See these same elements in the early church: study A 2:37-47