Word@Work Luke51 - Luke 4:14-15
Published: Wed, 03/03/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
STRONG IN SPIRIT
Luke 4:14-15 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. (NIV)
Even Jesus did not go about His ministry alone. Luke is clear that Jesus was working together with the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit. Within the early chapters of Luke we learn that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, anointed by the Holy Spirit, was full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit to encounter and defeat the lies of Satan. In today's passage, Jesus re-enters His home territory in the Holy Spirit's power.
He had left a carpenter but returned a preacher, and more was to come. In the same way that Jesus relied on the authority of the Father, He also relied on the power of the Spirit. That was to be His ministry style. And it was very important that He was not left reliant on human support (the disciples were often a disappointment), nor on the fickle applause of the crowds (although they praised Him in v15, they wanted to kill Him in v28-30).
We all need other people, if we are to function properly. But we need the right people. Jesus refused to do a deal with Satan, but willingly accepted the Holy Spirit's companionship. Most Christians in any sort of ministry know the joy of true fellowship, the pain of false brothers and the unpredictability of those who blow hot and cold. I once heard, in a minister's fraternal, a good answer to the question, "Brother are you encouraged?" "If I look to the ministry for my encouragement I will also find my discouragement in the same place: the Holy Spirit alone encourages me consistently"!
Wherever you serve the Lord today, in the factory, hospital, office or transport system; you need a friend. You also need the ability to resist temptation and power to speak of Christ. Christian fellowship should be a great help but the Holy Spirit is essential. He is not only there to comfort the weak but to give boldness to the timid; and to stand with you when all are against you. Like Jesus, we need to be saturated by the Holy Spirit if we are to win through against Satan's opposition, and win souls for Christ.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank you for not leaving me by myself; You have come to me. Thank You that the Holy Spirit is the seal inside everyone who confesses Jesus as Lord. But I ask your forgiveness when I have grieved the Spirit by my sinful behaviour, or quenched His power by asserting my own. When I feel all alone, thank You that I am not! The Spirit is with me. Please fill me again with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have Your power to do whatever You have commanded me. And even when my friends or even other believers let me down, thank You for promising to lift me up, so that I can serve You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Even Jesus did not go about His ministry alone. Luke is clear that Jesus was working together with the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit. Within the early chapters of Luke we learn that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, anointed by the Holy Spirit, was full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit to encounter and defeat the lies of Satan. In today's passage, Jesus re-enters His home territory in the Holy Spirit's power.
He had left a carpenter but returned a preacher, and more was to come. In the same way that Jesus relied on the authority of the Father, He also relied on the power of the Spirit. That was to be His ministry style. And it was very important that He was not left reliant on human support (the disciples were often a disappointment), nor on the fickle applause of the crowds (although they praised Him in v15, they wanted to kill Him in v28-30).
We all need other people, if we are to function properly. But we need the right people. Jesus refused to do a deal with Satan, but willingly accepted the Holy Spirit's companionship. Most Christians in any sort of ministry know the joy of true fellowship, the pain of false brothers and the unpredictability of those who blow hot and cold. I once heard, in a minister's fraternal, a good answer to the question, "Brother are you encouraged?" "If I look to the ministry for my encouragement I will also find my discouragement in the same place: the Holy Spirit alone encourages me consistently"!
Wherever you serve the Lord today, in the factory, hospital, office or transport system; you need a friend. You also need the ability to resist temptation and power to speak of Christ. Christian fellowship should be a great help but the Holy Spirit is essential. He is not only there to comfort the weak but to give boldness to the timid; and to stand with you when all are against you. Like Jesus, we need to be saturated by the Holy Spirit if we are to win through against Satan's opposition, and win souls for Christ.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank you for not leaving me by myself; You have come to me. Thank You that the Holy Spirit is the seal inside everyone who confesses Jesus as Lord. But I ask your forgiveness when I have grieved the Spirit by my sinful behaviour, or quenched His power by asserting my own. When I feel all alone, thank You that I am not! The Spirit is with me. Please fill me again with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have Your power to do whatever You have commanded me. And even when my friends or even other believers let me down, thank You for promising to lift me up, so that I can serve You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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