Jesus Doesn't Pull Any Punches

Who releases captives?

Who gives sight to the blind?

Who sets the oppressed free?


Jesus makes a bold claim:
"Jesus unrolled the scroll of Isaiah the prophet and found the place where this was written:
'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to
bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.'
He sat down. Then He began to speak to them,
'The Scriptures you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day.'" Luke 4:17-21

Who do you know that is being held captive? Anyone in your circle of influence having difficulty seeing clearly? Do you have any friends who are oppressed, burdened, weighed down?

What do you make of Jesus' claim?

What happens when you follow Jesus?

As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Come, follow me! -Jesus

Following Jesus...
Requires action Matthew got up! As a friend of mine said recently: "We need to
get our butts out of the seat. There needs to be some daylight
between the bench and our britches!"

Reorganization (disruption) of our status quo Matthew stopped collecting taxes.
Peter dropped his fishing nets.

Refocuses us constantly We are so easily distracted. We need daily refocusing. Even
Jesus got away by Himself. And think of all the times in the
three-year ministry tour with Jesus that the disciples were
forced to refocus their hearts, attitudes and actions by Jesus!

Resourced by Jesus Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you out to preach the
Good News and you did not have money, a traveler's bag, or
extra clothing, did you need anything?" "No," they replied.
Luke 22:35

Repetitive rhythm The learning , the growing, the stretching, the challenging takes
place as life happens. There are no 10 week discipleship classes, or
residential seminaries. There was authentic community with Jesus
at the center. Jesus takes advantage of every opportunity as they
lived life together to teach, admonish, and encourage. The rhythm
kind of goes like this: receiving from Jesus, sent by Jesus, discussing
with each other with Jesus at the center.

Replication Pass what you are learning on to reliable people who will pass it on to others.
2 Timothy 2:2

Words Create Worlds

In recent days I've heard a couple of phrases that really resonated with me:

"Jesus is not battling with us over what our occupation is, but what our preoccupation is." Rev. Steve Wagner, Executive Leader, Pastoral Leadership Institute

"Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." Jesus (Mark 1:38)

"Today we sailed over the edge of the map." from Christopher Columbus' diary

"Are you mistaking the edge of your rut for the horizon?" Willow Creek Leadership Conference '09

"We need to shift from the church as a what to the church as a who!" Rev. Steve Wagner

"There's bread in the wilderness and plenty to spare." from old 60's camp song (John 6)

"I can explain it to you. But, I can't understand it for you."

"You must not abandon the ship just because you cannot control the winds." Utopia-Thomas More

What has caught your attention recently?

Fear Not!

Has fear ever kept you stuck? Has anxiety ever kept you from recognizing the presence or the power of God? Has worrying about the future ever kept you grounded in yuck, unable to soar in joy?

Think for a moment about what you may have missed because you gave into fear! I’ve missed out on a lot of things….joy, peace, contentment, good physical health, restful sleep, beautiful moments, surprises, watching God work, being amazed by God’s presence, answers to the dilemmas I worry about, a simpler way, happiness, confidence, being part of an exciting adventure, being a partner with God in what He’s doing….

I have missed out on all of these things, because, at times, I have been afraid. I have been anxious. I have worried. I have obsessed and spiraled. And all the while, missing out on the treasures God has for me.

How about you? Sound remotely familiar?

I love the way Jesus loves people like me who fear. He says, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here.” Matthew 14:27

What are you afraid of today? What’s got you stuck? What’s keeping you from seeing the presence or power of God? What’s keeping you awake at night with worry?

“Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here.” Jesus