By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 1:1-25

INTRO

One of my all-time favorite TV programs, still coming via reruns, featured a never-losing, always-victorious lawyer, Perry Mason. Along with the hero was the omni­scient secretary who always knew her boss's thoughts, a cynical police lieutenant, an unsuccessful district attorney - I always wondered how he kept his job - and a slick, handsome, muscular private investigator who al­ways uncovered the truth. If it had not been for the de­tective, Paul Drake, I'm not sure Mr. Mason would have won all those cases. Paul was always digging into the de­tails that gave the right answers to the right questions.

We don't know what Luke looked like, but he had one similarity to our blond detective, Paul Drake, because Luke wanted all the details straight. He left no stone un­turned for clues or evidence when it came to the case of: Jesus Christ, Savior of the World!

Accuracy of details is of primary importance when we investigate the claims of Jesus ourselves.

Luke outlines in his introductory material (vv. 1-4):

1. The place in history for an accurate account con­cerning Jesus (v. 1)

2. The people who give an accurate account con­cerning Jesus (v. 2)

3. The personal accurate account concerning Jesus (v. 3)

4. The sharing of an accurate account concerning Jesus (v. 4)

In this first section (vv. 1-25), Luke foundationally for us the beginning of the story of Jesus of Naza­reth. There are several lessons we can learn.

1. I. I Need to Personally Experience and Share of God (vv. 1-4)

Matthew, Mark, and John knew the physical Jesus; Luke did not. He was absent during Jesus' three-year ministry. Never once did he hold a conversation, theological ­or secular, with Jesus. Nor did Luke ever take a Passover meal with Jesus. He did not witness the death or resurrection of the Savior; yet, the Gospel he wrote seems to be so personal. He dug out the details from eye-witnesses ­and experienced in life the personalness of the Resurrection. He wrote down his story to one man, Theophilus, in such a personal way that his Gospel has become universal. Vagueness does not appear in his compilation of truth.

Our testimony must not be vague, but rather filled with concrete, up-to-date experiential events. We share with our neighbors, friends, and relatives that our God is a person, not a philosophy. Have you listened lately to your testimony? Have you made God more into a philosophical ­concept rather than the God of your faith and history? Reflect on that momentarily. Replay your last testimony to a friend.

1. II. I Need to live the Story of God (vv. 5-10)

"And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (v. 6, KJV, italics added).

Walking indicates someone in forward motion. I think the word blameless could be translated positive. If I catch the spirit of all this, I believe God wants us to live His message positively in a forward motion pattern.

I like to call this "bicycle Christian." Have you ever noticed that you cannot go backward on a bike? You can only go forward. If you try moving the pedals backward, they only spin or, on older bikes, lock up. If Christians could just learn that lesson. God doesn't want us to back up in life. He wants us to start moving forward from the time we hit the altar and ask Christ into our lives. Sure, we will make mistakes, but we move forward by learning from those mistakes. We get excited by the great lessons we learn in circumstances, in worship, in Sunday School, from other people, prayer, and other ways.

I need to learn to live the message of faith in a loving God who wants me to succeed in my spiritual walk. Friend, quit walking backward. Start walking forward!

ILLUS. Today I talked with a young, 17-year-old, girl who 3 years ago got her life messed up with a drug dealer. Her grades suffered, her communication with parents and friends diminished; life was in the pits! Somewhere God got hold of her heart. Through God's help and counseling she's walking forward. That's what God desires from the bottom of His loving heart.

Live the message!

III. I Need to listen to the Story of God (vv. 11-20)

Notice where Zacharias was in our Scripture back­ground: in the house of God. He was doing his priestly duty, burning incense in the inmost court of the Temple, called the court of the priests. William Barclay points out that while the priest is doing this, the congregation goes to the next court, called the court of the Israelites, where evening sacrifice is being made. The priest was to come to the rail between the two courts after the in­cense burned down and give a priestly blessing to the waiting worshipers. The people waited an extra-long time for Zacharias to come out. When he did, he could not speak. He had been with God's messenger. Barclay noted that God's voice comes to those who listen for it, as Zacharias did.

ILLUS. Chuck Swindoll said that most of us were born hearing well, but all of us must learn to listen well. We all need to cultivate that skill.

I am afraid that although many of us speak, and God listens, yet when God speaks, we are too busy to hear. Is it not true that we need to linger longer than we do at our private devotions? I wonder what would happen to us if we spent as much time listening to God as He spends listening to us. It might revolutionize our life­style!

IV. I Need to Catch a Vision of the Story of God (vv. 21-22)

A vision is something you see through the eyes of the mind and heart. Deep down inside, your faith stretches out like a runner coming to the finish line with some­one attempting to pass at the last second. It's seeing what God sees. There is faith enough for a project to build a dispensary or to become a doctor, to see a new medicine produced, to electrify a Sunday School, to ex­perience wholly holy living. It cannot or must not be stopped.

ILLUS. Chuck Swindoll relates a cartoon he saw. Two Eskimo were ice fishing. One of them has draped his Line through the typical small disk-size hole about three feet wide. The other Eskimo also has his line in the wa­ter, waiting patiently for a nibble. His hole, however, is a crater-sized opening that reaches to the horizon in the shape of a whale! That's vision.

Most of us have a vision like the disk size. We live me­diocre life-styles and go around doing little because we have no vision. God wants us to catch a vision of what He can do. J. B. Phillips wrote a book titled Your God Is Too Small. That's unfortunately all too often where we ate in life. How big is your God, your faith, and your vision? Let God enlarge them today.

V. I Need to Act on the Story of God (vv.23-25)

It's one thing to talk about the story of God and catch­ing the vision of God's story. But it is an entirely differ­ent matter to act on His story.

ILLUS. A New England minister told his complacent congregation that there was a necessity of practical god­liness needed. He contrasted his people with the early Christians by remarking: "We have too many resolutions and too little action. The Acts of the Apostles is the title of one of the books of the New Testament; their resolu­tions have not reached us."

God's heart was put on the Cross in human form - ­Jesus. Those who become disciples know that Christ en­ters their hearts carrying that idea further - God's love invades our hearts! If that is so, we cannot simply talk about God's love. We need to act out God's love. We must roll up our sleeves and put into practical appli­cation. We ought to invite our unsaved friends to dinner, to give in sacrificial stewardship, to work with the aged as a volunteer in a rest home, to take food to the needy, to paint and clean up a widow lady's home. Reuben Welch says that to know God is to respond to Him - in action.

Someone said that there are three classes of people: the immovable, the movable, and those who are in mo­tion. Are we where the action is?

CONCLUSION

Jesus' story becomes our story as we get involved with Him. God's message speaks to all people. Will you help share His story?

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 1:26-38

INTRO

Walter Cronkite hosted a television program titled, "You Are There." The premise of the show put the audi­ence in the midst of a historical situation like Washing­ton crossing the Delaware, the signing of the Consti­tution, Or Alexander Graham Bell's first telephone call

Luke is our ancient Waiter Cronkite, putting us as close as possible to an important historical situation. It is a surprising story! The two major onstage actors were a teenage girl whose maturity level was much advanced for her chronological age and a nonhuman called Ga­briel.

If I were God, my script would not include a story line with as many surprises as He throws at us. As script­writer, I would have a palace with royalty and an experi­enced mother with other children so that she would know exactly how to raise the Son of God. I'd write in a legitimate kind of father. After all, why couldn't God mi­raculously do His incarnation with a regular kind of family situation? Why a teenage girl and a man twice her as parents? I sure wouldn't put a strange kind of be­ing into the scene as a messenger of God. Rather, I would send a handsome courier on a white horse with gold trimmings to the palace to inform the selected couple of God's redemptive plan. Why the surprises? Luke, however, puts us there with the angel and young girl from Nazareth named Mary.

Let's examine this surprising beginning story.

1. I. There Is a Surprising Messenger (V. 26)

The average 1990s person with atomic power, com­puter technology, and nuclear physics tends to feel that angles are ancient man's supernatural imaginary friends. Thus, angels have no place in our modem scheme. Prof. Bernard Ramm wrote in Basic Christian Doctrines, "Atoms ­seem at home in our contemporary thinking, but not angels." People know the principles whereby they can reasonably imagine a scientific cruise of the planets by a space-age Darwin. But they have no principles, no guidelines for discussing angels! So people dismiss the concept of angels as purely mythological!

Evangelical Christians take seriously the birth narrative that places the angel Gabriel at the home of Mary on an important historical night long ago. If we take the Scriptures at face value, we understand that there are angles. Condensing volumes of words, we find that angels function by:

(1) ceaselessly praising God, (2) being the media of God's service to man, (3) taking an active role in furthering the work of redemption, and (4) sharing God's constant care for His creation.

Our narrative brings into sharp focus that "Gabriel was sent from God" (v. 26, KJV) to announce that redemption was coming to mankind through the avenue of a timid girl to whom he compas­sionately says, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God" (v. 30).

Often we picture angels as Goliath-sized with deep, resonant voices, stem faces, and wings that could engulf us! We almost have a feeling that they are harsh. As I read the Word, I believe they must have soft faces (when vis­ible) with marks of kindness, eyes that twinkle, and love written all over them by the fingers of God. After all, they are His messengers to His people.

The similarity between angels and New Testament Christians is striking. We are God's earthly messengers telling the world of His great love affair with His master­piece-humanity. Believers vocalize the story of re­demption to a lost world. Truly we are messengers with a mighty message!

Has God's redemptive story penetrated the depth of your spirit so that His message flows naturally from your lips? Be honest with yourself: who is the last person to whom you told God's message of salvation? How long has it been? Ask God to whom He wants you to tell His story. Make an appointment today with that lost person. Someone may be waiting for you to share the Good News with him!

II. There Is a Surprising Recipient and Response (vv. 27-38)

Have you ever been tempted to ask God, "Why Mary?" There were so many Israelite women to choose from across the land. Again, if I were writing the script, the qualification list would include chronological age ac­companied by maturity, not a 16-year-old the age of a modem high school sophomore or junior; a homemaker who knew how to care for a baby, not a teenage baby­sitter-type; a wife with a husband who would be under­standing; an upper-class person who could best finan­cially care for Jesus.

Isn't it phenomenal that Luke is the only one of the New Testament writers who gives so much detail con­cerning the angel's announcement to Mary about a vir­gin birth? As a physician, he would know the birthing process as only a doctor would. The narrative tells us that the mysterious presence of the Spirit of God would cancel the natural human process so that Jesus would be conceived as no other human being was. God would be in Jesus as in no other earthly creature. For us the Incar­nation is reality. It reaches to the heart of salvation for all who choose to believe in this God-man called Jesus.

At the time, Mary did not understand incarnation. But we post-Christmas, post-Calvary, post-Resurrection Christians do! Our faith reaches a climax because of the Incarnation.

Mary, the humble peasant girl, was chosen by God. She felt so insignificant to find favor with Him. Listen to her: "Mary was greatly troubled at his words" (v. 29). What words? Gabriel's: "Greetings, you who are highly favored!" (v. 28).

In her heart and mind at that moment was "Why me, when so many others are better suited for the job?" Her humility is refreshing.

ILLUS. A story is told about a banker who always threw in a few coins to the cup of a legless beggar who positioned himself in front of the bank doors, selling pencils for a few cents to support himself. Most people would toss their coins or dollars into his cup and pass on to their important business. Each time the banker put in coins, he would take a pencil and tell the man that he was a merchant of pencils.

One day the legless man was not on the sidewalk. Time passed and the banker forgot about him until one day he walked into a public building. There in a conces­sion stand sat the former beggar. He owned his own small business. He said how happy he was to see the banker because he wanted to thank him. It was his en­couragement and show of respect by telling him he was a "merchant" that gave him the knowledge of life's worth. He no longer pictured himself as a beggar re­ceiving gifts, but a merchant of pencils. He started sell­ing enough pencils to support himself because the banker gave him self-respect.

It is wrong for anyone to get the idea that humility is a person walking around with a sign around his neck say­ing, "I am nothing, I am a nobody." Each of us is a person for whom the very Son of God gave His life.

Mary had humility with dignity. She was submissive to God's will. Whatever God wanted, Mary wanted. "I am the Lord's servant .... May it be to me as you have said" (v. 38).

Oh, how that quality is needed today. How often we mistakenly pray, "God, Thy will be changed."

Perhaps young, pliable Jesus learned at Mary's knee the concept of "God, Thy will be done." That attitude of submission sent Him to the Cross. This "highly favored" woman was in for suffering, pain, and sorrow because she knew how to pray, "Thy will be done." Many people have learned that lesson from a loving, devoted mother.

Mary had a choice. Gabriel was announcing God's pur­pose and plans to Mary. She had to choose to allow it to be carried out with full knowledge of the small-town gossips. What a courageous choice! What a courageous woman!

Thank God, Mary was His choice.

III.  There Is a Surprising Message (vv. 31-33)

The Israelites anticipated a Messiah coming to redeem the world. Gabriel announces that the Messiah's time had now arrived!

ILLUS. A Methodist missionary tells of a letter from a Chinese pastor in a northwestern village province under the strictest Communist domination. The letter con­veyed the fact that no longer could they sing Christian songs or attend public worship. The pastor could no longer preach the Christian message. His letters to his missionary superior always ended with one word to let his boss know that the Christians under his leadership were still vitally alive in the midst of oppression. His one-word testimony: "Immanuel." The missionary knew what he meant - "God is with us!" (cf. Matt. 1:23). Even under cruelty and hatred, understand that God is with us!

Glory to God; He is with us. His kingdom will know no end. Even when the world, Satan, and evil try to dis­lodge our faith, "God is with us." Let that be the Chris­tian's testimony. Let it ring from every church. Let it be sung by the choirs. Let it be preached and taught from mission station to mother churches. Let all the world know that "God is with us."

In a very pragmatic way, how is that demonstrated in you? How do people know that God is with you? Do they hear Him in your attitude? Do they see Him in your ac­tions? Do they feel Him in your compassion? Do they see you going to places that Jesus would go?

"Immanuel!"

CONCLUSION

Let the surprises begin! Come, Lord Jesus!

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 1:39-56

INTRO

Take a moment to put faces and names to people whom you personally know and hold in warm regard and affection. Whose camera image flashed before you? Who comes to mind when an intimate moment of bur­den bearing is needed? Isn't it true that they blend to­gether With you in mutual trust, respect, and esteem? Do you know what we call such people?

Friends are people to whom we can talk without hesi­tation or embarrassment, folks with whom we feel so comfortable that we can take off our shoes and sit in their overstuffed easy chairs and laugh and cry without caring if they see or hear us, people who can put their arms around us when pain and suffering comes or when the joy of life explodes and still feel comfortable. Oh, for a multitude of friends or maybe a friend at the right moment-a friend to share our thoughts, our dreams, our plans, our secrets!

The angel is gone. Ringing in Mary's ears are his words directly from Jehovah God. No one knows the moment when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, but she knew. With all that was happening to her, she needed a wise and compassionate woman to share her innermost secret without ridicule. Her choice was a close relative named Elizabeth. Mary starts her 50-70-mile journey as quickly as possible to Elizabeth and Zacharias' home (vv. 39-40).

This was a major trip for anyone in those days, being made by foot or donkey over rough terrain. It would probably take most of a week. But Mary didn't care. She needed Elizabeth as a human confidante and friend. The age difference of a mid-to-Iate teen to a. woman of ap­proximately 60 years of age was of no consequence to either of them. There was the mutual respect and love that bonded them together.

My denomination historically uses the terms "brother" and "sister" as endearing titles to members of the con­gregation. Outdated in some regions, it still carries the idea that we, in the church, need the fellowship of friends who are like blood relatives, those with whom we can share our feelings. Whom in the church do you have as a "brother" or "sister"?

When Mary comes to Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb stirs. The movement of the child inside is, as Wal­ter Liefield said in the Expositor's Bible Commentary, "A joyful prelude to Elizabeth's being filled by the Holy Spirit, who enlightened her about the identity of the child Mary was carrying" (v. 42).

The word "blessed" describes the happy situation of people upon whom God smiles. The Gospel writer here us.es the blessing Elizabeth gave to her young relative to focus attention on Mary's faith.

After Elizabeth's surprising blessing on Mary, the young woman begins her hymn of praise that theologians call the Magnificat, in adoration to her dearest friend, God. Let's draw our attention to Mary's praise hymn.

I. Mary Sings of the Glory of Blessedness (vv.39-45)

The Greek word is makarios, which means "happy." It also signifies divine approval. What Mary was saying was that her happiness came by the knowledge that God ap­proved of her life.

I want nothing more than God's approval. When that happens, I have happiness. All other happiness is but momentary. All other approval rusts and rots. They can never bring lasting happiness or joy.

What brings God's approval, a smile to God's face, and a smile to our hearts:

A. An opportunity to observe the wonderful life God gives to us

B. That faith that leaps out to Him

C. A holy curiosity that asks what God wants in our lives

D. A life that cooperates with a trusting heart

Have you made God happy? Have you allowed God to make you happy? Do you feel His stamp of approval on your life? You can.

II. Mary Sings of the Glory of God (vv. 46-51)

God comes first in Mary's mind and heart. In her hymn of praise, God leads all other topics as a burst of sponta­neous praise proceeds from her lips. One can feel the crescendo building to triple forte as a song of praise be­comes ecstatic emotion, ironically with cool, rational thought.

A. The glory of God is viewed in His redemptive power (v. 47). Jesus appeared upon earth's scene to be Savior of the world (John 3:16). From His high and holy office, He has arrived to bring personal salvation. Our part in redemption is yielding ourselves to Him. Charles Morrison said, "The love of God is no mere sentimental feeling. It is redemptive power." Dwight L. Moody said, "The way to be saved is not to delay, but to come and take."

ILLUS. An evangelist was traveling by railroad many years ago. He was singing to himself the old gospel song "I've Been Redeemed." A man sitting near him joined him in singing the song. After they stopped singing, the evangelist asked the stranger, "Have you been re­deemed?"

"Yes, sir," was the instantaneous reply. "May I ask how long since?" "Nineteen hundred years ago."

The astonished evangelist echoed in shock, "Nineteen hundred years ago?"

"Yes, sir," said his fellow passenger, "but I'm sorry to say it's not much more than a year that I have accepted it."

God's redemptive power is available to everyone, and it happened almost 2,000 years ago. It's available now. Will you accept His offer of salvation?

B. The glory of God is viewed in His holiness (v. 49). Our God is a holy God. Holiness inseparably re­lates to His character and presence. It is the essence of His character, which determines the very nature of His attributes. Dennis Kinlaw said, "It is the outshining of the goodness of the living God." His holiness deals with both His morality and ethical style and is always con­nected With His love.

If we are to have fellowship with the Holy One, it can be only on the basis of holiness. He provides for us a holiness that comes through His Spirit's baptism in sanc­tifying power! Then 1 Thess. 5:23 is the appropriate prayer for everyone who encounters God.

Ladislas Orsy said: "Who is a holy person, then? The answer is in the direction of life: one who moves toward God steadily." Are you moving toward a holy life through God?

C. The glory of God is viewed in His mercy (v. 50). God's mercy is given to His people. This word is often translated as "having compassion" but has a much deeper theological significance, for it carries the idea of a combination of love and righteousness. Mercy implies that Jehovah "has entered into a covenant with His peo­ple. The result of this relationship is a readiness on God's part to relieve the oppressed and pardon the guilty... Mercy is compassion in action" (W. Stephen Gunter, Beacon Dictionary of Theology, 334).

William Cowper is credited with saying that many may dismiss compassion (mercy) from their heart, but God never will.

Do you claim Christ as Savior? Then how much mercy do you demonstrate to people?

Oh, for the glory of God to shine upon our darkened world!

III. Mary Sings of the Glory of His People (vv.54-56)

You and I are God's glory! Do we really understand that? Humanity tops the creation story. Christ died for people. We are the crown of God's glory. He came for us. He is present now because of His love for us. Isn't that thrilling? Doesn't that excite you?

Don't you think when mankind degrades himself by prostituting himself with other things that it hurts God? When we become so busy that we ignore Him or when we defy Him, we violate God's love. The senselessness of separating ourselves from Him defies imagination, but we do it in countless ways.

When God breathed in Adam's nostrils the breath of life, we became living spirits to fellowship with our Maker.

We glorify God as He glorifies us. How?

A. We glorify God by our commitment to Him. We want to be His people. We bond ourselves with the eter­nal God by never leaving nor forsaking Him. That truly is commitment.

B. We glorify God by our communion with Him. It defies our comprehension, but we have been given the privilege to talk with the eternal God through prayer. Edwin Keith said: "Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God." There is nothing worse than to be ignored, and not to pray is to ignore God.

C. We glorify God by His communion with us. God reveals His will for us through His Word. We glorify Him by taking seriously His directions, by taking time to read and understand His Word, the Bible. When we don't feel like reading it, then is the time we most need to read it. Emil Brunner wrote, "The fate of the Bible is the fate of Christianity."

CONCLUSION

Glory is giving adoration to something. In Mary's case, it was giving adoration to God. The few verses that com­pose the Magnificat are but fleeting thoughts, for her glory to God was her life. Is our glory to God our lives?

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 2:1-20

INTRO

Some years ago there was a Christmas program titled "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus." The story line concerned a confused little girl who questioned whether there was a real Santa. She wrote a letter about her quandary to the New York Sun newspaper. The edi­tor read the letter and mulled it over in his mind. He wrote an editorial appearing in the paper as a response to Virginia's quest for truth. He wrote about the spirit of goodwill and make-believe wrapped up in a mythical character that appears in a red suit with white beard and hair.

Some people are as ·confused about Jesus as Virginia was about Santa. As Christians, we need to respond to the Virginias who ask, "Is there a real Jesus?"

We can affirm, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Jesus." His story begins humbly.

I. Jesus' Humble Beginning Included No Room in the Inn (vv. 1-7)

Paying taxes is never a pleasure. Imagine having to travel 80 miles to register to do it! That's exactly what Joseph and Mary were obliged to do. Rome required their subjects to go to their own tribal city to sign up for the assessing of taxes.

Imagine the scene: two solitary figures, one walking, perhaps the other riding on a small donkey over some of the roughest ground in the country; going toward Beth­lehem. Alternating riding and walking over the road would have been difficult. Since Mary was nine months pregnant, it was especially hard. Rounding the trail, they see candlelight from houses in Bethlehem where families and friends were sharing a meal, playing games, or talking together. Exhausted and needing a place to rest they headed toward the town's khan or inn. Bethlehem’s khan offered the traveler only the shelter of its walls and roof.

The Pulpit Commentary describes a stable of limestone ­attached to the inn of Bethlehem. Since Bethlehem ­was a suburb only six miles from Jerusalem, it had a large inn that was often crowded with the poorer class of pilgrims who went to the Temple at the seasons of the great feasts.

When Joseph and Mary found no room in the inn, they were forced to stay in the stable where other unfortunate travelers probably bedded down with the animals­. There, in that humble place, the Savior of the world would have His earthly beginning - where Mary Joseph would first hear His cries of helplessness and human dependencies. Could Mary and Joseph foresee His strength of life that would someday transform our world?

One can only speculate what the innkeeper thought as the couple asked for room. His "rejection" may have been cruel, or it may have been with genuine regret. His "no vacancy" sign has become the symbol of Christ's re­jection throughout the ages.

A. Some exclude Christ in the political realm. The world does not want nor think it needs Him. They give lip service to Christ, but only if He is politically advan­tageous. They do not realize the outcome if Jesus were in charge of men who are in charge of governments.

B. Some exclude Christ in the intellectual realm. There is a belief that as long as we have our reasoning faculty, our applied knowledge, our intuitive powers, we don't need a divine teacher to instruct us. We be­come self-sufficient and happy with our intellectual ma­turity. Our little "inn" of knowledge will someday be exposed by His light of truth and knowledge as our prison of intellectual foolishness.

C. Some exclude Christ in the physical and mate­rial realm. We are in want of expensive cars, a bigger house, larger expense accounts, and more toys of life.

One bumper sticker boldly states, "The person who dies with the most toys wins." We have little concept of stewardship in giving our money, our homes, our cars, our clothes, and ourselves to God to use as He wills. We are too afraid He may ask us to give up something we don't want to surrender. If we are to be Christian, God not only asks for our tithe but asks for our all.

D. Some exclude Christ in the spiritual realm. Most people want a spiritual guide to help them along the way.

At this writing, our economy is waning. A television news commentator recently showed his audience a ce­ramic figurine designed as an icon of the Catholic Church, representing the patron saint of real estate. It was designed so that people could put these figurines on the lawn and receive "help" in selling their property. These objects were selling so fast that the producers couldn't keep up with the demand. Folks want a "spiri­tual guide" to help them sell their houses!

Some people have room for a "spiritual guide" but no room for a Savior. There is little sense of sin today. Much is said about sin; however, very few sense the need to be forgiven. People reason, "Everybody does it!" "We can't help it!" "God loves us and won't send us to hell!" So why do we need a Savior? Many persons do not have an awareness of a deep, wide chasm between us and God that can only be bridged by the Savior, Jesus. People seem to have no room for the Divine Propitiation, the Reconciler, the Christ who redeems. They don't always oppose His right to their lives; they just don't have the time to open the door to Him. Things crowd Him out.

Dr. Marshall Lang wrote: "Alas, of what enlightening truth, of what blessed restfulness of heart, of what nobil­ity of life, of what eternity of glory; do men bereave themselves by crowding out the Lord who loves them, by excluding the Redeemer from the home of their hearts!"

II. Jesus' Humble Beginning Includes a Baby (v. 7)

Aren't babies cute? Have you ever seen an ugly baby? They have cute little dainty feet, adorable tiny hands, and little button noses. They are cute with a full head of hair or as bald as an eagle. It always amazes me how these cute little bouncing babies grow into 6-foot per­sons with ham-like hands, a beard, and great potential.

Little, cute Baby Jesus was to grow up to become a rugged carpenter. If Isaiah the prophet was telling us about His physical appearance, He was, in Isaiah's esti­mation, not attractive. But what potential! He was to be­come the Transformer of lives. He is the Son of God, Messiah, Redeemer, Savior! He is the King. His story be­comes our story.

III. Jesus' Humble Beginning Includes People of Insignificant Status (vv. 8-20)

We are introduced to the common workingman of the East, shepherds. Perhaps we feel more at home with them than with the wise men of rank and lofty social status. Edersheim and Barclay both espouse the theory that these shepherds watched over the sacrificial sheep destined for the Temple and that these were special herders. Maybe that's why God chose these men to hear the first announcement of the Savior's birth. Their sacri­ficial lambs would symbolize the coming Lamb of God.

Even if they were the Temple shepherds, they were still looked down on by the mainstream of the culture. It was impossible for them to keep all the meticulous laws, for their sheep required that they perform tasks the orthodox viewed as unclean. God announced His Son to them. In the blackness of night, a divine glory and splendor came to these shepherds-the announce­ment of glad tidings of joy to all the world.

In His action, God provided for man's release from sin. He provided light to dispel the shadows of darkness. He provided love that would strike a deathblow to fear. Jesus, born in Bethlehem, was God's provision for the "insignificant" of humanity.

After hearing the angel's announcement, these insig­nificant outcasts started on the road to find Jesus. We also should take the road, not to Christmas, but to Bethlehem. With the shepherds, we may pay homage and honor to our Savior and King who lifts us from insignif­icance to Significance. That's why He came to earth.

CONCLUSION

It was a humble beginning for Jesus. He has brought humanity to the brink of eternal life. Will you accept His gift of love today?

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 2:21-40

INTRO

As we move on reluctantly from the excitement of the Christmas experience, there is one last event that bridges the birth of Baby Jesus with what will be the rest of His story. The shepherds have gone back to their bleating sheep. They will never again see angels in the skies of Israel nor hear the angelic choir strike up its hallelujah chorus. The angels' trumpets are silent. The angels have returned to heaven to watch the unfolding drama of the earthly visitation of God as He walks and talks among mankind.

Their next appearance will be to minister to their Master as He struggles in a human body, fighting the cos­mic tempter, Satan, during His wilderness experience. It will be their job to be His encourager as He prays, medi­tates, and fasts for 40 days. Later they will be the great heralds of the marvelous news of the Resurrection.

Joseph and Mary are ready to begin their walk with Jesus. They desire to begin as good religious parents. Five times this passage notes their observing the rit­ualistic laws of Moses (vv. 22, 23, 24, 27, 39). Dr. Reu­ben Welch reminds us that three ceremonies were laid down by law relating to the birth of a male. First, the covenant sign of circumcision on the eighth day (Lev. 12:3) symbolized the child's entrance into the commu­nity of faith. It became his identification with the peo­ple of God. The faithful Joseph and Mary have their Child circumcised and give Him the name Jesus, as God's messenger prescribed. This act was the first shed­ding of blood and becomes the first symbolic act of identification with Israel and the world.

Second, the ceremony of consecration is the presenta­tion of the child to God (Exod. 13:2). Welch states that Jesus' life would always be lived in obedience and de­votion that would completely satisfy and express the meaning of this dedication service.

The third ceremony was Mary's purification. After a woman gave birth to a child, she was ceremonially un­clean for 40 days and unable to enter the worship ser­vice of the community (Leviticus 12). An offering had to be presented to the Lord at the time of this ceremony. The two young pigeons offered as the sacrifice indicated the low income level of the family. The very poor would be allowed to circumvent the normal offering of a lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon for a sin offering. Possibly, these humble beginnings gave Jesus a compassionate ­heart for the poor.

At these ceremonies, two senior citizens come into view – Simeon and Anna. These two special people have something to say to us, as well as to Mary and Joseph.

This scriptural setting reveals to us the days of new beginnings.

1. I. A New Beginning Witnesses to the Divine Revelation (vv. 26,38)

Just as a new year arrives on the heels of the old year, so Simeon and Anna represent the past witnessing to the arrival of the promised Messiah.

These two servants of God had long anticipated the divine revelation of a coming Messiah. Their waiting was not done on a lonely isolated island, but in the hustle and bustle of life. Simeon was a layman. The Bible never declares him a professional prophet or preacher. The scripture emphasizes his righteousness and devotion to God! He served God throughout his life - that's why he could honestly look for the Messiah.

One doesn't have to be a "professional" to be holy and just before God. All are called to have pure hearts, clean hands, and to share our witness with the world.

ILLUS. The Wall Street Journal, on December 4, 1985, had a lengthy article by staff reporter Matt Moffett titled "Fundamentalist Christians Strive to Apply Beliefs to the Workplace." The article refers to "a growing number of believers ... seeking to apply their spiritual con­victions in the workplace." He continues a few para­graphs later, "A national committee of churchmen recently identified some 150 Christian workers' groups, ranging from the Christian Dental Society to the Rodeo Riders Fellowship. At Seattle's Boeing Co., about 200 employees in a group called Good News at Work gather in corporate cafeterias for breakfast and lunchtime Bible studies and inspirational talks. In the Arizona desert, as many as 40 construction workers building the Palo Verde nuclear plant conduct daily lunchtime Bible stud­ies at the work site."

One ministry called "Hard Hats for Christ" ministers to itinerant construction workers. Founder of "Hard Hats," Jim Hodges, said: "It used to be you had to crawl up in a comer to have a Bible study. Now there are some jobs where you have to attend a Bible study to be a part of the 'in' group."

ILLUS. Biblical influence is evidenced in the charters of some companies. The bylaws of the Atlantic Stew­ardship Bank in Midland, N.J., commits 10 percent of its pretax profits to Christian charities, stating that its cor­porate purpose is "to bear witness to Jesus Christ." I called this bank in October 1990 to see if they were still operating and if their charter was still "to bear witness to Jesus Christ." I talked with one of their operators who assured me that this was indeed their purpose. He then transferred me to Mr. Paul Van Ostenbridge, president of Atlantic Stewardship Bank. He responded affirmatively. It was a blessing to talk with a bank president who en­joyed sharing the corporate philosophy of knowing and experiencing Jesus Christ!

What have you done recently to witness about the di­vine revelation? This week as you circulate in your areas of influence, ask God to direct you to someone in need of Him. Ask Him to provide opportunity for you to share what He has done in your own life-the difference Jesus has made. Kindly and gently share the Good News. To enhance your testimony to others this week, smile a lot, be nice, be polite, be gentle, be bold, be honest, be God's!

Anna, the "professional" in this story, enters the scene. She is a 103-year-old prophetess from the tribe of Asher. Her professional prophetess roots date back to the Old Testament days in Exod. 15:20. Moses' sister, Miriam, ap­pears to be the first. (References include Judg. 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; and Isa. 8:3.) The practice continues in New Testament days as indicated in Acts 2: 1 7 and 21:8-9. The person for whom the tribe was named was the second son of Jacob by his wife Zilpah (formerly Leah's maidservant), and the name means "happy."

You don't have to be an "outstanding" person and do great, awesome things in order for God to use you. He simply requires your availability. He will accomplish much if you present yourselves unreservedly for service. Rotary International's motto is "Service Above Self." That could also be said of Anna and should be the motto of all Christians.

II. A New Beginning Looks Forward with Spiritual Eyes (vv. 25-38)

Luke demonstrates in this touching, moving scene the presence of Jesus in the arms of Simeon.

Simeon begins a psalm of praise concerning the Mes­siah, who has come to bring light and sight to lost hu­manity (vv. 29-32). He envisions a new beginning for the world.

A. God's servant is prepared for departure (v. 29).

Simeon was ready to "go home" to be with God forever. He saw death as a release to eternal life with Jehovah (v. 26).

B. God's servant beholds God's salvation (v. 30).

Jesus embodies the salvation of the world.

C. God's servant envisions the universal applica­tion of salvation (vv. 31-32). The echoing voice in verse 31 originated in Isa. 52:10 and Ps. 98:3. The paral­lel structure in verse 32 presents a detailed contrast of this universal application that brings "revelation" to pa­gans and at the same time "glory" to Israel.

D. God's servant envisions a spiritual choice for the world (vv. 33-34). Simeon predicts that this Child will bring mankind to moral and spiritual decisions. Some people collapse (ptōsis) or "fall." Others will "rise" (anastasis) or be resurrected to spiritual life. Those who reject Jesus reject the whole of God's revelation.

III. A New Beginning Looks Forward with Hope (vv. 32, 38)

Simeon and Anna fostered hope. They longed for the hope of a Messiah, and they discovered Him! Norval Geldenhuys, in the New International Commentary, remarks that Anna spoke about Jesus to groups of the righteous in Jerusalem who were looking forward to God's redemptive work brought through the emergence of the Messiah. "For this reason, the coming of Jesus be­came known in a comparatively wide circle, but only among those faithful souls who had earnestly hoped for His coming."

Hal Lindsey said: "Man can live about 40 days without food, about 3 days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for a second without hope."

W T. Purkiser said, "The future belongs to those who belong to God. This is hope." L. J. Suenens penned, "Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams be­come reality." Are you part of that community of hope? Are you in the process of communicating your hope to others?

Find someone who has lost his hope, his dream. Help him rediscover the joy of making dreams reality through hope. For example, go to a rescue mission and volunteer to work for a night. Volunteer to help burned-out victims by gathering clothes or furniture. Listen to a friend who is experiencing a rough marriage or dissension with his children.

CONCLUSION

These are days of new beginnings. Be positive. Let the New Year begin!

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 3:1-20

INTRO

Voices come in all pitches. The gravelly voice of the bass, the high soprano shrill enough to break glass, the beauty of the alto, and all ranges between the high and the low make us aware of the value of sound.

Luke opens his narrative by reminding his readers of secular and religious voices of the past who would fig­ure into the scheme of the Christ story. The author helps his readers comprehend how the star of the story influ­enced the people. He acquaints us with Tiberius Caesar (Caesar is a title, not a name), who began his reign after the death of Augustus in A.D. 14.

Fifteen years later (v. 1) puts the date of this event at approximately A.D. 29. This Herod is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, ruler of Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. Herod Antipas' half-brother, Philip, ruled a group of territories to the northeast of Palestine, Iturea and Traconitis (4 B.C.- A.D. 33/34). Only a few inscrip­tions give a clue to another name in our text, Lysanias. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea from A.D. 26 to 36, and Luke's readers would later become better ac­quainted with Pilate.

In addition to secular voices, religious voices of the time are presented by Luke. He introduces us to Annas, whose official high priestly duties ended in A.D. 15. However, he continued as an unofficial adviser to his son-in-law, Caiaphas, who served from A.D. 18 to 36.

Bursting upon the scene is a new voice, radically dif­ferent from both secular and religious voices of the time. Neither of those voices called for moving away from the evil of the day. In fact, they epitomized evil. The new voice of John the Baptist called for righteousness, a radical departure from evil. The people, feeling a hunger for truth, flocked to the banks of the Jordan to hear John's voice. Through this text, it is hoped that the voice of John will travel through history to your heart's listening ear.

1. I. Listen to the Voice of a Prophet (vv. 3-6)

Wilfred Winget, in Beacon Dictionary of Theology, said that a "prophet (from the Greek prophētēs, to speak for or before) is one called to discern God's purpose and action in history and to proclaim the divine word of judgment and grace" (p. 424).

“Prophecy seminars" are popular in our present day. Some people are enamored with the popular prophecy concept of "foretelling." However, the prophet's main responsibility to the people was to be a "forthteller" of God’s truth. The biblical emphasis of the prophet was to proclaim God's word in the present tense to a needy people.

John fit the biblical role! Dressed in camel's hair, with long hair and beard (being a practicing Nazarite), fire in his eyes, and a voluminous voice, he portrayed the part. More than his appearance caught people's attention; his straightforward honesty was appealing. He called them to "repentance," the main task of a prophet. John knew the sins of his people; they were obvious. Their need for God was also evident in their lives. John had come to make them aware of their need and to point them to the remedy.

John's message spans time, down to our age. There is still a need for turning from our sin and receiving salva­tion from God.

ILLUS. A young adult man who entered a bank in New York City attempted to get the loan officer to lend him some money. After completing the application he had been handed, he was surprised it took so long for a re­ply. He was becoming anxious, as he noticed that the loan officer kept going to his manager's desk.

Finally the paperwork was completed. He turned to leave but was startled as flashbulbs popped off in his face and people began to crowd around him. It occurred to him that he must have done something wrong, and that look appeared on his face.

However, he was relieved to learn that instead of do­ing something wrong, he had been "lucky" enough to do something very right. The bank manager handed his loan papers back with the reply that he would not have to repay the loan. The money he had borrowed included the $1 billionth ever loaned by that lending institution. In honor of that fact, his debt would never be written in the books; he would never be required to repay it.

John was telling the people that a Redeemer was com­ing to do the same thing for them as occurred to the young man in the bank. He was talking about Jesus Christ, who was coming to take their debts and remove the sin obligation from the books. Sin, placed on Jesus, will never be held against anyone who accepts Jesus into his life because Christ paid the cost.

II. Listen to the Voice of Conviction (vv. 7-14)

John's message penetrated the hearts of his listeners. Their consciences were pricked. As he preached, they began to see the light of his sermon and began to feel the condemnation and conviction of their actions.

H. Orton Wiley stated in Christian Theology: "Con­viction is that operation of the Spirit which produces within men a sense of guilt and condemnation because of sin." God convicts; we are to act upon that conviction.

God asks us to change our sinful actions and attitudes. Will you do something about it? God can make a differ­ence in your life. Will you let Him make those changes?

ILLUS. T. DeWitt Talmage tells that as a boy he used to plow his dad's field with a team of spirited horses. He was a quick "plower." Once in a while he passed over the sod without even turning it over, thinking it did not make any difference. After a while, his father came along to tell him he was not doing a good job because it wasn't plowed deep enough. Sometimes we are only scratched by conviction, refusing to allow the subsoil plow of God's truth to go deeper.

Conviction is not always negative; in fact, it brings hope as it brings change. Despair is replaced by hope. Accompanying conviction is the possibility of divine forgiveness and salvation.

ILLUS. Beecher told that his early life was much like a "corduroy" road in Indiana. There were beautiful prairie flowers on each side of the road, but the trail he traveled was filled with deep chuckholes over which he bumped his way home. He said, "About half the time I lived un­der conviction, and the other half of the time I was get­ting over it."

Has God been dealing with your heart about some­thing that isn't what He wants? Is there unconfessed sin unknown to anyone else? God knows! He may have been trying to talk to you about it, but you have attempted to avoid His voice. It is important to hear God's convicting voice.

III. Listen to the Voice Demanding a Response (vv. 15-20)

Hearing the voice of the prophet and feeling the sting of divine conviction are the first steps. Acting on faith in Jesus is required before salvation becomes reality and change is initiated.

The crowd represents various occupations, each with its own set of responsibilities. Three times the question arises, "What shall we do?" (vv. 10, 12, 14 KJV). John gives to each group the appropriate response that would result in a transformed life. His authentic and author­itative voice is what they came to hear. But when God convicts them through His messenger, the changed life occurs through their response to conviction.

Has God convicted you of something today? Has dis­honesty overtaken you? Are you having an illicit affair? Is taking God's name in vain becoming a habit for you? Has murdering someone's reputation slipped into your life? What sin has beset you? Conviction is God's first step. It is time to respond to that conviction by turning to Him. Acting upon your faith in Jesus is needed. Release your­self into God's hands. Ask Him, through Christ, to for­give you and to make the difference in your life.

ILLUS. William Hinson, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Houston, spoke at the National Conference on Preaching, as recorded in the May-June '89 issue 'of Preaching. He shared with those ministers that A. K. Chalmers, professor of homiletics at Boston University, loved to tell about the time he and some friends went to the mountains to go nature sliding or gliding. The guide brought them to a natural slide, and all of the group went down the slide - all except one. No amount of coaching or jovial harassment would convince him to take the plunge. He absolutely refused; his courage failed him.

After the group tired of their fun time, they returned 'to camp. The man who refused to try it looked back up the slide of the mountain and said, "Look, that's where we slid down." Within the span of an hour or so he had begun identifying with an experience he never enjoyed!

Hinson's comment was, "Our pews are filled with folk who identify with experiences they have never shared."

CONCLUSION

As God deals with you, there are some very practical things you must understand: First, realize you have been listening to one of God's prophets. This prophet is not gifted in foretelling, but rather he is one who has been called by God to forthtell - to tell you straightforwardly that if you are living in sin, repentance is necessary.

Second, realize that the Holy Spirit is dealing with you, not the persuasion of man. God himself has been talking to you about your relationship with Him.

Third, realize that salvation is not simply for the other person. It requires your own personal decision. Put ac­tion to your faith in Jesus. Repent, confess, believe in Christ, and today you'll become a child of God. Will you respond now to the voice calling you to righteousness?

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 3:21-22; 4:1-13

INTRO

The Church needs what Jesus modeled - power. If the Church were to turn the world upside down, it would need Christ's power. The power of Jesus' victorious gos­pel revolutionizes people across all social and economic barriers. It throws open prison doors and sets captives free, causes people to care deeply for one another, and stirs them to worship God!

Our world needs that transforming power. The good news is that the power of Jesus Christ is dynamically transforming people, not merely improving programs and conduct.

The Scripture gives us a better grasp of Jesus' over­coming power. Jesus wrestled with questions concern­ing His unique power. How should He use such extraor­dinary power? How should this power be exercised with His Sonship? How should He use this power to fulfill His ministry? Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Spirit, conscious of these profound issues demanding answers.

In Beacon Bible Expositions, Reuben Welch said that Jesus' temptation experience was interrelated to Christ's baptism, as a matter of fact, "a sequel to it" (3:52). His baptism could not have been more dramatic. Heaven opened; a symbolic dove descended from the sky, repre­senting the Holy Spirit; and an invisible Person spoke. Jesus heard His Father's call to the ministry of ser­vanthood.

The desert experience in Luke 4 would tempt Jesus to forsake the road of suffering. If Satan could get Jesus, early on, to deny His calling, the world would go on without a true Messiah. That seemed to be Satan's intent. Jesus’ baptism marks His call to ministry. His temptation marks His initiation into ministry. This incident re­affirms our faith that there is an overcoming power to resist temptation and sin.

1. I. Overcoming Power Comes Through a Person

Jesus who overcame is the One who will help us overcome ­today. We can, by Jesus' help, overcome Satan, temptation, and sin. We cannot overcome in our own power but rather, by the power and authority of Jesus. The word "authority" means "a right to command." Be­cause Jesus is God, He certainly has that right. He has power to take charge over Satan. As Christians we must turn to Him when temptation appears. We must not linger ­at temptation's shore lest we drown in its ocean.

ILLUS. C. H. Spurgeon gave an ancient parable concerning a dove who complained to her other bird friends that a hawk was thirsting for her blood. One bird counseled her to keep low to the ground, but the hawk can swoop for its prey. Another advised that she fly high, but the hawk could fly as high as she could. A third told her to hide in the woods, but this was home for the hawk. Finally, one smart bird told her to rest in the clefts of the rock.

Spurgeon explained that the dove symbolized a de­fenseless soul; the hawk represented Satan. Nothing can protect us, not wealth, fame, or beauty. Our only de­fense is Jesus the Rock.

II. Overcoming Power Comes Through Obedience

What if Jesus would have accepted Satan's offer and obeyed him rather than the Father? He would have sinned by obeying the devil. Jesus could not have of­fered himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Our sal­vation would have been impossible!

Walter Liefield, in the Expositor's Bible Commen­tary, related that the temptations of Jesus dealt with His Sonship and Messiahship and that it tested His perfect manhood. It also showed that as disciples of Jesus, we are to follow His example and become obedient to God.

ILLUS. A young-ninth century general led a group of 500 men against a king who commanded 20,000 troops. The king sent word that it was foolish for such a small force to resist his legions. The general of the 500 called one of his men forward and said, "Take that sword and drive it through your heart." The man instantly obeyed and fell dead before the messenger's feet. To another, the general said, "Leap into that chasm," and the man did. The general turned to the messenger and said, "Go and tell your king we have 498 such men. We will die but never surrender."

The courier returned with his message, a message that struck terror into the heart of the king's whole army.

Complete obedience on our part will strike terror into the forces of hell! We must obey Jesus. Are you ready to give up today? Don't! Are you ready to commit spiritual suicide and self-destruction? Don't. God has given you a ticket to spiritual success. On that ticket is the word "Obey." We must obey God! There's no other way around temptation.

III. Overcoming Power Comes by Worship

Satan wanted Jesus to worship him; however, Jesus knew His correct object of worship was His Father.

ILLUS. Felix, the youthful martyr of Abitina, was taken captive. He quickly confessed that he was a Christian. His captors asked whether he had attended meetings. To which he replied: "As if a Christian could live without the Lord's ordinance." Worship is a deep need in the Christian.

Satan wants us to worship him, counterfeit of God! The devil opposes God and any of His servants. If he tried to trick Jesus into worshiping him, he will cer­tainly do the same to us.

Jesus is the Example of spiritual fidelity to God. He is the Example of the worship of God. As Jesus' disciples, we also will stay true to our worship of God.

G. K. Chesterton said that the tendency of the world is to see things in terms of indeterminate gray; but the Christian's duty is to see things in terms of black and white. Worship is our adoration and praise to the Lord. The devil will do anything to receive that adoration and glory. He will color any concept of worship, compro­mise any standard, and bend any rule to get our attention away from God and on him. Jesus saw through his cha­rade. We must put our full attention on Jesus to discover overcoming power. Nothing must take our attention from Him lest it become our god. If that happens, Satan wins.

IV. Overcoming Power Comes Through Experience

Everyone will be tempted. J. Wilbur Chapman said: "Temptation is the tempter looking through the keyhole into the room where you are living; sin is your drawing back the bolt and making it possible for him to enter."

Temptation will come. We can learn by our successes and failures. If we fail, there is One who loves us and will point out how to succeed next time. Jesus died, not only for our sins but also for our temptations that we might live victoriously as Christians! Glory to God!

V. Overcoming Power Comes Through Revelation

George Macdonald said: "God hides nothing. His very work from the beginning is revelation, a casting aside of veil after veil, a showing unto men of truth after truth. On and on from fact divine He advances, until at length in His Son, Jesus, He unveils His very face."

God reveals to us the power; His name is Jesus! We cannot spiritually survive without God's power working in us. Overt temptations obviously require divine strength. Even more frightening are the subtle tempta­tions that catch us off guard. They seem to sneak up like a lion in the bush. The power of God is especially needed to resist these subtle temptations. He reveals His strength in every situation.

ILLUS. Vance Havner told a story about an old shoe­shine man in a barbershop who always had his Bible ly­ing close when he wasn't reading it. One day a man came into the shop and said, "I see you are reading the Book of Revelation today. Do you understand it?"

The old shoeshine man replied, "Yes, sir, I know ex­actly what it means."

The customer asked, "You know what it means when Bible scholars have disagreed about it all these years! What do you think it means?"

The old man replied, "It means that Jesus is going to win!"

Ultimately God is going to win. And so will God's people. But we don't have to wait to the end! He has revealed to us that we can be victorious through His power. He's going to win through, and with, His people.

CONCLUSION

Will you accept Jesus' power today? Put yourself in His hands! What temptations are you facing today? Adul­tery, cheating, lying, deceit, idolatry, cursing, drunk­enness, drugs, divorce? Whatever it may be, your power and strength are in the eternal Rock of Ages - Jesus! Like the shoeshine man suggested, you and Jesus are going to win!

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 4:14-44

INTRO

Temptation can make you or break you; it's up to you. You can yield to Satan, or you can yield to God. Jesus returned from the desert yielded to the Father, con­queror over the devil, and victorious over temptation. An intense sense of God's destiny lay in Jesus' mind as He felt called to tell the world the good news of salva­tion.

Jesus customarily went to the synagogue. No matter how dull or interesting the service, Jesus was present. Bruce Larson stated in The Communicator's Commen­tary that we are often tempted to rationalize that we can worship as well at the 18th hole or on the lake in a sail­boat or under the sun on the tennis court. However, that wasn't Jesus' habit. On the Sabbath, Jesus intentionally sought out the faithful people of God. The scripture ref­erence reveals that Jesus had been teaching and preach­ing in a number of towns in Galilee and that Nazareth, His hometown, was on the circuit. Luke, in retrospect, depicts the significance of Jesus' visit to Nazareth's syn­agogue.

Have you ever wondered how Jesus must have felt "go­ing home" to preach? Joseph Excell said, "If ever Jesus could yield to misgivings of what was committed to Him, it would be in that place." In Nazareth He had first heard and pondered Israel's hope. Some of these very men taught Him the words of Moses, the wisdom litera­ture, and the prophets. Many played games as children and swapped tales as teens growing up with Him.

After He was handed the scroll containing the Isa. 61:1-2 portion, He read and notably stopped midsen­tence to proclaim that He was the One Isaiah predicted would come to Israel and the world! His reference to the world infuriated His hometown "friends." It was accept­able for Him to be a prophet to the Jews. But when He mentioned the Gentiles, intimating that God would in­clude "the heathen" in His salvation prophecy plan, it was beyond their comprehension. They thought: proba­bly ''Jesus has gone mad." "The preacher's gone too far." "Let's kick Him out of our church. Nobody unholy will in here." Someone suggested that it would be best to get rid of Him, but they couldn't if they tried!

The new sermon given to His hometown congregation spans time and reaches us today

I. Jesus' New Sermon Was Preached (vv. 14-22)

After His temptation in the desert, Jesus returned in power of the Spirit. Leon Morris wrote: "Evidently it be seen that Jesus was filled with the Spirit and this caused comment (in the community)."

Can people see the Spirit of God in us? Are they aware that we have been in contact with God? Do they see God’s Spirit in our actions, words, philosophy, secular activities, "religious" talk, and motivations? They did in Jesus. It should be visible in us.

Isaiah's prophetic sermon that Jesus fleshed out de­scribed the sinner's plight. The modern-day sinner's con­dition remains the same!

A. The sinner is spiritually poor (v. 18). A defini­tion of "poor" from Funk and Wagnalls' Dictionary is: "Lacking proper ability; unsatisfactory" That is spiritual bankruptcy! There is no source within us to bring about our salvation. Jesus is the only satisfactory answer to our poor spiritual condition!

B. The sinner is spiritually captive (v. 18). The sin­ner in Jesus' day and the sinner today have been taken prisoner, held in confinement. Satan's spiritual cell will not let them free. They cannot break free from Satan, from bad habits, from their attitudes. Only Jesus can un­lock spiritual prison doors!

C. The sinner is spiritually blind (v. 18). Delilah teased Samson until he finally told the truth about his source of strength. She betrayed him by hiring a barber to cut off his hair (Judg. 16:19-20). The Philistines promptly "gouged out his eyes" (v. 21). That is what Sa­tan does; he gouges out people's spiritual Sight. They no longer can see God's hand in the world or God's work among people.

ILLUS. Many people are like the fish that exist in an exceptionally large cave in Kentucky stretching for several miles in an underground river. The fish are blind. They have eyes but cannot see. They have lived in dark­ness so long that their eyes are of no value.

Sinners become so accustomed to spiritual darkness that their spiritual sight is gone. Only Jesus can open their eyes again.

D. The sinner is spiritually oppressed (v. 18). The word "oppressed" conveys the idea of being burdened or forced down. Satan does that to sinners and attempts to do that to saints!

The Savior is our provision. The spiritually poor can become rich in Jesus, not materially, but in deep peace, satisfaction, joy, eternal life, and even a room in God's house!

Jesus preached the truth to His nervous congregation.

II. Jesus' New Sermon Was Rejected (vv.23-30)

Jesus wanted people to understand and accept the God of Israel. No imitation gods would be acceptable! Jesus preached the message from His Father. It seems that they would gladly listen to His message of spiritual liberation; but they refused to believe, or recognize, or accept the truth. Their rejection splashed out in harsh words. Their anger spilled into an ugly scene in the syn­agogue. Jesus' direct message was rejected by His peers. He displeased them because He proposed a non­traditional way of life. He spoke to them with sincere concern, but it fell on deaf ears. They took Him to the edge of a cliff to cast Him down. Murder was in their hearts! They wanted to kill the Lover of their souls.

Dr. Leon Morris noted: "As far as we know, Jesus never returned to Nazareth. Rejection can be final. What a sad commentary."

III. Jesus' New Sermon Was Demonstrated (vv.31-44)

After rejection in His hometown, Nazareth, Jesus went down to Capernaum to begin teaching. In Capernaum, another Galilean town, He began His healing ministry. What He preached back in Nazareth was demonstrated.

A. Jesus demonstrated His love through authority (vv. 32-37). Reuben Welch wrote in Beacon Bible Ex­positions: "It would be hard to imagine a more tragic contrast than the recognition of Jesus by the demon and the blindness of His own people" (3:59). In this scrip­ture, Jesus exorcised the demon out of the man, deliv­ering him from the tyranny of destructive forces. Welch continued: "The people recognized His authority but not the significance of His action, which was that through the power of Jesus, the Messiah, the kingdom of evil was beginning to fall and the healing, saving reign of God was being established" (ibid.).

That is significant if it is occurring in you. Is God's kingdom being established in you? Let it happen now. There will come a time when every knee, including yours, will bow and every tongue shall proclaim Him Lord. Don't wait until that Day of Judgment and ultimate recognition. Those who accept Jesus now will reign with Him forever. Those who let Satan rule with author­ity in this life will dwell in hell with him in the next.

B. Jesus demonstrated His love through compassion (vv. 38-41). Peter's mother-in-law had a high fever. Luke uses a medical term to indicate the fact it was a "high fever," while the other Gospel writers use only "fever." Jesus looked down with compassion on this sick woman and healed her. Compassion should be a consis­tent quality in Christians.

ILLUS. Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler once visited Scotland to find someone who had known Robert Murray McCheyne.

When he found someone who had known him, Dr. Cuyler asked, "Can you tell me some of the scripture texts that McCheyne used?"

The old man replied, "I don't remember any of them."

"Then can you tell me some of the sermons he preached?"

Again, the reply was, "I have entirely forgotten them."

Cuyler said, "Don't you remember anything concerning him?"

"Ah!" said the man. "That's an entirely different question. I do remember something about him. When I was a lad, I was playing along the roadside when McCheyne came by, and putting his hand on my head, said, 'Jamie, I am going to see your poor sick sister,' and then looking into my eyes, he said, 'And, lad, I am extremely con­cerned about your soul.' I have forgotten his texts and his sermons, but I can still vividly feel the tremble of his hand, and I can still see the tear in his eyes."

Compassion is demonstrated in life's experiences! Jesus demonstrated it by coming to the world to bring salvation.

CONCLUSION

There are many sermons to preach to our world­ - sermons on deliverance, social justice, healing, peace, etc. Whatever we preach must be lived before others so that they can see the gospel demonstrated. If God has spoken to you about your spiritual condition today, come to Him. Let Jesus change your life! Let Him unlock the spiritual prison doors of confinement. Walk out into the light of day. Be liberated now and for all eternity! Don't reject Jesus today. He desires to be Savior and Lord. Jesus' concern for you sent Him to the Cross. Don't be a part of a fickle congregation that rejects the Lordship of Jesus!

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 5:1-11

INTRO

I received a phone call that seemed strange. A lady's voice on the other end of the line asked if this was the Church of the Nazarene. She got my assurance that it was and I was the pastor. She asked how she could be a mem­ber of the church. She knew nothing about our church, the theology or doctrines, standards or policy; nor had she ever been inside our building or met any of our peo­ple. All she wanted was to be "a member."

Some people desire to be a disciple of Jesus like the lady on the phone-by long distance. They don't know what Jesus taught or care about His discipline or desire to sacrifice for His cause. They wish to be long-distance disciples.

Discipleship demands involvement. That is what Jesus conveys to Simon Peter in our scriptural text when He tells Peter he would "catch men" (Luke 5:10). Men can­not be "caught" without personal involvement. As their fishnets were barren, so were their lives; but, as their fishnets would be full, so also would their lives! Often we feel empty; alone, unwanted, and unsatisfied. Jesus steps into our boat and tells us to launch out deeper. As we obey Him, our nets will be filled with satisfaction. We will call others to share in the excitement.

Let's examine the concept of discipleship.

I. Discipleship Includes Listening (v. 1)

The word "listening" means making a conscious effort to hear. It involves paying attention to what is being said, as well as being influenced or persuaded by it.

People were constantly around Jesus. It seems He would become tired of the constant press of humanity. However, He seemed to thrive on that pressure. He was to keep going because of their spiritual hunger.

What drew people to Jesus? He preached with author­ity. Luke 4:32 tells of the surprise and amazement of the people concerning His authoritative preaching. His sermons ­abounded in wisdom and grace. His direct simplicity aimed at their level of understanding and drew to His message. His illustrations were rudi­mentary, yet provocative, coming to a sharp point. His love, sympathy, and concern poured out to the open-air congregations. He spoke truth. Certainty that caught the attention of people. He desired for people to know and experience God! When Jesus spoke, people listened!

Being a born-again, honest disciple brings a desire to listen to Him. How is that accomplished? Make a con­scious effort to hear Him. Here are some ways it can be done:

A. Read God's Word. Get familiar with the Bible. Use Bible translation that is accurate, readable, and understandable to you. If you cannot understand the version, you will lose interest, and your Bible will gather dust. God gave His Holy Word to be read and comprehended.

B. Use as companions, devotional books that sup­plement God's Word. Good devotional material doesn't usurp God's Word; it adds insight to the written Word. Ask Christian friends what material they use. Talk with the Christian bookstore manager. Speak to your pastor. The devotional, as well as the Bible translation, should fit you.

C. Let God use you. Sound Christian counseling by mature Christians can help discern God's message. Ex­perience helps mold us into God's new creation. Other people have been through similar circumstances. Their wise counsel can help.

D. Let your conscience be God's avenue to reach you. Many people have been taught right from wrong since they were young. Moral, ethical, and spiritual in­sights have been ingrained over the years. God uses the conscience to speak when decisions are to be made.

E. Prayer is listening to God. He answers prayer by saying, "Yes, I thought you would never ask"; or "Yes, here is more"; or "No, not yet"; or "No, I love you too much!"

What has God been saying to you? Are you making an effort to listen? Be a good listener this week, and witness the impact it has on your life!

II. Discipleship Includes Encountering Jesus (vv.2-3)

It appears that Simon and the boys weren't paying at­tention. Jesus gets Simon's attention by using his boat. This wasn't a speedboat, but an oar-powered vessel that needed arm power. Simon became the human motor. When he was trapped out there, he had to listen! He en­countered the Lord of life. The meeting was unin­tentional, but so effective. Jesus would change Simon forever.

Jesus seeks an encounter with us. He patiently waits for our willingness to meet Him. But people often are too busy making a living, investing in the stock market, putting pieces back together, looking for the tricks of life, and running in circles. STOP! Go where Jesus is waiting. There are practical ways to find Him.

A. Pick a location. Don't be limited to meeting Jesus where others go for their meeting with Him. You go' where you can get alone with Him.

B. Pick a time. Don't be under false guilt about when or how long this encounter will be. Mrs. Williamson used to say that God didn't get up before 10 A.M., but John Wesley would have disagreed! We live in the 1990s with schedules that would have astounded our fore­fathers. But we must learn from their example that it still requires time to encounter God. You must also learn to fit into God's schedule.

C. Pick a reason. The reason you, as a disciple, should encounter Jesus is because you love Him! Keep the love relationship alive and functioning.

III. Discipleship Includes Obedience (vv. 4-6)

Almost every sermon conveys the idea of obedience. Can you catch a hint of reluctance and frustration in Si­mon's voice when Jesus tells him to shove off to deeper water and let his nets down? Do you see yourself in Si­mon when he says: "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!" (v. 5a, RSV). Do you hear his whining tone uttering through gritted teeth, "But at your word I will let down the nets" (v. 5b, RSV)?

We are so much like Simon! We often say, "I really don't want to do this, but I will." Sometimes we forget how much God wants to do through us but often cannot because of our reluctance or refusal. Let God have His way. His ways are the best ways.

He asks obedience from us.

IV. Discipleship Includes Worship (vv. 7-9)

Worship is an outward act brought about by an inner awareness of our defect. Simon realized his defect when he looked into the face of God. His confession is the first act of his worship. When you realize the holiness of God and your need to worship Him, you feel awe toward our Lord.

ILLUS. Over 60 years ago the great English preacher W. L. Watkinson told a story about a certain goldsmith business that owned a large iron safe with many locks. He related that no one person had the ability to open the safe. The keys had been distributed to many trustees, and all of them had to be present with their keys in or­der to open the safe.

An important part of our Christian faith is account­ability to each other. God's saints meet together in ado­ration and praise to Him and to encourage one another. Christians bow down in adoration and humility before God in true worship.

V. Discipleship Includes Abandonment of Self (v. 10)

True discipleship equals total abandonment of self to follow Jesus. It is natural for fear to override our spiri­tual inclination to become His follower. These first dis­ciples feared. The Master calmed them and reassured their misgivings with His words: "Don't be afraid" (v. 10). He does that with us. Some are afraid to launch out into the sea of discipleship because it may cost them friends, money, time, habits, energy, family, and a host of other "important" items. There is fear of the unknown that God may ask of us. Satan fans our fears and makes people feel that God is not worth the effort. He blinds people to God's good intent. Often people think that God wants to tear away the "good stuff" and remove all the fun out of life. But if He takes something from us, He replaces it with something better. He adds a dimension to life we never suspect –spiritual satisfaction.

VI. Discipleship Includes Evangelism (v. 11)

We must not be allowed to hoard the goodness and greatness of a loving God. Jesus gives a sense of urgency. The final breath comes for all of us, and then we shall face eternity in heaven or hell.

ILLUS. A couple in my church was driving home af­ter work and was involved in a head-on collision with another couple. Both men in the cars were killed. Both wives were hospitalized in serious condition in two Ka­lamazoo, Mich., hospitals. I was asked to conduct the fu­nerals for both men.

On a cold Tuesday in January, I conducted one funeral at 11 A.M. and the other at 2 P.M. Little did they suspect on Friday when they left work that eternity would begin in a few minutes.

We face people daily who will step out into eternity - with or without God. As disciples we must evangelize our world, helping people prepare for eternity. Believers know the importance of God's transformation. We are new creations by God's hand through Jesus Christ. We must become involved in Christian witnessing and min­istry to people in need of Jesus. The Great Commission compels us to participate in God's great master plan of evangelizing the world.

CONCLUSION

Discipleship is involvement! Simon would never have caught the great amount of fish had he not listened to Jesus. Are we ready to pay attention to Jesus' call? Peter would have settled for an empty net had Jesus not come along. Intentionally plan to meet Jesus.

All night Peter's nets were empty, but at the Master’s command, Simon obeyed. His nets filled with fish. Do you obey God's voice instantly? The catch made Simon aware of who Jesus was. It caused him to worship. Jesus fills our nets. We are humbled and awestruck by His commands. We are drawn to worship Him. Simon under­stood that it was Jesus who made the catch. Launch out into the sea of life with Jesus. Whatever you do, make sure that others come with you!

What will you do with Jesus' call for discipleship today?

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 7:1-50

INTRO

The head of a great medical service at a university hospital once related to a friend that when one sends for his doctor, he should also send for his minister. His statement indicates that God helps in two ways. One way is through the science of medicine and surgery, while the other is through the power of faith and prayer.

Emotions run high when the subject of healing is dis­cussed. Extremes are always used as examples; one ex­treme insists God wants to heal everyone.

ILLUS. My sister-in-law attended a church that op­posed doctors and hospitals. They believe that if God wanted someone to live, He would perform a miracle and heal them without medical assistance.

At the age of 45, cancer cells began to invade her body. Pain became so intense that my brother, who did not agree with her beliefs, finally forced her to go to the hospital. As she was lying in the hospital, members of her congregation came into the room and told her she would not be allowed to go to heaven because doctors had treated her. What started as a treatable small can­cerous spot killed her one year later!

The other extreme holds that God has no interest in our lives. He is up there somewhere, detached from us and incapable of feeling with us.

Luke shares in his Gospel that God does care about His people and the concern is seen through His Son, Jesus. The ingredients of healing reveal God's interest in people.

A Roman centurion came to Jesus in need of a favor. His slave was very ill and needed healing.

I. Faith Is an Ingredient of Healing (vv. 1-10)

A job description of a Roman centurion would include some of these qualifications:

1. A man who can take charge of others

2. A man who laughs at danger

3. A man who is reliable and steady in action

4. A man who can be patient and disciplined

5. A man (when pressed into action) who is bold, ready to hold his ground at his post to the point of death

This description does not portray a weak man, but one who has strength, power, and courage. He appears to be self-reliant and possessed with an exaggerated ego. Not apparent in a typical portrait of a centurion would be humility, love, concern, compassion, religion, or faith. There seems to be a genuine difference in this particular centurion. He demonstrated compassion for a slave that was considered a "living tool" by the government. Usu­ally when a slave was past his prime, he would be thrown out to die, but not this one. Instead, he had a compassionate owner who valued him. The soldier had a unique relationship with the Jews and a deep, religious interest. Although he was a Roman, he had a syn­agogue built for the Jews.

The typical relationship between Jews and Gentiles was, at the least, very strained. Jews despised Gentiles and Gentiles hated Jews. William Barclay suggested that in this story there was a close bond between the Gentile centurion and the Jews. His religious views were put into action when he built the synagogue out of his own resources.

Coming to Jesus reveals his humility and faith. Here stood an officer who knew how to command; yet, he also saw in Jesus a superior spiritual officer who de­served a salute of respect. Demonstrating true respect for greatness, he saluted Jesus by placing his faith in Hi m. To Jesus he said, "Say the word, and my servant will be healed" (v. 7).

Life would be transformed if we could only have a faith like that today. Fear and mistrust have imprisoned our hearts and actions for too long. God wants us to re­lease our doubts into His hands. Faith in Jesus must be implicit trust in His great power and ability, not only for deliverance from physical ailments but for the daily transformation of our lives. Have you given a salute of respect to Jesus by making Him the object of your faith?

II. Compassion Is an Ingredient of Healing (vv. 11-17)

At a funeral service, everyone has gathered to pay final respects to the deceased. People are sitting; soft sobs can be heard among the crowd. The hurt and frustration over the death of this loved one has taken its toll on emotions of family and friends of the deceased. Death's finality is sinking into their hearts and minds.

While waiting for the minister, flashes from the past explode from their memory banks. Good times, fun ex­periences, guilt, arguments, and happy moments all rush together like paint spilled on a canvas. Suddenly they are all brought back to the present as the clergyman enters the room. Instead of going to the podium, he goes directly to the coffin. He places his hand upon the cof­fin and says to the body, "Rise up!" Suddenly the heart starts, the blood begins to pump, color is restored, breathing begins, consciousness returns, and the once-­lifeless body sits up!

"Impossible," we say. "Preposterous, absurd, ridicu­lous!" This modern-day parallel of Luke's story is ex­tremely difficult for us to grasp. Yet Luke included this particular circumstance for a reason. The Gospel writer had eyewitness accounts to authenticate his facts. Luke shared with Theophilus and his friends some important qualities concerning Jesus of Nazareth.

A. Jesus is Lord of life. He brings life to living.

ILLUS. A wife got separated from her husband at a county fair one hot August afternoon. She searched all over the fairgrounds trying to find him. On the other hand, he made the most of his separation by enjoying the rides. When she finally found him, he was getting off the merry-go-round. Irritated, she said, "Now look at you. You spent your money, you got off right where you got on, and you ain't been nowhere!"

This is an accurate picture of living without Jesus. He has come to release us from frugal living and to give sub­stance and meaning to life. Do you lack meaning and purpose? Let Jesus touch you and bring life back to you. He is Lord!

B. Jesus is power over death. Many people have told about coming back from the jaws of death. I have heard of people who have been pronounced clinically dead, only to be revived to the surprise of medical personnel. Others have shared death experiences of their spirit leaving the body, and yet they could watch what was happening in their hospital room as medical people talked about their death.

These have told of coming to the outskirts of eternity, being met by a bright light or person, and being told they were to return to earth. Within moments, they re­turned to consciousness in their natural human bodies.

I do not understand this, but I do understand that Jesus is power over death! Jesus conquered death. The Scripture is filled with affirmations of Jesus' power over death-not only physical death but also spiritual death (see John 3:16; John 16-17; Philippians 1; Colossians 2; and Hebrews 2).

C. Jesus is compassion. Jesus demonstrates compas­sion for the widow. His heart reached out to restore life to her son and joy to the widow. Jesus was moved at the distress of others, revealing His pathos, sympathy, and empathy while freely giving away kindness and love (see Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; Mark 1:41; 6:34; 8:2; 9:22; Luke 10:33; 15:20; and Heb. 4:15; 5:2).

As Jesus was moved with compassion, we followers should also show compassion. Healing comes through a compassionate heart.

III. Understanding Is an Ingredient of Healing (vv. 18-35)

John the Baptist needed Jesus to heal his doubts. He had a preconceived idea of the Messiah and how He would accomplish the goal of salvation. John envisioned the Messiah as a winnowing fork of judgment destroying all who disagreed with truth (Matt. 3:12). John saw Him as an ax of total destruction of wrong (Luke 3:9), de­stroying anyone not doing right. Then comes Jesus, who was caring, helpful, inspiring, and healing. John couldn't understand Jesus' action. Is it any wonder that he sent two disciples to Jesus to ask if He was the Mes­siah?

Reuben Welch shares in the Beacon Bible Exposi­tions that Jesus' reply to John was an interpretation of himself in the mode of Isaiah 29; 35; and 61. Jesus wanted it to be clear to John that what He was doing was the work of the Messiah. Jesus was exposing the true na­ture of men's hearts, revealing their innermost secrets (3:85, 86).

Before you can be healed, you must understand Jesus. You must see Him for who He is. Your faith reaches out to the Messiah as God has revealed Him to you. You see Jesus as much more than a good man doing good deeds, a prophet, or a great preacher. He is Lord. He is Savior. He is Redeemer. He is God!

CONCLUSION

The final section (vv. 36-50) summarizes the ultimate healing process. Faith, compassion, and understanding are necessary ingredients. The stories culminate into a final display of a sinful woman who has found God's healing through the love of Jesus. The most important and lasting healing comes when Jesus heals the spirit by forgiving sins (vv. 48-50). Physical healing lasts for a time, but the body still gets old and deteriorates. How­ever, spiritual healing lasts for eternity. If you under­stand Jesus, come to be healed today.

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THE HEALING OF LEGION

By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 8:26-39

INTRO

This incident in Scripture is one of excitement and, paradoxically, one of exasperation. On the one hand, a miraculous healing demonstrates the love, compassion, and power of Jesus. The story tells of a man driven to insanity because of evil that possessed him. It goes on to tell of the full health of the man after his encounter with Jesus. The exasperation is evident in the reaction of his neighbors. They should be excited; instead they re­ject him, the healing, and Jesus.

Scripture reveals that the man called Legion was caught in a dark, demonic power of evil that either he -brought upon himself or that circumstances had ushered in upon him.

A. Legion was absorbed with evil (v. 27). He was opposed to anything good and desired anything bad. Anyone who would trespass his living space would be ravaged by Legion. Inside of him right and wrong were distorted. He was stubborn and selfish with an evil pur­pose at heart.

B. Legion was feared by people (v. 29). His demonic spirit was accompanied by enormous physical power. People of the community feared him, binding him in chains from head to toe. They even hired guards to keep watch over him. When demonic power took over, he broke the chains as if they were plastic, and the guards vanished!

C. Legion was isolated (vv. 27, 29). He did not live town or with his family. He lived among the tombs far away from people. Townspeople probably drove him to the tombs, but he desired isolation.

D. Legion was destined for destruction if left to himself (v. 27). Scripture reveals his utter lostness and self-destructive path (v. 27). He is gripped by sin and oppressed by dominance of evil demonic power.

Though written almost 2,000 years ago, the story of Legion is up-to-date! Demons still roam and co­habit our world today, whether in civilized societies or in heathenistic societies openly practicing witchcraft and sorcery. Other demon-like activities include drugs, abuse, prejudice, sexual immorality, greed, hatred ­and murder. The healing of Legion applies to us today.

1. I. Legion Was the Recipient of Healing

Legion was tyrannized by evil. Living among the graves, he was lost in the graveyard of despair, struggle, emotional distress, and insanity of sin.

When Jesus looked at Legion, He saw what he could be. Jesus saw his potential. We, too, are objects of God's love. No matter how much sin, God loves you in spite of what you have done.

Sometimes it is difficult to accept that concept. Some people think that God can't love them because they have cheated on their spouses. They find it difficult to forgive themselves, or their spouses can't forgive them. The good news is that God loves and forgives!

Some people feel worthless. Home life is unhappy. Emotional and/or physical abuse by parents has resulted in feeling unworthy of love. The good news is that God considered them worthy, so He sent His Son into the world to die for them.

Some people have degrading habits. They have grov­eled in the dirt and filth of life and feel they can never be clean. God came to clean them up, to make them holy and pure, to make them white as snow. We are re­cipients of redemption - the aim of God's healing.

II. Jesus Is the Source of Healing

Tired, at the end of his strength, Legion came to Jesus. When Jesus stepped ashore from His boat, Legion ap­peared. Sick of sin, tired, hopeless, he saw Jesus, the Source of healing and life. Immediately Jesus soothed and calmed his fears and healed his emotions and spirit. Legion had no ability to control his own destiny. It had to come from Jesus!

Jesus Christ is Sovereign Lord over the dark, demonic power of evil and sin. He controls us as we allow His healing, creative power to transform us. That is what happened to Legion when he came to Jesus. Christ inter­cedes for us.

ILLUS. A man during the Civil War was sitting on a park bench in Washington, D.C., crying. His son, under great distress, had deserted his post in battle and was to be shot by a firing squad soon. The father had come to the capital to see President Abraham Lincoln but couldn't get past the front gates. People passed by, but nobody stopped to listen.

Finally, a little boy paused and asked the man why he was crying. In his emotional distress, he told his story. He ended by saying that if he could talk to the President, he knew his son would be pardoned.

The young boy asked the man to follow him. When they came to the front gate of the White House, the little boy said to the soldiers, "It's all right, he's with me." The man followed in amazement. The front doors, guarded by soldiers with rifles and bayonets, opened when the little boy said to the detachment, "It's all right, he's with me."

Again he followed in amazement. They came to the room where President Lincoln was conferring with his generals and cabinet members guarded by yet another detachment of soldiers. The young boy pushed inside and jumped up on the president's lap. Conversation stopped as the boy said, "Daddy, there's a man I want you to meet. He needs your help."

The man was brought in to talk with the president. His son received the presidential pardon because the son of the president took an interest in his plight.

Jesus, God's Son, has taken a personal interest in you! He pushes through the heavenly courts and says, "It's all right; he's with Me." Your pardon comes from the hand of God through His Son, who loves you. Jesus has the authority from God to forgive us. He brings healing power to your lost spirit.

III. Change Is the Result of Healing

When Jesus spoke, casting out the demons, the most natural event took place-change. The rough and tough became soft and pliable. The naked became clothed. In­sanity became sanity. Confused chaos became clear con­fidence. Sadness was replaced with joy. As Jesus comes into our lives, we can expect change. We need not fear change when Jesus is in control.

ILLUS. Two caterpillars were crawling along the earth when they were engulfed by a large shadow. As suddenly as the shadow appeared, it disappeared. The two butterflies-to-be had momentarily been blocked from the sun by a large monarch butterfly that had flown overhead. As the beautiful monarch flew off, one cater­pillar looked up and said to the other, "You couldn't pay me to go up in one of those things." Change is hard, but God intends for us to be changed after we meet Him.

IV. Villagers Show the Rejection of Healing

When healing occurs, the natural reaction should be joy; but that didn't occur to the Gerasenes. They were so disturbed that they asked Jesus to leave their town. Think what Jesus could have done if they would have accepted Him. His healing ministry. His love and compassion. They were so concerned with their ceremo­nially unclean swine that they forgot about people! Jesus could have healed their sick, their lame, their blind, and their deaf. However, they pushed Him away.

It has been observed that the Gerasene people hated having their routine of life disturbed. They thought life should roll along well without disruption. They couldn't see that sometimes change brings positive re­sults. One author related that he felt more people hate Jesus because He disturbs their routine than for any other reason.

When Jesus comes, He disrupts habits. When Jesus comes, He tells the employer to treat the employee fairly. He tells the employee to do an honest day's work. When Jesus comes, He tells spouses to treat each other with dignity and respect. When Christ comes, He tells us to love people.

If we, like the Gerasenes, tell Jesus to go away and leave us alone because we don't want to change, we reject His offer of new life. We need to accept change. It may not be easy. Emotionally; change can be disruptive, but God helps us as we look to Him. We must not stag­nate. There is an abundance of opportunities if we ac­cept God as Lord of life and change.

CONCLUSION

God's healing Agent, Jesus, whose authority drives out any demon, stands ready to do that for you! Simply ask Him to do His holy work in you. You are the object and recipient of His love. Allow the Source of all healing to put His power into you. He soothes and calms your dis­traught spirit. As you feel His healing touch, you will experience the transformation of new life. Do not reject Him. Don't turn Him away.

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By Derl G. Keefer

Luke 19:1-10

 

INTRO

Picture a hot day in Jericho almost 2,000 years ago.

A Mardi Gras atmosphere of festive joy permeated the roadway as Jesus entered Jericho on His way toward the Cross. In Jerusalem, He would be first handed over to the Jewish leaders.

A blind beggar sitting along the road heard the crowd whizzing by him. He asked what was happening. Some­one told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by that very moment. When he heard of this miracle-performing Prophet, the poor blind man probably began to shout out to Him. He didn't want to miss this golden opportunity to be healed.

Jesus didn't disappoint him. He healed the man right there in front of the crowd. A fantastic feeling flooded over him and spilled out to the crowd as they began praising God. Shouts of joy praising God for healing the blind beggar caught the attention of the people of an­cient Jericho. As Jesus entered the street of what Jewish historian Josephus called "a divine region," people gath­ered to catch a glimpse of Him.

Jericho was famous for its palm trees and balsam groves. Rose gardens were well known. All of this com­bined to make Jericho a wealthy area with huge taxes.

Tax gatherers were notorious as renegades and trai­tors. They would assess a certain value and then charge more. There were many taxes, including a 1 percent in­come tax; a ground tax for produce grown; a tax on roads, harbors, the markets, carts, wheels on carts, ani­mals that drew the carts; import duties; export duties - ­anything was taxable. People didn't like tax collectors. Honest folks grouped the collectors in the same category ­with robbers and murderers, and they denied them access to synagogues.

William Barclay recorded that a Roman historian once found a monument to an honest collector. Zacchaeus, chief tax collector for the region, would not have qualified ­for a monument built in his honor because he was much too dishonest - until he met Jesus! Being short in stature he climbed a sycamore (fig) tree. This tree was very easy to climb because the trunk was short and the lateral branches spread wide in all directions. Because of their their hatred for Zacchaeus, the Jews made it difficult for him - even in his venture to see Jesus. As Jesus passed He caught the eye of Zacchaeus perched in the tree. Leon Morris expressed that Zacchaeus was part of Jesus’ divine mission. Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (v. 5).

The crowd gasped in horror. The Scripture says they “began to mutter" (v. 7). There was a low grumbling that passed through the crowd. "How could Jesus go to such a sinner's home?" "How could the holy Jesus lower himself?” "Why?"

Because Jesus loved all people. The reason He came was to talk with sinners and to heal spiritual lives.

I. Spiritual Healing Comes Because We Are in Need (v. 10)

ILLUS. A Nazarene pastor, Dr. Harold DeMott, wrote in the Lansing, Mich., South Church of the Nazarene news­letter that a problem in their church office reminded him of Isa. 59:2. This scripture tells that sin separates one from God. He said that the disk drive malfunctioned on their computer; consequently; the computer was un­able to address or retrieve any information they needed. He said how extremely frustrating it was to know that the diskette held all the detail needed, but the com­puter could not retrieve it.

After the office staff made two or three telephone calls, it was decided that the disk drive needed to be cleaned. They purchased an inexpensive cleaning kit, cleaned the disk drive, and the problem was solved.

Dr. DeMott compared the computer problem to the spiritual realm, as even a small amount of sin hides God's face from us so that He will not hear us. He chal­lenged his people to keep their lives pure and clean with communication channels open between them and God. He said, "May He always hear our prayer from hearts made pure by the Word of Christ."

Zacchaeus was lost and defective because of sin. What Jesus did to heal the blinded eyes of the beggar, He would do for the blinded spiritual eyes of this chief tax collector.

II. Spiritual Healing Comes Through Salvation (v. 9)

As we look at Zacchaeus, it appears that he had it made. He had material wealth, friends, and a nice home. However, in spite of all this he was unhappy; lonely; an outcast from the accepted way of life. Despised and hated by average Jews, he longed for true happiness and satisfaction. In Jesus of Nazareth, he would fulfill his de­sire. There was a spiritual longing by a man empty with­out God. The reason Jesus came into the world was to bring God to empty; lonely people. Salvation is an op­portunity for God to fill each part of the heart.

Righteousness, holiness, and salvation are the essence of our personal relationship with God. He desires for us to be involved in life experiences-including Zacchae­us' and ours! Every type of evil is included in His deliv­erance. There is no limit to the salvation that God, through Christ, brings. Jesus came to give forgiveness to Zacchaeus that hot day in Jericho. Jesus came to redeem him from the ownership of Satan and sin. Jesus has come to bring God's way of salvation to Zacchaeus and to us.

ILLUS. A clergyman went down into a coal mine dur­ing lunchtime to share Jesus with miners in the bowels of the earth. On his return to the shaft, he encountered the foreman and asked him what he thought of God's way of salvation. The man responded, "Oh, it's too cheap; I cannot believe in a religion like that." Getting on the elevator that would take them to the top, the minister asked how long it would take them to get to the top. "Not long, only a few seconds," said the boss.

The pastor asked, "Well, that certainly is very easy and simple. But, do you not need to help raise yourself?"

"Of course not," replied the miner. "As I have said, you have nothing to do but get into the cage."

"But what about the people who sank the shaft and engineered and built it? Was there much labor and ex­pense to it?" asked the preacher.

"Sure there was! The shaft is 1,800 feet deep, and the cost enormous for the owners."

Just like that, God's Word tells you that whosoever be­lieves on the Son of God has eternal life. It was not cheap! God's work to bring us out of the pit of destruc­tion and death was accomplished at a vast cost, the price being the death of Jesus on the Cross.

III. Spiritual Healing Comes Through Change (v. 8)

Salvation is a free gift that Zacchaeus accepted. How­ever, Zacchaeus wanted others to know that he loved God. The best way to demonstrate that love was to make restitution for the things stolen. Zacchaeus voluntarily confessed his need and spontaneously offered restitu­tion for the things he stole. He wanted everyone to know that Jesus made a difference in his life. His testimony was supported by his words and actions. Jesus does not want a mere change of words, but a change of life! The change comes when we fall in love With Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Today God wants to heal your heart made defective by sin. He sent Jesus to bring salvation and to ransom you from the hands of Satan. Your changed life will show the world that Jesus makes a difference. Will you let Him heal your spiritual heart now?

ILLUS. A woman was taken to Bellevue Hospital in New York City after suffering an attack from her knife­-wielding husband. She was inflicted with a knife wound to the heart. It was a delicate it was performed, and the flesh wound closed. The pa­tient made good progress for two days, but on the third day there was a relapse, and she died. The operation had been successfully performed, but it could not cure the wounded heart.

Jesus came to heal broken hearts. His healing power accomplishes this wonderful spiritual operation. He is the Great Physician!

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