Olton Baptist Church The Nazareth Manifesto 26 th February 2012

Olton Baptist Church Two Manifestos If we are going to mend our broken society and make British poverty history, we need to address the causes of poverty and inequality, not just the symptoms. We need new answers to the social problems we face – and we believe that the truly effective answers will come from a big society, not big government; from social responsibility, not state control. So we will redistribute power and control from the central state to individuals, families and local communities. That way, we can create the opportunity for people to take responsibility. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.

Olton Baptist Church But Can we Trust? Him Or Him

Olton Baptist Church A Trustworthy Character Obedience to His Father Going to the desert places Fasting Resisting temptation Saying what His Father tells Him The popular (Capernaum) The unpopular (Nazareth)

Olton Baptist Church A Trustworthy Character Knowledge of Scripture Responses to temptation Interpreting Isaiah Elijah and Elisha

Olton Baptist Church A Trustworthy Character Relationships As community member Synagogue Solitary With words Praise Opposition With compassion Poor Captives Blind Ignorant

Olton Baptist Church Did he deliver? Him Or Him?

Olton Baptist Church Did he deliver?  preach good news to the poor  proclaim freedom for the prisoners  recovery of sight for the blind  release the oppressed  proclaim the year of the Lord's favour

Olton Baptist Church Did he deliver?  preach good news to the poor  proclaim freedom for the prisoners  recovery of sight for the blind  release the oppressed  proclaim the year of the Lord's favour “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” √ √

Olton Baptist Church Did he deliver?  preach good news to the poor  proclaim freedom for the prisoners  recovery of sight for the blind  release the oppressed  proclaim the year of the Lord's favour Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. √ √ √

Olton Baptist Church Did he deliver?  preach good news to the poor  proclaim freedom for the prisoners  recovery of sight for the blind  release the oppressed  proclaim the year of the Lord's favour He overturned the tables of the money- changers and the benches of those selling doves.

Olton Baptist Church Did he deliver?  preach good news to the poor  proclaim freedom for the prisoners  recovery of sight for the blind  release the oppressed  proclaim the year of the Lord's favour “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices— mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law— justice, mercy and faithfulness.”

Olton Baptist Church Did he deliver?  preach good news to the poor  proclaim freedom for the prisoners  recovery of sight for the blind  release the oppressed  proclaim the year of the Lord's favour √ √ √ √ √

Olton Baptist Church Do we deliver? Crossroads This Way Up Birmingham City Mission Starfish Doula Brookvale Care Home Crossing points Our homes Our jobs Our clubs Our daily lives

Olton Baptist Church Get the message? 1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to…

Olton Baptist Church In the power of the Spirit Crossroads This Way Up Birmingham City Mission Starfish Doula Brookvale Care Home Crossing points Our homes Our jobs Our clubs Our daily lives