UNITED THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF JESUS Luke 4:17-21

Big Idea of the Series: It's time for the “called out ones” to arise and display the beauty of God’s church in the midst of our broken world. The beauty of the church comes when those whom God has “called out” unite in love, unite in truth, and unite in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Big Idea of the Today’s Message: The ministry of the church should align with the ministry of Jesus.

Here are some questions I want to begin with: WHY IS THE MINISTRY OF TODAY’S CHURCH HINDERED FROM DOING MINISTRY LIKE JESUS? WHAT IS INTERFERING WITH TODAY’S CHURCH MINISTERING TO THE WORLD? WHAT IS TODAY’S CHURCH MISSING WHEN IT COMES TO EFFECTIVELY MINISTERING TO THE WORLD AROUND US?

Ekklesia: A Greek word defined “Called out from the world and called to God”

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We can't be content with just having church services We can't be content with just having church services. We must become passionate about being the church and bringing His service to the people.

“And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him “And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."” Luke‬ ‭4:17-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS: Jesus cares about everything and everyone.

“After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."” Luke‬ ‭5:27-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Questions to reflect upon: HOW DO WE SIT AT THE TABLE WITH SINNERS AND MINISTER TO THEM SO THAT THEY WANT TO REPENT AND CHANGE THEIR LIFE? HOW DO WE REFLECT CHRIST TO THE LEVIS IN OUR GENERATION?

The world needs an authentic church community that is united in the ministry of Jesus because this will point back to Jesus which, therefore, will point others back to Jesus.

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalms‬ ‭133:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The world needs a Woke Church. Woke- being aware, and "knowing what's going on in the community."

APPLICATION: Who is a Levi that you can minister to? What social injustice in America or around the world are you passionate and will become involved in? Big Idea of the Message: The ministry of the church should align with the ministry of Jesus.

Read Isaiah 60

UNITED THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF JESUS Luke 4:17-19