1. The Year of the Lord’s Favor

2. Where is your fortune? Chinese Belief: Christian Belief: $=?

3. Year of the “Earth Rat”

4. Let’s look to the Word: Luke 4:16-21: 16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

5. 18"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, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.“ 18"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, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.“ 20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

6. The background on this account: Jesus was baptized Jesus was baptized Jesus was tempted in the wilderness Jesus was tempted in the wilderness Men with sufficient learning to be invited to read the Scriptures during the service Men with sufficient learning to be invited to read the Scriptures during the service

7. Exposition of Jesus’ Manifesto To preach good news to the poor: To preach good news to the poor: –“Poor in what sense?”  Desperate needs: Both physical and spiritual To proclaim freedom for the prisoners: To proclaim freedom for the prisoners: –John 8:33-36 –Freedom of Choice

8. Exposition of Jesus’ Manifesto Recovery of sight for the blind Recovery of sight for the blind –To see our true spiritual condition –Holy Spirit = see the truth To release the oppressed To release the oppressed –Free society, but many addictions:  Drugs  Gamble  Sex SIN

9. To release the oppressed, cont’d: To be free from sin, Jesus became a ransom, shedding his blood. To be free from sin, Jesus became a ransom, shedding his blood. –Matthew 11:29-30: 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

10. To Proclaim the year of the Lord’s Favor To Proclaim the year of the Lord’s Favor –Year of Jubilee: Time of Restoration –Debts forgiven –Prisoners set free –Mercy –Unmerited favor As long as we feel self sufficient, we will never know God who can meet our needs As long as we feel self sufficient, we will never know God who can meet our needs

11. So what should we do? Pray a simple prayer: Pray a simple prayer: –In what ways am I poor today? –Poor in love for others? –Sense of insecurity? –Poor in self-control?

12. Thomas Chilsom: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” First Stanza: Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. Third Stanza: Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!