Jesus Preached

Luke 4:43 But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”  44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
 
AS we close Luke 4, we should stop and remember the work Jesus has done since John baptized him. Jesus comforted and defeated the devil’s temptations. Jesus taught the Scriptures in synagogues. Jesus declared and defended his mission in Nazareth. Jesus exorcised demons. Jesus healed. Notice Jesus did all of these with the spoken Word. That is the power of Jesus’ ministry, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 
    This is the Trinity at work. The Father sent the Spirit to empower the Son to preach the kingdom’s good news. We know from Jesus’ preaching that the good news is essentially a two-part sermon: “You have sinned. I am your redeemer.” All who heard Jesus preach would hear that their sins disqualified them from kingdom living, and he is the way to eternal life: John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” And then Jesus would preach to them of the remarkable way they could be born again into the kingdom: John 3:18 “Whoever believes in the Son is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
    Is the preaching central in your church? Jesus’ church today must remember a pastor is to “preach of the good news of the kingdom of God”. If you are one God has called to preach, be firm to proclaim the two-part kingdom message of sin and redemption. Paul wrote it this way: Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
     Preach: Sin is death. Preach: Jesus is Redeemer. The only way “the good news of the kingdom of God” became good news is Jesus’ preaching.  
    Now this must be the church. The reason the church exists is to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. Is the Word of God saving power in your church?
 
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the good news to teach us we are sinners and you are Savior. Amen.