Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Prayer Meeting Lesson Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/pm/pm20090603.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Luke: Jesus, The Son Of Man For All Mankind
Part XXXII: Christ's Identity As The World's Savior Seen In His Power To Institute God's Kingdom
(Luke 9:1-17)
  1. Introduction
    1. If Jesus Christ is truly the Creator God's Savior of the world, there should be evidence that He has the power to affect others around Him so as to institute God's messianic kingdom.
    2. Luke 9:1-17 offers such evidence in three different realms of human relationships (as follows):
  2. Christ's Identity As The World's Savior Seen In His Power To Institute God's Kingdom, Lk. 9:1-17.
    1. Christ verified His power as God's Savior to institute His kingdom before His disciples, Luke 9:1-6, 10a:
      1. Jesus gathered His disciples and gave them power and authority over all demons and diseases, Lk. 9:1.
      2. He then gave them administrative directions on discipling others (as follows), Luke 9:2-5:
        1. They were to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick, Luke 9:2.
        2. As they ministered, the twelve were to go with a minimal amount of goods, for as people believed their word, they would provide what the men needed, Luke 9:3; Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 228.
        3. The twelve were not to focus on taking financial advantage of people by moving from house to house, but were to stay in one home all the time they were in a given city, Luke 9:4.
        4. If the people did not receive them, the disciples were to shake the dust from their feet as a testimony against the people, Luke 9:5. Jews typically dusted their feet in leaving Gentile lands to enter Israel so as not to contaminate the Holy Land, so this act was a warning symbol to faithless Jews! (Ibid.)
      3. The disciples then ministered everywhere with great results as they themselves realized, Luke 9:6, 10a.
    2. Christ verified His power as God's Savior to institute God's kingdom before a secular king, Luke 9:7-9:
      1. When the twelve went out to minister in God's power, king Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, heard about all of their works, Luke 9:7a; Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, ftn. to Luke 9:7.
      2. Herod was perplexed by all this, for not only was he amazed at how these men performed these deeds, but others around the king were so moved by these events, they suggested John the Baptizer had risen from the dead, or that Elijah had appeared or that some other prophet had risen from the dead, Lk. 9:8!
      3. Herod knew he had executed John, but he marveled at Jesus' works, and desired to meet Him, Lk. 9:9.
      4. Now, Herod Antipas was "a good . . . able ruler . . . [who] ruled longer than any other Herod," cf. Harold Hoehner, Herod Antipas, 1972, p. 264-265. Thus, a notable king of Jesus' day was impressed with Jesus' use of His disciples, evidence that He had the ability and power to institute His kingdom!
    3. Christ verified His power as God's Savior to institute His kingdom before Israel's people, Luke 9:10-17:
      1. When the twelve returned and told Jesus all they had done, He took them to an uninhabited place, 9:10.
      2. The people learned of this move, so they followed Jesus and the twelve, so Christ spoke to them of the kingdom of God and healed all who in need of His healing, Luke 9:11.
      3. As evening approached, the disciples asked Jesus to send the people away into the surrounding towns that they might obtain food and lodging, for they were in an uninhabited location, Luke 9:12.
      4. Jesus replied that the disciples ought to give them something to eat (Luke 9:13a), to which the disciples replied they had only five loaves and two fishes so that they would have to buy food to feed the five thousand people with them, a feat taking money they did not have, Luke 9:13b-14a.
      5. The Lord directed His disciples to make the people sit down in manageable groups of fifty, and then He supernaturally multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the whole crowd, Luke 9:14b-17a. In fact, there was more food left over after the people ate than when Jesus had begun to multiply the food, Lk. 9:17b.
      6. Thus, before five thousand in Israel, Jesus revealed His ability and power to institute His kingdom!
Lesson: Before the disciples, before a secular king and before five thousand of Israel's people, Jesus gave evidence of His power and ability to institute His kingdom in relation to other people around Him!

Application: (1) May we believe Jesus is the Savior of the world by His evidential power to institute His kingdom. (2) May we trust in Christ to influence both us and others around us for His kingdom! (3) Since Jesus equipped His disciples with spiritual power for service, may we use the spiritual gifts He has given us for effective service today! (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Timothy 4:14-16; 2 Timothy 1:6-7)