Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord Jesus was led in a number of ways to decide where to minister

a) He read the circumstances of where He could best minister

b) He would not minister at places where there was great hostility

2. What other principles did He apply?

a) The leading of the Holy Spirit

b) The Light that He had within Himself

THE PLACE OF THE SCRIPTURES

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:12-17

1. The Lord Jesus used the Scriptures to defeat Satan Matthew 4:1-11

2. The Scriptures also led Him to choose where to minister

a) He left Nazareth

b) He dwelt in Capernaum

3. The Prophecy of Isaiah

a) Knowledge of the Scriptures

i) This is necessary

ii) This is vital

b) Fulfilment

i) Prophecy

ii) Fulfilment

4. The Prophecy concerning Galilee

a) The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

b) By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan

c) Galilee of the Gentiles

d) The Lord Jesus’ Response to this Prophecy

i) He understood its light

ii) He understood its meaning

iii) He understood its challenge

iv) This was where He would minister

5. The Problems in this Region

a) The problem was not hostility

b) The problem was darkness

c) Many sat in darkness

d) They were in the region where there was “the shadow of death”

i) This would not be an easier ministry

ii) Every ministry is challenging

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF MINISTRY

1. People who are in darkness would need Light

2. The Lord Jesus would be:

a) A great Light

b) He would bring the dawn of Light

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

1. It is also known as “The Kingdom of God” Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43

2. The Kingdom of God

a) This was misunderstood by many

i) Many thought this was a political kingdom

ii) Rome was the existing World Empire then

iii) Many hoped that God would raise up a Messiah who would bring back the glory of the Davidic kingdom

b) The Lord Jesus chose this as His Main Theme for His Ministry

i) He had come to invite people to enter into the Kingdom of God

ii) He would show to all how glorious this Kingdom was

iii) His Kingdom would be represented by Light

iv) The Kingdom of darkness was that ruled by Satan

c) Repentance had to be preached

i) There must be Recognition of Sin

ii) There must also be Repentance from Sin

iii) There would be Reconciliation to God

iv) There would be Results that would come from being in the Kingdom of heaven

REACHING ISRAEL WITH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

1. The Lord Jesus began this tremendous challenge

a) He was the Servant of the LORD

b) He was called to this ministry

c) He would prove faithful to His calling

2. The Calling of the LORD is found in this text

1“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.

3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not [c]quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.

4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”

5 Thus says God the LORD,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:

6 “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,

7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

8 I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.

Isaiah 42:1-8

a) The Lord Jesus would be the Messiah-Servant

b) He would be given the Holy Spirit

c) He would minister by His life

d) God would be with Him all the way