Setting Captives Free

Setting Captives Free

Rob Turner

July 5, 2015

Pastor Rob Turner

"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." (‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18-19‬ NASB)

And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." And He closed the book, 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 ‭4‬:‭14-21‬ NASB)

1. The Spirit of the Lord

A. Anointed leading and empowering

B. Anointing of God promised in Isaiah 61:1

2. Salvation to all in need - not just physical but spiritual as well

A. Poor - includes those poor in condition and spirit

B. Blind - low spiritual vision

C. Captive - bondage: physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, because of sin

3. His presence means release from bondage

A. Particularly rooted in the activity of Satan

B. Sin - Whatever our sin and struggle, we need to take it to the Lord. 

4. He came to deal with the enormous problems that have afflicted mankind throughout history.

5. He came to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

A. The dawning of a new era for the world

B. Christ is the answer to all the ills that torment us both in a physical sense or in a spiritual sense

C. Christ is the Deliverer - he comes to deal with sin at its root and misery which is its fruit

⚫️Christ wants to transform our hearts and minds

⚫️Christ wants us to proclaim the good news of the Gospel

Next Steps:

Write some key words that speak into my life, and ask the Spirit to speak to us.

Examine areas in my life that are captive to bondage, and ask Jesus to free us from it.

How will I allow the Spirit of Christ to work in my life?