The Year of the Lord’s The Year of the Lord’s FavorFavor

Where is your fortune?Where is your fortune?

Chinese Belief:Chinese Belief: Christian Belief:Christian Belief:

$=?

Year of the “Earth Rat”Year of the “Earth Rat”

Let’s look to the Word:Let’s look to the Word:Luke 4:16-21:Luke 4:16-21:

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

  18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,       because he has anointed me       because he has anointed me       to preach good news to the poor.       to preach good news to the poor.    He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the    He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,    to release the oppressed,    to release the oppressed,     19to proclaim     19to proclaim the year of the Lord's the year of the Lord's favorfavor.“.“

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

The background on this The background on this account:account:

Jesus was baptizedJesus was baptized Jesus was tempted in the wildernessJesus was tempted in the wilderness Men with sufficient learning to be invited Men with sufficient learning to be invited

to read the Scriptures during the serviceto read the Scriptures during the service

Exposition of Jesus’ Exposition of Jesus’ ManifestoManifesto

To preach good news to the poor:To preach good news to the poor:– ““Poor in what sense?”Poor in what sense?”

Desperate needs: Both physical and spiritualDesperate needs: Both physical and spiritual

To proclaim freedom for the To proclaim freedom for the prisoners:prisoners:– John 8:33-36John 8:33-36– Freedom of Freedom of ChoiceChoice

Exposition of Jesus’ Exposition of Jesus’ ManifestoManifesto

Recovery of sight for the blindRecovery of sight for the blind– To see our true spiritual conditionTo see our true spiritual condition– Holy Spirit = see the truthHoly Spirit = see the truth

To release the oppressedTo release the oppressed– Free society, but many addictions:Free society, but many addictions:

DrugsDrugs GambleGamble SexSex

SIN

To release the oppressed, To release the oppressed, cont’d:cont’d:

To be free from sin, Jesus became a To be free from sin, Jesus became a ransom, shedding his blood.ransom, shedding his blood.– Matthew 11:29-30: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."

To Proclaim the year of the Lord’s FavorTo Proclaim the year of the Lord’s Favor– Year of Jubilee: Time of RestorationYear of Jubilee: Time of Restoration– Debts forgivenDebts forgiven– Prisoners set freePrisoners set free– MercyMercy– Unmerited favorUnmerited favor

As long as we feel self sufficient, we will As long as we feel self sufficient, we will never know God who can meet our never know God who can meet our needsneeds

So what should we do?So what should we do?

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

Thomas Chilsom:Thomas Chilsom:“Great is Thy Faithfulness”“Great is Thy Faithfulness”

First Stanza:First Stanza:Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;There is no shadow of turning with Thee;Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;not;As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Third Stanza:Third Stanza:Pardon for sin and a peace that endurethPardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!