The Ministry of Jesus
Isaiah 61:1-2 // Matthew 4:23-25

Every believer in Jesus is called to ministry.  There are different kinds of ministry, but every Christian is called to.  The word ministry is the word diaconia, which means ministry or service.  Everyone of you is called to service in God’s kingdom.  Jesus said he came to serve (minister) and to give his life for many.  Have you ever wondered what Jesus’ ministry was about?
The gospel writers paint a vivid picture of what it was that Jesus did while he walked this earth.  I would like to take you on a short journey looking at the ministry of Jesus.
Before Jesus came to earth, the Jewish people were expecting the coming of the Messiah (anointed one of God).  There were many prophecies regarding the messiah regarding his identity and his role.  The prophet Isaiah informs us the type of ministry the messiah would be involved in.
Isa.61:1-2  Notice that the Messiah would be anointed by the Spirit of Mighty God to do this ministry.  The Spirit has anointed me to ministry.
– To preach good news (gospel) to the poor
– To bind up the brokenhearted (bring relief, bandage)
– To preach freedom to captives
– To release prisoners from darkness
– To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God.
This is telling us the type of ministry the Messiah would be involved when he came.  This would be a way for people to identify the Messiah.  Whoever appeared doing such things is he.  This was the ministry of Jesus.  He read this passage in Nazareth and said that the Scripture had been fulfilled for he was the Messiah. Luke 4:17-21

Right after his baptism, Jesus was taken into the dessert to be tempted by the devil.  After overcoming temptation, Jesus began to preach (proclaim)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” Matt.4:17

Jesus invite people to follow him.  Jesus began to preach and then he invited people to become his followers or disciples. “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Follow me and I will teach you or train you to catch people (Jesus’ training or mentoring ministry) Matt.4:18-20

Jesus ‘s ministry: Matthew 4:23-25
-Preaching the good news of the kingdom.
-Healing every disease and affliction among the people. (setting captives free)
-Liberating people from demonic oppression. (v.24)
This indeed was the year of God’s favor on those who benefited from the ministry of the Messiah.
Jesus the teacher (Matt.5:1-2)
Jesus the healer (Matt.8:1-17; 9:1-8, 27-34; 15:29-31)
Jesus the exorcist (freeing people from evil spirits (Matt.8:28-34)
Jesus the life giver (Matt.9:18-26)

Summary of Jesus’ ministry (Matt.9:35-37) Here once again Matthew reminds us of what Jesus’ ministry was all about.
Verse 36 When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Compassion (to be moved in the inward parts) Jesus was moved by the condition of the crowds. You may not be able to serve people if you don’t possess this quality of compassion.  Jesus showed concern for the crowds; he was moved by their situation.
Then he said to his disciples: (v.37)
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt.9:37
There is a lot of work to be done but only a few workers.  Pray to God to send out workers into his harvest.
Jesus let his followers know about how huge the task is and the need for more workers.  Pray to the Lord to send out workers into his harvest.
What did Jesus do next? Matt.10:1
Jesus empowered the apostles to do ministry.
Jesus gave them authority to drive out evil spirits, to heal the sick.

Jesus was empowered by the Spirit to do his ministry and now he authorized his apostles to ministry.  Empowered and released to do the very things Jesus has been doing.  Jesus sent them out to preach to the Jewish people (Matt.10:5-8)
To preach the same message Jesus’ been preaching “The kingdom of heaven is near.”
-To heal the sick, raise the dead, drive out demons. (proclaim freedom to captives)
Freely you have received, freely give.
Jesus sent them out to serve in the same way he was.
Jesus said that he sent them out like sheep among wolves. V.16 (The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few)
Jesus preached, taught, healed and drove out evil spirit and he empowered his disciples to do the same.  More workers were being sent into God’s harvest.

Jesus predicted the end of his earthly ministry.  Matt.26:31-32

After the resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples his final instructions; he commissioned them to make more disciples.   Go and make disciples of all nations.  He released them into the world to be his representatives.  Matt.28:18-20
When you look at Jesus’ ministry and the ministry of the apostles; what do you think the church ministry is?  The church’s ministry is the same ministry Jesus gave the apostles.  The church was born out of the preaching of the apostles. Acts 2:38-44
The church has been empowered by Jesus to proclaim the good news, to teach others about God’s kingdom; to bring healing to those who need it; to liberate people from the power of the devil; to show compassion to a helpless world; to restore broken hearted, to announce the God’s favorable year is here.  You church has been called, empowered and released to ministry in this world.