Bible Study Notes for Lord’s Day,
November 14, 2010
Luke 8:1-3
“Serving Together in the Kingdom”

Introduction  Last week, loving, worshipping God, because He first loved us. 
2 Commandments - love God and neighbors.  One of the highest expressions of love to God is when we help express His love to people He loves. 

8:1  Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,
 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

We work together in His Kingdom to be a blessing to others.  Feeding cows.

I. The Ministry of Jesus

A. He went  v1

B. Preaching the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God - proclaiming  v1

8:1  Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.

1. Kingdom of God - on Earth in this Age - the ways of God, here and now

2. Why is it glad tidings?  Helping people in their lives in a real way - to accept His authority and guidance in life is to be blessed in many ways.

3. Also the Kingdom of God in the Age to Come - promise of New Heaven and Earth

C. Bringing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God - producing  v1

1. Healing people of evil spirits (demons) v2

 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,

a. Spirits - non physical beings (pneuma) with a level of power.  God is a Spirit, the Holy Spirit, angels are spirits, demons are evil spirits.  Angels and demons have a level of power over people in certain areas of life, mainly to affect people’s thinking, decisions, actions.

b. Evil spirits - up to no good, a negative influence.  Speak, affect, oppress, possess.

c. Healing - therapuo - from the influence and effects of evil spirits

2. Healing people of infirmities  v2  sickness, weakness, disability

So, the ministry of Jesus  v1-2

8:1 He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.
 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,

II. People Committed to the Ministry of Jesus

A. Who was committed?  v1-2

8:1  Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

1. The Twelve with Him  v1
2. The Women with Him  v2
3. Others who provided for Him with their substance  v3 

These people were committed to the ministry of Jesus.

B. Why do people commit to a ministry?

1. See it as a worthwhile endeavor - to proclaim and produce the kingdom of God, kick out the devil and bring healing to hurting people - very worthwhile.

2. See the ability to get it done, especially if you have already been helped yourself, like Mary Magdalene.  Imagine how she felt.

3. Believe their commitment to ministry can actually help bring

C. Ways of commitment and help

8:1  Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,
 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

1. Being with - presence, agreement, encouragement, prayer

2. Helping minister to people

3. Financial help to provide time to minister

So we see Jesus ministering, and people who came alongside to help.

III. What is Our Ministry?

Article II. Purpose

This organization is formed for the purpose of worshipping God, teaching the whole Word of God, offering prayers to God, providing Christian fellowship, support, accountability and growth, properly representing Christ before the community and the world, reconciling persons to God and to one another, and seeking the healing and wholeness of body, soul and spirit.

Bottom line - loving God and people:

A. Express our love to God

1. Worship - as Mary in ch 7

a. Public worship

b. Family and/or private worship

2. Proclaiming the Kingdom - His Truth in a world of deception to whoever will listen

3. Advancing, bringing, producing His Kingdom any way we can

This is how we express our love to God.

B. Express our love to people

1.  Helping them believe, be saved

 a. Created in love and to love God, others, creation

 b. Atonement for lack of love

 c. Enablement to love by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit

 d. Consummation - nothing but love, New Heaven and New Earth

2. Modeling a lifestyle of love toward God and others before them - testimony

3. Helping them with real needs

a. Physical

b. Emotional

c. Spiritual

This is our ministry in the Kingdom of God on Earth in this Age - loving God and people.

IV. What is Our Commitment?

A. Prayers

B. Presence - to be with, agreement, encouragement, prayer, ministry

C. Gifts

D. Service in many different areas of blessing

8:1  Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,
 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.