Jesus Takes Back Dominion

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

For 4,000 years, mankind had been living in a dark, oppressed, hopeless, sin-sick world. Now Jesus was going to take back the dominion that had been transferred to Satan by Adam and Eve. The only hope mankind had was for God to intervene with mercy. His mercy involved sending His only Son... For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...John 3:16. We must recognize that this was a sacrifice for God as well. He released Jesus, who was God in the flesh, to the world to bring back the authority mankind had lost because of the rebellion of Adam and Eve.

When you look at Jesus’ outline for ministry, He was about to set the devil on his heels. Jesus was going to let everyone know that things were going to change. He did this by teaching and preaching about the Kingdom of God. When Jesus opened their eyes of understanding, they began to see light, hope, joy.

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46 Jesus' purpose was to bring the government of Heaven to the earth. That means that there would be solutions to mental, physical and moral problems. There was an answer and Jesus was proclaiming to everyone that there was going to be a huge change in our outlook on life.

But that wouldn't take place until He made the ultimate sacrifice with His life. Until then, Jesus dedicated His ministry to traveling from village to village speaking on the Kingdom of God.

Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given (presented as a gift); and the government (empire, to have power as a prince) will be upon His shoulder. Isaiah 9:6

Since the Garden of Eden man has lived in a world of sorrow, heartbreak,
sickness, disease, futility, hopelessness and distress. It had been over 400
years of silence between God’s last prophets in the Old Test and the first
words of John the Baptist in the New Test. “Repent for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand!” (Matt 3:2)

God knew the status of the world and had a plan, in the fullness of time – He had a Son whom He would deliver to the earth in a miraculous event that would set Him apart from the rest of the world which is what we celebrate at this time of year.

Before Jesus would die on the cross, He had a big job to accomplish in three short years. This morning we are going to explore what Jesus’ job
description included.

Read Luke 14:18-19
Jesus defined his ministry as an ongoing essence of GOOD NEWS of the
gospel of the Kingdom of God. It was Jesus’ outline for ministry.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord (Supreme authority) is upon Me because He has anointed Me to:
ANOINT = smear or rub with oil, to consecrate to an office
1. Preach the gospel to the poor.
PREACH = Announce good news, declare good tidings.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit (no hope) for theirs is the Kingdom of God. The word BLESSED = Long duration. It is an adjective that means supremely happy, a condition in which “Congratulations” are in order and special joys.
POOR = to crouch, a beggar as in cringing, the idea of causing to fall

2. Heal the brokenhearted (such a sad word)
HEAL = To be whole physically, cure
BROKENHEARTED = to crush completely, to shatter literally or figuratively, break in pieces

Who are the brokenhearted? Lost child to death, drugs, a bad marriage, a lost dream, “Blessed are those who mourn (grieve, wail) for they shall be comforted (invoke consolation, to call to be near)

3. Proclaim liberty to the captives
PROCLAIM = Herald, as a public cryer, publish
CAPTIVES = Prisoners of War, hands bound, confined, restricted, overwhelmed to inablility to function

4. Proclaim recovery of sight to the blind
RECOVERING of SIGHT = Restoration of sight
SIGHT = Opaque, to envelop with smoke, i.e. to inflate with self-conceit; highminded, be lifted up with pride
John 9:39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”
Make aware of truth where they were ignorant before. Like taking off the blinders Satan had placed over minds, attitudes and habits.

5. Set at liberty those who are oppressed
OPPRESSED = Crushed by the works of Satan – evil desires, self destruction, fear, anger, lust, pride
LIBERTY = Pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, remission of sin

6. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord!
ACCEPTABLE = approved To announce good news that the Kingdom of God has arrived through the Messiah

For 4,000 years, mankind had been living in a dark, oppressed, hopeless, sin-sick world. Now Jesus was going to take back the dominion that had been transferred to Satan by Adam and Eve. The only hope mankind had was for God to intervene with mercy.

Our Final Days

India is a nation that is FULL of religion. It is the way of life here...Hinduism, Muslim and even some others. Christianity in the past was reported to be only 3-4% in India. But today, the Hindu leaders are shaken by a new report that says 17% are professing Christianity. That disturbs them greatly and is causing persecution among the Christians. But as we know, when Christians are suppressed it seems they get bolder and tell more about Jesus, causing the numbers to increase! Praise God He is working in a very hard place.

I went to villages where the pastors had incredible testimonies. One was a muslim man who was so confused and disturbed in his mind that he just wandered the streets for 4 years. Then one day, he saw a bright light and out of the light a voice said, "Will you trust me?" He didn't know who it was! But a church was very nearby that was holding a worship service and he went in. He then realized it was Jesus who had spoken to him. He is the overseer of several pastors today with a very stable mind and a heart totally for Jesus.

Another Hindu man had a similar experience where he had a vision of Jesus. He hadn't even heard of Jesus and yet Jesus cared enough about him to bring this man to Himself. Visions and dreams are being experienced all over India as well as the Middle East as Jesus is drawing mankind to himself. Another pastor spoke of having a sister-in-law that was a Christian. He was Hindu. He would curse her, treat her badly and even beat her over her faith. The Lord appeared to Him and now not only he but all 7 of his brothers are Christians and serving the Lord!

Let us always consider the power of Jesus and that He will never leave the unsaved alone even if there is no missionary or preacher in the area. God loves mankind soooooo much! So as we prepare to leave this nation, I realize that God will do whatever He needs to do, use those who make themselves available to Him and the heart of a nation will be changed to embrace His love.

Continue to pray for us as we return back to our home land and lives. We must never forget the nations where it is a struggle to be a Christian. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are on the frontlines.