THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

ISAIAH 61:1-3

INTRODUCTION

In these verses we have a brief outline of three dispensations; Grace, Judgment and Righteousness. The year of liberty, the day of vengeance and the time of restoration. A dispensation is an order of time set for God’s working. God works through dispensations. Jesus Christ introduced the dispensation of Grace and Truth. These verses declare the mission of the Messiah, Lord Jesus Christ. These times are called “the year of liberty”. Whosoever calls the Name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:11-13). This dispensation is the dispensation of the Gospel of Christ.

Let us learn:-

I.  THE PREACHER.

• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because the Lord had anointed Me to preach”.
• Jesus Christ came to preach the good news (Gospel) Luke 4:18-20
• The Holy Spirit came upon Him (Luke 3:22, Acts 10:38)
• Jesus was anointed by the Father (Jehovah) for the work of His ministry.
• Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the real preaching of the gospel is practically impossible.
• The work of preaching the gospel is so great that it takes the trinity Godhead to do.
• Jesus Christ anointed by His Father, in the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel to poor sinners!!

II.  THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL

• “Good tidings unto the meek” (Poor, Lowly ones)
• The gospel is essential to the poor, the healthy do not need a physician but the sick.
• How could there be “good news” or tidings unless there had been something wrong or a wanting somewhere?
• And why should the Holy Son of God need the anointing of the Holy Spirit by the Father for the declaration of such tidings.
• How come the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are so interested in their proclamation.
• The Triune God is needed to give effect to the Gospel.
• The father planned our salvation, the son of God brought salvation to us. The Holy Spirit sustains us in salvation.

1. Healing for the brokenhearted.

• “He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted”
• Hearts are easily broken, so many are broken-hearted.
• The world, the flesh and the devil breaks hearts.
• Hearts are broken by fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, relatives.
• Hearts are broken by fellow Christians, co-workers etc.
• The results of broken-heartedness is defeat and failure.
• The Lord says, in me is your help, He has sent me.
• The Lord says all that I am, and have and do is for thy hearts good.
• His word and His work can heal the broken in heart and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3)

2. Liberty for Captives

• “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives- Only Jesus Christ has the power and right to make such proclamation.
• Who are the captives? Soul that is fettered by sin and Satan.
• Jesus Christ bursts the prison gates, by His death and resurrection.
• He breaks every barrier down and conquers every foe.

3. Vision for the Blind

• “Opening of eyes to them that are bound”
• There is a new vision for those who do not understand spiritual things.
• Spiritual darkness is the bondage of many.
• Jesus Christ is the light of the world and the light of life.
• Without Jesus Christ, we do not understand ourselves.

4. Grace for all

• To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord
• The Jubilee of freedom and restoration to an afflicted world.
• This now is the day of salvation by Grace, the Lord is just now holding His gracious reception (2. Cor 6:2)
• When the anointed one read these words at Nazareth, He contrary to all custom “Closed the book”
• Without finishing the sentence, because “the day of vengeance of our God” has not yet come.
• But the Day of Judgment will certainly follow at the close of this jubilee year of grace when the church will “be caught up” (2 Thess.1:7-9).

CONCLUSION

• Those who receive the gospel of Jesus Christ receive healing for their broken hearts, liberty from their Captivity, vision for their blindness and acceptance for their rejection.
• Are you already in the year of Jubilee? Are you saved? Today is the acceptable year of the Lord.