When entering new spaces, many of us (like me) often shrink ourselves—quiet, cautious, observant. But Jesus entered his ministry boldly, declaring his mission from Isaiah and proclaiming, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21) His hometown was initially proud, expecting special treatment. But Jesus challenged that, reminding them through Elijah and Elisha that God’s grace often reaches outsiders. The crowd turned furious—not because he lacked power, but because he refused to play favorites. Jesus came to bring freedom for all, not privilege for a few. The sermon recording from Luke 4:20-30 called “Freedom, Not Favoritism” is below.
I preached this sermon as the main scheduled preacher this semester for the Young Adult Ministries (YAM) English speaking college ministry of The Lord’s Church in Waco (TLCW). This semester, I’m scheduled to preach twice a month. Come and worship with us if you are local! The Lord’s Church Waco is located in Waco, Texas, about a 40 minute drive from my home in Temple.
Scroll down below to watch a recording of the sermon and to read the benediction I used (again) at the close of our service. Scroll down even further to watch my ‘After Sermon Preaching Tips‘ video where I’m keeping up my routine of sharing a few thoughts after I preach (right before I walk back into my home from my car!).
I am always hopeful that these offerings would bless and encourage you in your own journey with God and in your ministry of service to others. Feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below, anytime. Blessings and peace!
Benediction by former U.S. Senate Chaplain and Presbyterian minister Richard Halverson
“You go nowhere by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there.
God has a purpose in your being right where you are.
Christ, who indwells you by the power of his Spirit,
wants to do something in and through you.
Believe this and go in his grace, his love, his power.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.”
Luke 4:20-30(NIV)
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”
24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy[a] in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”
28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.
Preaching Tips Background Video
In this video, I talk about the various factors contributing to the growth of the college ministry at TLCW and adjusting to the Holy Spirit who helps us as we prepare and preach. Check it out!
I’d love to hear what resonates with you, in your particular roles of ministry (or however you’ve come to find this particular video)!
You can watch my After Preaching Tips video playlist here.
You can find the rest of my Sermons here! https://sejanashines.com/preaching and my Sermons playlist here.
Here’s a new link with all kinds of ways to connect with me! https://lnk.bio/sejanashines.
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