Introduction In Luke 6, we read Luke’s account of Jesus’ most famous Sermon on the Mount also found in Matthew 5. Today we take a look at the setting for this sermon and discover why we need Jesus. We can see that Jesus is extremely popular. There was a large crowd that wanted to listen to what Jesus said. They were drawn by four things Jesus provides: teaching, healing (spiritual and physical), and power. There might be rich and poor among the crowds, lowly and high, young and old, Jew and Gentile. One thing they all needed was Jesus. They desperately needed Jesus to the extent where they just wanted to touch His garment or hear his words in hope of being healed or saved. Nothing has changed today. Deep in the hearts of man we are still unsatisfied and unable to explain our lacking. What we need is Jesus Christ. Teachers, scientists or politicians are not dependable. Money, fame and accolades mean nothing. Only in Jesus Christ can we depend and He provides what we need most, Himself.
Jesus teaches Jesus is a universal figure and His teaching is for everyone. In this whole world there never has been or will be someone like Jesus. Gamaliel said if it’s man’s will then Jesus’ gospel will fail but if it is the will of God, then to go against Jesus is to go against God also (Acts 5). Gamaliel was right because Jesus is God incarnate, fully God and truly man. People from all ages and all across follow Jesus because we are made in His image and He speaks to all of us (Isaiah 1:2). He has power and authority over all things (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-19). So it doesn’t matter where and when you were born, you are under Christ’s authority and teaching.
Jesus is sinless and everyone else is a sinner. As sinners, we will die one day and face judgement in God’s holy court (Romans 5:12, Hebrews 9:27). We are nothing but vain and vile. As Jonathon Edwards said, we need God’s help in everything. Everyone needs Jesus. Jesus not only teaches us how to be saved but became the propitiation of God’s wrath and the expiation of our sin (Hebrews 9:2). Jesus satisfies the punishment of God by suffering on the cross and takes away our guilt from us. This is God’s wonderful love. This is the joy of the Christian. Our sins are gone!
As a teacher, Jesus gets involved in our daily lives. He is not deistic, meaning only there at the beginning and watching from afar afterwards. Jesus teaches those who “come to hear him”. (Luke 6:18) Jesus came to earth as a man to teach and preach the gospel. Whenever he performed miracles, there was always teaching. Of course Jesus teaches, because He is the truth and true Christians will eagerly listen to His words (Luke 10:41). His teaching stirs up the land (Matthew 9:26) and draws the sheep who are without a shepherd. His words bring life and protection to those in need. Jesus teaches repentance, redemption and restoration to God. He calls everyone daily to surrender and follow Him as King and Lord. Those who follow His teaching will find the old life gone and the new life much better.
Jesus teaches through nature and through the Bible. From nature we know that God exists. (Psalm 19:1 ) If we know God exists then it is only natural that miracles and the resurrection is possible. (Acts 1:3) Jesus also teaches through the Word. How many great and revered books are there in the world. Many of their authors are dead and soon the others will die. Jesus, the author of the Bible, is still alive. He still works through His book and is still speaking today through the preaching of His word. We must place significant importance on the preaching of God’s word because it is necessary and a great benefit. Jesus uses the preaching of His word to teach His children, therefore pay attention when the Word is preached and take care to prepare for worship on Sunday.
Jesus heals People came not only to be taught but to be healed of their physical illnesses. Jesus healed every sickness that came to Him. (Matthew 4:23) God still heals today through prayer. He can deal with any problem we face. The purpose of healing was to authenticate His message and to prove he was Messiah. Healing not only proves who He is but shows His compassion. God is full of love and compassion and the greatest evidence is that He gave His only Son to save us.
Jesus heals our spiritual issues also. He freed them from unclean spirit/demons. Demons are real, however a Christian can no longer be demon possessed. We have been freed from the powers of this world and are in dwelt by the Holy Spirit. Demons influence a believer but cannot rule over them. A Christian in sin or a Christian who doesn’t know the Bible truthfully, or a Christian without peace is susceptible to demonic influence. Demons attack Christian by placing doubt in a believer’s heart, doubt about God’s word. So we are free, but we must put on the full armor of God to fight. (Ephesians 6:11)
Jesus has power Christian are powerful because they are empowered by Christ. Our fight is against demonic powers and you cannot fight with physical strength or money or education (Ephesians 6:12 ). We can only fight with the power of Jesus Christ. We are empowered by Him when we are ruled by Him. “Jesus is Lord” must not be limited to the words we speak but the actions we live. When we are weak (dependent on Jesus), then we are strong by the power of Jesus (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Sin is the primary reason Christian’s have no power in Christ. Sin is like kryptonite. Look at Samson, who lost his strength because of His disobedience. Therefore be diligent to walk with the Lord every day. We are also weak because we have little faith. Look at the disciples in the boat who were scared in the storm while Jesus was sleeping peacefully right beside them. Why were they terrified and helpless? Jesus rebukes those with little faith. In contrast, Apostle Paul also faced a storm and faithfully and firmly held on to Jesus’ words. This is the power of faith in Jesus.
Conclusion What we need, Jesus has. Therefore seek Him and surrender to Him everyday. Seek Him in prayer and read His word. There are so many people in the world who don’t know Christ. We are so blessed! How will the rest of the world know Jesus without a preacher? We must listen to God’s Word ourselves and then go out to the world and share.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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