GOD’S PREPARATION for HIS MESSIAH1. GREEK CULTURE * Gave the known world a common language

2. ROMAN HIGHWAYS * Linked cities along trade routes, promoted urban growth

3. COLLAPS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION * No definitive, satisfying spiritual options that had fully captured people’s hearts/imaginations; in fact, it was quite the opposite

TabghaHippos

Sepphoris

Chorazin

CAPERNAUMWhere Jesus lived afterleaving Nazareth…

LUKE 4:16, 28-30 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and He stood up to read…When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove Him out of the town, and brought Him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw Him down the cliff…

THE CLIFFS of ARBELWhere friends (& family?) tried to kill Jesus for blasphemy…

LUKE 4:31And He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee.

TabghaHippos

Sepphoris

Chorazin

CAPERNAUMWhere Jesus lived afterleaving Nazareth…

CAPERNAUM SYNAGOGUEAncient basalt stone “foundation”

LUKE 4:31-33(And in the synagogue…)He was teaching them on the Sabbath

CAPERNAUMView from the Temple ruins

LUKE 4:38And He arose and left the synagogue,and entered Simon's house.

A VIEW FROM ABOVE* From the perspective of the paralytic’s friends Luke 4

~ Where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law Luke 4

~ Where Jesus revolutionized “family” Matt 12;

Mark 3 Luke 8

LESSONS ON COMMUNITY1. Jesus REDEFINES the CONCEPT of “FAMILY” Matt 12;

Mark 3 Luke 8

* In the Kingdom, family isn’t defined by BLOOD, but by FAITHFULNESS to the NEW COVENANT

LESSONS ON COMMUNITY1. Jesus REDEFINES the CONCEPT of “FAMILY” Matt 12;

Mark 3 Luke 8

* In the Kingdom, family isn’t defined by BLOOD, but by FAITHFULNESS to the NEW COVENANT“Who are my mother and my brothers?”

And looking about at those who sat around Him,

He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:33-35

LESSONS ON COMMUNITY1. Jesus REDEFINES the CONCEPT of “FAMILY” Matt 12;

Mark 3 Luke 8

* In the Kingdom, family isn’t defined by BLOOD, but by FAITHFULNESS to the NEW COVENANT2. Jesus REPURPOSES the MISSION of “FAMILY” * In the Kingdom, the family’s mission isn’t simply to protect & provide for ITSELF in earthly terms, but to OFFER protection/provision for body/spirit

LESSONS ON COMMUNITY1. Jesus REDEFINES the CONCEPT of “FAMILY” Matt 12;

Mark 3 Luke 8

* In the Kingdom, family isn’t defined by BLOOD, but by FAITHFULNESS to the NEW COVENANT2. Jesus REPURPOSES the MISSION of “FAMILY” * In the Kingdom, the family’s mission isn’t simply to protect & provide for ITSELF in earthly terms, but to OFFER protection/provision for body/spirit

“Now when the sun was setting, all those who had

any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him, and He laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.” Luke 4:40-41

LESSONS ON COMMUNITY1. Jesus REDEFINES the CONCEPT of “FAMILY” Matt 12;

Mark 3 Luke 8

* In the Kingdom, family isn’t defined by BLOOD, but by FAITHFULNESS to the NEW COVENANT2. Jesus REPURPOSES the MISSION of “FAMILY” * In the Kingdom, the family’s mission isn’t simply to protect & provide for ITSELF in earthly terms, but to OFFER protection/provision for body/spirit3. Jesus REVEALS God’s HEART for “FAMILY” * In the Kingdom, family is meant to express what has ALWAYS been God’s heart: family on MISSION