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Sermon Title: Signs of the Spirit - Anointing

Text: Luke 4:16–30
Preacher: Alex Hogendoorn
Date: June 22, 2025

Tagline:

The anointing of the Spirit is God's seal of approval, appointment, and authority—given to Jesus, shared with us, and meant to compel humble, outward service.

Summary:

In this fourth message from the Signs of the Spirit series, Pastor Alex preached from Luke 4:16–30, where Jesus, freshly anointed by the Spirit, returns to his hometown and reads from Isaiah in the synagogue. His declaration—“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”—initially draws admiration, but quickly incites outrage when Jesus challenges their sense of entitlement by citing how God's prophetic mission often bypassed Israel in favor of outsiders. This moment reveals both the power and provocation of true spiritual anointing.

Drawing on Old Testament imagery of prophets, priests, and kings being anointed, the sermon traces how Jesus receives the highest anointing as Messiah—not for prestige but for mission. That mission is not inward-facing but directed to the poor, the oppressed, the captive, and the blind. Jesus not only proclaims these truths—he embodies and fulfills them. And because we are united with him by the Spirit, this same anointing is now ours. The message closed with a call to remember our Spirit-anointed identity and to live out that high calling with the humility and authority of Christ.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Questions (choose one):

  1. Can you think of a time when you saw a crowd change their mood suddenly? What happened?
  2. If someone handed you a Bible in front of a crowd and told you to speak, what would you say?
  3. When have you felt like you were "sent" into a situation—like the right person at the right time?

Read the Luke 4:16–30 together and reflect and discuss any questions that come up. Use a few of the following questions to direct conversation as needed.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Jesus' citation of Isaiah 61 define the nature of his anointing?
    What stands out to you about this list of good news actions? What does it tell us about God's priorities?
  2. Why do you think the crowd's mood shifted so quickly from admiration to fury?
    How does Jesus challenge their assumptions about entitlement and insider privilege?
  3. In the sermon, Alex said: "You have received the anointing of the Messiah—because you are in Christ."
    What does that mean to you personally? What does it compel you toward?
  4. Explore the metaphor of coronation shared in the sermon.
    How is receiving the Spirit like being crowned—and how is that different from how the world views power or promotion?
  5. Cross-reference: Read 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 and 1 John 2:20.
    How do these passages affirm the believer’s anointing? What confidence or challenge do they bring to how you live?

For Further Study:

Here are some related Scriptures to read and reflect on this week:

  1. Isaiah 61:1–2 – The prophecy Jesus quotes
  2. 1 Samuel 16:13 – David’s anointing and receiving the Spirit
  3. 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 – God anoints and seals us
  4. 1 John 2:20, 27 – “You have been anointed by the Holy One”
  5. Acts 10:38 – Jesus anointed with the Holy Spirit and power
  6. Philippians 2:5–11 – Christ’s humility and exaltation
  7. John 20:21–22 – “As the Father sent me, so I send you…”
  8. Romans 8:11 – The Spirit who raised Christ gives life to you
  9. Ephesians 1:13–14 – The Spirit as seal and guarantee
  10. Luke 10:1–3 – Sent out in his name, with his authority

Gospel Connections

Let’s discuss how we can apply this message to our lives as we seek to make the following connections as we follow Jesus:

  • With God: How does Jesus’ anointing reveal God’s heart for the overlooked and hurting?
  • With the Church: How can our church culture better reflect the humility and authority of Christ’s anointing?
  • With Our Group: How do we encourage one another to walk in the calling and gifts God has given?
  • With Our City: Where do you see the "poor, captive, blind, and oppressed" today—and what does it look like to bring good news to them?
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