We are a confused and deceived people living on a demon infested planet
surrounded by lies and half truths. As Paul warns Timothy in commissioning him
for ministry, false teachers have arisen in the Church to fill itching ears
with what they want to hear - as opposed to the truth of our need for
forgiveness, healing and freedom from spiritual oppresion. For example the clergy
who selected the Timothy Reading for St. Luke’s Day deliberately omitted the
first four verses of Chapter 4 – the key warning about false teachers. Many in
our churches have failed to “fight the good fight” , “endure hardship” and “do
the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4.5, 7). In contrast, in our Readings Jesus
reads the Isaiah (61.1-2) Prophecy and begins by stating that this Prophecy is
fulfilled in their hearing. Jesus is claiming His destiny as Saviour and teaching us His Mission or Plan of ministry. All of Jesus ministry was related
to healing the separation of individuals from God and others by speaking the truth to the half-truths destroying spiritual
life and imprisoning people in false teachings. We all need to get back to
Jesus authentic plan of ministry!
1. “The Spirit of the Lord is
on me because He has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor.”
Jesus ministry is anointed and guided by the Holy Spirit. We have in our
time many false teachers and self-appointed ministers. These people have no
authority or power from God. False teachers are hard to identify as they
generally speak in platitudes about love that sound good but are just a little
off. They rarely talk about healing
as this would involve the supernatural Biblical worldview and spiritual warfare
which they generally regard as mythical. Teachers anointed by the Holy Spirit
have the truth and proclaim it fearlessly: 
