Today, we gathered around the powerful truth that every believer is both anointed by the Spirit and gifted for the mission of God. Drawing from Isaiah 61 and its fulfillment in Luke 4, we explored how the same Spirit that rested upon Jesus now rests upon us, equipping us to carry out His mission in the world. The anointing is not reserved for a select few; it is the inheritance of every child of God. Whether or not we feel worthy or ready, the Holy Spirit has already placed gifts within us, and our journey is to discover, dedicate, and deploy those gifts for the glory of God and the good of others.

We looked at the mission Jesus announced: to proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for captives, and comfort those who mourn. This is not just a historical mission; it is our present calling. The Spirit empowers us with gifts—teaching, evangelism, exhortation, healing, mercy, discernment, deliverance, intercession, prophecy, and wisdom—so that we can be agents of transformation in a world desperate for hope and restoration.

We were reminded that the anointing is not about religious performance or outward show, but about the supernatural presence of God working through ordinary people. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus, the apostles, and the saints of old is at work in us today. We are called to step out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable, trusting that God will meet us and use us to bring freedom, healing, and joy to those around us.

The year of Jubilee, as described in Leviticus and fulfilled in Christ, is a picture of total restoration—debts canceled, captives freed, and inheritance restored. Jesus is our Jubilee, and He wants to restore everything the enemy has stolen from us. As we walk in the Spirit, we become oaks of righteousness, displaying God’s splendor to a watching world. The challenge is clear: discover your gifts, dedicate them to God, and step boldly into the mission of Jesus, knowing that you are anointed for such a time as this.

- The anointing of the Holy Spirit is not a distant or abstract concept; it is the present reality for every believer. When God saves us, He places His Spirit upon us, equipping us with unique gifts and authority to manifest His kingdom on earth. Our task is to recognize, receive, and walk in that anointing, trusting that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. [39:32]

- The mission of Jesus—proclaiming good news, healing the brokenhearted, setting captives free, and comforting those who mourn—is now our mission. This calling is not limited to pastors or leaders; every Christian carries the Isaiah 61 mandate. We are invited to participate in God’s redemptive work, bringing hope and transformation to the lives of those around us. [48:26]

- Spiritual gifts are not trophies to be admired but tools to be used. The Holy Spirit distributes gifts such as teaching, evangelism, healing, discernment, and encouragement so that the body of Christ can be built up and the world can encounter the love and power of God. Dust off the gifts God has given you and allow Him to use you in supernatural ways, even if it means stepping into the uncomfortable middle. [53:50]

- True freedom and restoration come through the work of the Spirit. Jesus is our Jubilee, the one who cancels debts, restores what was lost, and brings us into a place of rest and reconciliation. The Spirit doesn’t just remove our sorrow; He replaces it with joy, beauty, and praise, making us oaks of righteousness for His glory. [01:31:25]

- Surrender is the doorway to transformation. God’s invitation is not just to ask Jesus into our lives, but to abandon ourselves fully to Him, allowing the Spirit to crucify the old nature and birth something entirely new. When we surrender, we become living testimonies of God’s grace, empowered to proclaim the good news and display His splendor in a world longing for hope. [01:40:55]

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Luke 4:16-21 (NIV)
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 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. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

1. According to Isaiah 61:1-3, what are the specific things the anointed one is sent to do?
2. In Luke 4, how does Jesus connect himself to the prophecy in Isaiah 61? What is the reaction of the people when he does this? [01:07:45]
3. The sermon mentions that the anointing and gifts of the Spirit are not just for a select few, but for every believer. Where do you see this idea in the passages or in the sermon? [39:32]
4. What is the “year of the Lord’s favor” or “Jubilee” as described in these passages and the sermon? [01:19:53]

1. The sermon says, “The anointing is not about religious performance or outward show, but about the supernatural presence of God working through ordinary people.” What does this mean for how we view our own spiritual gifts and calling? [39:32]
2. Jesus says in Luke 4:21, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” What does it mean that the mission of Isaiah 61 is now our mission as followers of Jesus? [01:11:34]
3. The sermon describes spiritual gifts as “tools to be used, not trophies to be admired.” How does this challenge the way we sometimes think about spiritual gifts in the church? [53:50]
4. The idea of Jubilee is about restoration, debts canceled, and freedom. How does Jesus fulfill this, and what does it look like for us to live in that reality today? [01:31:25]

1. The sermon challenges us to “discover your gifts, dedicate them to God, and step boldly into the mission of Jesus.” What is one spiritual gift you believe God has given you, and how could you begin to use it more intentionally this month? [39:32]
2. Jesus’ mission includes proclaiming good news, binding up the brokenhearted, and setting captives free. Who in your life right now needs hope, healing, or freedom? What is one practical step you can take to reach out to them this week? [48:26]
3. The pastor said, “Some of us have allowed dust to get on the boxes of gifts that God has given to us.” Are there gifts or callings in your life that you have neglected or set aside? What would it look like to “dust them off” and use them again? [53:50]
4. The sermon reminds us that “true freedom and restoration come through the work of the Spirit.” Is there an area in your life where you need to experience Jesus as your Jubilee—restoration, freedom, or a fresh start? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit into that area? [01:31:25]
5. “Surrender is the doorway to transformation.” Is there something you are holding back from God—an area where you need to fully surrender? What is one step you can take this week to trust God more deeply in that area? [01:40:55]
6. The mission of Jesus is not just for pastors or leaders, but for every believer. What is one way you can participate in God’s redemptive work in your workplace, school, or neighborhood this week? [01:11:34]
7. The sermon says, “We are called to step out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable.” Can you share a time when you stepped out in faith and saw God work? Or is there a step of faith you sense God is asking you to take now? [39:32]