Go!
Go!
Last week, we studied about Jesus’ encounter with his disciple where he point blank asked them “But Who do you say I am?” The Holy Spirit revealed the answer to them through Peter that Jesus was “The Christ of God”. So what? Now that we know him, what do we do with this knowledge and new relationship? In the words of Jesus’, the next thing is to “Go!” I heard one preacher ask, “Which part of “Go” don’t we understand? We would rather do everything else than go. But go where and to whom and do what or say what? Every body is “coming out” (and the gays are proud of it). What about us? It is time we come out of our closets and be the salt out of the salt shaker. Jesus doesn’t just want us to follow Him but also to go and take Him with us. Let’s hear Jesus commission us.
Luke 10: 1-4; 17-20
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Here are some observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. This is the second time Jesus is sending the disciples out. The first time, He sent just the twelve (Luke 9:1-6) and now He is sending the seventy-two. Notice that Jesus is sending them to places where He is not and has not been. Our mission is to those who have not met, known or heard about Jesus. This means all places that our lives intersect – home, work, school and etc. We are to go where those who need Jesus are. You will not meet them in church. Some of us are spending too much time in church instead of going out there. The people are outside in our neighborhoods and social events. Sorry, you have difficult people at work or etc who use foul language, curse, gossip and cheat. That is why Jesus gave you that job and He is paying you while you are on His mission. You did not know you are a paid missionary. Pray for these people whom God has sent you to.
2. The harvest is ready and plentiful. Jesus only needs workers like you and I to reap and help gather the harvest. We did not plant, water and make grow to maturity for harvest. That is God’s work. He knows every harvest and since we do not know who is ready, we must then tell everyone. It is God who draws people to Himself. Our duty is to pray for workers and for one another that God will help each of us to be about His kingdom harvest in our spheres of influence. We have a practicing Hindu who attends our Bible study because one of us reached outside the “Christian box”. God is drawing this person and I am so delighted.
3. Going is not going to be easy. There are wolves among us. Wolves represent counterfeits and those who deceive. There will be those who will take advantage of us in our effort to share the love of God with them. Jesus is already warning us to look out for them but even if they do, He is also saying 'that is okay, I have you covered'.
4. We are not to be encumbered in our life of witness for Jesus –no bags or purses. These represent all our worries for daily provision. Often times, these worries stand in our way. Because we are so consumed with ourselves, we rarely think about others and how we can present Jesus to them. We miss countless opportunities on a daily basis. We should be asking, “How can the love of God in me be made known to whoever I come in contact with in person, on the phone or by email?”
5. Notice that Jesus wants us to avoid the superficial greetings when He said “do not greet anyone on the road”. In their culture, they had long and extended greetings that can really take time and delay you from where you are going. In other words, Jesus is saying we are to be focused. When we are not determined and focused on sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus, it will never happen either.
6. Look what happens when we obey and go in the name of Jesus. Even the demons bow and submit. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Jesus has given us His authority. It is up to us to exercise it and put it into action. Satan himself can not do anything to us because Jesus has us covered. So why and what are we afraid of? Let’s be ourselves and let the Holy Spirit of God in us bear His witness. If you encounter the demons, cast them out in the name of Jesus. Jesus said you can do it. Believe Him. Remember casting demons is the appetizer and not the main show. Let’s us not make it the focus as some have done.
7. Now, the best news is that “our names are written in heaven”, so, we have nothing to lose here on earth. Rejoice and shout praises to God but still “Go”. This is thus our message as we go. We can summarize it and say, “Your name can be written in heaven just like ours if you trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection that paid for our sins and secured our salvation. We did not earn it and neither would you.” The message is simple and please do not complicate it and lets love them in words and in deeds.
David said, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.” (Psalm 40:8-10). May these words also be our confession and practice. May God help us to go in His name and make “disciples of all nations” It takes patience to make a disciple, so be patient with those in your sphere of influence who are yet to know Christ. Amen. “Now Go! Change your thinking about mission from “mission impossible” to “Mission Possible”. Set a goal. Target and pray for particular individuals and share the love of Christ with them. Who is on your list? We can do it in Jesus, name. Amen
Last week, we studied about Jesus’ encounter with his disciple where he point blank asked them “But Who do you say I am?” The Holy Spirit revealed the answer to them through Peter that Jesus was “The Christ of God”. So what? Now that we know him, what do we do with this knowledge and new relationship? In the words of Jesus’, the next thing is to “Go!” I heard one preacher ask, “Which part of “Go” don’t we understand? We would rather do everything else than go. But go where and to whom and do what or say what? Every body is “coming out” (and the gays are proud of it). What about us? It is time we come out of our closets and be the salt out of the salt shaker. Jesus doesn’t just want us to follow Him but also to go and take Him with us. Let’s hear Jesus commission us.
Luke 10: 1-4; 17-20
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Here are some observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. This is the second time Jesus is sending the disciples out. The first time, He sent just the twelve (Luke 9:1-6) and now He is sending the seventy-two. Notice that Jesus is sending them to places where He is not and has not been. Our mission is to those who have not met, known or heard about Jesus. This means all places that our lives intersect – home, work, school and etc. We are to go where those who need Jesus are. You will not meet them in church. Some of us are spending too much time in church instead of going out there. The people are outside in our neighborhoods and social events. Sorry, you have difficult people at work or etc who use foul language, curse, gossip and cheat. That is why Jesus gave you that job and He is paying you while you are on His mission. You did not know you are a paid missionary. Pray for these people whom God has sent you to.
2. The harvest is ready and plentiful. Jesus only needs workers like you and I to reap and help gather the harvest. We did not plant, water and make grow to maturity for harvest. That is God’s work. He knows every harvest and since we do not know who is ready, we must then tell everyone. It is God who draws people to Himself. Our duty is to pray for workers and for one another that God will help each of us to be about His kingdom harvest in our spheres of influence. We have a practicing Hindu who attends our Bible study because one of us reached outside the “Christian box”. God is drawing this person and I am so delighted.
3. Going is not going to be easy. There are wolves among us. Wolves represent counterfeits and those who deceive. There will be those who will take advantage of us in our effort to share the love of God with them. Jesus is already warning us to look out for them but even if they do, He is also saying 'that is okay, I have you covered'.
4. We are not to be encumbered in our life of witness for Jesus –no bags or purses. These represent all our worries for daily provision. Often times, these worries stand in our way. Because we are so consumed with ourselves, we rarely think about others and how we can present Jesus to them. We miss countless opportunities on a daily basis. We should be asking, “How can the love of God in me be made known to whoever I come in contact with in person, on the phone or by email?”
5. Notice that Jesus wants us to avoid the superficial greetings when He said “do not greet anyone on the road”. In their culture, they had long and extended greetings that can really take time and delay you from where you are going. In other words, Jesus is saying we are to be focused. When we are not determined and focused on sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus, it will never happen either.
6. Look what happens when we obey and go in the name of Jesus. Even the demons bow and submit. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Jesus has given us His authority. It is up to us to exercise it and put it into action. Satan himself can not do anything to us because Jesus has us covered. So why and what are we afraid of? Let’s be ourselves and let the Holy Spirit of God in us bear His witness. If you encounter the demons, cast them out in the name of Jesus. Jesus said you can do it. Believe Him. Remember casting demons is the appetizer and not the main show. Let’s us not make it the focus as some have done.
7. Now, the best news is that “our names are written in heaven”, so, we have nothing to lose here on earth. Rejoice and shout praises to God but still “Go”. This is thus our message as we go. We can summarize it and say, “Your name can be written in heaven just like ours if you trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection that paid for our sins and secured our salvation. We did not earn it and neither would you.” The message is simple and please do not complicate it and lets love them in words and in deeds.
David said, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.” (Psalm 40:8-10). May these words also be our confession and practice. May God help us to go in His name and make “disciples of all nations” It takes patience to make a disciple, so be patient with those in your sphere of influence who are yet to know Christ. Amen. “Now Go! Change your thinking about mission from “mission impossible” to “Mission Possible”. Set a goal. Target and pray for particular individuals and share the love of Christ with them. Who is on your list? We can do it in Jesus, name. Amen
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