February 2, 2020

Mission

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 9:1-6, Luke 14:15-24
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Looking at a short term mission
    • Duration unknown
    • Called to go out in 6 pairs (of twos)
    • Preaching the gospel of Christ
      • They knew this was their calling from the very beginning
        • To be fishers of men
        • To be trained in this
      • No gospel preaching till this point
        • Taught and listened to Jesus Christ for 18 months
        • This would be their first excursion
        • Chapter 10 - the sending of the 70
        • When the Spirit came at Pentecost, this would be their full time work
  • They have known some wonderful moments with Jesus
    • Stilling of the storm
    • But now Jesus is going to move out of Galilee into Judea
      • Jesus wants them to proclaim the gospel before leaving
  • The Church of Jesus Christ has always been called to go into the world
    • The Great Commission
    • Mark 1:38
    • Mission is at the heart and soul of Jesus
    • We as believers are to take seriously some of the last words of the Lord Jesus Christ
      • Reading Matt 28:18-20
    • We must pray for and support missionaries
  • Overview:
    • Mission
    • Method
    • Execution

Mission

He appointed them

  • Jesus called the disciples together - He appointed them
    • Mark 3:13-19
    • Their first commissioning work
  • There are no apostles today
    • Although God has raised up Pastors with a particular responsibility to preach, we all have a responsibility to preach the gospel of Christ
    • Every church is to self-propagate - to be a missionary church
      • 1 Thess 1:8
    • Consider the parable of the wedding feast (Luke 14:15-24) - explanation
      • Mark 6 - Nazareth has rejected Jesus
        • Yet immediately after Jesus calls the apostle and sends them out
        • We should be encouraged by this
        • We are still called to sow the seed - even if people reject
      • Jesus is moved with compassion
        • He wants to see people preaching in His harvest field

He gives them power

  • The disciples were unique - they had special power and authority
    • Power to cast out all demons
    • The apostles were unique - given this power to vindicate their message was from heaven
      • This was a time before the New Testament
      • This was a time before the early church
    • We do not have this special power today but have the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out into the Church
      • God can still work miracles today
      • There are no 'miracle/sign' ministries today
  • An act of sheer love and compassion
    • Released from demons, sickness
    • When we preach we must be concerned for the whole person
      • Example of Romanian Ministries
      • Ministries of mercy must accompany the gospel
        • Do we need to do more within the church?

The message

  • They preached the gospel
    • Mission is none other than preaching the gospel of God
    • The apostles did not have the full gospel message
    • We have a fuller message

Method

  • Their method was distinct to their mission - but there are principles we can take away
    • Luke 22:35-36
    • The strategy changed during a time of persecution - explanation
    • Therefore Luke 9 does not advocate that every mission organisation should go out unprepared
  • The principle of going by faith
    • Trusting the living God
      • Jesus wants the apostles to learn that God will provide for them
      • A worker is worthy of his wages
      • Hospitality and help can cement relationships
    • Not to ask for money
      • Whatever we think - the passage is saying we must trust God
      • Consider example of Philip
    • We should plan and prepare
      • But we must trust God
      • We should go unencumbered but rely on God
  • Sent out two by two
    • Not one team of 12 but six teams of 2
      • They could reach many more villages
      • We are to widely spread the word of God
    • Another individual to pray with, encourage each other
      • Some are called to go on their own
      • The normal pattern is in teams
    • Safety and accountability
  • Specific instructions:
    • Don't flit around - stay in peoples homes if they receive you and bring the gospel from there
    • Shake off the dust from your feet - a statement that it is a very serious thing to reject the gospel of God
      • They should be warned of judgment - to reject the gospel of grace
      • This tells us that some will receive and some will reject
        • Leave those who reject and go to those who will hear

Execution

  • All the preparation is no good if we do not obey
    • The apostles actions - v6
    • The reported back to Jesus - v10
  • We are here to go: to preach
    • Not called to cure the evils of the day - though individual Christians may be involved in this
    • The role of the Church of Jesus Christ is to preach the gospel
    • We are to speak the word of God
    • We are to bring the good news of Jesus Christ, that He has come to save sinners

Closing Remarks

  • Have you trusted in Jesus Christ?
    • Have you come to Him personally?
    • If you have trusted Him, are you willing to pray and support missionaries?
    • If you have trusted Him, are you willing to be involved in the mission of the Church?
« Christian Liberty Faith working through Love »