Back to the Basics: Obeying the Call to Go Proclaim Him

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:1-6; 10

Passage: Mark 6:7-13; 30-31

Intro: What is the main point and purpose of the church? The main purpose of the Church is to proclaim the gospel to a hurting and dying world.

And this is also the purpose of the local church. What is the mission of First Baptist Church? The mission must be to proclaim the gospel. We are here to call people to repentance. That is why we do not just simply go to heaven when we accept Christ. Because we have a job. To proclaim the Gospel.

In today’s passage of Scripture we see that Jesus gives the disciples this call. To go and proclaim him. And today we will look at this command, and see that the duty of the church is to continue this command. To proclaim the gospel.

Passage Context: As we continue going through the Book of Mark we have seen how Mark gives the readers the differing views and followers of Jesus. We have seen how Jesus is attracting large crowds, we have seen how Jesus attracting enemies. We have seen That Jesus has performed miracles that only God could perform. We have seen the true Jesus, and remember what we looked at last week, we saw what Herod believed Jesus to be John the Baptist. that he allowed his grief and guilt to keep him from seeing the true identity of Jesus.

But we have also been following another group of people; the disciples. These are the twelve men that Jesus called to quit everything, to leave everything and to follow him. As mark has told us the 12 disciples were ordinary men, some fishers, some tax collectors, some Roman sympathizers, some Jewish radicals who wanted to overthrow the Roman empire. These were just 12 men, who heard the Lord’s call, and obeyed. And these are the 12 men that spent the most time with Jesus. When Jesus spoke in parables and did not explain the parable to the people, he would later explain the meaning to them, his disciples. So We have seen the calling, and the teaching of the 12 Disciples, and now we will see their sending out.

READ PASSAGE HERE

Passage explanation: Now remember why Jesus had his twelve Disciples. This is found in Mark 3:13-15, “And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” The purpose of these twelve men were to be with Jesus, and so that he could train and teach them, and then so they would go and preach. Now you may ask, “What were they to preach?” They were to preach the kingdom of God, and Jesus the Messiah. But not only were they called to preach, but they were also to heal sicknesses and cast out demons. See Jesus called the 12 so that he could train them, and then send them to proclaim him and his message. Previously in Mark we have seen how Jesus trained the disciples, now we are seeing him send out those disciples.

Main Point: See the purpose of this passage is to show how Jesus sent out his disciples, the guidelines he gave them, and to show the importance of repentance.

Call to Action: This passage breaks down into four main scenes that show four distinct actions of what believers must take to proclaim the Gospel.

Part 1: Jesus sends out the Disciples. Mark 6:7-9

Point 1: Obeying the Call of God to proclaim him means trusting him to provide.

Explanation: The first scene that we see in this passage is Jesus calling his disciples to go out and proclaim him. Look at verse 7. “And He (Jesus) called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two,” So now we see that Mark starts this passage by telling the reader that Jesus called the twelve to himself. Meaning that Jesus summoned the disciples, and they were with him. And when they were with him, he paired up the disciples and sent them out to the surrounding area.

But before he sent the twelve out look at what Jesus did for the disciples, “and gave them power over unclean spirits.” So now we see that the twelve disciples were given the power over the unclean spirits.

Now we need to realize that Jesus gave this power to the disciples for a particular reason and a particular moment in time. See church a pour hermenutics would and self-centered application would be: Christ gave power to heal and power over unclean spirits to the church, so we have power over all these things. Well, I mean, that is a very self centered reading of this passage. See this passage is descriptive, Mark is describing an event in a certain time, that happened to certain people. SO in this passage Jesus did not give authority to the church. No he gave it to his 12 disciples. To the 12 men that he hand picked. And they had authority over the demons and to heal. And there is a reason for this, see they were to go and tell people that the kingdom of God is at hand and that Jesus the Messiah is with them. And in order for the 12 to have authority in their preaching he gave them the authority over sickness and demons. See it is one thing to preach Christ, and then another thing to heal with his authority. So to establish the authority behind the message Jesus gave these men this authority.

But then in verse 8 we see that Jesus gives his disciples another command, “He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts- but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics.” So now we see the command of Jesus to the disciples. That on their journey that he is sending them to they are to take nothing. Now look at the specific things that are listed that Jesus tells them not to take; no bag, no bread, no copper, and no extra tunic. So realize that Jesus is telling his disciples, not to take anything on their journey. And not to take any money either. See if I said we were going on a trip, but we weren’t taking anything, you would look at me like I am crazy. and honestly, rightfully so.

But here is what Jesus is wanting the disciples to do; to Trust the Lord. To trust him to provide.

Illustration:

Application: See Jesus is telling the disciples not to take anything on their journey so that material possessions would not slow them down from their mission to tell the world that the Messiah is arrived. They are being told and being taught to have complete reliance on Christ and God for provision.

See I want you to realize, that Jesus told them to go without bringing bread, nor money to buy bread. This is Christ’s call for the disciples to trust him. Trust that God will provide.

Church realize that when you share the gospel you are trusting Christ to provide. To provide the words for you to say; to provide listening ears for yourself, to provide listening ears for both you and the person you are sharing the gospel.

But also if the Lord does send you in the mission field, trust him to provide.

Transition: But not only does Jesus tell the Disciples to trust the Lord to provide, but also notice that Jesus told the disciples to proclaim Christ to receptive ears.

Part 2: Jesus tells the disciples when to leave a place. Mark 6:10-11

Point 2: Obeying the Call of God to proclaim him means realizing the consequences for a lack of accepting the gospel.

Explanation: Now in verse 10 we see that Jesus gives the disciples another command. Look at verse 10, “Also He (Jesus) said to them (The disciples) ‘In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.’” Now at first glance of this we might think this is odd or unnecessary. But I want you to notice what Jesus is saying, is that when they enter a city, and a home, stay in that home until it is time for you to go to another city.

Then in verse 11 Jesus says, “And who ever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. SO now realize what Jesus is saying, he tells his disciples that if they go into a place and they do not receive them or the gospel, they are to shake the dust off under their feet. See just as they are to bless the families that they are to stay with, those that do not receive the disciples or the gospel were to have public proclamation against them.

And then we see why, “Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city?” So now look at what Jesus says, that those who do not receive the gospel and those that turn down the disciples are cursed. And to illustrate this point Jesus compares those who turn down the disciples to the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah faced the judgment of God for their sins and their lack of repentance, Jesus says that those who do not receive the gospel will face judgement worse than those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Those that

Illustration: I want you to realize something church arguing on facebook for 50 minutes is not evangelism. It is arguing. When you are sharing the gospel, you are not trying to prove you are right, but instead, you are sharing the love of an all powerful God. Do not “evangelize to win an argument” but evangelize to preach and proclaim Jesus. And please realize that arguing on the internet is not evangelism.

Application: Church I want you to realize that there are consequences to not accepting the Gospel. Yes there are consequences. And that should show the urgency. Yes their is urgency in sharing the gospel, and that means that when someone turns down the gospel, that means you must move on. Always showing continued love, and sharing the gospel toward that person, but remember to proclaim the gospel to all!

Transition:

Part 3: The Disciples did as they were told. Mark 6:12-13

Point 3: Obeying the Call of God to proclaim him means proclaiming the need of repentance.

Explanation: Look at verse 12 we see the disciples were obediant to follow Jesus command, and we see what the disciples preached, “So they went out and preached that people should repent.” So now we see exactly what the disciples preached. That people should repent. This is the very proclamation that we should make. That people need to repent.

And then to give power to their message we see verse 13, “And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” SO now we see that the message had miracles to show the authority that they preached. The miracles proved the message. And what was that message? People need to repent.

Illustration:

Application: Realize that the message of the disciples must also be the message of the church. The message of the church is that sinners need to be called to repent. This is what we need to proclaim. That the gospel means that people repent of their sins, and call upon Jesus.

I want you to realize the message that must be proclaimed. People need to repent. So when you proclaim the gospel, proclaim that Jesus is the forgiveness of sins, and we must proclaim the gospel.

Transition: But after Mark tells the reader the view that King Herod had on Jesus, we see what happen when the disciples return.

Part 4: The Disciples returned. Mark 6:30-31

Point 4: Obeying the Call of God to proclaim him means realizing the need for resting in Christ.

Explanation: Look at verse 30. “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him (Jesus) all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.” SO now Mark tells the reader the 12 Disciples gathered to Jesus. So they returned to their teacher. And when they returned they told Jesus of all the things that they did. Of all the healings, of all the demons that were cast out, but also notice that they not only did they tell Jesus what they did, but they also told Jesus of what they taught. That they told Jesus how they proclaimed him and his kingdom.

And then in verse 31 we see Jesus’ reaction, “And He (Jesus) said to them (the disciples) “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” So now we see Jesus’ response to the disciples, that they need to go and get away and rest. Realize something, it is important to get rest. To take breaks, to not burn out. Jesus knew this and told his disciples to take that rest.

But then Mark tells why Jesus told the disciples to rest. “For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” So now we see something that honestly is contrary to our society. The call for rest. I want you to realize something church, there is an importance of rest. What did God do on the seventh day of creation? He rested. Rest is important. During the storm, what was Jesus doing? Resting! Rest is important.

But laziness is inexcusable. Now I want you to realize there is a difference between laziness and resting. Laziness is condemend, but rest is good.

Illustration:

Application: When doing the work of the Gospel, remember the importance of rest. But do not allow laziness to take over. But Rest. Rest in Christ. Do not rest in your own understanding, but rest in Jesus. And he will restore you. Rest, and rest in the Lord.

Conclusion: Church if you ask the question what is the biggest need for First Baptist Church; the answer is we need to proclaim the gospel. We need more outreach. We need to share with a community that is hurting that the solution to their hurt is not the government, it is not even their neighbor, it is Jesus. We must proclaim Jesus.

We start each service with a prayer for the lost. We must continue that action, but we must also go and share the gospel with the lost in the community.