The Apostles Mark 6:7-13

-Jesus sends out Apostles to proclaim the Good News

When we think of witnesses, a lot of things spring to mind. I’m reminded of a ring at the doorbell that I received, about a year ago. A sweet older lady was hoping that we could talk about the Kingdom of God, at least as she understood it. I was in no position to engage with a Jehovah’s Witness at that moment, but I couldn’t help but notice her demeanor. She was downcast, a little ashamed, doing her duty as she supposed. There was no confidence, little belief, and no desire to share what she believed or tell the story of her own transformation. She was a bad witness! I hope that this could never be said of me. We have Good News!

I. He Sends v. 7

When we pick up the story, Jesus calls the 12 to Himself and then sends them out from Him

This is the actual meaning of the title “apostle” it is a person who has been sent out by Jesus, commissioned for His work

While we do not share their title or their direct authority as witnesses of the Resurrection, we share in their ministry

Jesus is in the business of “sending” others out

This is important because it multiplies out the ministry and broadens the scope of the ministry; it becomes multiplication growth

It is also important because it gives us a portion in the ministry; we become a part of it and have a measure of investment and ownership in what takes place

Jesus sends out 2x2

This is for the sake of reliability= more witnesses are better

This is for the sake of accountability

This is for the sake of encouragement

They go out with His authority, on a misson to overwhelm the powers of darkness; this is a question of good vs. evil

II. He Instructs vv. 8-9

They are sent without major preparation; they are to take almost nothing of significant use

They are dressed lightly and they have no provisions

Rather than a sword, they carry a staff

This reflects:

The urgency of the situation, they leave in a hurry to spread the Good News

Their dependence, trusting in the Lord’s provision

Their security, trusting to the Lord’s protection

Interestingly, we will find that this is not always the case; later on in Luke 22 at the Last Supper, Jesus will instruct the disciples to “buy swords” and “carry money bags”

In that moment, the scene will change and they will be less secure; there are times to make preparations and pursue provision

However, this represents the basic disposition of His people; our trust must be in Him!

My Favorite Illustrations Living by Faith

Do you say that you do not live by faith? But you do. It is simply a matter of in what or whom your faith rests. A husband eats food cooked by his wife without having it tested to see if it contains poison. Why? Because he has faith in his wife that she will not try to poison him. You accept paper money as legal tender because you have faith in your nation’s monetary system. These are but two of many examples of how you live by faith. Yet strangely, so many people become agnostics where God is concerned. This is but another of Satan’s wiles by which he causes people to reject the salvation which a loving, faithful God so freely offers.

III. He Warns vv. 10-11

Jesus does not hide the realities of living a “sent” life

He encourages His servants to stay and receive the hospitality of those they are sent to, being received as guests

However, it does not always turn out this way

While we expect to receive a warm welcome and hospitality, we may not be well-received

If we find ourselves in that situation, we do not have to stay anywhere that we are not wanted

If it is necessary, we are free to leave

How we depart matters:

We do not have to apologize for leaving, we can “shake off the dust that is on our feet”

However, we do not have to leave with malice either; this is inconsistent with the character of Christ

We must be aware of this reality; rejection is frequently part of the program!

If we are caught off-guard by it, we may be crushed

If we understand it, we are best prepared to deal with it

It was part of Jesus’s reality and John the Baptist’s; it will also be ours if we are faithful to the message!

IV. He Empowers vv. 12-13

In closing out this passage, we get a look at what took place as they went:

There is a 3-fold fruit presented here:

They proclaim a message of repentance

This message is consistent with the Good News that changes everything

If the Kingdom is here and the King, we must turn our lives in a brand new direction!

They cast out demons

Again, this mission is a kind of spiritual battle

As they go, the powers of darkness are going to be defeated

They heal the sick

Not only is evil defeated, but goodness grows

There is a genuine transformation that takes place; freedom from bondage and fruitfulness happen when people repent and believe the Gospel

We may not be Apostles, but we share in this same ministry!

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Can You Hear the Good News?

Lloyd C. Douglas had a friend who was a violin teacher. Although not too successful, the old man was imbued with considerable wisdom. One day Douglas asked his friend, “Well, what’s the good news today?”

The music master went over to a tuning fork suspended from the ceiling by a cord and struck it with a mallet. “There is the good news for the day,” he said. “That, my friend, is ‘A.’ It was ‘A’ all day yesterday. It will be ‘A’ all day tomorrow, next week, and for a thousand years. The soprano upstairs warbles off key; the tenor next door flats his high ones; and the piano across the hall is out of tune. Noise all around me, noise; but that, my friend, is ‘A.’ ”