Privilege Squandered
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
China in the 15th century had possessed the most advanced naval technology, the largest and most ships of anybody, and extensive maps would have led to their dominance in maritime trade. But instead of using them, due to Confucian influence that foreign trade was dangerous to culture, they chose to abandon trade and destroy most of their fleet.
CONNECTION
Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest (v. 2d)
We have a large task ahead of us.
TAKE HOME
Contemporary society is afforded the unique opportunity to comprehend Yahweh’s eternal power and divine nature; however, this profound understanding is often neglected by many individuals.
MESSAGE FOCUS
Our role in going and making disciples
Scripture Introduction
Sending out the 72.
Missed Opportunities vv. 13-15
Missed Opportunities vv. 13-15
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! . . . And you, Capernaum, . . .
Chorazin
We don’t have anything mentioned in scripture, “That Jesus did many works there reminds us that we know only a small part of what Jesus did and said (cf. John 20:30; 21:25)
Be careful of arguments from silence.
Bethsaida
Blind man (trees) (led out of town) (Mk 8:22-26)
Feeding of the 5k (outside of the town) (Luke 9:10-17)
Spoke of the kingdom of God and many other things (Mk 6:34)
Cured those needing healing (Jn 6:2)
About to take him by force to be king (Jn 6:14-15)
Capernaum
Jesus’ headquarters
Healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mk 1:31)
Healed the sick (Mk 1:34)
Cast out many demons (Mk 1:34)
“The whole city was gathered together at the door”
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Pagan cities in Syria know for their rebellion against God and antagonism towards Israel.
Tyre rejoiced that Jerusalem was broken down (Ezek 26:2)
Pride of the king )Ezek 28:2)
Sodom
Sexuality
Mistreatment of the poor
Reflection
What practical steps can we take to bring the gospel to those who may be resistant or indifferent?
Implementation
Regarding fear, “Remember this: when something greater than fear is before you fear loses its grip and what’s beyond fear becomes the focal point. . . . Fear will try to trap, cripple and keep you from doing what God can empower you to do. Next time you feel fearful, try to keep focused on what you are trying to accomplish, not on the fear itself. A saved soul is more important than the fear that’s between you and that person.” Eddie Berry
Be bold, serve Jesus not the desires of indifference (them or us)
Wasted Advantage vv. 13-14
Wasted Advantage vv. 13-14
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Access to the truth makes us responsibility, disregarding it does not diminish judgment.
All are without excuse, therefore, let’s make it easier for them.
But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
All sin that is not allowed to be covered by Jesus on the cross leads to eternal separation from God, hell.
James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”
That does not mean, that all sin will suffer the same judgment in hell.
But it also does not mean they will eventually make it to heaven.
Reflection
In what area of our acquaintance’s life could Yahweh work through that we can magnify?
Implementation
Notice the connection with God. You don’t force God into the picture, He is already there. You just need to discover where He is working.
Have you ever considered . . .?
Gaining a deeper understanding of God empowers us to share the transformative good news of His character in a way that resonates personally with each listener.
Encouragement
Encouragement
Successful Mission vv. 8-11
Successful Mission vv. 8-11
Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’
Either way, recieved or not, the kingdom of God has come to them.
You Are Not Alone v. 16
You Are Not Alone v. 16
“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
The acceptance or rejection of the gospel that we preach has nothing to do with us. It has to do with Jesus and the Father.
All the Details Will Be Considered v. 13
All the Details Will Be Considered v. 13
What if?
What about the person who was born into . . .?
If I speak the truth, now they are held to a greater responsibility.
[They are already without an excuse, Rm 1:19]
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Reflection
Are there spiritual privilege you are squandering because of indifference?
