Disciples Called and Sent

Mark 6:4–5 NKJV

4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Mark 6:6–7 NKJV

6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. 7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Mark 6:8–10 NKJV

8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. 10 Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.

Mark 6:11 NKJV

11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

Mark 6:12–13 NKJV

12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Intro

What is Authority?

I want you to write down what your definition of the word “authority” is. As in: “He has authority to do this. She is the one with authority in this workplace.” Define it the best you can.

“authority” - the right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another.

He Requires Only What He Makes Available

BEFORE CLASS, GIVE A CERTAIN AMOUND OF MONEY OR AN ITEM TO A STUDENT. THEY ARE NOT TO TELL ANYONE THAT YOU’VE GIVEN IT TO THEM.

ASK THEM FOR THE AMOUNT/ITEM EXACTLY.

The reason that they could give me this is because before class, I gave it to them.

God does not require things of us that He has not already made available to us.

One of those things that He’s made available to us is AUTHORITY. If we have the Holy Ghost, we have been delegated authority.

Lesson

Jesus Empowered and Sent the Twelve

The disciples had walked with Jesus long enough to see many things they couldn’t explain. They saw blind eyes opened, violent storms calmed, demons silenced, and much more.

They witnessed the power of God in action, but then everything changed. Jesus looked at them, not just as followers, but as those He was sending to carry out His mission.

To do that, they would need more than confidence, charisma, or courage. They needed authority. It wasn’t an earthly authority; they needed spiritual authority that would only come through their connection to Him.

So… can anyone tell me what He gave them power over?

unclean spirits

sent them to preach

to heal

drive out darkness

When we are in covenant with Jesus, we don’t have to create power, influence, or authority. Rather, we are called to carry His.

His authority rests on those who walk with Him. When He sends us to do His will, He entrusts us with His authority.

We may not feel powerful, but when we live in covenant with Him, His authority marks our life.

So… before He sends these disciples out, He gives them some instructions they probably thought were strange. Any guesses on that?

Don’t take an extra bag, money, or an extra coat.

Stay in the first house that welcomed them. If they reject you, just shake off the dust and move on. (Heathen dust)

Jesus was trying to get them to see they must rely on the spiritual authority He had given them. They lived in a day when traveling teachers were everywhere and they often relied on wealth or performance to gain a following.

The history of “Snake Oil Salesmen”

It sort of brings to mind the old style of miracle drugs that used to be brought from town to town. You might think of snake oil. And phrases like, “It’s good for what ails you!” They would come into town and convince everyone of the power of the product, sell a bunch, and then burn out of there so fast your head would spin!

People like this may have looked impressive, but the disciples were called and sent for something far more significant. They were called to be obedient in depending on God for provision, not attempting to manipulate people to get favor and honor.

His disciples would not be known by their clothes or their performance; they would be known by their message and authority. And like with those twelve disciples, when God sends us, He doesn’t send us to be flashy; He sends us to be faithful.

There is a reason the snake oil salesman left town so quickly… he had nothing powerful. If the disciples left, it wasn’t because they had nothing powerful - they did! And many were healed and delivered. If they left town it was because the message was not being received.

Now… we don’t have authority just out of the blue. Authority is GIVEN to those who are UNDER authority. …that’s why I could ask for that item that I gave earlier. I had given it.

So… it wasn’t their skill that made the miracles happen; it was their obedience. The power didn’t come just because they were willing. It came because they were submitted to His authority.

By What Power

The Miracles of Jesus

The disciples watched some WILD miracles take place.

There was a confidence - a divine assurance - in everything Jesus did. It wasn’t just power for power’s sake. It was power that revealed His identity.

Who was He? God in flesh.

There is a holy confidence we can have, as well. Not arrogance - confidence. And it, too, reveals our identity.

Who are we? We’re children of God!

And Jesus didn’t keep all power for Himself. He gave away authority to His disciples. He didn’t want them to just observe. He wanted them to participate.

And they may have had very few qualifications in their mind, apart from being in covenant with God. But that covenant relationship was EVERYTHING. Knowing and listening to Him is everything.

Jesus doesn’t require us to be flawless. He just wants us to be faithful to Him. Be obedient. Surrender to His will and His Word. And if we do, He entrusts us with real authority.

The power Jesus places in us through His Spirit isn’t always loud and dramatic. It may not always demand attention, but it carries weight. Faithful obedience to His call will shift situations and circumstances, confronting the darkness of this world with His light.

When we pray in authority for someone:

Feel for the Spirit

Be kind - but walk in authority

Pray boldly (I keep eyes open)

Believe - to the point of looking for the miracle

Conclusion

Mission

So I want to end with prayer and a mission:

I want each of you to pray with someone today - during service at some point. But don’t just pray as usual. Step into praying with the authority that God has given you.