Messengers of Peace
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Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!
The “Shalom Peace” of God
The “Shalom Peace” of God
Shalom: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility
Shalom aleichem ("well-being be upon you" (aleichem shalom) "upon you be well-being"
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2 Corinhians 5:18-20
Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
"... we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.”"
Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.”
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Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.”
“Peace on earth ...”
Shalom: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility
Shalom aleichem ("well-being be upon you" (aleichem shalom) "upon you be well-being"
"... we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.”"
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Why Are We Sent Out?
Why Are We Sent Out?
Summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Why are we sent out?
We are chosen by Jesus
We are authorized by Jesus
We are empowered by Jesus
We are sent to represent Jesus and His message of peace
We are sent with His message of peace
Who are the 12 apostles?
Don’t go
Don’t go to the Gentiles
Don’t go to the Gentiles
Jesus Has Chosen You and
Jesus Has Chosen You and
Jesus Sent Out the Apostles
Envoys, the “Sent out”, Given authority, Sent as an extension of Jesus’s ministry previously described
Given authority
Envoys, the “Sent out”
Sent as an extension of Jesus’s ministry previously described
Healing/exorcism emphasis
Personally sent out by jesus, extremely important! Writers of scripture, witnesses, accurate ambassadors of Jesus, truth
The Apostles founded the church
Peter FIRST, leader
Zealot and a tax-collector together
Andrew and Philip hellenistic greek names, rest jewish
Judas, betrayer
Should all following apply to Christians today? How so?
Certainly principles, maybe specifics, some didn;t even hold for the apostles later.
Define Apostle here
Sent as an extension of Jesus’s ministry previously described
Healing/exorcism emphasis
Personally sent out by jesus, extremely important! Writers of scripture, witnesses, accurate ambassadors of Jesus, truth
They were sent in pairs, working together
Sent as an extension of Jesus’s ministry previously described
Healing/exorcism emphasis
Apostle: “Envoy” “Literally, The Sent Out” v.5 “Jesus sent out”
Personally sent out by jesus, extremely important! Writers of scripture, witnesses, accurate ambassadors of Jesus, truth
Symbolism of 12, tribes of Israel,
Through them, a pattern was set for mission work
Zealot and a tax-collector together
Is this message just for the 12 or us too?
Andrew and Philip hellenistic greek names, rest jewish
Certainly principles, maybe specifics, some didn;t even hold for the apostles later.
Judas, betrayer
He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, to send them out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons.
He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, to send them out to preach,
Paul said imitate me as an apostle so somehow applies
Why are we sent out?
Why are we sent out?
We are empowered by Jesus
We are called to represent Jesus and His message of peace
“The one who welcomes you welcomes me, and the one who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
Healing/exorcism emphasis, what mean for us? Apostolic?
Apostle: “Envoy” “Literally, The Sent Out” v.5 “Jesus sent out”
Personally sent out by jesus, extremely important! Writers of scripture, witnesses, accurate ambassadors of Jesus, truth
Pete FIRST, leader
Zealot and a tax-collector together
Andrew and Philip hellenistic greek names, rest jewish
Judas, betrayer
Where are we sent to?
Where are we sent to?
Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Where are we sent to?
The whole world
Sometimes, to a specific location
What is specific to the 12, what is a principle for all?
Wherever there are lost sheep in need of Christ’s message of peace
No specific help in text
Paul said “Imitate me”, apostles ministry should be imitated, we cannot say this is just for them although still is different
Jesus did not ban anyone from hearing the gospel
A temporary limitation on location, not a ban on people
Not the pattern up til now:
Magi, celebrated in all Syria, Decapolis, response to centurion, taught Gentiles in kingdom of heaven meal, delivered Gentile demoniac/pigs, eventually “Go and make disciples all nations”
Jesus himself only sent to lost sheep of Israel ()
Yet, he had contact with gentiles, not a ban on contact.
Jesus goes to Samaria, Syrian woman,
Magi, celebrated in all Syria, Decapolis, response to centurion, taught Gentiles in kingdom of heaven meal, delivered Gentile demoniac/pigs, eventually “Go and make disciples all nations”
This is a calling to a certain area
Terms indicate ban on places, not no contacts with these people
A broader location was enacted at Jesus’s ascension
A broader location was enacted at Jesus’s ascension
Sometimes God calls to a certain mission field: Paul: gentiles, missionaries to certain countries
Jesus goes to Samaria, Syrian woman,
Lost sheep: how people are seen in reference to previous mission of Jesus in chapter 9
What lost sheep has God called us/you?
To lost sheep
To the whole world
Sometimes, to a specific location
Wherever there are lost sheep in need of peace
What are we sent to do?
What are we sent to do?
As you go, proclaim: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
What are we sent to do?
To proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven
To free people from darkness
To show love in practical ways
Whatever represents Jesus’s ministry of peace
An extension of Jesus’s work
An extension of Jesus’s work
Same work as Jesus did, previous scripture, say and did
We go places Jesus didn’t
“As you go” all situations, not on and off the clock
Jesus’s Message
Explanation of kingdom gospel again
Not a one place mission, as they go
Jesus’s Deliverance
4 acts of deliverance (Same as Jesus):
Heal
Resurrect (Unusual, only 2 in OT times did this)
Cleanse
Exorcise
These acts normal for Jewish “Holy men” EXCEPT raising dead, only 2 men in OT do this
Many traveling teachers in this time expected fees in addition to room and board, building wealth beyond survival
Not appropriate to charge and gain from another’s (God’s) work
Contrast with “Worker is worthy of his wages”
People’s response is a response to Jesus
“The one who welcomes you welcomes me, and the one who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
What are we sent to do?
What are we sent to do?
To proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven
To free people from darkness
To show love in practical ways
Whatever represents Jesus’s ministry of peace
What is our motivation?
What is our motivation?
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
Don’t acquire gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts.
Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.
Don’t acquire gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts. Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.
What is our motivation?
To pass on what God has given
To lift up Christ, not ourselves
To be worthy workers
To accurately represent Jesus’s message of peace
Don’t profit off God’s work
Look for welcome, if not, dust
Look for welcome, if not, dust
Many traveling teachers in this time expected fees in addition to room and board, building wealth beyond survival.
Not appropriate to charge and gain from another’s (God’s) work
Not appropriate to charge and gain from another’s (God’s) work
“Don’t acquire”, ok to carry but not fundraising
The worker is worthy of his wages
Contrast with “Worker is worthy of his wages”
Like “Son of man nowhere to lay His head” mirroring
Money not needed, provision expected by hospitality
Money not needed, provision expected by hospitality
Complete dependence on hospitality
No extra, short mission here? Extras of these come from hospitality if needed.
No staff is strange ...
These rules just for this mission, not all because;
He also said to them, “When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they said. Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.
Distinction is between survival and making a profit off ministry, no clear line but a principle to follow for sure
You profit off your work; let God profit off His
Travel Light
“Don’t acquire”, OK to carry but not fundraising
Don;t be weighed down by cares of the world as you do God’s work
What is our motivation?
What is our motivation?
To pass on what God has given
To lift up Christ, not ourselves
To be worthy workers
To accurately represent Jesus’s message of peace
To be worthy workers
Who are we sent to?
Who are we sent to?
When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave.
Greet a household when you enter it,
and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it; but if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you.
If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.
Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Who are we sent to?
Those who welcome us and listen
Those who will receive Jesus’s message of peace
If rejected, we move on
Looking for a Worthy Person
There were already Jesus sympathizers in most towns because of His fame spreading
Not about “Good” or “bad” person
Welcomes you and Listens to your words
Hospitality expected in Middle Eastern cultures, there are signs of welcome and listening today too.
“Worthy” reflects pearls before swine, holy to dogs perhaps ()
Jesus is looking for people who welcome Him and listen to Him, this is salvation, grace through faith.
Their reaction to you is their reaction to Jesus
Hospitality expected in Middle Eastern cultures (us?)
Serving Each other, looking for peace
Be a worker worth of food; go to people worthy of the message
Listens to your words
“Worthy” like “Worker worthy of his keep”, host also worthy or not
Peace
Gospel comes with peace, shod feet, Isaiah beautiful feet 52:7
“Peace to this house”
Shalom: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility
Shalom aleichem (שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם; "well-being be upon you" or "may you be well"), this expression is used to greet others and is a Hebrew equivalent of "hello". Also, for example: "shabat shalom!" The appropriate response to such a greeting is "upon you be well-being" ( עֲלֵיכֶם שָׁלוֹם, aleichem shalom).
Their rejection of you is their rejection of Jesus
As there is judgement for rejecting Jesus, there is judgement for those who reject his messengers
By , wiping off dust a witness against them that they have heard and rejected the word (house or whole town)
Could be house or whole town
lists those towns who rejected Jesus
It’s OK to move on when the gospel has been rejected
Reference to Sodom indicates town, greater response in rejecting a greater message
Levels of punishment for different sin? Study here!
Time of Response
Time of Response
Who are we sent to?
Who are we sent to?
Everyone
Have I believed the message of peace?
Have I welcomed Jesus?
Those who welcome us and listen
We are sent to all who need it
We
Have I listened to Jesus?
Those who will receive Jesus’s message of peace
Do I consider myself a representative of Jesus?
If rejected, we move on
Do I believe I am chosen?
Do I believe He has authorized me?
Do I believe He has empowered me?
Do I know where He has sent me?
Where are those I can reach who need Christ’s peace?
What mission has God called me to?
Am I representing Christ well?
Am I offering the Kingdom message of peace?
Am I freeing others from darkness?
Am I loving in practical ways?
Is my motivation in ministry correct?
Is my motivation in ministry pure?
Am I giving away what I have received?
Am I serving for my own gain?
Am I a worthy worker?
Do my methods detract from the message?
Am I seeking people of peace?
Am I serving someone now who wants to receive Jesus’s message of peace?
Do I move on in ministry when rejected?
Am I a messenger of peace?
Am I a messenger of peace?