Luke 10:1-11

Christians are C0-Missioned, to share God's Vision in the World

INTRO:

ME:

A few years ago I took a trip to Walmart to do some shopping. I passed a few people on the way into the store from the parking lot. I seen the one guy standing outside the doors. I said to him the standard greeting, “Hello sir, how are you doing”? I expected a standard response but, it was far from that! His initial response was “How are you, is such a loaded question”. He then went into how so many people are shallow in their thinking, and how the stars and the trees speak to him. He continued talking like this for at least an hour.

I was just wanting to get into the store, do my shopping, and get home.

WE:

I think we all have experienced something like this. Where we had something that we needed to do but, then we are faced with some kind of interruption. We have a goal or mission that we want to accomplish but it is delayed by someone or something.

Jesus warned his disciples about something similar when he commissioned them out into the world. Let’s read about it....

GOD

4(NKJV)

(NKJV)

1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.

Background

A couple weeks ago I shared with you about how Jesus delivered a demon possessed man who would later become a missionary to his community. Now when we think about spiritual warfare we tend to think of it in colorful terms, demons as these ugly creatures, exorcisms that shake peoples bodies violently, and screeching voices. But, spiritual warfare is all around us. We encounter it in our every day lives.

Some of Satans greatest tactics is to convince us that people are the enemy rather than the principalities and powers that are influencing them. Our fight is NOT against FLESH AND BLOOD!

I remember when I was younger I was in the grocery store. a woman approached me and I could tell she was really upset. She asked me “Do you work here? I said “no ma’am I don’t”. She then started screaming at me and calling me every name you think of. Asking me why I was wearing a blue shirt! There was a pull within me that wanted to lash back and get defensive. The Old crucified self wanted to sneak back up in me. But the Christ within responded with just three words “God Bless you”. Right before my eyes I seen this womans anger soften as her face looked totally confused, I don’t think she knew what to do, so she simply walked away.

We notice a trend with Jesus here in Luke. That He is all about sending people out.

We notice a trend with Jesus here. That He is all about sending people out.

We see now here how Jesus sends out seventy disciples to essentially do the work of Evangelism.

16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” 17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

A. We have the same responsibility as the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus(10:1–16)

A couple weeks ago I shared with you about how Jesus delivered a demon possessed man who would later become a missionary to his community. We notice a trend with Jesus here. That He is all about sending people out.

We see now here in Luke how Jesus sends out seventy disciples to essentially do the work of Evangelism

1. Their assignment (10:1–15)

a. God appointed (10:1)

Sent out 70 others (As lambs among wolves (10:3)

Their number reflect the seventy nations in and looks forward to those dwelling in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven

By sending out the 70 Jesus was symbolically showing that all nations in the world would one day hear the Gospel message

b. Pray before going (10:2): Ask the Lord to send more workers to the fields.

c. Travel fast and light (10:3–7)

(10:3–7):

1.Don’t take money or even sandals. (Trust and depend on the Lord to provide)

2. Don't great anyone on the way (Eastern greetings were elaborate)

3. In other words we need to eliminate all distractions that keep us from living out and sharing the Gospel!

4. (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

e. Heal the sick, and preach the gospel (10:8-9): -Do this in places that accept you.

-There are too many people who need to hear the gospel for us to waste precious time on those who continually deny Christ

f. Reject those places that reject Christ (10:10–15).

2. Their authority (10:16) :

(2) Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum have all rejected Jesus (10:13–15).

2. Their authority (10:16) :

-Those who accept or reject them also accept or reject Christ!

-We have authority to stand up against Satan

-We have authority to stand up against Satan

-We have authority to deliver, heal, and speak forth God’s Word!

-Our Responsibility to share the gospel isn’t based on whether it’s accepted or not!

B. The joy felt by the 72 and the Savior (10:17–24)

1. The joy of the 72 (10:17–20, 23)

a. The passing joy (10:17) : They are excited because even the demons submit to them in Jesus’ name.

b. The permanent joy (10:18–20, 23–24): Jesus says there are things even more glorious to rejoice over.

(1)Satan’s fall. His power and dominion crumbles at every act of obedience to the kingdom of God (10:18–19)

(2)Our heavenly position (10:20) : That our names are written in the Lambs book of life.

(3)Our earthly privilege (10:23–24): He says Old Testament prophets and kings wanted to see and hear what.

YOU

Do you have an urgency to see God’s kingdom come?

Too many times we expect people to come to church instead of bringing church to them! Who can you invite into your life so you can build trust to share the gospel with?

WE

Can you imagine how our church and city would be transformed if we had an urgency to share the gospel and be restored in the image of God?

Imagine how our lives would be different if there were no distractions keeping us from living out the gospel and we became good stewards of the Gospel!