"Ready, Set...Go!"

It was a few years ago, (in high school and college) but I used to be in track and field. One of the most adrenaline-filled moments is the moment a sprinter gets into his blocks and gets ready to go. And it doesn’t matter if you’re that sprinter, or just a teammate or spectator watching—and you hear those words--“Runners to your mark, set…”--and the starting gun goes off and the sprinters jump out of their blocks and start running! And of course, the excitement is only beginning as you wait to see who wins.

At the same time, there’s nothing more anti-climatic than a false start. The official says, “Runners to your mark, get set…” but then the sprinter is so excited that he jumps out of the blocks too soon. He false-starts. One false start and you’re disqualified. You’re done for the day.

At the same time there’s nothing more anti-climatic than a false start. The official says, “Runners to your mark, get set…” but then the sprinter is so excited that he jumps out of the blocks too soon. He false-starts. One false start and you’re disqualified. You’re done for the day.

The official then lifts his starting gun in the air. “Get set…” The adrenaline is flowing and you’re ready to go! When all of a sudden someone false starts. Talk about anti-climactic. One false start and you’re disqualified.

One of the most anti-climactic moments in sports is when a sprinter false-starts. One false start and you’re disqualified.

One false start and you’re disqualified. He started running too soon.

Well, Grace, Tecumseh, you’re off to a good start! At my installation here we all voiced our commitment to God and each other to faithfully carry out the Lord’s work. I wanted to be a part of this—seeing the notes from your District President and the Call meeting here a year ago; you said you saw yourself in somewhat of a “mission re-start mode.” I took that as a sign that Grace, Tecumseh was ready for a comeback! Having said that, how anti-climatic it would be after a great start to then slide back into stagnancy and decline over time.

Some of us might start working on a bucket list of all the things we wanted to do before we check out—skydiving from a plane, a cruise, world travel—whatever—do all the things you never had a chance to do and do it now!

Your heart is pumping, the adrenaline is flowing. And then all of a sudden, someone false starts. There’s nothing more anti-climactic than that. The runner who false-started is disqualified. He started running too soon.

In his Word today Jesus gets 72 disciples ready and set to go out on mission work. I imagine the emotion and excitement stirring in their hearts as they do His work together. (v.2) “The harvest is plentiful,” Jesus said, “but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus compares lost sinners in the world around us as being like a harvest of souls just waiting to be gathered in.

That’s the first fill-the-blank today:

A church’s growth cycle can look like this. Initial growth, plateau and then decline. But notice the three dotted lines there? Anywhere along the way the congregation has the opportunity to tap back into a God-given sense of mission. At my service of installation we all voiced a commitment out loud to faithfully carry out the Lord’s work. Even before coming to Grace your DP shared hand-written notes with me from his Pre-Call meeting with him in which you said you saw yourself in somewhat of a “mission re-start mode.” I don’t know who said that in the meeting, whether it was the consensus of all, or the voice of one. I took that as a sign that you all were in agreement: Grace, Tecumseh is ready for a comeback! That’s something I want to be a part of! Now we’re all going to find out just how serious we are about that. That brings us to the first fill-the-blank today:

Jesus knew the Father had sent Him here to go to the cross at Jerusalem. It’s out of a love for souls and devotion to His loving Father in heaven that He goes.

Jesus understood His mission.

At my service of installation we voiced that commitment out loud to each other. Even before coming to Grace your DP shared hand-written notes with me from his Pre-Call meeting with him in which you said you saw yourself in somewhat of a “mission re-start mode.” I don’t know who said that in the meeting, whether it was the consensus of all, or the voice of one. I took that as a sign that you all were in agreement: Grace, Tecumseh is ready for a comeback! That’s something I want to be a part of! Now we’re all going to find out just how serious we are about that. That brings us to the first fill-the-blank today:

That’s the first fill-the-blank today. Jesus understood his mission. Do we? To what extent is it ALL HANDS ON DECK here at Grace for the Great Commission? We need to take some cues from Jesus this morning when it comes to the laser-like focus He had on his saving mission, and note what that looks like when it comes to the mission of our church.

In the verses just before this Luke writes,

() “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

Like I said, Jesus had a laser focus on the mission His heavenly Father had given Him. Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing full well what was in store for Him there. The Father sent Him here to go to the cross to save us all by dying there for our sins and rising the third day. Jesus understood His mission from beginning to end.

How about us? Do we understand our mission? We might know it chapter and verse from the Bible—you know—, “Go and make disciples of all nations, etc.” but how does that show up in congregational life from week to week? It is obvious by what we do? I mean if aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, would our mission be obvious to them based on what they saw us busy doing Sunday by Sunday? What would they see? Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of us showing up an hour before worship for some Bible study. But is Bible study our mission? It’s important to our mission. I once heard that the Bible is “Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth!” Everything we learn in Bible motivates us and provides us with something to share with others on our mission, but it Bible study is not our mission.

If aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, would our mission be obvious to them based on what they saw us busy doing Sunday by Sunday? What would they see? Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of us showing up an hour before worship for some Bible study. Is Bible study our mission? It’s important to our mission. I once heard that the Bible is “Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth!” Everything we learn in Bible motivates us and provides us with something to share with others on our mission, but it Bible study is not our mission.

If the aliens kept watching us after Bible study they’d see a lot more of us filing into church for worship. But is worship our mission? Take a look at our next fill-in-the-blank:

Simply defined:

A mission is a temporary task handed down by someone in authority.

Worship isn’t a temporary task. Worship is the whole purpose of our existence—to worship God is to bring Him glory for all that He is and has done for us—worship is not a temporary assignment—it’s something we’ll be doing right into eternity. Evangelism, telling the good news about Jesus is our God-given task for this life. After Judgment Day there won’t be any more time for you and me to reach out to lost about Jesus. By then their eternal fate will be determined.

We may know what our mission is on paper, but how does that show up in congregational life from week to week? What is our mission and is that obvious by what we do here?

If aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, would our mission be obvious to them based on what they saw us busy doing Sunday by Sunday? What would they see? Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of us showing up an hour before worship for some Bible study. Is Bible study our mission? It’s important to our mission. I once heard that the Bible is “Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth!” Everything we learn in Bible motivates us and provides us with something to share with others on our mission, but it Bible study is not our mission.

If the aliens kept watching us after Bible study they’d see a lot more of us filing into church for worship. But worship isn’t our mission, either, is it? Remember a mission is a temporary task. Worship is the whole purpose of our entire existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us—worship isn’t a temporary assignment—that’s something we’ll be doing right into eternity—there won’t be any more mission work for us in heaven because everyone’s eternal fate is determined by then. Missions and evangelism is for this life. there won’t be any more time or chances for you and me to reach out to lost sinners with the good news about Jesus.

Remember a mission is a temporary task. Worship is the whole purpose of our entire existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us—worship isn’t a temporary assignment—that’s something we’ll be doing right into eternity—there won’t be any more mission work for us in heaven because everyone’s eternal fate is determined by then. Missions and evangelism is for this life. there won’t be any more time or chances for you and me to reach out to lost sinners with the good news about Jesus.

But once eternity begins for you and me, there won’t be any more time or chances for you and me to reach out to lost sinners with the good news about Jesus.

We’re talking about evangelism today.

Evangelism = “sharing the good news about Jesus”

That’s our mission…that temporary, but all-important task God has given us to reach out to reach out to the lost. The 72 Jesus sent out were evangelists—they were people sharing the good news about Jesus. These 72 were different from the Twelve Jesus called “apostles.” The 72 were more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations doing evangelism today.

Evangelism is our mission, that temporary, but all-important mission God has given us to evangelize the lost. The 72 that Jesus sent out were evangelists—they were people sharing the good news about Jesus. These 72 were different from the Twelve Jesus called “apostles.” The 72 were more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations doing evangelism today.

The world could use a lot more congregations who are serious about their mission and have a zeal for the lost. Which brings to our next fill-in-the-blank:

Are you a spectator or a participant in the mission God has given His Church?

It’s hard really to re-produce that moment just before the starter’s gun sounds and the sprinter jumps out of his blocks and goes!

Here we are. God’s granting this congregation and its pastor a chance at a fresh start. It would be anti-climatic if we were to get off to a good start only to fall back into a sense of stagnancy or even decline.

A church’s growth cycle can look like this. Initial growth, plateau and then decline. But notice the three dotted lines there? Anywhere along the way the congregation has the opportunity to tap back into a God-given sense of mission.

Which brings to our next fill-in-the-blank:

Are you a spectator or a participant in the mission God has given His Church?

We may know what our mission is, but are we engaged in it? God has granted this congregation and its pastor a chance at a fresh start. Again, how anti-climatic it would be if we were to get off to a good start only to fall back into stagnancy and decline.

God’s granting this congregation and its pastor a chance at a fresh start. Again, how anti-climatic it would be if we were to get off to a good start only to fall back into stagnancy and decline.

This is a simplistic drawing, but a church’s life can be diagrammed this way. There’s initial growth as a church gets its start—but then over time something happens. It goes from being a mission church—a church where there’s a mindset and an urgency to their mission—because they’re on fire for Jesus (and also out of sheer concern for their survival—mission churches have to reach out to keep growing—but then at some point something happens--they go from being a mission church to an “established” congregation. Some good things happened during that time. They added to their numbers. They organized themselves, they started a Sunday School, and fellowship groups and became a self-sustaining congregation. But along with that stability sometimes, also comes a certain level of comfort and security, and even some complacency, thinking, “Boy, we’ve come along way!” Their membership numbers plateau, and even begin to decline.

Some shrug their shoulders and don’t care. I’ve got my spot reserved; someone else can worry about the rest. Declining numbers can lead others to panic or despair. But last I checked the Lord is still on his throne and rules over everything for us. Through Word and sacrament he stills dwells among us. When Jesus sends us out he

Did you know that each year roughly 50-70 churches close their doors and cease to exist as churches. To a large extent, Christianity in North America has been on a decline for decades. Why? In many cases, they lost sight of their mission. Don’t get me wrong, God is still working in slow growth, no growth, or decline. But still, God IS concerned with numbers—He wants to fill up heaven with lost sinners!

() [God does not] want] anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

That’s why Jesus sent the 72 out. He doesn’t want anyone to die in their sins. When Jesus sent the 72 He didn’t guilt them into going. It wasn’t out of fear that his neighborhood synagogue would have to close its doors in a few years if they didn’t go. The 72 didn’t go out afraid they’d be disqualified and sent away by Jesus if they failed. He sent them and they went out because of a love for souls.

Each year roughly 50-70 churches close their doors and cease to exist as churches. Why? In many cases, they lost sight of their mission. To a large extent, Christianity in North America has been on a decline for decades. Don’t get me wrong, God is still working in slow growth, no growth, or decline. But still, God wants to fill up heaven with lost sinners. He doesn’t just want us to take care of the saved. Some churches are growing in numbers but many times it’s mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. Since 1967 WELS has actually grown in communicant members, but the number of baptized members has steadily declined (while the average number of deaths in congregations is also on the rise). So we’re not getting any younger. Since 1986 WELS has also averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost a 1/4 of a million people. A large number of those losses tend to be younger members. Add to this fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years, and it’s not a pretty picture.

That’s what Jesus wants us to be doing, too. That’s our mission. We may not have a plan all worked out yet for that, but we get a few ideas of what to do when we see what Jesus did with the 72. Jesus sent them out with these instructions: (vv.9,16) “Heal the sick who are there…tell them,‘The kingdom of God has come near to you...Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

That’s what happens when churches lose sight of their mission. There are number of ways to react to that. We could get discouraged. Don’t. When our Savior calls us He doesn’t ask for our statistical report. Instead, He asks us to be faithfully with the Word and work He sets before us, and He tells us He is ruling on his throne over everything for us. Through Word and sacrament he continues to dwell among us. A second mistake would be thinking that since He rules over everything for us, that he doesn’t need me, or there’s nothing I can do. That’s not a justifiable position to take either. Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying,

() “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

Paul writes in () “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

Christ will not call every Christian to be a spouse, or a parent, or a pastor or missionary in public ministry. But Christ has called every Christian to be his ambassadors and witnesses.

And there’s nothing more anti-climactic than a false start. Suddenly the runner is disqualified. He started running too soon.

Today in God’s Word you can imagine the emotion stirring in Jesus and his followers as we hear Him saying, “Go!” to 72 of his disciples. (vv.2,3) “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. [Ready, set…] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!” (v.3) He said, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”

they go, too. Through Jesus’ words and works they were convinced they had seen the Messiah, that Jesus was the Savior from sin and death. Did they all understand it and have all the answers yet? Not at all. In fact, they regularly showed their weakness of faith. They were timid. At times they were passionate about all the wrong things. None of them really “got it all” until after Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Regardless of that fact, that none of them were finished products, Jesus still sent them out. They are to go ans as they go they are simply to share freely what they themselves have already received from Jesus. The message they shared was accompanied with power, like Jesus promised. (vv.9,16) “Heal the sick who are there…tell them,‘The kingdom of God has come near to you...Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

That’s why they go, too. Through Jesus’ words and works they were convinced they had seen the Messiah, that Jesus was the Savior from sin and death. Did they all understand it and have all the answers yet? Not at all. In fact, they regularly showed their weakness of faith. They were timid. At times they were passionate about all the wrong things. None of them really “got it all” until after Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Regardless of that fact, that none of them were finished products, Jesus still sent them out. They are to go ans as they go they are simply to share freely what they themselves have already received from Jesus. The message they shared was accompanied with power, like Jesus promised. (vv.9,16) “Heal the sick who are there…tell them,‘The kingdom of God has come near to you...Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Jesus speaks about the lost sinners around us in the world as being like a harvest just waiting to be gathered in.

In the verses just before this Luke writes,

Today in God’s Word we see Jesus sending out the 72 on a mission trip. (vv.2,3) “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!”

That’s what we see happening with Jesus and 72 of his followers in Luke chapter ten today. These 72 were different from the 12 he formally commissioned as apostles. These 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations today doing evangelism. Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then, (vv.2,3) “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!”

In track and field the

Another good question I’m wondering about even before that is...how many of you are even in shape to run?! As I look around today, I don’t see many of us who would make good sprinters anymore. Some of you might even be saying, “I’ve run my race. It’s someone else’s turn to run this show.”

That sounds funny, but...

(v.3) He said, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”

Jesus speaks about the lost sinners around us in the world as being like a harvest just waiting to be gathered in.

Sermon Studies on the Gospels (ILCW Series C) The Text—Luke 10:1–9, 16

They do so in his name. Therefore they can go “like lambs”

Jesus understood His mission.

In the verses just before this Luke writes,

() “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

That’s why they go, too. Through Jesus’ words and works they were convinced they had seen the Messiah, that Jesus was the Savior from sin and death. Did they all understand it and have all the answers yet? Not at all. In fact, they regularly showed their weakness of faith. They were timid. At times they were passionate about all the wrong things. None of them really “got it all” until after Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Regardless of that fact, that none of them were finished products, Jesus still sent them out. They are to go ans as they go they are simply to share freely what they themselves have already received from Jesus. The message they shared was accompanied with power, like Jesus promised. (vv.9,16) “Heal the sick who are there…tell them,‘The kingdom of God has come near to you...Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Jesus knew the Father had sent Him here to go to the cross at Jerusalem. It’s out of a love for souls and devotion to His loving Father in heaven that He goes. That’s why they go, too. Through Jesus’ words and works they were convinced they had seen the Messiah, that Jesus was the Savior from sin and death. Did they all understand it and have all the answers yet? Not at all. In fact, they regularly showed their weakness of faith. They were timid. At times they were passionate about all the wrong things. None of them really “got it all” until after Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Regardless of that fact, that none of them were finished products, Jesus still sent them out. They are to go ans as they go they are simply to share freely what they themselves have already received from Jesus. The message they shared was accompanied with power, like Jesus promised. (vv.9,16) “Heal the sick who are there…tell them,‘The kingdom of God has come near to you...Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

I see two things here: Like the 72 we’ll have a heart for helping hurting people. They literally healed the sick with miracles, but there are a lot of other ways we can help heal people’s hurts. () “[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” See how that works? The comforted become the comforters. We can point to times God giot us through difficult hurts and troubles. We have so many promises from Him in his Word to share with others. We’ve experienced the power of His Word and have seen it at work in so many ways, in our lives, the lives of our children and fellow Christians. Jesus said, (Matt.10:8) “Freely you have received; freely give.”

Don’t worry about what to say or what will happen when you say it. The Holy Spirit promises to give us words at the proper time and bless our witness, even when we think we said all the wrong things. Jesus says, “Leave the results up to me.”

“Ready, set…go,” Jesus says. Most of us have spent far more time in God’s Word than the 72 or even the 12. They spent 3 1/2 years with Jesus. We’ve had years of time with Jesus in his Word. So,

What powerful words of reassurance and promise that what they were doing mattered eternally. They were a part of God the Father’s on-going effort gather lost souls into his kingdom. That’s what they take with them when they go—that’s all they take with them—they don’t take anything else--”Do not take a purse or bag or sandals” when you go, Jesus said—don’t get way-layed along the way—just go where I’m sending you!”

And yet they go—it’s amazing that they do go—depending on the promise of the heavenly Father’s care and the good will He will work in the hearts of those they serve with His Word of peace. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there,” He says. Lots of sick and hurting people out there. That’s why they go.

We’re talking about evangelism today. I’m know I’m stating the obvious but how does it show up in congregational life from week to week?

“Like lambs,” Jesus says, since they go in the name of the Lamb of God. Humbly, with meekness. They are like him as they go, trusting in the voice that sends them. Going out among wolves means they will face rejection. They will be persecuted at times, but they won’t lash out in anger. Instead, they will just move on, taking the Word of God with them as a judgment against them. But still, there would also be times when they’d discover the joyful satisfaction of seeing the Lord’s Word working powerfully in the hearts of people they witnessed to.

(v.9) “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

Wasn’t that the whole of the Master sending them out in the first place?! Again, Jesus’ main concern in sending us out isn’t with a statistical sheet. He isn’t doing this just so his hometown synagogue won’t need to close its doors in 5-10 years. He cares about the souls of people, and their hurts, and their need with us to be set free from the daily effects in our lives from the Fall into sin. That’s why Jesus came. That why he sent the 72 out.

Jesus’ main concern in sending us out isn’t with a statistical sheet. He doesn’t do this just to keep the doors of his hometown synagogue open. He cares about people and their hurts, and our common need to be set free from all the sad effects of the Fall into sin. That’s why Jesus came. That why he sent the 72 out. And that why he sends us out, too.

Realize that these 72 are different from the 12 he formally commissioned as apostles. These 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations doing evangelism today. Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then sends them in pairs for some on-the-job practice if you will. The Master doesn’t guilt them into going. It’s not out of a fear of being disqualified if they disappoint Him. They go for the same reason He goes. In the verses just before this Luke writes,

us out, too? Realize that these 72 are different from the 12 he formally commissioned as apostles. These 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations doing evangelism today. Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then sends them in pairs for some on-the-job practice if you will.

The Master doesn’t guilt them into going. It’s not out of a fear of being disqualified if they disappoint Him. They go for the same reason He goes. In the verses just before this Luke writes,

He doesn’t guilt them into going. He doesn’t disqualify them because of their sin. Quite the opposite, Jesus says. (v.20) “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

But before Jesus said “Go!” He spent time with them getting them ready and set to go. He spent quiet time with them in prayer and a study of His Word. He didn’t guilt them into going. He didn’t promise them financial success. In fact, he sent them out with nothing, depending on the thankfulness and good will of those they served. His main concern wasn’t with membership and statistics and keeping the doors open in his hometown synagogue.

Jesus’ main concern in sending us out isn’t with a statistical sheet. He doesn’t do this just to keep the doors of his hometown synagogue open. He cares about people and their hurts, and our common need to be set free from all the sad effects of the Fall into sin. That’s why Jesus came. That why he sent the 72 out. And that why he sends us out, too.

He doesn’t promise financial success and glory. In fact, they go out with nothing, depending on the thankfulness and good will of those they serve by sharing his Word of peace with them. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there.” Jesus’ main concern wasn’t with a statistical sheet. He wasn’t doing this just to keep the doors of his hometown synagogue open. He cared about people and their hurts, and their need to be redeemed, body and soul from all the sad effects of the Fall into sin. That’s why Jesus came. That why he sent the 72 out. And that why he wants to send us out, too. Ready, Get set...

We’re talking about evangelism today.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Evangelism = “sharing the good news about Jesus”

He didn’t promise them financial success. In fact, he sent them out with nothing, depending on the thankfulness and good will of those they served. His main concern wasn’t with membership and statistics and keeping the doors open in his hometown synagogue.

The 72 are evangelists.

Are we ready to go?

Jesus understood His mission.

By the way, these 72 were different from the 12 he formally commissioned as apostles. These 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations doing evangelism today.

Evangelism = “sharing the good news about Jesus”

It was

That’s our mission. I’m know I’m stating the obvious but how does it show up in congregational life from week to week?

If the aliens kept watching us after Bible study they’d see a lot more of us filing into church for worship. But worship isn’t our mission, either, is it? Remember a mission is a temporary task. Worship is the whole purpose of our entire existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us—worship isn’t a temporary assignment—that’s something we’ll be doing right into eternity!

I’m know I’m stating the obvious but how does it show up in congregational life from week to week? If aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, would our mission be obvious to them based on what they saw us busy doing Sunday by Sunday? What would they see? Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of us showing up an hour before worship for some Bible study. Is Bible study our mission? It’s important to our mission. I once heard that the Bible is “Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth!” Everything we learn in Bible motivates us and provides us with something to share with others on our mission, but it Bible study is not our mission.

how does that show up on a regular basis here at Grace in congregational life? This might sound funny, but if aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, would it be obvious from what they saw us doing Sunday by Sunday what our mission is? Let’s see now. Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of us showing up an hour before worship for some Bible study. Is Bible study our mission? It’s important to our mission. I once heard that the Bible is “Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth!” Everything we learn in Bible motivates us and provides us with something to share with others on our mission, but it Bible study is not our mission.

Just before this Luke writes,

If the aliens kept watching us after Bible study they’d see a lot more of us filing into church for worship. But worship isn’t our mission, either, is it? Remember a mission is a temporary task. Worship is the whole purpose of our entire existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us—worship isn’t a temporary assignment—that’s something we’ll be doing right into eternity!

But once eternity begins for you and me, there won’t be any more time or chances for you and me to reach out to lost sinners with the good news about Jesus.

Again, we’re talking about evangelism today. Evangelism is our mission. The 72 that Jesus sent out were evangelists—they were people sharing the good news about Jesus with others. BTW—these 72 were different from the 12 Jesus formally commissioned as apostles. The 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations doing evangelism today. Is that you?

The 72 that Jesus sent out were evangelists—they were people sharing the good news about Jesus with others. BTW—these 72 were different from the 12 Jesus formally commissioned as apostles. The 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations doing evangelism today. Is that you?

(v.3) “Go!” Jesus says, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” “Like lambs,” Jesus says, since we go out in the name of the Lamb of God. Humbly, with meekness. We are like him as we go, trusting in the voice that tells us to go. Going out among wolves means we won’t always be received kindly. We will encounter some rejection and maybe persecution at times, but instead of retaliating, we will simply move on to the next person, taking the Word of God with us as a judgment against them. () “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then sends them in pairs for some on-the-job practice if you will. The Master doesn’t guilt them into going. It’s not out of a fear of being disqualified if they disappoint Him. They go for the same reason He goes. In the verses just before this Luke writes,

Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then sends them in pairs for some on-the-job practice if you will. The Master doesn’t guilt them into going. It’s not out of a fear of being disqualified if they disappoint Him. They go for the same reason He goes.

() “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

(Luke 10:1) “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.”

Still, there will also be times when we will get the joyful satisfaction of seeing the Lord’s Word working powerfully in the hearts of people we witness to. We’re told that, (vv.17-20) “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

“Like lambs,” Jesus says, since they go in the name of the Lamb of God. Humbly, with meekness. They are like him as they go, trusting in the voice that sends them. Going out among wolves means they will face rejection. They will be persecuted at times, but they won’t lash out in anger. Instead, they will just move on, taking the Word of God with them as a judgment against them. But still, there would also be times when they’d discover the joyful satisfaction of seeing the Lord’s Word working powerfully in the hearts of people they witnessed to.

Out of a love for souls and a dear love for their Father in heaven. Thats all they take with them. ey don’t take anything with them, except that. They go out depending on the love and care of God and the good will He will work in the hearts of those they serve with His Word of peace. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there,” He says. Lots of sick and hurting people out there. That’s why they go.

What powerful words of reassurance and promise that what they were doing mattered eternally. They were a part of God the Father’s on-going effort gather lost souls into his kingdom. That’s what they take with them when they go—that’s all they take with them—they don’t take anything else--”Do not take a purse or bag or sandals” when you go, Jesus said—don’t get way-layed along the way—just go where I’m sending you!”

That’s all they take with them. ey don’t take anything with them, except that. They go out depending on the love and care of God and the good will He will work in the hearts of those they serve with His Word of peace. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there,” He says. Lots of sick and hurting people out there. That’s why they go.

And yet they go—it’s amazing that they do go—depending on the promise of the heavenly Father’s care and the good will He will work in the hearts of those they serve with His Word of peace. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there,” He says. Lots of sick and hurting people out there. That’s why they go.

with them, except that. They go out depending on the love and care of God and the good will He will work in the hearts of those they serve with His Word of peace. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there,” He says. Lots of sick and hurting people out there. That’s why they go.

out depending on the love and care of God and the good will He will work in the hearts of those they serve with His Word of peace. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there,” He says. Lots of sick and hurting people out there. That’s why they go.

And as Jesus makes his way there to Jerusalem in the south one last time, were told that, () “The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.”

Jesus understood His mission. He taught the 72 about that, too, and then he sent them out.

(v.3) “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”

“Like lambs,” Jesus says, since they go in the name of the Lamb of God. Humbly, with meekness. They are like him as they go, trusting in the voice that sends them. Going out among wolves means they will face rejection. They will be persecuted at times, but they won’t lash out in anger. Instead, they will just move on, taking the Word of God with them as a judgment against them. But still, there would also be times when they’d discover the joyful satisfaction of seeing the Lord’s Word working powerfully in the hearts of people they witnessed to.

Think of this as some on-the-job-training if you will. These 72 are different from the 12 he formally commissioned as apostles. These 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations today doing evangelism. Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then sent them in pairs to put some of what they had learned into practice. “Ready, set…go!”

Wasn’t that the whole of the Master sending them out in the first place?! Again, Jesus’ main concern in sending us out isn’t with a statistical sheet. He isn’t doing this just so his hometown synagogue won’t need to close its doors in 5-10 years. He cares about the souls of people, and their hurts, and their need with us to be set free from the daily effects in our lives from the Fall into sin. That’s why Jesus came. That why he sent the 72 out.

Is that where Grace is at? Ready and set to go? Jesus had 72 that were ready and set to go on the mission He had given them. To what extent is it all hands on deck for the Great Commission here at Grace? The extent to which we do stay focused and engaged in our mission, will also determine the joy and satisfaction we experience as His church.

The 72 are evangelists.

We’re told that, (vv.17-20) “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

As He made his way there one last time, Luke tells us that, () “The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” Think of this as some on-the-job-training if you will. These 72 are different from the 12 he formally commissioned as apostles. These 72 are more like you. We might compare their work to people in our congregations today doing evangelism. Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then sent them in pairs to put some of what they had learned into practice. “Ready, set…go!”

That’s the real reason the 72 were to go, Jesus said. It’s out of pure joy—you know what it means to have your name written in heaven—written with the blood of God’s own Son who lived and died and rose for you—and who goes with you, empowering you and blessing you as you go—and rejoicing as each lost sinner is set free from Satan’s clutches and brought into God’s kingdom of grace. We all are one in this mission. Christ will not call every Christian to be a spouse, or a parent, or a pastor or missionary in public ministry. But Christ has called every Christian to be his ambassadors and witnesses.

Is that where Grace is at? Ready and set to go? Jesus had 72 that were ready and set to go on the mission He had given them. To what extent is it all hands on deck for the Great Commission here at Grace? Simply defined:

“Ready, set…go!” I’ve only been here a few weeks, so

When the 72 returned from their mission trip Jesus shared in their excitement. They said, (v.17) “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

I’ve only been here a few weeks, so

Simply defined:

That’s not always so obvious. We could go in any number of directions with our time and resources. What exactly should we do in our area and the neighborhoods where we live. Some might wonder if we’re even in shape to run the kind of race Jesus sets out for us in the Great Commission. Isn’t that something pastors and missionaries should handle? As I look around today, I don’t see many of us who would make good sprinters anymore. Some of you might even be saying, “I’ve run my race. It’s someone else’s turn to run this show.”

Simply defined:

The question then today for you and me is: Are we going to be spectators of the mission God has given to His Church, or are we going to be participants?

Before we get too far, let’s review what our mission as a church is to begin with. Simply defined:

A mission is a temporary task handed down by someone in authority.

What is the mission God has given us? We might know it chapter and verse from the Bible—you know—, “Go and make disciples of all nations, etc.” but

Simply defined: A mission is a temporary task handed down from above by someone in authority.

So, if aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, would it be obvious from what they saw us doing Sunday by Sunday what our mission is? Let’s see now. Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of us showing up an hour before worship for some Bible study. Is Bible study our mission? It’s important to our mission. I once heard that the Bible is “Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth!” Everything we learn in Bible motivates us and provides us with someothing to share with others on our mission, but it Bible study is not our mission.

We’re talking about evangelism today. Evangelism, the word, simply means “good news.” Isn’t that what our mission is as a church? Simply defined: a mission is a temporary task handed down from above by someone in authority.

As I look around today, I don’t see many of us who would make good sprinters anymore. Some of you might even be saying, “I’ve run my race. It’s someone else’s turn to run this show.”

If aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, would it be obvious from what they saw us doing Sunday by Sunday what our mission is? Let’s see now. Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of us showing up an hour before worship for some Bible study. Is Bible study our mission? It’s important to our mission. I once heard that the Bible is “Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth!” Everything we learn in Bible motivates us and provides us with something to share with others on our mission, but it Bible study is not our mission.

If the aliens kept watching us after Bible study they’d see a lot more of us filing into church for worship. But worship isn’t our mission, either, is it? Remember a mission is a temporary task. Worship is the whole purpose of our entire existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us—worship isn’t a temporary assignment—that’s something we’ll be doing right into eternity!

If aliens landed and observed our congregation for a while, what would they conclude about our mission? What would they see us doing week in and week out? Any given Sunday they’d see about 18-20 of the faithful showing up before worship for some Bible study. But Bible study isn’t our mission. Everything we learn in Bible study is important but Bible study isn’t our mission. You know what the Bible is? It’s Basic-Information-Before-Leaving the-Earth! The aliens keep watching after Bible study and they’d see the rest of us filing into church for worship. But worship isn’t our mission, either. Worship is our purpose—in fact it’s THE purpose of our entire existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us—but worship isn’t our mission. Think about it. There was worship in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin, but there wasn’t any evangelism yet. Why not? There weren’t any sinners yet. No evangelism will be needed after Judgment Day, either. Everyone will know where they’re going for good then. Worship is important, but it’s not our mission. Evangelism is our mission. It’s the task Christ gave to us as long as we’re here, a temporary mission that will be over when God brings us home to heaven.

But once eternity begins for you and me, there won’t be any more time or chances for you and me to reach out to lost sinners with the good news about Jesus.

We’re talking about evangelism today. Evangelism is our mission. Evangelism, the word, simply means “good news.” Our church’s main mission, our temporary assignment before we leave earth, is to actively be a part of sharing the good news about Jesus with as many people as we can. Ready for that?

hink about it. There was worship in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin, but there wasn’t any evangelism yet, because there weren’t any sinners yet. No evangelism will be needed after Judgment Day, either. Everyone will know where they’re going for good then. Worship is important, but it’s not our mission. It’s the task Christ gave to us as long as we’re here, a temporary mission that will be over when God brings us home to heaven.

So evangelism is our mission. But where do we start? How do we go about doing that?

We’re talking about evangelism today.

We’re talking about evangelism today. Evangelism, the word, simply means “good news.” Isn’t that what our mission is as a church? Simply defined: a mission is a temporary task handed down from above by someone in authority.

Upon receiving the Call to Grace your DP shared his had-written notes with me from the Pre-Call meeting he conducted with you here. A couple things stood out out to me. 1.) Formation of a Care Committee (loving and caring members) and 2.) that you saw yourselves in somewhat of a “mission re-start mode.” I don’t know who said that in the meeting, whether it was the consensus of all, or the voice of one. I took that as a sign that you all were in agreement: Grace, Tecumseh was ready for a comeback! That’s something I wanted to be a part of! Now we’re all going to find out just how serious we are about all that.

the main point of the time He spends with us in Bible study and our personal devotions, is that we go!!

Are you a spectator or a participant in the mission God has given His Church?

That’s what we see happening with Jesus and 72 of his followers in Luke chapter ten today.

In track

Each year roughly 50-70 churches close their doors and cease to exist as churches. Why? In many cases, they lost sight of their mission. Christianity in North America has been on a decline for decades. 75% of people still claim to members of a Christian church, but as many as 42% of Millennials are claiming no religious affiliation whatsoever. Polls have as many as 40% of people claiming to go to church on a weekly basis, but in reality, that number is probably closer to 20%. This growing dis-interest in church and worship has been devastating to the church. Some denominations are growing but mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. Since 1967 WELS has actually grown in communicant members, but the number of baptized members has steadily declined (while the average number of deaths in congregations is also on the rise). So we’re not getting any younger. Since 1986 WELS has also averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost a 1/4 of a million people. A large number of those losses tend to be younger members. Add to this fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years, and it’s not a pretty picture.

mentioned in my letter how I was intrigued by the comeback!

Right now North America is the only continent in the world where Christianity is not growing right now? Roughly 50-70 churches close their doors each year. Some churches are growing but not due to new converts in their ranks, but rather what we call, the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another). God is still on his throne, but the North American church is struggling, especially in mainline denominations like ours. Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, but how many of them are true believers? 75% of Americans still claim they are Christian in name, but they most aren’t attending and active in a church. Many polls have 40% of people that claim to attend church weekly, but in reality, that number is probably closer to 20%. This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

And that’s good. God has chosen and called His Church to make his name known.

A sprinter’s course is laid out right in front of him. It’s clear. Point A to point B. But what Grace and her mission? How do we get started and where should we go? Some might wonder if they’re even the ones who should be going. Isn’t evangelism something pastors and missionaries are supposed to handle?

Before we get too far, let’s review what our mission as a church is to begin with.

Some churches are growing but mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. In fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

On a national scale, three quarters of Americans still claim they are Christian—they say they’re Christians in name but they aren’t attending and active in a church. Add to that fact that

Each year roughly 50-70 churches close their doors and cease to exist as churches. Why? In many cases, they lost sight of their mission. Christianity in North America has been on a decline for decades. 75% of people still claim to members of a Christian church, but as many as 42% of Millennials are claiming no religious affiliation whatsoever. Polls have as many as 40% of people claiming to go to church on a weekly basis, but in reality, that number is probably closer to 20%. This growing dis-interest in church and worship has been devastating to the church. Some denominations are growing but mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. Since 1967 WELS has actually grown in communicant members, but the number of baptized members has steadily declined (while the average number of deaths in congregations is also on the rise). So we’re not getting any younger. Since 1986 WELS has also averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost a 1/4 of a million people. A large number of those losses tend to be younger members. Add to this fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years, and it’s not a pretty picture.

Did you know that North America is the only continent in the world where Christianity is not growing right now? The United States now ranks third (3rd) following China and India in the number of people who are not professing Christians; in other words, the U.S. is becoming an ever increasing "un-reached people group." Half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

You know who needs Right now North America is the only continent in the world where Christianity is not growing right now? Roughly 50-70 churches close their doors each year. Some churches are growing but not due to new converts in their ranks, but rather what we call, the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another). God is still on his throne, but the North American church is struggling, especially in mainline denominations like ours. Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, but how many of them are true believers? 75% of Americans still claim they are Christian in name, but they most aren’t attending and active in a church. Many polls have 40% of people that claim to attend church weekly, but in reality, that number is probably closer to 20%. This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

Some churches are growing but not due to new converts in their ranks, but rather what we call, the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another). God is still on his throne, but the North American church is struggling, especially in mainline denominations like ours. Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, but how many of them are true believers? 75% of Americans still claim they are Christian in name, but they most aren’t attending and active in a church. Many polls have 40% of people that claim to attend church weekly, but in reality, that number is probably closer to 20%. This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

Don’t get me wrong, God is still working in slow growth, no growth, or decline. But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years. We can do better. We need to do better. There are real people out there who don’t know Jesus. They need us as a church to make a comeback!

Did you know that right now North America is the only continent in the world where Christianity is not growing right now? Roughly 50-70 churches close their doors each year. Some churches are growing but not due to new converts in their ranks, but rather what we call, the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another). God is still on his throne, but the North American church is struggling, especially in mainline denominations like ours. Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, but how many of them are true believers? 75% of Americans still claim they are Christian in name, but they most aren’t attending and active in a church. Many polls have 40% of people that claim to attend church weekly, but in reality, that number is probably closer to 20%. This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

In fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

when it comes to having a church. Polls have as many as 40% of people claiming to go to church on a weekly basis (40%). In reality, however, that number is probably closer to 20%. That growing dis-interest in church and worship has been devastating to churches. Some denominations are growing but mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. In fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

Many polls indicate that about 40% of people CLAIM to regularly attend church services any given week, but in reality, that number actually is more like 20%. This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

You know, each year roughly 50-70 churches close their doors and cease to exist as churches. Christianity in North America has been in decline for decades, and it shows. Polls have 40% of people claiming that they attend church on a weekly basis (40%). In reality, though, that number is probably closer to 20%. That growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches. Some denominations are growing but mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. In fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

The great comfort is that God is still on his throne, but the North American church is struggling, especially mainline denominations like ours. Don’t get me wrong, God is still working in slow growth, no growth, or decline. But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years.

Many polls indicate that about 40% of people CLAIM to regularly attend church services any given week, but in reality, that number that actually more like 20%. This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

Since 1986 WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost 250,000 people. A large number of those losses tend to come from younger members. We estimate that there are at least 100 churches in our synod, mostly in rural areas, that are facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older.

In reality, Christianity in North America has been in decline for decades, and it shows. Polls have 40% of people claiming that they attend church on a weekly basis (40%). In reality, though, that number is probably closer to 20%. That growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches. Some denominations are growing but mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. In fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years. On paper, since the year 1967, WELS actually

One of the biggest factors is members drifting away from WELS, what we often call “backdoor losses.” Since 1986 WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost 250,000 people. A large number of those losses tend to come from younger members. Right now we estimate there are at least 100 WELS churches, mostly in rural areas, that are facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older. Add to that fact that half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years, and it’s not a pretty picture.

Since 1986 WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost 250,000 people. A large number of those losses tend to come from younger members. Some of those losses were offset by evangelism. In the early 2000’s WELS had nearly 4,000 adult confirmations per year, but lately those numbers have been trending downward at rates lower than the 1980’s.

But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years.

Many polls have indicated that 40% of people claim to regularly attend a church service any given week, but in reality, the number that actually do is about 20%.

Right now we estimate there are at least 100 WELS churches facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older.

But why?

Since 1986 WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost 250,000 people. A large number of those losses tend to come from younger members. We estimate that there are at least 100 churches in our synod, mostly in rural areas, that are facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older.

But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years. We can do better. We have to do better. Not because of a statistcal sheet, and not in order to save our church from closing its doors.

But is that But is that what Jesus wants to see in us?

There are lost sinners are depending on us.

the more a church loses its love for the lost, Jesus

The United States now ranks third (3rd) following China and India in the number of people who are not professing Christians; in other words, the U.S. is becoming an ever increasing "un-reached people group." Half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

Don’t get me wrong, God is still working in slow growth, no growth, or decline. But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years. We can do better. We have to do better. But what’s the real reason why?

There are real people out there who don’t know Jesus.

Don’t get me wrong, God is still working in slow growth, no growth, or decline. But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years. We can do better. We need to do better. There are real people out there who don’t know Jesus.

3/4 of Americans are Christian by name yet—they say they’re Christians but they aren’t. Add to that fact that half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

What else did Jesus have in mind but people and souls when He sent the 72 out in pairs ahead of Him? He wasn’t concerned about membership numbers and meeting the budget at the church at Jerusalem. His mission wasn’t driven by the fear of shutting the doors some day in his hometown synagogue. Jesus sent out the 72 because His love for lost sinners. That’s why we want to renew our commitment and energy to making the most of the opportunities to share the good news about Jesus with the people God places into our lives.

As I look around today, I don’t see many of us who would make good sprinters anymore. Some of you might even be saying, “I’ve run my race. It’s someone else’s turn to run this show.”

Since 1986 WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost 250,000 people. A large number of those losses tend to come from younger members. Some of those losses were offset by evangelism. In the early 2000’s WELS had nearly 4,000 adult confirmations per year, but lately those numbers have been trending downward at rates lower than the 1980’s. In rural areas we estimate there are at least 100 WELS churches facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older.

I heard somewhere that North America is the only continent in the world where Christianity isn’t growing, or is experiencing anemic growth at best.

This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

Did you know that each year that roughly 50-70 churches close their doors?

They need us as a church to make a comeback!

Right now we estimate there are at least 100 WELS churches facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older.

3/4 of Americans are Christian by name yet—they say they’re Christians but they aren’t. Add to that fact that half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

Since 1986 WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost 250,000 people. A large number of those losses tend to come from younger members. Some of those losses were offset by evangelism. In the early 2000’s WELS had nearly 4,000 adult confirmations per year, but lately those numbers have been trending downward at rates lower than the 1980’s. In rural areas we estimate there are at least 100 WELS churches facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older.

Don’t get me wrong, God is still working in slow growth, no growth, or decline. But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years. We can do better. We need to do better. There are real people out there who don’t know Jesus. They need us as a church to make a comeback!

In God’s Word today, it says that Jesus commissioned 72 different followers to share his Word with others. These 72 were different from the 12 that he formally commissioned as apostles. So these 72 are more like you. We might compare the work of these 72 to people in our congregations today doing evangelism work.

When I was looking at the Call here to Grace, one of the things you said about Grace, is that we kind of see ourselves in a mission re-start mode.

one in four U.S. adults are religious but not members of a church, synagogue or mosque.

Because there are real people out there who don’t know Jesus who need your comeback.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

Jesus sent them out ahead of Him by pairs into all the towns and villages where He was going to go to. They prepared the way by talking to people about who Jesus was and why they needed Him as their Savior from sin and death.

What else did Jesus have in mind but people and souls when He sent the 72 out in pairs ahead of Him? He wasn’t concerned about membership numbers and meeting the budget at the church at Jerusalem. His mission wasn’t driven by the fear of shutting the doors some day in his hometown synagogue. Jesus sent out the 72 because His love for lost sinners. Grace, Tecumseh: how many people are out there right now who will benefit eternally from you as a congregation making a comeback by getting serious about your mission?!

We can compare the work of these men to the people of our congregations in evangelism work.

But why? What did Jesus have in mind when He sent the 72 out in pairs ahead of Him into all the towns and villages He was going to? What was the point?! Was it to beef up numbers in the church at Jerusalem? Was it because he was afraid that over time the synagogue in his hometown would one day have to close its doors if they didn’t get out there in earnest right now?!

Grace, Tecumseh: how serious are we many people are out there right now who will benefit eternally from you as a congregation making a comeback by getting serious about your mission?!

Sermon Studies on the Gospels (ILCW Series C) The Text—Luke 10:1–9, 16

We can compare the work of these men to the people of our congregations in evangelism work.

Sermon Studies on the Gospels (ILCW Series C) The Text—Luke 10:1–9, 16

We can compare the work of these men to the people of our congregations in evangelism work.

There are people out there who would benefit from you making a comeback! Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, but how many of them are true believers? 75% of Americans still claim they are Christian in name, but they most aren’t attending and active in a church.

Barely three-quarters of Americans now identify with a religion and only about half claim membership in a church, synagogue or mosque. Roughly one in four U.S. adults are religious but not members of a church, synagogue or mosque.

They prepared the way by talking to people about who Jesus was and why they needed Him as their Savior from sin and death.

75% of Americans still claim they are Christian in name, but they most aren’t attending and active in a church.

Jesus sent them out ahead of Him by pairs into all the towns and villages where He was going to go to. They prepared the way by talking to people about who Jesus was and why they needed Him as their Savior from sin and death.

They prepared the way by talking to people about who Jesus was and why they needed Him as their Savior from sin and death.

Why did He send them out? What is our mission and why will we go?

U.S. church membership was 70% or higher from 1937 through 1976, falling modestly to an average of 68% in the 1970s through the 1990s. The past 20 years have seen an acceleration in the drop-off, with a 20-percentage-point decline since 1999 and more than half of that change occurring since the start of the current decade. On average, 69% of U.S. adults were members of a church in 1998-2000, compared with 52% in 2016-2018. Since the turn of the century, the percentage of U.S. adults with no religious affiliation has more than doubled, from 8% to 19%. Just 42% of millennials are members of churches, on average.

I think that’s what I heard coming out of your Pre-Call meeting When I was looking at the Call here to Grace, one of the things you said about Grace, is that we kind of see ourselves in a mission re-start mode.

Jesus prepared them, he instructed them and then, sent them out two by two to all the towns and villages he was going to go to. (vv.2,3) “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!”

Jesus sent them out ahead of Him by pairs into all the towns and villages where He was going to go to. They prepared the way by talking to people about who Jesus was and why they needed Him as their Savior from sin and death.

They were evangelists. Evangelism is the work of sharing the gospel. The word “evangel” comes from a Greek word meaning, “good news.” Why is evangelism important?

Jesus sent them out to do the work of They were evangelists. Evangelism is the work of sharing the gospel. The word “evangel” comes from a Greek word meaning, “good news.” Why is it important that the church gets out and goes with the good news?

So why is evangelism important?

And they went and prepared the way for Jesus, kind of like John the Baptist, by talking to people about who Jesus was and why they needed Him. They were evangelists. Evangelism is the work of sharing the gospel. The word “evangel” comes from a Greek word meaning, “good news.”

They were evangelists. Evangelism is the work of sharing the gospel. The word “evangel” literally means “good news.”

They were evangelists. Evangelism is the work of sharing the gospel. The word “evangel” comes from a Greek word meaning, “good news.”

Why is evangelism important? Did you know that each year that roughly 50-70 churches close their doors?

Maybe the first question to answer about evangelism, is why do we do it? We know it’s important. After all, it was the last command of Jesus before His ascension! (Mt.28:19) “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Why do we go?

Why do we want to go when Jesus says “Go?” Why do we need to go?

A church that is unsure of its mission will be ineffective in carrying it out.

What’s our mission? A mission is a temporary task handed from above by someone in authority. Worship is not a temporary thing. There was worship in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin—there wasn’t even a need for evangelism yet, because there were no sinners yet! After Judgment Day there won’t be a need for evangelism because everyone’s eternal fate will be determined then.

Worship is not our mission. A church that is unsure of its mission will be ineffective in carrying it out.

So what is our mission? A mission is a temporary task handed down from above by someone in authority. What is that mission Christ has given us?

A mission is a temporary task handed from above by someone in authority.

They’d see all the rest of us come a little later for worship, but that’s not it either. Worship is our purpose—in fact you could say that it’s the ENTIRE purpose of our existence—bringing God glory for all that He is and has done for us—but while worship is our purpose, it is not our mission this side of heaven.

If the aliens stuck around after Bible study they’d see all the rest of us file into the church for worship. Perhaps they’d conclude that worship is our mission. Worship is our purpose—in fact it’s THE entire purpose of our existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us—but while worship is our purpose, it is not our mission this side of heaven.

Think about it—there was worship in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin—no evangelism yet—why—because there weren’t any sinners yet! After Judgment Day there won’t be a need for evangelism because everyone’s eternal fate will be determined then. Worship is not a temporary thing. It is THE eternal purpose to our lives—but worship is not our mission.

What’s our mission? A mission is a temporary task handed from above by someone in authority. Worship is not a temporary thing. There was worship in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin—there wasn’t even a need for evangelism yet, because there were no sinners yet! After Judgment Day there won’t be a need for evangelism because everyone’s eternal fate will be determined then.

Worship is not our mission.

Evangelism is our mission, the temporary task we’ve been given on this earth, and when that temporary mission is over God will bring us to heaven where our worship will continue forever!

Evangelism is our mission, the temporary task we’ve been given on this earth. It’s one way we worship God right now—and when that mission is over God will bring us to heaven.

Worship is not our mission. It is the purpose of our existence—to bring God glory for all that He is and has done for us! Evangelism is our mission, the temporary task we’ve been given on this earth. It’s one way we worship God right now—and when that mission is over God will bring us to heaven.

So evangelism is our mission. But where do we start? How do we go about doing that? In track and field your course and direction is laid out in a straight line right in front of you—but how do you develop a mission mindset in a congregation and come up with a plan for evangelism? That’s not always so obvious. We could go in any number of directions with our time and resources. What exactly should we do in our area and the neighborhoods where we live. Some might wonder if we’re even in shape to run the kind of race Jesus sets out for us in the Great Commission. Isn’t that something pastors and missionaries should handle? As I look around today, I don’t see many of us who would make good sprinters anymore. Some of you might even be saying, “I’ve run my race. It’s someone else’s turn to run this show.”

Just before our text in

sn’t that what our mission is as a church?

hink about it. There was worship in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin, but there wasn’t any evangelism yet, because there weren’t any sinners yet. No evangelism will be needed after Judgment Day, either. Everyone will know where they’re going for good then. Worship is important, but it’s not our mission. It’s the task Christ gave to us as long as we’re here, a temporary mission that will be over when God brings us home to heaven.

So evangelism is our mission. But where do we start? How do we go about doing that?

We’re talking about evangelism today.

in most churches, there are many more spectators than there are participants in the mission of God. People are to be more than objects of the pastor’s ministry; they are co-laborers in mission. They aren’t “customers of the religious goods and services” distributed by our church. They are a receiving and delivery system—a clearing house of God’s treasure!

Did you know that North America is the only continent in the world where Christianity is not growing? The US now ranks third (3rd) following China and India in the number of people who are not professing Christians; in other words, the U.S. is becoming an ever increasingly "non-Christian people group." Add to that fact that half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.

Getting serious about our mission is the key ingredient to a comeback. God has chosen and called us to this mission--His Church is to make his name known. The lost

There’s an incredible resource for the mission of God that is sitting comfortably right under our noses each Sunday.

Maximize the number working in ministry. When God’s people think less like customers of the ministry and, instead, see themselves as the owners of the ministry, it’s a whole different kind of church. There’s an incredible resource for the mission of God that is sitting comfortably right under our noses each Sunday.

Anthropologists tell us that “religion” is a universal cultural reality. Every culture creates a religion. We find religion all around the world, in every culture.

The religions they create have at least two characteristics:

people create religious rituals to ceremonialize their devotionpeople create a religious hierarchy to outsource their religious obligations

So, the default mode of culture and people is toward ceremony and hierarchy, rather than devotion and ministry engagement.

(Note: I am not addressing liturgy here, but rather cermonialization– where the rituals replace the relationship.)

Let’s get ready with Jesus in His word, let’s get set by thinking about the community where God’s placed us, and its needs, and hurts, opportunities to do outreach and evangelism, and then let’s go to them with the good news of salvation.

Many polls have indicated that 40% of people claim to regularly attend a church service any given week, but in reality, the number that actually do is about 20%.

Did you know that the United States now ranks third (3rd) following China and India in the number of people who are not professing Christians; in other words, the U.S. is becoming an ever increasing "un-reached people group." Add to that fact that half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years. Many polls have indicated that 40% of people claim to regularly attend a church service any given week, but in reality, the number that actually do is about 20%.

Since 1986 WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost 250,000 people. A large number of those losses tend to come from younger members. Some of those losses were offset by evangelism. In the early 2000’s WELS had nearly 4,000 adult confirmations per year, but lately those numbers have been trending downward at rates lower than the 1980’s. In rural areas we estimate there are at least 100 WELS churches facing what we call the 50/60 challenge, which means that fewer than fifty people worship each week, and the average age of those worshipers is 60 or older.

This growing dis-interest in worship has been devastating to churches.

Did you know that Roughly one in four U.S. adults are religious but not members of a church, synagogue or mosque.

Did you know that each year that roughly 50-70 churches close their doors?

one in four U.S. adults are religious but not members of a church, synagogue or mosque.

Barely three-quarters of Americans now identify with a religion and only about half claim membership in a church, synagogue or mosque. Roughly one in four U.S. adults are religious but not members of a church, synagogue or mosque.

When I was looking at the Call here to Grace, one of the things you said about Grace, is that we kind of see ourselves in a mission re-start mode.

On average, 69% of U.S. adults were members of a church in 1998-2000, compared with 52% in 2016-2018.

U.S. church membership was 70% or higher from 1937 through 1976, falling modestly to an average of 68% in the 1970s through the 1990s. The past 20 years have seen an acceleration in the drop-off, with a 20-percentage-point decline since 1999 and more than half of that change occurring since the start of the current decade. On average, 69% of U.S. adults were members of a church in 1998-2000, compared with 52% in 2016-2018. Since the turn of the century, the percentage of U.S. adults with no religious affiliation has more than doubled, from 8% to 19%. Just 42% of millennials are members of churches, on average.

Since the turn of the century, the percentage of U.S. adults with no religious affiliation has more than doubled, from 8% to 19%

Thankfully, none of us here are guilty of a false-start—members of Grace have always known what’s most important—our Savior isn’t disqualifying anyone today—what he is doing today is telling us to get ready to “Go” again.

At this time in Luke’s Gospel, there’s about six to go before Jesus’ crucifixion.

As we turn to Luke’s Gospel today,

At this time in Luke’s Gospel, there’s about six to go before Jesus’ crucifixion.

What would you do if you knew you had six months left to go in your life? Some of us might start working on a bucket list of all the things we wanted to do before we check out—skydiving from a plane, a cruise, world travel—whatever—do all the things you never had a chance to do and do it now!

Jesus commissioned 72 of his followers to serve as missionaries throughout Israel.

() “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

Just before our text in () it says, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

That’s what happens when churches lose sight of their mission. There are number of ways to react to that. We could get discouraged. Don’t. When our Savior calls us He doesn’t ask for our statistical report. Instead, He asks us to be faithfully with the Word and work He sets before us, and He tells us He is ruling on his throne over everything for us. Through Word and sacrament he continues to dwell among us. A second mistake would be thinking that since He rules over everything for us, that he doesn’t need me, or there’s nothing I can do. That’s not a justifiable position to take either. Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying,

When the 72 returned from their mission trip Jesus shared in their excitement. They said, (v.17) “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

Jesus commissioned 72 of his followers to serve as missionaries throughout Israel.

() “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

What is the mission God has given us?

Simply defined:

Ready, set…let’s Go!”

Amen.

He doesn’t just want us to take care of the saved. Some churches are growing in numbers but many times it’s mostly due to what we call the “circulation of the saints.” (The saved leaving one church just to join another), and not due to new converts in their ranks. Since 1967 WELS has actually grown in communicant members, but the number of baptized members has steadily declined (while the average number of deaths in congregations is also on the rise). So we’re not getting any younger. Since 1986 WELS has also averaged 8,000 backdoor losses each year. That’s almost a 1/4 of a million people. A large number of those losses tend to be younger members. Add to this fact, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years, and it’s not a pretty picture.

A mission is a temporary task handed down by someone in authority.

That’s what happens when churches lose sight of their mission. There are number of ways to react to that. We could get discouraged. Don’t. When our Savior calls us He doesn’t ask for our statistical report. Instead, He asks us to be faithfully with the Word and work He sets before us, and He tells us He is ruling on his throne over everything for us. Through Word and sacrament he continues to dwell among us. A second mistake would be thinking that since He rules over everything for us, that he doesn’t need me, or there’s nothing I can do. That’s not a justifiable position to take either. Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying,

What powerful words of reassurance and promise that what they were doing mattered eternally. They were a part of God the Father’s on-going effort gather lost souls into his kingdom. That’s what they take with them when they go—that’s all they take with them—they don’t take anything else--”Do not take a purse or bag or sandals” when you go, Jesus said—don’t get way-layed along the way—just go where I’m sending you!”

What is the mission God has given us? We might know it chapter and verse from the Bible—you know—, “Go and make disciples of all nations, etc.” but

And yet they go—it’s amazing that they do go—depending on the promise of the heavenly Father’s care and the good will He will work in the hearts of those they serve with His Word of peace. (v.9) “Heal the sick who are there,” He says. Lots of sick and hurting people out there. That’s why they go.

We’re talking about evangelism today. I’m know I’m stating the obvious but how does it show up in congregational life from week to week?

But half—HALF--of all Christian churches in the US did not add ANY new members to their ranks in the last two years. We can do better. We have to do better. Not because of a statistcal sheet, and not in order to save our church from closing its doors.

There are lost sinners are depending on us.

Maximize the number working in ministry. When God’s people think less like customers of the ministry and, instead, see themselves as the owners of the ministry, it’s a whole different kind of church. There’s an incredible resource for the mission of God that is sitting comfortably right under our noses each Sunday.

Thankfully, none of us here are guilty of a false-start—members of Grace have always known what’s most important—our Savior isn’t disqualifying anyone today—what he is doing today is telling us to get ready to “Go” again.

At this time in Luke’s Gospel, there’s about six to go before Jesus’ crucifixion.

Jesus commissioned 72 of his followers to serve as missionaries throughout Israel.