Let's be Courageous Together
Courageous Followers • Sermon • Submitted
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· 10 viewsHe sent them out two by two: the importance of fellowship
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It is difficult to be courageous alone.
When I was a child and cut my hand I could go to my mother. She would bandage the wound and send me back out to play.
When I was a teenager and someone threatened me in school, my friend Ronald used to encourage me to be tough by punching me in the chest.
When I became a pastor and people threatened me in the church, others would let me know their plans and God would show me what to do and I would go forward.
I cannot imagine what my life would be if I had not had those supports. I realize those supports for the steppingstones and my faith.
Courage is best fostered in relationship.
I cannot afford to be fearful when others depend upon me. My love for you and concern for your survival gives me courage to find answers to great problems and stand up to the greatest Evils.
No one achieves much in the spiritual life alone…
I may be the pastor of the church for the last 38 years, but I am indepted to at least a thousand people. Read . See all the people Paul’s recognizes for helping him on his journey in ministry….
Poebe, a female deacon, who supported him financially,
Priscilla and Aquila, who were co-workers in ministry
Epenetus- his first convert in Asia Minor
Andronicus and June, his companions in prison
Urbanus, STachys, Appelés who served the Lord with him…
No one does this work alone.
Everyone needs a friend, a mentor, a critic and an encourager. You need someone who accepts you, someone who teaches you, some one to reveal your blind spots and someone to speak into your life.
After reading of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, something Jumped out at me, you never see the disciples on a mission alone. Jesus always sent them out two by two. The Bible highlights partnerships.
Peter and John
Finney stated: When God would direct where a meeting was to be held, Father Nash would slip quietly into town and seek to get two or three people to enter into a covenant of prayer with him.
Peter and John
Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Silas
Mary and Martha
Even in mentoring roles
Moses and Joshua
Elijah and Elisha
Ruth and Naomi
David and Jonathan
One of the great revivalists of the church was Charles Finney. He worked miracles, preached revival. The Holy Spirit rested upon in such power, he would walk by people and they would confess their sins and turn to Christ.
Charles Finney led revival in New England, but it was Daniel Nash who interceded before the Throne.
Finney stated: When God would direct where a meeting was to be held, Father Nash would slip quietly into town and seek to get two or three people to enter into a covenant of prayer with him.
Our text is very simple but very powerful.
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
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How do God match up people? The prophet Amos asked the question: “Can two walk together unless they be agreed?”
There is a small sentence Oswald Chambers MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST that says, “It is identity with thought, heart and spirit.” Jan. 7. You must find someone who identify with in thought, heart and spirit. The most important element in working with another servant of God is giving and receiving encouragement….
The most important element in working with another servant of God is giving and receiving encouragement….
The twelve had been walking with Jesus for nearly a year. This was their midterm exam. Eventually, his disciples would not need such supports.
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
We must take steps to reach our purpose. The Lord takes care of our preparation and he knows when we are ready to advance in our calling.
Jesus called his disciples to evangelize and to cast out demons. He called them closer to himself and gave them power (authority) over unclean spirits. Jesus disciples became an extension of Jesus Christ himself.
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
He gave them authority , the exousia, and power to do it
He gave them authority , the exousia, and power to do it
The Right… because they represented him
The Power… because he endowed them with power over unclean spirits…
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Jesus gave them power, but how?
Do you see any spiritual event describing the impartation? No cloven tongues of fire, did Jesus breath on them? did he lay hands on them? The disciple’s manifested authority over demons by two means:
Jesus Christ gave them authority over unclean spirits. Their authority worked because there were two of them.
Paul and Barnabas had to face opposition on their first missionary journey…
Use these two hours to get encouraged for the rest of your week.
Impure spirits not only effected the mind, but effected the body with disease, illness, paralysis, mania and different plagues.
Impure spirits not only effected the mind, but effected the body with disease, illness, paralysis, mania and different plagues.
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
Impure spirits not only effected the mind, but effected the body with disease, illness, paralysis, mania and different plagues.
He called them closer to himself and gave them power (authority) over unclean spirits.
Impure spirits not only effected the mind, but effected the body with disease, illness, paralysis, mania and different plagues.
He sent them out...
At some point in time you must leave the safety of the community and journey forward in purpose. (This house of worship is a safe place to praise God… You cannot always rest in the sanctuary; the Israelites had to face the Hittites…Gideon had to face the Medianite army...
he Israelites had to face the Hittites...
Did Jesus match them up or did the disciples choose themselves?
How do God match up people? The prophet Amos asked the question: “Can two walk together unless they be agreed?”
There is a small sentence Oswald Chambers MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST that says, “It is identity with thought, heart and spirit.” Jan. 7. You must find someone who identify with in thought, heart and spirit. The most important element in working with another servant of God is giving and receiving encouragement….
WHY TWO BY TWO?
God know the opposition we face in service...
The previous verses tell us Jesus went to his own hometown… he could not do many miracles due to their lack of faith. Where there is no faith, there are no miracles, no deliverance, no breakthrough and no pulling down of strongholds.
1. ) The verification of truth. In the mouth of two or three witnesses everything is established. It’s a safety net against heresy.
Notice, in last weeks passage, we did not see James and John, but Peter and John. James and John were brothers, but Peter was John’s companion in ministry.
One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Notice, in last weeks passage, we did not see James and John, but Peter and John. James and John were brothers, but Peter was John’s companion in ministry.
There are two sings the kingdom of God has come: the message of the kingdom and signs and wonders which followed.
He gave them authority , the exousia, and power to do it
The Right… because they represented him
The Power… because he endowed them with power over unclean spirits...
Jesus gave them power, but how?
Do you see any spiritual event describing the impartation? No cloven tongues of fire, did Jesus breath on them? did he lay hands on them? The disciple’s manifested authority over demons by two means:
Jesus Christ gave them authority over unclean spirits. Their authority worked because there were two of them.
Their authority worked because there were two of them.
Paul and Barnabas had to face opposition on their first missionary journey…
God know the opposition we face in service…
Paul and Barnabas had to face opposition on their first missionary journey…
Paul and Barnabas had to face opposition on their first missionary journey…
Use these two hours to get encouraged for the rest of your week.
The verification of truth. In the mouth of two or three witnesses everything is established. It’s a safety net against heresy.
2.) Spiritual partnership encourages accountability. We all need an accountability partner. Without one, we fall into sin and despair. We all need someone to say, “that is not you. That is not God’s will for you. God called you to live higher than this.” ()
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
3.) It was dangerous to travel alone
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
4.) The wounds of life hurt less when you have a friend.
Your mind does not race as much, your thoughts do not become your undoing,
Having someone to talk to and confide in is the greatest grace in the spiritual life
Jesus gave them the right and the power over impure spirits. (They were not ready to face principalities yet)
Why?
5.) Loneliness is a trick of the enemy…. It is better to be poor with someone in your life, than to be wealthy and no one in your life.
Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
6.) We all need support: Even pastors
, Onesiphorus
May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
THANK GOD FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Anyone who worships alone will eventually go off course
Let’s be courageous together. If just two of us are courageous together we guarantee God will be in the midst of us. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.
Iron sharpens Iron
If just two of us are courageous together, we can accomplish the impossible: “if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
Although many biblical partnerships were different, I see their power.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
I see, David and Jonathan. The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. I see Jonathan giving David. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
The verification of truth. In the mouth of two or three witnesses everything is established. It’s a safety net against heresy.
I See, Ruth telling Naomi, “If I get married tonight and have sons, will you wait until they are grown? Go home, but Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave thee for from following after thee...
Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
Notice, in last weeks passage, we did not see James and John, but Peter and John. James and John were brothers, but Peter was John’s companion in ministry.
I See Elijah telling Elisha, ““Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on.
I see Paul and Silas, having been beaten, singing songs at midnight and the prisoners listening. The jail cells opening at the earthquake, but no one leaving.
Two people walking together in Jesus’ name have power.
I See Peter and John in Prison, thanking God for the privilege of suffering in Jesus’ name.
These are examples of the power of God in partnership. The Holy Spirit is our partner and he will give us courage to go forward in Jesus’ name.
Oswald Chambers says, “It is identity with thought, heart and spirit.” Jan. 7( My utmost)
The most important element in working matching up with another servant of God is giving and receiving encouragement….
Two people walking together in Jesus’ name have power.