Fulfilling Your Mission

Are you doing what you signed up to do as a disciple of Christ, as a Christian? Some of join the church and that’s about all we do. We have not taken time to get involve in the teaching or activities in the church, so we allow our self-indulged separation, to keep us from being a part. Some of us have been in church for years and have done some serving, but now we have decided that we have done enough and refuse to do anything else. Yet, some of us who are still active, have put boundaries on how far our mission will go.

So this morning, I wanted to take some time during this prime season for witnessing, to both remind us and encourage us to fulfill our Christ given mission.

Jesus has just share with his disciples the cost of discipleship, and costly it is brothers and sisters. The idea of giving up your comfort to serve others. The leaving of the ones you love. And the pressure of looking back. Its enough to make you question whether or not this is what you really want to do. But for those of us who choose to move forward, it time to focus on fulfilling your mission until Lord honorably discharges you from service.

Dispatching of the Disciples V. 1

Jesus dispatches His disciples to prepare the way for Him.

He sent others in chapter 9:51-56 to a Samaritan village.

Here He sends 72 more, some text say 70. However, this is not a doctrinal issue.

He pairs them, which fulfills the OT requirement for two witnesses. Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15

He dispatches them to every town and place He is about to go.

He sends them out to prepare the way.

He does not send them anywhere, that He himself is not willing to go.

Like Jesus, a good parent doesn’t the children they love to a place or ask them to do something they are not willing to go or do.

Plight of the Disciples V. 2-4

Jesus warns them of the potential dangers in the mission.

Harvest is an agricultural term. It is the yield from the plants in a single growing season. He says it is large and above average.

The term harvest here is also interpreted as unbelievers. It suggest that there are plenty of unbelievers.

But the problem is there are not enough laborers, workers. This term laborer interpreted as an evangelist.

The answer to this is to pray, to beg, to ask God, to dispatch more people to help preach the gospel, to tell others the good news of Jesus.

Jesus sends His disciples into hostile environments.

Sheep can be interpret here as disciples.

We know sheep are defenseless among wolves.

But there job is not force the gospel on others but to simply share it. This suggest that even the most hostile of people, still need the gospel. And its your mission to share it.

We have tough places in our town.

Provisions of the Disciples V. 5-7

Jesus instructs them on how they will be cared for.

Their lodging arrangements

Bless the house, with a blessing of peace

If the person is a harmonious and not disputing.

The blessing will remain

If not the blessing will return

Stay there in the same house.

Don’t go house hopping

Food Provisions

Eat what they fix you

Drink what they give you

If you work, you are worthy of being treated right.

Reception of the Disciples V. 8-12

Jesus instructs them on how to handle the reception or rejection of the towns they enter.

If you are recieved, if they are willing to permit you access to them.

Eat with them

Care for them

Healing the sick

Preaching or sharing the gospel

Luke 9:1-2 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal.

If you are rejected and the do not permit you:

Leave that town.

Don’t stay where you are not accepted

Shake the dust off your feet.

Shaking the dust from one’s feet symbolizes judgement.

We been some places where you could feel that your presence wasn’t welcome, but instead of becoming unraveled, you just remove yourself from the situation.

Its gonna be better for Sodom than this city.

Increased understanding of God’s revelation means increased responsibility.

In short, if you know better, you ought to do better.

Whether they receive you or reject you, share the gospel. You prepare the way, Jesus will do the rest.

You do the sharing and let Jesus do the saving.

If you’re going to fulfill your mission, you have to constantly remind yourself of who sent you.

If your going to fulfill your mission, you have to accept the fact that you may have to be uncomfortable sometimes. This sometimes involves going to places that can be hostile.

If you’re going to fulfill your mission, you have to know that the Lord will make provision for you.

If you’re going to fulfill your mission, you have to understand that some will receive you, but others may reject you.