Faith Charge (2)

It Takes 2 To make a Thing go Right!!

Luke 10:1–20 TPT

1 After this, the Lord Jesus formed thirty-five teams among the other disciples. Each team was two disciples, seventy in all, and he commissioned them to go ahead of him into every town he was about to visit. 2 He released them with these instructions: “The harvest is huge and ripe. But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to drive out into his harvest fields many more workers. 3 Now, off you go! I am sending you out even though you feel as vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves. 4 You won’t need to take anything with you—trust in God alone. And don’t get distracted from my purpose by anyone you might meet along the way. 5 “Once you enter a house, speak to the people there and say, ‘God’s blessing of peace be upon this house!’ 6 If a lover of peace resides there, your peace will rest upon that household. But if you are rejected, your blessing of peace will come back upon you. 7 Don’t feel the need to shift from one house to another, but stay put in one home during your time in that city. Eat and drink whatever they serve you. Receive their hospitality, for you are my harvester, and you deserve to be cared for. 8 “When you enter into a new town, and you have been welcomed by its people, follow these rules: Eat what is served you. 9 Then heal the sick, and tell them all, ‘God’s kingdom realm has arrived and is now within your reach!’ 10 But when you enter a city and they do not receive you, say to them publicly, 11 ‘We wipe from our feet the very dust of your streets as a testimony before you! Understand this: God’s kingdom realm came within your reach and yet you have rejected God’s invitation!’ ” 12 Jesus continued, “Let me say it clearly: on the day of judgment the wicked people of Sodom will have a lesser degree of judgment than the city that rejects you, for Sodom did not have the opportunity that was given to them.” 13 “How disastrous it will be for the city of Korazin! How horrible for the city of Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles that I performed in Korazin and Bethsaida had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have humbled themselves and repented, and turned from their sins. 14 Tyre and Sidon will face a lesser degree of judgment than you will on the day of judgment. 15 And Capernaum! Do you really think you’ll be highly exalted because of the great things I have done there? No! You’ll be brought down to the depths of hell because of your rejection of me!” 16 Jesus concluded his instructions to the seventy with these words: “Remember this: Whoever listens to your message is actually listening to me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me, and not only me but the one who sent me.” 17 When the seventy missionaries returned to Jesus, they were ecstatic with joy, telling him, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we commanded them in your name!” 18 Jesus replied, “While you were ministering, I watched Satan topple until he fell suddenly from heaven like lightning to the ground. 19 Now you understand that I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority. 20 However, your real source of joy isn’t merely that these spirits submit to your authority, but that your names are written in the journals of heaven and that you belong to God’s kingdom. This is the true source of your authority.”

Why did Jesus do this?

Was there a reason?

What was his plan?

Here are four strategies of Jesus to consider.

1.  Training People Two at a Time Is Powerful

Jesus sent out his disciples out by twos as a training exercise.

His purpose in sending them out together was for spreading the Good News and growing the Kingdom of God.  This teamwork approach shows that people can encourage and empower those they walk with.

It is obvious that Jesus used the power of influence, encouragement, and mutual learning to train his disciples.

Jesus also gave his disciples authority over demons, as well as the power to heal the sick.  Luke tells about this action of Jesus,

“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes. Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town. And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.” (Luke 9:1-5)

2.  The Witness of Two People Is Trustworthy

Two people provide a valid witness.

Why is the witness of more than one person important?

The Old Testament book of Deuteronomy supports the principles of multiple wintesses.

“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.” ~ Deuteronomy 19:15 ESV

Instead of just sending out one person, Jesus created a support system by sending out two disciples together.

He said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:20 TPT

20 For wherever two or three come together in honor of my name, I am right there with them!”

3.  Working Together by Twos Multiplies Strength

Jesus gave the disciples authority when they worked together.

“Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.” (Mark 6:7)

Jesus’ teaching and training is also supported by Ecclesiastes:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

4.  Supporting Each Other By Two’s Is Rewarding

Jesus showed that sending the disciples out by twos help them to support one another in the things they witnessed and the observation of many miracles.

The reason that many congregations and churches are failing today is that they are not following what Jesus did.

If a fellowship is going to be strong, it must follow the actions of Jesus.

Developing the skills of people to support one another and work together is necessary for success.

In the recruitment of his first four disciples he focused on what the fishermen (Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John) knew best.  He said,  ““Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)

A powerful story about supporting one another can be found in the Old Testament book of Exodus.

The Israelites were in a battle with Amalek.  Moses was commanded by God to stand on the mountainside and hold his hands upward toward heaven.  As long as he did this, the battle was being won.  However, when he became weary and his arms dropped the Israelites would began to lose.  Exodus chapter 17 tells how important it is to have to support you.

“The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” (Exodus 17:8-13)