Untitled Sermon

English Standard Version Chapter 10

10 uAnd he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 vThe names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, wwho is called Peter, and xAndrew his brother; xJames the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and yMatthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;1 4 Simon the Zealot,2 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

5 uThese twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of zthe Samaritans, 6 abut go rather to bthe lost sheep of cthe house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, d‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’3 8 eHeal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,4 cast out demons. fYou received without paying; give without pay. 9 gAcquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics5 or sandals or a staff, for hthe laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, igreet it. 13 And if the house is jworthy, let iyour peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let iyour peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, lshake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, mit will be more bearable on the day of judgment for nthe land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Exegetical Outline:

What’s going on: The Lord of the Harvest Sends out Laborers (in response to seeing the need, having compassion on the crowds, and instructing His followers to pray--now the need is more fully met, the compassion is more broadly applied, and the prayers are beginning to be answered).

He selects His laborers and endows them with His authority.

He Instructs His laborers, as to:

-Where and to whom they must go.

-What they must say.

-What they must do.

-How they must prepare, travel, and react to those who receive or reject them.

-The solemn warning for those who reject His messengers.

(intro with context--explain what Christ is doing here.

We start by praying. But we do more than just pray.

He’s gave His disciples a job to do.

He’s given us one too.

Homiletical Main Idea: The Lord of the Harvest Equips His Laborers for the Work He calls them to do.

-He equips His laborers with authority and power.

(explain what God has given us in these areas--be very specific).

-He equips His laborers with instructions.

(explain what instructions we’ve been given. Our instructions are different in some ways, but similar to these first laborers).

-The encouragement--Yes, the task is daunting. But our Lord will give what’s needed to accomplish it. Let us move forward in faith to obey His commission.