Luke 10:1-9; 16
In Christ God’s kingdom comes to you. Jesus sends out His disciples into the world to witness. As He sent them in to the world He also sends you. Considers the Savior’s directive.
1. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Luke 10:3 Consider the territory the Lord is sending you.
A. The world is hostile to the cause of Christ. This is why you represent Christ to the world. Some may say, there’s a church on almost every corner. If someone wants to go to church, they can! Yet, throughout this text Jesus emphasizes the urgency of going out and witnessing through visitation which is essential today. People quite frankly will not come to the church. The church must go to the people. This is where the faithful witness of Christians from every walk of life impacts the world for Christ. People do not come to a church because of a program. They come because someone in their life has impacted them and invited them to come and meet Jesus.
B. The Savior sends you as lambs among wolves. Wolves would destroy helpless sheep. The forces of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh are about seeking to destroy your faith. We must be aware of what we are up against. The devil is serious when it comes to your faith – he seriously wants to destroy it. He doesn’t want you to receive that peace which only the Savior can give. His desire is to see the church splinted, fractured and broken.
C. Thus our attitude must be that of meekness. Humbleness of heart is essential. Consider the encouragement of the Savior when He said in Matthew’s gospel, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30
D. This is our reality – we’re walking in a troubled world. Yet, we are shielded. Says St. Paul, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17
Transition: As we are being sent into hostile territory we put on the full armor of God and place our reliance on Him who has saved us.
2. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. Luke 10:4
A. A classmate from the seminary did this – literally. He carried no identification, not even a bill fold. He carried no back pack, nor a suitcase, not even a change of clothing. He walked into Mexico - and greeted no one on his journey until he happen to come upon a house. From within the house someone called the police and he was whisked away by the authorities and spend a half a year in a Mexican prison. He took this verse literally, and it got him into trouble – literally! What is it that the Savior is getting at here? He’s speaking about our attitude. You need an attitude which is totally dependent upon Christ.
B. Your attitude needs to be – totally focused on Christ. Our reliance needs to be placed firmly on Christ. Without Him we are lost and abandoned in this troubled world. There should be nothing other then Christ as our center.
Transition: Have a faith completely reliant upon Christ we share with those who are of the same faith.
3. When you enter a house, first say, FRIEDHEIM! ‘Peace to this house. Luke 10:5
A. Whenever I read this verse I like to translate it as follows, “When you enter a house, first say, “Friedheim!” The Savior has truly blessed us here! This is a haven of peace and a harbor of hope – for lost and troubled souls. For here we find peace and rest for troubled souls.
B. Building peace and maintaining it is serious and difficult business. But a necessary task. My hope and prayer is that the peace of Christ would always rest at this place. Recall the words of our Savior, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” –John 14:27
Transition: Greeting our brothers and sisters in Christ sharing in this same faith will enable faith, hope and love to grow and flourish.
4. If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Luke 10:6
A. A man of peace will be a man of faith – Faith and peace will be self evident. As we share and life our faith that faith will grow. When faith and peace are evident it will not return back.
B. If there is no peace I that house ours remains. No one can believe for another, each is on their own. We reap what we sow – if we sow only to ourselves and to a corrupt nature we reap destruction. If we sow toward God we reap life – life with God now and life in the future which leads to eternal life.
1. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Luke 10:3 Consider the territory the Lord is sending you.
A. The world is hostile to the cause of Christ. This is why you represent Christ to the world. Some may say, there’s a church on almost every corner. If someone wants to go to church, they can! Yet, throughout this text Jesus emphasizes the urgency of going out and witnessing through visitation which is essential today. People quite frankly will not come to the church. The church must go to the people. This is where the faithful witness of Christians from every walk of life impacts the world for Christ. People do not come to a church because of a program. They come because someone in their life has impacted them and invited them to come and meet Jesus.
B. The Savior sends you as lambs among wolves. Wolves would destroy helpless sheep. The forces of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh are about seeking to destroy your faith. We must be aware of what we are up against. The devil is serious when it comes to your faith – he seriously wants to destroy it. He doesn’t want you to receive that peace which only the Savior can give. His desire is to see the church splinted, fractured and broken.
C. Thus our attitude must be that of meekness. Humbleness of heart is essential. Consider the encouragement of the Savior when He said in Matthew’s gospel, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30
D. This is our reality – we’re walking in a troubled world. Yet, we are shielded. Says St. Paul, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17
Transition: As we are being sent into hostile territory we put on the full armor of God and place our reliance on Him who has saved us.
2. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. Luke 10:4
A. A classmate from the seminary did this – literally. He carried no identification, not even a bill fold. He carried no back pack, nor a suitcase, not even a change of clothing. He walked into Mexico - and greeted no one on his journey until he happen to come upon a house. From within the house someone called the police and he was whisked away by the authorities and spend a half a year in a Mexican prison. He took this verse literally, and it got him into trouble – literally! What is it that the Savior is getting at here? He’s speaking about our attitude. You need an attitude which is totally dependent upon Christ.
B. Your attitude needs to be – totally focused on Christ. Our reliance needs to be placed firmly on Christ. Without Him we are lost and abandoned in this troubled world. There should be nothing other then Christ as our center.
Transition: Have a faith completely reliant upon Christ we share with those who are of the same faith.
3. When you enter a house, first say, FRIEDHEIM! ‘Peace to this house. Luke 10:5
A. Whenever I read this verse I like to translate it as follows, “When you enter a house, first say, “Friedheim!” The Savior has truly blessed us here! This is a haven of peace and a harbor of hope – for lost and troubled souls. For here we find peace and rest for troubled souls.
B. Building peace and maintaining it is serious and difficult business. But a necessary task. My hope and prayer is that the peace of Christ would always rest at this place. Recall the words of our Savior, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” –John 14:27
Transition: Greeting our brothers and sisters in Christ sharing in this same faith will enable faith, hope and love to grow and flourish.
4. If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Luke 10:6
A. A man of peace will be a man of faith – Faith and peace will be self evident. As we share and life our faith that faith will grow. When faith and peace are evident it will not return back.
B. If there is no peace I that house ours remains. No one can believe for another, each is on their own. We reap what we sow – if we sow only to ourselves and to a corrupt nature we reap destruction. If we sow toward God we reap life – life with God now and life in the future which leads to eternal life.
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