Jesus sent out 72 disciples. They were not the 12 apostles plus some friends, as Jesus had sent the apostles on a mission to Galilee in Luke 9. Here he sends 72 ordinary, anonymous disciples on a mission to Judea. We are not certain why Jesus chose to send 72, but we do know that Luke’s theology focuses on the universal gospel, so it could be that this number represents universality. So, it is good to assume that Jesus wants his message of good news spread to every ethnic group.
They were sent as ambassadors representing Jesus to the people of Judea. It was difficult work, and so is harvesting by hand (implied in Luke 10:2). These people were sent into a large field with very few workers to help them reap a bumper crop. Instead of praying for an easier job, they were to pray for more workers to help them with the harvest. We need to pray the same prayer today. We need to realise they were workers, they were labourers, and not just spectators. Too many Christians are praying for somebody else to do the job that God calls us all to do; a job that they do not want to do themselves.
It was dangerous work. They invaded enemy territory (Luke 10:17). They were like lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3). However, if they relied on the Lord, they would win the battle. Did you know, that when you share the good news you are on the front line of the battle? Unfortunately, most church members do not give Satan enough trouble to even arouse his opposition.
They would need to show discipline and faith. There was an urgency about the job (Luke 10:4-8). They were not to be burdened with supplies or to be delayed on the road by elaborate eastern greetings. They had to trust God to supply their food and shelter, and not be embarrassed to accept hospitality. You see, Jesus taught that the labourer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7).
They were ambassadors of peace. The mission was to bring healing to the sick; deliverance to those possessed by evil spirits; and the good news of God’s salvation to the poor and the lost. But as some found out, it is a serious thing to reject the messengers of peace that God sends.
There was a word of warning and a wake-up call for those who reject God’s ambassadors. If people reject you because you want to bring them God’s peace, then they will miss out on God’s blessings. To reject an ambassador is to reject the country that sent him / her. So, to reject an ambassador of peace is to reject the Prince of Peace. Be warned, some will be hostile towards you because they do not want to hear that God desires people who will worship him alone.
But, in the end, there was jubilation! The disciples were ecstatic that even the demons obeyed them (Luke 10:17-19)! Then there was Jesus reminding them that were also to be joyful that God has reserved a place for them in heaven; that their names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Jesus saw their victories in the towns of Judah as part of a war that dethroned Satan. As believers we are weak in our own strength, but we are strong in the Lord. We can claim God’s victory for us on Calvary by faith.
So, what is our mission? In the past, this has been focussed on: regular, relevant worship; evangelical preaching of God’s word; support of missions worldwide; the Good Book Cafe with its international focus on conversational English; and the intent to care for one another. These have been excellent goals for us to pursue.
But, the Church Council believes this is not enough. One of the definitions of insanity is: expecting a different outcome (like more people in Church) without changing anything (still running the same programs). We cannot keep doing the same things and expect a different result.
What does a farmer do when he wants to reap a harvest? He spends some money, sows seed, applies fertilizer, and prays for rain.
That’s pretty much what we are about to do. We want to grow this church numerically. We only have a limited window of opportunity to do this. We have advertised for two positions and have received six applications with a few more needing information. We believe that the time is right for us to employ a FAMILY PASTOR to start playgroups and to give oversight to the KFC program. Also, we are about to employ an administration assistant to look after office details and assist with pastoral care.
Our Church Council has been discerning what our God-given mission is. We have to do this regularly, or otherwise we cannot expect our congregation to grow. What I am saying is that our God-given mission needs to be revisited every time the dynamics of our congregation changes – or we risk dying, or becoming irrelevant in a culture that is full of materialism and apathy.
It is our vision to see the victory of God in this place; to see here what the 72 ambassadors saw when they went about their mission; to see the defeat of Satan in our community. As Jesus described (Luke 10:18-19), “Behold, I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. I have given you the power to overcome all the power of the enemy.
VIDEO CLIP DESCRIPTION: A blind man is sitting on the steps of a city building, facing the footpath where many people were passing by. He has a jam tin to collect coins of people as they pass by. His sign on a piece of cardboard reads: “I’M BLIND, PLEASE HELP”. Most people read the sign, but only very few give him their small change. A young woman approaches, sees the sign, picks it up, turns it over, and writes another sign on the other side. She puts the sign down and leaves. During this time the blind man feels her shoes. She leaves. Other people passing by see the new sign and lots of them donate to the blind man. The woman returns and stands in front of the blind man who feels her shoes and asks her, “what did you do to my sign?” She replied, “I said the same thing, but in different words”. The new sign read: “IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, BUT I CAN’T SEE IT”.
We have to learn to say the same things we have always been saying, but using different words that the people will listen to, because it touches their hearts.
When we see Satan defeated in our midst, some things will no longer be the case.
There will be no more unforgiveness; no revenge, no hate;
There will be no more worshipping assets, or money, or possessions;
There will be no more apathy, no more excuses, no more uncaring attitudes;
No more judgmentalism, no more legalism, no more lies;
No unwillingness to change, no more stubbornness, no more negativity.
Instead there will be the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. These fruit are what happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives.
So what does that mean for you and me?
- We will need to be closer to God
- Daily devotional to provide spiritual food
- We cannot expect to be spoon-fed once a week and still be healthy and strong. We do not just eat one meal a week. We need to consume food every day for good health and strength. The same is true of our spiritual food. We need to feed on God every day.
- We will need to be welcoming and openly friendly with the people of our community, as they are potentially the members of our church. We need to learn to not shut-out newcomers, but to invite them in and look after them.
- We are to care for one another. Let’s not just think about someone on your heart; pray for them, give them a phone call to cheer them up.
- We may have to go out into the community to reach the lost – because we have been sent as ambassadors of peace.
Who knows, God might choose to bless us in ways we never dreamed possible.
