MISSION POSSIBLE: Change the World (6 of 6)

CHANGE THE WORLD
Luke 10:1-11, 19-20, 24

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 "When you enter a house, first say, ’Peace to this house.’ 6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ’The kingdom of God is near you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ’Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ Luke 10:1-11 (NIV)

KEY 1: Jesus is calling you to a place He intends to follow.

…sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. v 1

When you begin to pursue your calling – you can be sure that God will not leave you hanging. He will show up. He’s sending you to prepare his way…

KEY 2: Your efforts will be multiplied (by 5, in this instance)

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power… and he sent them out to preach… Luke 9:1-2 (NIV)

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others… Luke 10:1 (NIV)

In the first instance - Jesus had sent twelve... That twelve apparently had resulted in seventy-two...

How many did it start with? (Trick question) ONE. As long as He is the source, it works. A world-changer has Jesus at the core of his/her life.

Our text really affirms the messages we have preached to-date in this series:

- You are called (he called the twelve, appointed seventy-two)
- You are supplied for service (he gave them power)
- You are connected (sent them two by two)
- Pray urgently (pray the Lord of the Harvest)
- Experience the will of God (whatever house you enter, stay until you leave)

HEART OF A WORLD-CHANGER (v 2-4)

IS PRAYERFUL (v 2) Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers

Don’t give what is holy to the dogs, ask, seek, knock (Mat 7:6-7)

Through prayer, we receive provision (ask/receive), direction (seek/find), and influence (knock/opened)

Remember – HE is the source… It is our connection to the source that is our connection to the world.

IS COURAGEOUS (v 3) I am sending you out like lambs among wolves

“… enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” Acts 4:29 (NIV)

Part of this courage comes from knowing that Jesus will come behind you. Actually – here’s the cool thing about Jesus. He goes before and he follows after…

But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12 (NIV)

IS SECURE (v 4a) Do not take a purse or bag or sandals;

“… do not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself” Mat 6:34 (NIV)

IS FOCUSED (v 4b) and do not greet anyone on the road