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
“… if your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light” Mat 6:22 (NIV)
“… no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service…” Luke 9:62 (NIV)
CONDUCT OF A WORLD-CHANGER (v 5-11)
BRINGS GOOD NEWS (v 5) first say, ’Peace to this house.’
We are to preach the Gospel (Good news). The first declaration of the gospel was by angels, to shepherds – and the message was Peace on earth, Good will to men – for unto you is born…
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Our job is not to impress them with knowledge, or judge them by the Word. Our job is to let them know that unto them is born a Saviour.
Some people won’t receive it (v 6). Notice:
If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. You see that? You have the gospel. You know the Prince of Peace. Either way – you are at peace.
IS A FRIEND (v 7) Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you
One thing that we notice about Jesus – he wasn’t picky about who he associated with. And man – am I glad! What if Jesus decided that he was only going to hang around people of his caliber?
Be a friend to people. Love people.
These disciples were in a culture in which hospitality was important. Much like India… But not just India. The work of the Gospel will take you to homes, and people – right here in AL.
HEALS THE SICK (v 9) Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ’The kingdom of God is near you.’
Two things I get from this verse… First – the world-changer is aware of both the physical needs and the spiritual needs of people. It’s hard to tell a man about Jesus when he is hungry.
But another thing – Spiritual Gifts are at work in the world-changer. Jesus didn’t say, “Break out your first-aid kit”. He said, “Heal them”.
When the disciples prayed for boldness – how did they ask God to give it to them? By stretching forth his hand to heal.
ACCEPTS REJECTION (v 10-11)
God told Samuel – they have not rejected you, they have rejected me.
The disciples rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer shame for the name.
PRIVILEGE OF A WORLD-CHANGER (v 19-20, 24)
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:17-20 (NIV)
AUTHORITY (v 19) I have given you authority…
A world-changer recognizes that not all that goes on in their world is flesh. Spirits are against them. But they recognize them as such, and take authority over them. Speak to the enemies in your life!
SALVATION (v 20) …but rejoice that your names are written in heaven
This is a call to humility… Remember that you were changed. The only reason you can be a world-changer is because someone walked into your life and changed your world.
WATCH GOD WORK!
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Luke 10:23-24 (NIV)
