INTRO: 1. When Jesus recruited the 70 to go forth and spread the good news of the gospel, He didn’t paint a glamorous picture for them.
a. Vs. 3 he tells them that he sends them out as “lambs among wolves.”
b. Take little with them, no money bag, bed, or extra sandals.
c. Told them to greet nobody on the road…little time for frivolous socializing.
d. To be dependent on god to provide them a place to stay… but goes on to say there will be cities that reject them.
e. With such a bleak job description these 70 paired up and went out in obedience to preach the gospel and heal the sick as Jesus instructed in verse 9.
2. Yet as they obediently stepped out in faith they discovered something they hadn’t expected…not only a power over sickness, but over Satan and his kingdom.
a. We must realize that this was a new experience biblically, Prophets, Priests and Kings are not recorded to ever had cast out demons.
b. This must has been a surprise discovery as they went forth preaching…not gone out looking for devils for fight.
3. After what must have been a few weeks these 70 returned overjoyed at their new found power in Jesus Christ and they couldn’t wait to tell Jesus.
a. But why hadn’t he told them about this before he sent them?
b. Why didn’t he command them to heal the sick, preach the gospel and cast out demons?
4. Jesus let them know that his focus has never been on what the devil and his crew is up to…not even a speed bump on the path of God’s higher purposes.
a. Notice what he said of the devil…
Vs. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
b. In other words the defeat of Satan is already sealed and his defeat was immediate and permanent.
c. He lets them know that the devil should never be a major obstacle in what we do in the authority of the name of Jesus Christ.
Vs. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
5. As powerful as that fact was, it wasn’t the truth he wanted to leave them with the most…He turned his attention on their rejoicing.
Vs. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
a. He would that day adjust their rejoicing for maximal impact in their lives.
b. There are hundreds of things in this bible to rejoice over, but we need our rejoicing adjusted to heaven’s standards.
6. I used to think it was just important to rejoice about anything, but this text let’s me know that my rejoicing must be in line with Jesus’ priorities, if my rejoicing is going to produce in me what Jesus wants in me.
7. I’m not here tonight to give you reasons to rejoice, but THE reason to rejoice.
… because your names are written in heaven.
8. Let’s take a few minutes tonight and see what Jesus teaches us about rejoicing.
I. WE MUST REALIGN OUR REJOICING
a. Jesus begins his teaching on rejoicing by saying
Vs. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
b. Let me say first that from the context of what he is saying and from an understanding of ancient oriental speech, Jesus was not rebuking them for rejoicing over their victory over the devil.
c. He confirmed that it was so and even imparted more power in vs. 19 to go forth.
d. What Jesus was in fact doing was realigning the priority of their rejoicing.
e. He was in fact saying that as good as reason as that is to rejoice about… there is a far better reason to rejoice.
f. Jesus understood there must be a proper balance in our rejoicing.
g. Jesus understood that our rejoicing must be biblically sound…securely founded in the word and not merely on what we feel and see.
h. Jesus understood that to focus our rejoicing on our victory over the devil alone left us in danger of extremes and excess.
A. REJOICE IN GRACE OVER GIFTINGS
1. They came back pointing their fingers at what they had done by the name of Jesus.
2. Jesus quickly realigned their focus not to what they had done, but what He had done for them.
3. Jesus wants us to never forget that God’s grace is the greatest miracle of all and it’s not by our hands, but by his hands that we rejoice.
4. They where focus on the joy of gifts, power and success… but Jesus wants us to see the danger in merely focusing on those things.
5. Because God uses you mightily doesn’t make you superior to others… giftings does not reflect status or position in God’s kingdom.
6. Just a chapter earlier 9 of the twelve disciples couldn’t cast out the demon in one boy… this didn’t make these men less than the 70.
7. It’s too easy to lapse into spiritual pride and lose focus of ‘grace.’
8. Our giftings and anointings are nothing apart from grace.
B. REJOICE IN SIGNIFICANCE, NOT JUST SUCCESS
1. They thought they had found success, because they could cast out demons.
2. After all your work may not turn out to be all it appears.
3. What appears to be success, is not always achieving the significant.
4. What appears to be revival, is not always fruitful.
5. Crowds may gather, conversions may even be confessed…but it’s the fruit that remains that makes what we do significant.
6. We must remember that every man’s work must be tested by fire.
7. When the fire comes a small golden hut will outside a large mansion of hay.
8. It’s not quantity, but quality God is looking for.
9. He’s not taking note of the miracles and the healings in our churches as much as how many names on our role matches the names on his role.
10. God measures success by eternal significance.
11. Some of those disciples may have put the gospel aside to go on witch hunts… God says it’s time to realign what brings you the greatest joy.
C. REJOICE IN ETERNAL, NOT JUST THE TEMPORAL
1. Joy in temporary gains over the devil is not lasting.
2. What about tomorrow when the devil comes back with greater force and it seems you are overwhelmed where does your rejoicing go then.
3. Can you only rejoice in the Lord when you feel you got the devil on the run.
4. But for those who rejoice in their names written in heaven, can rejoice whenever and wherever.
5. The devil can at times render my life uncomfortable and unpleasant, but he has no access to that book in heaven.
II. WE MUST REALIZE OUR REJOICING
a. Now Jesus after calling fro them to realign, calls them to realize their place as rejoicers.
Vs. 20b …but rather rejoice,…
b. He didn’t realign our rejoicing so we can sit down, but to unleash the power of rejoicing in the most powerful truth.
A. INCLUSIVE REJOICING
1. Grace is the great equalizer, realizing that none of us is deserving, but we can all equally participate.
2. The bedridden sister who can no longer serve with he frail body can join in this chorus of rejoicing.
3. You don’t have to be a great preacher or missionary to have a reason to rejoice.
4. You don’t have to be in perfect health to have a reason to rejoice.
5. You don’t have to have every bill paid to have a reason to rejoice.
6. If your name is written in heaven you have the greatest reason to rejoice.
B. FAITH-FILLED REJOICING
1. The other joy rose out of what they saw and experienced, but this one springs out of faith.
2. This rejoicing is founded in what Jesus said… nothing more, nothing less.
3. I believe this kind of rejoicing is more powerful, because it responds to the word instead of responding to life.
4. When my body begins to shut down and death comes to call, I can have no regrets because I rejoice in the assurance Jesus gave me… Derrick Strickland has his name there.
C. VALUE-PACKED REJOICING
1. Your name is personally added to his book, because you are just that precious to Him.
Mal. 3:16-17 …and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
2. You may possess no place of prominence here, but if your name is written there you have citizenship and every right and privilege that come with it.
D. CULTIVATED REJOICING
1. Jesus didn’t have to teach them to rejoice when they saw miracles, but he had to teach them to rejoice in an unseen fact.
2. We too must cultivate this kind of rejoicing.
3. It’s a rejoicing in the assurance we have in the blood of Jesus Christ.
4. It’s a rejoicing in the future we are already connected to.
E. LIBERATING REJOICING
1. It’s a rejoicing that cuts us loose from everything else in this earth
ILL. A few years ago in a news letter, read the following testimony that really touched me about a young man in Japan 400 years ago who was martyred for his faith: 26 Christians were executed at Nizhizaka Hill in Nagasaki, Japan on 15 February 1597. Amongst them was a young seventeen year old boy, Thomas Kosaki, who was to die for his Christian witness along with his father. He wrote a letter to his mother the evening before his crucifixion. Let me read a translation of it to "Mother, we are supposed tobe crucified tomorrow in Nagaski. Please do not worry about anything because we will be waiting for you to come to heaven. Everything in the world vanishes like a dream. Be sure that you never lose the happiness of heaven. Be patient and show love to many people. Most of all, about my little brothers Mansho and Philipo, please see to it that they are not delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. Mother, I commit you to the Lord"
2. I can endure hardship because my name is written in heaven.
3. The treasure and joys of this life is nothing in comparison, to the fact we have our names in heaven.
ILL. W Wiersbe “For the Christian, Heaven isn’t simply a destination; it’s a motivation.”
4. For the rich man shouldn’t rejoice in the temporary passing wealth of this life… but that his name is written in heaven.
5. For the poor man we should not let the lack of this life strip us of joy…but we have our name in heaven and an eternal inheritance that cannot be measured by the banks of this world.
III. WE MUST REJOIN THE REJOICING OF HEAVEN
a. This becomes more than a message on rejoicing, it becomes a demonstration of it as Jesus led them in a season of rejoicing before God.
b. What Jesus was actually doing was showing them what God and heaven rejoices over.
c. What was it… the grace God has revealed!
d. Heaven sees what we’ve taken for granted.
e. Remember Jesus said…
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
f. I can find no where that says such joy erupts when a demon is cast out, or when an attendance record is broken, or when anything else I know of.
g. Notice what Jesus himself rejoiced over
Vs. 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
A. HEAVEN REJOICES IN WHO GRACE IS REVEALED TO
1. Of all the people he could have reserved his grace for…He gave it to a bunch of misfits like us.
2. Dance with heaven because he wrote YOUR name without requiring you to reach some spiritual goal or accomplishment.
ILL. It wasn’t kings that angels in bethlehem sang and praised with, but the lowest class of people the shepherds.
3. Don’t you dare look down on the outcasts and the quote ‘losers’ of this world… they are prime candidates to be winners in the kingdom to come.
B. HEAVEN REJOICES OVER THE GREATEST REVELATION… GRACE
Vs. 23-24 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
1. What did they see that the prophets and kings didn’t and what did they hear that they desired to hear.
2. The gospel and manifest grace that Jesus brought with his salvation.
3. It’s still the greatest miracle of all time…your name written in heaven.
CONCLUSION: I can’t close this message without making it clear that Jesus wants all our names here tonight written in heaven. Is your name there?
Child of God have you lost the joy of Salvation? Can you still rejoice over the profoundly simple truth that your name is written in heaven. You can have it restored today.
