TOPIC: POWER FOR SERVICE
TEXT: MATT 10:1-8
MEMORY VERSE: “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost 1Thessa. 1:5a
INTRODUCTION: The last three verses of the nineth chapter form the proper introduction to the mission of the twelve, as evident from the remarkable fact the mission of the seventy was prefaced by the very same words Luke 10:2. Jesus our master has released to us the Power we need to serve Him in any capacity or wherever we might be. These Power are here enumerated and is for everyone.
LESSON OUTLINES:
(a) The call: Matt. 10:1, Luke 10:1-5
(b) The called: Matt 10:2
(c) The mission: Matt. 10:5-7
(d) The authority given to us: Matt 10:7, 8
(e) The obedience to the command: Luke 10:17-20
1. And when He had called unto His disciples, he gave them power... the word signifies both “Power” and “Authority” or “Right”, even if it were not evident that both ideas are included, we find both words expressly used in parallel passage of Luke 9:1 “He gave then power and authority in other words, He both qualified and authorized them.
2. The called: The other evangelists enumerate the twelve in immediate connection with their appointment. (Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:13-16). But our evangelist not intending to record the appointment, but only the mission of the twelve gives their names here. The appointments and titles we hold in the church means nothing, if we are not mission minded. Power given to us can only manifest if we carry on the mission mandate both of the master Jesus and that of the church. You are called by the master sent by the church as it was said of Paul in Acts “separate me Paul and Barnabas...” and the church laid hands on them, prayed and sent them on a mission work.
3. The mission: Matt. 10:5-7. The word mission here can be said to stand for an important official job that a person or group of people is given to do especially when they are sent to other people, group of people or other towns, villages, communities or countries. This official work or job, must have a mandate to enable the person sent to be focussed.
In our own case, every believer is an officer sent by our Lord Jesus Christ, and our mandate is to use the power given to us to bring sinners to Jesus, heal the sick, set the captive free, loose the bound and heal the broken heart. The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve when we yield to Him.
4. The authority given to us: Mark 16:15-18, Matt 10:1, Luke 10:19. In Matt 28:18, the word power means “authority” the right to use power. The entire Gospel of Mathew stresses the authority of Jesus Christ and that which He gave unto those who believe on Him, to function and display through service.
There was authority to His teaching (Matt 7:29) , (1Thess. 1:5, Rom. 1:16). Jesus exercised authority in healing (Matt 8:1-13) and over Satan and He delegated that authority to all who believe in Him. (Mk 16:17) You too can exercise your power in serving the Lord, demonstrate your faith power to heal the sick, raise the dead and perform miracles. You can do it, the power is in you.
5. Obedience to the command: Luke 10:17-20. In the book of Luke, we noted that the disciples obeyed their master, they went for the mission, they exercise their authority that Jesus gave to them, and for the first time they realise that it worked; it worked because they believed, obeyed, and put their authority to action. If we obey, believe and act upon His word, we will discover to our surprise the power of God working in our lives has no limit.
CONCLUSION: What are you waiting for?. His power is in you, renew your strength through the Holy Spirit of God and begin to function wherever you find yourself. Remember, the harvest truly is ripe, but labourers are few, why not be among the few with the power of service.
