What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology. Let’s discuss a mission trip from Luke 10:1-20.
70 Apostled
Short term mission trips are as old as when Jesus sent the 70. They were 1) “sent” or “apostled” as the Greek says. The eastern churches call these the 70 apostles. 2) sent “two by two,” wisely providing both encouragement and protection. 3) sent to places “Jesus was about to go.”
“… the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent [apostled] them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” (Luke 10:1 NKJV)
These missionaries were sent to new, not old ground. They were pioneers. Do all missions essentially prepare the way for Jesus?
A Big Job
Was this a big job?
The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (Luke 10:2 NKJV)
Lambs Among Wolves
Are there dangers? The world is filled with slander, violence and murderous threats by “wolves.” Are Christians supposed to be more like lambs?
Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. (Luke 10:3 NKJV)
A Journey of Faith
In later missions, they could carry money and clothing, but not this time. Why? Was it an exercise in faith? Was there a sense of urgency? Could they waste time in greetings?
Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. (Luke 10:4 NKJV)
Bring Peace
Was the Hebrew greeting, Shalom or peace, a way that the Holy Spirit would signify any readiness for the gospel?
But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. (Luke 10:5-6 NKJV)
Legitimate Work
Were they freeloaders, or is the Gospel legitimate work? Should believers still provide for those who bring the Gospel? Is the laborer still worthy of his hire?
Were they to stay where they were welcomed, not hopping around to different places? Would this provide some stability, making it easier for the curious to find them?
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. (Luke 10:7 NKJV)
Shake it Off
When we are not made welcome, should we just shake it off and move on? Can a small ritual help?
But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. (Luke 10:10-11 NKJV)
Is rejection realistic? What did Jesus say?
But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. (Luke 10:12)
What did Jesus say of cities that would refuse His missionaries? (The lectionary leaves this part out, perhaps because it offends.)
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:13-16 NKJV)
Joy
How did the missionaries return?
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17 NKJV)
What authority did Jesus give?
And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:18-19)
What did He say should be our chief joy?
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)
Why Go
Why do missionaries go?
… Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. (Psalm 96:1-3 NKJV)
Long before people will hear a preacher, they will hear lay people. What do they hear out of our mouths?
… how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:13-14 NLT)
The Great Commission
Jesus gave what many call the Great Commission. What is that all about?
… Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
The first verb is “go.” It literally means “having gone.” We don’t go if we stay home, hide, are exclusive, unfriendly, or not hospitable. Most are not called to foreign lands, but to our communities.
To “make” disciples means to make an effort to share Jesus’ teachings.
“Of all nations” means mixing culturally, new friendships, hospitable, tactfully telling others about Jesus.
Most churches baptize in the singular name of the three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, because churches with a healthy theology believe in the Trinity.
“...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” Lifelong learning about Jesus’ commands is important.
“...I am with you…” Jesus said He would send the Comforter, but He is also with us always. Will Jesus ever leave us?
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
Summary
Like those early disciples we are sent to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. The first missionaries went two by two to prepare the way for Jesus to come. We are looking for those who are hospitable to us. From among them we make disciples, baptize and teach them what Jesus commanded.
