SO MUCH WORK, SO LITTLE HELP
LUKE 10: 1-21
FEBRUARY 3, 2002
INTRODUCTION: Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat next to our praying friend. The timid Christian anxiously waited for his stop so he could exit the bus. But before he could get very nervous about the man next to him, the big guy burst into tears and began to weep. He then cried out with a loud voice, "I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner and I need the Lord. Won’t somebody tell me how to be saved?" He turned to the Christian and pleaded, "Can you show me how to be saved?" The believer immediately bowed his head and prayed, "Lord, is this a sign?" Are you looking for a "sign" to start witnessing?
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Our text for this day answers the question, “If you are looking for a sign to tell someone else about Jesus, here it is!” Most Christians struggle with this issue. It seems hard enough to follow Christ without telling everyone else about Him. “People don’t want to hear what I have to say”, or “they already know”, might be our excuse. “People won’t like me if I get all religious on them,” or “they might not like me if I point out what God says” are some other excuses. “For Heaven Sake, Billy Graham is on TV all the time, not to mention all those Religious stations.” “Why on earth should I tell someone else, surely this is why we pay the Preacher the big bucks.” Let me know share with you the Truth from God’s word on GETTING OUT!”
THESIS SENTENCE: Jesus calls all disciples, those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior, to Go and tell someone else “the kingdom of God is near you.”
JESUS CALLS US TO GET OUT!
I. WE WORK BECAUSE HE SENDS US (VV. 1-16)
A. We work because we’re sent.
1. Jesus uses the word appointed!
2. In verse 3 it is explicitly clear: “GO!”
B. We work because it is time.
1. It is harvest time!
2. What happens if you don’t harvest the field while it is ripe?
C. We work because we know how.
1. Verses 3-11 and 16 are marching orders!
2. We are even given the words to share and the model of what it looks like! Check it out! Note verses 4 and 7b!
3. It can not be spelled out any clearer; we know what to do!
ILLUSTRATION: Assumptions can be quite dangerous. For example, the photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene hampered him and he asked his home office to hire a plane. Arrangements were made and he was told to go at once to a nearby airport, where the plane would be waiting. When he arrived at the airport, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let’s go! Let’s go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and they soon were in the air. "Fly over the north side of the fire," yelled the photographer, "and make three or four low level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I’m going to take pictures," cried the photographer. "I’m a photographer and photographers take pictures!" After a pause the pilot said, "You mean you’re not the instructor?" The Jokesmith.
BECAUSE WE ARE SENT, IT IS TIME, AND WE KNOW HOW, JESUS CALLS US TO GET OUT!
IF THIS ISN’T ENOUGH, JESUS STILL CALLS US TO GET OUT!
II. WE WORK BECAUSE IT BRINGS US JOY (VV. 17-19)
A. We work for joy is the reward
1. The result is clear those who go are filled with joy!
2. There is a payback for Following instructions
B. We work for power is the reward
1. When we Get Out, we are anointed for the work.
2. The result is POWER, real power! We can cause Satan to Fall!!!
C. We work for authority is our reward
1. Because we Get Out, Jesus gives us authority!
2. It is authority over all the power of the enemy! Are you tired of him messing you up? Take the authority over him Jesus gives to those who GET OUT!
WITH JOY, POWER, AND AUTHORITY AS OUR REWARD, JESUS CALLS US TO GET OUT!
IF THIS ISN’T ENOUGH, JESUS STILL CALLS US TO GET OUT!
III. WE WORK BECAUSE OUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN DOWN (VV. 20-21)
A. We work because it is who we are
1. Jesus says blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt. 5:8)!
2. Our Motivation is sure, we serve Him because of who we are in HIM alone!
B. We work because we belong to Him
1. We do not Get Out because of the Joy, Power, or Authority given!
2. We Get Out because our Names are written in Heaven! WE BELONG TO HIM!
C. We work because it bring HIM JOY
1. Verse 21 makes our hearts rejoice. When we Get Out, it brings Jesus joy!
2. Have you ever wondered how can I please the one and true living God? It is simple, Get Out!
ILLUSTRATION: There was a farmer who had three sons: Ron, Don and Little John. All had their names on the church roll but none ever attended church or had time for God. Then one day, Don was bitten by a rattlesnake. The doctor was called and he did all he could to help Don, but the outlook for his recovery was very dim indeed. So the pastor was called and appraised the situation. The pastor arrived, and began to pray as follows: "O wise and righteous Father, we thank Thee that in Thine wisdom thou didst send this rattlesnake to bite Don. He hasn’t been inside the church in years and has shown little interest in You. We trust that this experience will be a valuable lesson to him and will lead to his genuine repentance. And now, O Father, wilt thou send another rattlesnake to bite Ron, and another to bite Little John, and another really big one to bite the old man. For years we have done everything we know to get them to get serious with Thee. Thank you God for rattlesnakes.
BECAUSE IT IS WHO WE ARE, WE BELONG TO HIM, AND IT BRINGS HIM JOY, WE WANT TO GET OUT!
CONCLUSION: What will it take to get you serious about serving God? I want each of us to bring Joy to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and it will only happen when we GET OUT! I want you to make a bold commitment today. I want each of us to ask God to let us each lead one person to Christ in our lifetime. Since we are not promised tomorrow, let each of us ask God to allow each of us to reach ONE PERSON this year. JUST ONE MORE IS OUR PRAYER. WILL YOU ASK GOD TO ALLOW YOU TO REACH ONE PERSON FOR HIM THIS YEAR?
