The Lord Loves Cheerful Workers.

Introduction

I am sure you are aware of the parallel between the four gospels and the four living creatures in the vision of Ezekiel. You know: the Lion, symbolizing his supremacy and kingship; the Man, symbolizing the highest of intelligence; the Ox, for his lowly service, (a symbol which we like to pass over); and the heavenliness of the Eagle, (over there on the lectern), the eagle to remind us of Christ’s mystery and divinity.

But did you know, the eagle, (as noble and majestic bird as it is), as a chick, is not too keen to leave the nest, or even fly, which is quite surprising. As chicks they are very content to be in their nest, all cosy and snug; dining on whatever their parents bring them to eat; and to me a vision, of most teenagers today.

But there comes a time in many parents lives when they have had enough, and in the case of the eagle, the chicks are literally pushed out of their nests, when the parents know that they are big enough to fly, and hunt on their own.

In the case of our own children, we know as well, when it’s time them for them to leave the nest; when they are big enough to learn and look after themselves, well that’s the theory.

Our church mission.

Our gospel story today tells us of a similar situation, where Jesus decided that it was time for 70 of his chosen disciples to leave the nest, spread their wings and fly; and to preach the gospel. … After all, Jesus himself had taught them, and Jesus knew they were ready; them having heard his message, probably been tutored individually by Jesus, and them having witnessed first-hand, the miracles that Jesus performed.

It was then time for these disciples to leave the nest, as Jesus had every confidence in them to spread the gospel, however, he did not send them out willy-nilly, as he had a plan and purpose for these disciples, a plan which I feel we should study briefly this morning, as we have our own missions, within our church, and where better to start, than by examining this plan of Jesus for his disciples.

Martins Sermon last week.

Now from last week’s sermon, Martin discussed our calling, our calling in life, our calling for Jesus and our calling in this church.

Now as much as I loved to hear sermons on callings, I really struggle very much finding and understanding my own calling. … I know what I have wanted, and I know what I have ended up with, and they couldn’t have been further apart. For example, at school, I was a bad one, I was a right bad one, yet I ended being a teacher myself, and I have paid for it, ever since. … I have even ended up in church, (which was not the plan either), but I still do not know my calling; I have never felt any kind of anointing to do anything.

Some people on the other hand just know, that they know, what their calling is. I remember the Reverent David Gemmel at school, ok he was much younger than me, but I remember David saying away back, that “I am going to a minister”, and he did, and he still is, in Ayr in today, praise God. … Others however, have a good idea of what they can and would like to do, and kind of generally work towards what they deem right, and it works for them. Me, I haven’t got a clue, and I am sure, there are others like me, and all we can do, is wait for opportunities.

So, in reality, I am a bit like those eaglets, I need a push to get started, and I do respond to that for a while, and over the years, I have been content to help where ever I can. If it works, it works, if it doesn’t, I move on. I can think of no better plan. Don’t get me wrong, I am by no means ambitious as you know, but I feel, I have to be working at something, in a Christian capacity, for benefit of others.

Church Mission.

So, for me, when it comes to our mission for this church, I will probably do what I am asked to do, or do what I am told, and I am good with that. Others, may on the other hand, have definite ideas in what they want to do, and that is good, because we very much need them. And of course, there are those in the middle, who have some sort of idea what they can, or want to do, and I am sure they will find their place, or be gently prompted into something.