After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.‘ [NRSV]
Marching Orders
On this patriotic weekend, we come to a text calling for our marching orders.
The Lead Team of Followers
Jesus leads from a place of support. Jesus has our back.
The Promise of Failure
Think in terms of baseball instead of report cards. An average student receives a “C” letter grade for their work but an ordinary baseball player bats .250 for the season. A great player might bat .350, which means they only get a hit about one-third of the time.
Bringing the Kingdom Near
Being the body of Christ for the world becomes real when our presence reveals God’s presence in the world around us.
Of all the things we do, in our work of “being the church” is when we are a people sent to reveal God’s kingdom when and where are located.
TEST: Is my Jesus showing?
- in my words
- in my mind
- in my heart
Is the kingdom of God what people hear, see, think and feel when they are with me?
If you are not sure, then ask
Complete the communication Circle
Expected Rejection and Failure
The instruction is to leave where we are not effective, but try first, do not assume.
The instruction is to try and stay until it’s time to go.
Living as Sent People
We have our orders
We have our ministry
We have our mission
We have our work
If we are not sharing the kingdom where we go, we are fleeing the battlefield, if we have given up then we are deserters.
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