After this the Lord appointed seventy-two
others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he
was about to go. Luke 10:1
Over the years, my wife and I have participated in small groups in our church; these groups have seen God work in and through them in powerful ways. Many times, God has “sent us ... ahead of him” in prayer for what he was about to do, just as Jesus did in today’s Bible passage.
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” Luke 10:2
People in today's small groups have been sent into the harvest, as well. The father of one of our small group members was terminally ill and an unbeliever. After hearing the good news of Jesus, from his son and from others, the father received salvation several months before passing away. The uncle of another lay in hospice and two days before he died – and able to muster only a whisper – he asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins. When a group member's mother confessed long-held spiritual doubts, several of us invited and accompanied her to an Alpha course, where she came to faith in Christ. And our current small group has helped my wife and me welcome Chinese students into our home and community, so all of us were overjoyed when “the one we least expected” became a Christian earlier this year.
“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3
It is hard to count the number of times we have prayed each other through difficult relationships, and also difficult times in good relationships. Work, family, neighbors, and even church members – all can leave us at wit’s end. But we’ve seen ice thaw in even the most challenging of situations, the love of God warming hearts unto restoration, hearts of others and our own, as well.
“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’” Luke 10:9
For quite some time, we prayed for a group member’s toddler niece, who had leukemia. She was healed and lives today. And we have prayed for several friends and family members struggling with alcohol and drug addictions, later to watch them emerge victorious.
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-18
I believe God is stirring in and through his church – his lambs with authority! – today. I believe he is calling us to be conformed to the truth of his word and that, even as he grows us up into maturity, we are seeing his power unleashed through us and all around us. I believe God wants us to understand what it truly means to be one with him, one in him and one with each other: Christ is our life and we, together, are his body. He who has written our names in heaven, he is the same who lives in us and works through us.
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ”I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Luke10:21
Jesus has been sending out small groups for quite some time now. We are still part of the harvest and we still stand in the faith, power and authority he has given us. And he still jumps for joy at our report.
Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
Over the years, my wife and I have participated in small groups in our church; these groups have seen God work in and through them in powerful ways. Many times, God has “sent us ... ahead of him” in prayer for what he was about to do, just as Jesus did in today’s Bible passage.
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” Luke 10:2
People in today's small groups have been sent into the harvest, as well. The father of one of our small group members was terminally ill and an unbeliever. After hearing the good news of Jesus, from his son and from others, the father received salvation several months before passing away. The uncle of another lay in hospice and two days before he died – and able to muster only a whisper – he asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins. When a group member's mother confessed long-held spiritual doubts, several of us invited and accompanied her to an Alpha course, where she came to faith in Christ. And our current small group has helped my wife and me welcome Chinese students into our home and community, so all of us were overjoyed when “the one we least expected” became a Christian earlier this year.
“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3
It is hard to count the number of times we have prayed each other through difficult relationships, and also difficult times in good relationships. Work, family, neighbors, and even church members – all can leave us at wit’s end. But we’ve seen ice thaw in even the most challenging of situations, the love of God warming hearts unto restoration, hearts of others and our own, as well.
“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’” Luke 10:9
For quite some time, we prayed for a group member’s toddler niece, who had leukemia. She was healed and lives today. And we have prayed for several friends and family members struggling with alcohol and drug addictions, later to watch them emerge victorious.
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-18
I believe God is stirring in and through his church – his lambs with authority! – today. I believe he is calling us to be conformed to the truth of his word and that, even as he grows us up into maturity, we are seeing his power unleashed through us and all around us. I believe God wants us to understand what it truly means to be one with him, one in him and one with each other: Christ is our life and we, together, are his body. He who has written our names in heaven, he is the same who lives in us and works through us.
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ”I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Luke10:21
Jesus has been sending out small groups for quite some time now. We are still part of the harvest and we still stand in the faith, power and authority he has given us. And he still jumps for joy at our report.
Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
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