Disciples Sent Out to Preach and Heal

 Prayer Practice

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Luke 9:1-62

REFLECTION

Disciples Sent Out to Preach and Heal

by Pastor Jeff Morlock

Jesus’ disciples have received his teaching and witnessed his authority over disease and the demonic. Now Christ gives them the responsibility and authority to do what he himself has been doing - proclaim God’s kingdom and demonstrate its power (verses 1-6). Jesus sends them without the necessary provisions of bread, money, or extra clothes, asking them to trust him for daily provision. Their faith will grow in proportion to their experience of  God’s faithfulness (verses 10-17). Of course, this is all preparation for the day when Jesus will ascend to heaven, and they’ll be given the task of taking the Gospel to the nations. Like their master, these disciples will receive from God a cross and a crown (verses 23-27). And as they obey him, they'll experience his triumph and truth (verses 37-45).

This is a long passage, but its bottom line is simple: to answer Jesus’ call is to be in over your head and out of your comfort zone. When you go in the authority he provides, with his promises in your heart and on your lips, when you dare to speak his good news in word and deed to the people around you, you’ll be desperate for the Lord to supply even the simplest of needs. Are you desperate yet? If what Jesus asks of his disciples then and now seems risky, consider this: you, me, and all of us together are like a conduit that the Spirit of God uses to deliver his grace and power to those trapped by sin and its consequences. So the real question is, “What blocks the flow of the Spirit's power in your life and mine? What blocks the flow of the Spirit's power in our life together as church?”

Joining Jesus in his mission always demands adjustments of us. Our text highlights four attitude adjustments that are necessary in order for Jesus’ disciples to be conduits of the Spirit who are able to effectively reach others for the kingdom. Spend some time reading, praying and meditating on the need for these adjustments. Which one is most applicable for you right now?

- He turns us from pride to humility (verses 46-48)
- He turns us from tribalism to cooperation (verses 49-50)
- He turns us from vengeance to mercy (verses 51-56)
- He turns us from security to sacrifice (verses 57-62)

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I confess that I have often been too comfortable and content to be sent. I’ve been silent when you’ve called me to speak, and timid about operating in the
authority you’ve given me. Please forgive me, and make the necessary adjustments
in my attitude, so that your Holy Spirit can freely flow through me to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and to set the oppressed free. In your holy name. Amen.

Gridlock

Matthew 28:18-20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028%3A18-20&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

There are a lot of things that can keep us from taking action. Fear, feeling overwhelmed by an impending major decision or lack of confidence, just to name a few. Also high on that list is the loss of a family member or a close friend.

 

Any of these can send us into an emotional tailspin that can take hours, days, weeks or even months to recover. In the meantime, we remain motionless at best or even going backwards at worse. It’s as if our decision making ability, even our instincts to survive, are frozen in time. We’re in a personal gridlock.

 

The disciples were faced with a similar situation following the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. They had lost their leader. They were afraid. What would happen to them? Where would they go? What would they do?

 

These verses in Matthew 28, are some of the last recorded words that Jesus spoke to his disciples telling them in no uncertain terms that they were to go and make disciples; that he would be with them always.

 

It seems simple doesn’t it? Yet, apparently more was needed. In Acts 1, as the disciples were looking up into the sky where Jesus had just disappeared, apparently leaving them forever; they were unable to make a decision… unable to take action. At that point, two men dressed in white spoke to them.

 

¹¹ “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky?”    NIV

 

In other words, “Get up off the couch and get going. You heard Jesus promise you power from the Holy Spirit. Nothing’s going to happen when you aren’t doing anything. So do something and watch him work”. That isn’t in the Bible, but they could have said those words to the disciples… and to you and me.

 

Matthew 28:18-20 is well known as the Great Commission. It’s often quoted and used as a teaching tool for evangelism. It’s Jesus’ call to action. However, Acts 1:8-11 is also his call to action. Following this call, the first thing the disciples did was to pray.

 

So, why are you standing there looking up into the sky? Reading this devotional? Get going! Do something! Get involved! Break out of your gridlock! Pray!

 

 

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. ¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”         NIV

 

 

 

 

 

Widening the Table

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

The Spirit of God empowers the church to join in reaching all people. That is why our Mission Statement is: "To Be and To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ." We can't do it on our own, that isn't how it works. 

We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach out to all people. That is the mission we have been intentionally preaching and teaching about for the past few years.

While this has always been our mission, it is Jesus' mission for us too. Just look at scripture and you realize it is our calling, our duty as disciples to reach out and widen our horizons. People used to speak of the priesthood of all believers. 

In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. There was a priestly intermediary. Now, since Jesus' death and resurrection, we can come directly into God's presence, as Hebrews 4:16 says.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

Communication Helps Get the Job Done

Communication is so important.

 

You communicate constantly with your spouse as the two of you are raising your children. You communicate frequently with your children. You want everyone to be on the same page and both parents want to know the emotional and behavioral health of their children.

 

At work you communicate with your boss frequently. What are today’s priorities? Are we keeping our current customers happy? What needs to be done to attract new customers? What additional support is required?

 

Communication is the only way to know what your boss wants done and also the only way he knows what barriers are in your way.

 

Today’s reading, Mark 1:35-39, is about communication. Jesus is about to continue his preaching. Before he goes, however, he goes to a solitary place and prays to his Father.

 

Unhindered with interruptions, Jesus has a deep conversation with his Father, and apparently learns that he should preach elsewhere -- in the villages of Galilee.

 

Jesus was on a mission and he prayed about that mission with his Father. The Bible cites numerous instances of Jesus praying. Prayer, that is communication with his Father, was ingrained in his daily routine.

 

Like Jesus, we are sent on a mission. Our mission and Jesus’ mission are one and the same. It is multi-faceted and includes loving our neighbor, worshiping God and making disciples.

 

To complete our mission, we need to be in constant communication with our boss, that is, God. Through prayer, He will help us identify opportunities and provide hints for being effective. He will also provide comfort when things are not going so well.

 

We are told to pray constantly, that is, to keep God in our daily decision making process. This helps incorporate God’s Will in our daily routine. As today’s lesson suggests, however, there are times when we need to be more contemplative in our prayer and we need to be unhindered with interruptions.

 

Just like we communicate to our boss and our family members, we need to communicate with our heavenly Father and heavenly Boss. It needs to be ingrained in our daily routine.

 

Communication helps get the job done!

 

Next Step: Share Your Hope

1 Peter 3: 13-16

You don't have to be a biblical scholar or even good at memorizing scripture in order to talk with others about your journey in this world. Just be yourself. Having a heart for the Lord will be evident in your actions and interactions. But go ahead, pray for Him to use you as a vehicle for His words.

Provided you can be patient and don't put the cart before the horse, your Life on Mission will likely be a natural progression. Remember though, that with some, the process will be somewhat swift and with others, painfully slow, but take heart, our God is near.

Just as with any friendship, the process of connecting and getting to know one another to the point of trust is not simple. It requires sincere interest, time and love. Once connected, serving can be anything your friend needs like offering transportation, childcare, food, money, time, etc.

Upon feeling connected and having settled into a comfortable service for each of you, a time will come for you to share your story. That doesn't mean you talk all about your church and try to convince them to go with you, but conversation about YOU. The story of how you came to be so at peace. Genuine dialogue about where you came from and how you got to be where you are now. Generally when people see something they like, they want to know how to get it for themselves.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect... 1 Peter 3:15

If you have a testimony, go ahead and share it, but be cautious to proceed with gentleness and respect. Nothing worse than an over-the-top Christian. Be sure to meet them where they are. If you don't really have a specific event or experience to share, or you feel that general and low key is best, how about something like; Well, I don't know a lot about the specifics of things like which king did what when, and there's books in the Bible I can't even pronounce, but one thing I do know is that my life has never been better since I made the decision to be a Christ follower. From there conversation will continue, perhaps not that day, but it will. You will have opportunities to expand on that if you watch for them.

What will your response be when you are asked to give a reason for the hope people see in you?

Read/Listen to 1 Peter 3:13-16 

Matthew 25:31-46

The Next Step – Serve

I couldn't have been more humbled when I received this hand-made bench that now has a home on my deck, on the last day of the school year. I was walking away after twenty five years of working with an amazing group of adults and children at my middle school. 

In ways I felt like, "Hey, they got it!" They noticed I went out of my way to serve others, and I am a follower of Christ. That had been my mission field for many years. Then I thought, "Wait a minute, this isn't the end, it is just the beginning!" One of the reasons I am ending this journey is to embark on another one. The need is never ending, and service is just part of the story. 

In Matthew 25:31-46 we read the story of the Son of Man coming in Glory to separate the righteous from the unrighteous. How those who served others will reap the benefits of eternal life, and those who did not going away to eternal punishment. 

We don't like speaking of hell, but it is mentioned in many of the books of the bible. As I serve others and think of how I can do more, it is not because if I don't I may go to hell. I serve others because it's the right thing to do. It is following the word of the Lord. 

Jesus came to serve people, with humility. Because he was human, he surely felt uneasy and threatened at times, but he knew what we also know about what awaits us after this life. So being out of our comfort zone as Jesus often was is part of the mission. 

Today many of us are too busy to take the time for others in need. Well, we need to MAKE time. It may mean giving up other activities, or rearranging schedules to accommodate others, but that's how others know we care. They need to know how much we care before they will open up to us and trust enough to allow us into their heart.

We freely give gifts of money and material things on special occasions, but consider the difference it will make when we give the gift of the Savior. It's free and will last FOREVER. 

Read/Listen to Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus-is-us

When my kids were young, we often went to toy stores. My kid’s favorite was “Toys-R-Us.”

 

In my usual nit-picking way, I would think to myself, “Toys-R-Us is not toys; they are a store that sells toys.” This does not make sense!

 

Of course, it is a great toy store. They usually had something for my kids. Failing that, they always had something for me!

 

Today’s reading, Acts 4:1-13. Peter and John, two of Jesus “go to” apostles, are before the Sanhedrin. They have just healed a crippled beggar. The Sanhedrin, concerned that a greater power is in their midst, wants to know on what authority they healed the beggar.

 

Peter replies it is Jesus, and in fact, adds that salvation is found in no one other than Jesus.

 

This is the first recorded miracle that the apostles did after Jesus died. It is the first recorded miracle that the church performed after Jesus died.

 

Jesus delegated his mission to Peter and John. He gave some of his powers to Peter and John. More profoundly, however, Jesus delegated his mission and gave some of his powers to his church!

 

Jesus is counting on his church – and that includes you and I!

 

I feel inadequate, to do Jesus work. Fortunately, there are others who can help me and point me in the right direction. However, Jesus is here, right in front of me, in the form of a Bible.

 

More importantly, Jesus is within me.

 

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not powers external to me, that work on me. St. Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are within me!

 

I may feel inadequate to do Jesus work, but God has given me everything I need in preparation. Better than that, Jesus is within me. I do not have to “go it alone.”

 

Like the toy store, it does not make sense.

 

Nonetheless, Jesus-is-us.

 

Lead a Life Worth Imitating

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. (John 13:12)

I believe this is a significant event for a couple of reasons. As Christians and Disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to imitate Him. We are to say the things He said and do the things He did. When He washed the feet of His disciples, he was serving them. We should do no less.

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. (John 13:13-14)

When He was finished he spoke to his dear friends in an attempt to teach them how to treat one another. And more than that, He was teaching them about their mission on earth. He was teaching them what they needed to do after He was gone.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:16-17) 

Jesus set the example, He showed them how to be servants, and instructed them not to think of themselves as better than anyone else. Jesus wasn't showing them how to be nice to each other, but He was showing them how to continue His work after He was gone. He was preparing them for tomorrow. And he was preparing us as well.


John 13:12-20

The Longest of Trips ...

... Start with one small step.

 

You have heard that adage before, no doubt. No matter how big the journey or task, no matter how unpleasant or even how uncertain, you have to start … somewhere.

 

Sometimes you know where you are going and how to get there. But sometimes not. Nonetheless, if you want to reach your destination, you have to keep going, no matter how uncertain you are.

 

Today’s reading is John 1:43-51. Jesus had just been baptized and was now ready to begin his mission. His mission, of course, was to found his Church. He had to begin somewhere.

 

His first step was to get 12 disciples to follow him. A good leader, after all, needs followers. Jesus got followers, although there were not necessarily “good”. In the reading, Jesus recruits Nathaniel.

 

To Nathaniel, Jesus' mission, if he even understood it at that moment, must have seemed impossible.  He asked Jesus (of Nazareth), “Nazareth! can anything good come from there?”

 

Nazareth was the equivalent of a hick town: simple and unsophisticated. Jesus' hometown, it is not even mentioned in the Old Testament. Worse yet, the Zealots, who wanted to overthrow Roman rule, were from the general region. Calling someone a Nazarene could also imply that person was a political enemy of Rome.

 

Jesus started the early Church one person at a time. He had to start somewhere. And today we know how successful he has been, with well over one billion followers!

 

We are all on a journey, whether we know it or not. In fact, we may be on several, intersecting, journeys. My journey as a father was intimidating at first. My journey into the work force was exciting. My journey with Christ has been filled with ups and downs.

 

In all three cases, I did not always know where to start and then necessarily knew what the next steps were. Yet by taking the next step, sometimes the wrong next step, I eventually made progress.

 

What journeys are in your life? What does your journey with Jesus look like?

 

What is your next step?

Be A Disciple

Today’s reading is from Luke 14:25-35. Jesus tells the crowds that following him means also to stop following the ways of the world. Jesus urges the crowd to consider the cost of Being a Disciple. Jesus wants disciples who will carry out his will, not merely people who will see Jesus only as their Savior.


 

Being a Disciple is a tough decision for a person to make. Humankind has a long history of rejecting God and his Law. Adam and Eve could not help but eat forbidden fruit.

 

Disciples are the Flowers of God

Adam and Eve’s immediate descendants also had obedience problems. The Sethites, against God’s warning, married the Cainites, and the world became totally corrupt. God cleansed the world with the flood, and through Noah, we had a fresh start. Yet humans continued to reject God over the ages.

 

I am certain that left to my own devices I would not chose to Be a Disciple.

 

Fortunately, God chose me at my Baptism. The Holy Spirit became a part of me and I became not only acceptable to God, but also equipped to Be a Disciple.

 

My ability to Be a Disciple is flawed, yet it continues to improve, through the Word. By reading the Bible over the decades I have a better understanding of what my assignment in life is. My life, as sinful as it is, has been one of general Christian growth. Perhaps I am maturing, but I will never be fully mature disciple in this world.

 

Another tool that helps me in my growth is my congregation. It not only administers the Sacraments of Grace, but it helps me to find opportunities to Be a Disciple. Not only that, it can even challenge me to do more, and thus, continue to grow in faith.

 

How is your Christian Growth? Are you a member of a Christian Congregation? Are you following its lead to carry out Jesus’ Mission? Are you Being a Disciple?

 

Individually we can only do so much. Together we can accomplish God’s Will.

 

God chose me, so I want to Be a Disciple.

 

Pray. Give. Go. That is Being a Disciple.

Ready, Get Ready...Pray

Acts 21:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. ”When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

Mission work can be dangerous if you're not ready. Paul's word indicate he is ready, even ready to die if necessary. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21). As for us, at the very least, we will be called to 'die to self'. 

There is preparation to be done prior to any mission endeavor.  It doesn't matter if you are traveling overseas, working in a homeless shelter, or helping feed hungry children; there is an element of preparation in order to be ready.

I know it is unwise to tackle any situation which Satan does not want improved without being 'prayed up.' We need to be on guard against the enemy who prowls the earth.  We must put on the full armor of God every day in order to stand against the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Those flaming arrows can take on the shape of illness, injury, fear and pain. Any of these arrows can stop us in our tracks and can make us ineffective. Paul was ready, he was prayed up and all set to face the enemy head on.

Our desire to please God must overshadow our desire to avoid hardship and suffering. When we really want to do God's will, we must accept all that comes with it—even the pain. Then we can say with Paul's companions, "The Lord's will be done." 

Acts 21:7-16

Mission and Miracles

Christians sometimes debate what a miracle is. Many might say that a miracle is something that is an extra-ordinary event, outside the boundaries explainable by science. Others might counter that a miracle is an act of God that man cannot understand. Still others (my personal favorite) will say, “They are hard to define, but I know one when I see one!”

Some have argued that God’s purpose in performing miracles is to bring someone to faith.

 

Each year our church participates in the Samaritan’s Purse program that sends Christmas packages to children in underdeveloped countries. Brenda, my wife, participates and we spend perhaps $50 – no big deal from our perspective. Yet from the receiver’s perspective, a person who may have difficulty getting food every day, such a package might very well appear to be a miracle.

 
Since God works though Christians, such a gift is from God. Further, such a gift could bring someone to faith. Perhaps the receiver is correct and my nonchalant attitude is wrong! God works at least some of his miracles through people and congregations.

 

Today’s reading, Acts 19:11-20, is about miracles. From the reading, we know that God worked miracles through Paul. We also know that many people came to faith because of the miracles performed in Ephesus.

Sceva’s sons tried to perform miracles for their own personal gain. These sons are probably among the false prophets that John warns us about in 1 John 2:18-23, 4:1-6. These false prophets, or antichrists, try to keep people from knowing Jesus.

 

The Samaritan’s Purse example is one of a mission occurring overseas. Yet the people John warns us about exist in our country today. They are in some of our spiritual centers, our politics and our media. The world is trying to keep people from knowing Jesus.

 

What can we do about these false prophets? We can’t stop them from doing their thing. But we can counter them by bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community.

 

The mission field is not just overseas, but it is also here! We can do miracles here!

Set Aside and Sent Out

Acts 13:4-5 (NIV)  The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.  When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

Barnabas and Saul had been set aside by God for this task.  John was with them as their helper. Research indicates this was Barnabas' home; so he was in familiar territory. My first thought was of the scripture that tells of the prophet being rejected in his own town. Would this be a tough assignment?

My second thought reminded me these two men had been set apart from the others by the Holy Spirit.  What does that mean? Surely it will make a huge difference in their ministry. God had a plan and Barnabas and Saul, (also called Paul) were on the cusp of a new adventure.  Whenever God sets us apart for a specific time or assignment, we can be certain it will be life-changing.

John, chosen to go with them as a helper, indicates the mission would be more than the two of them should tackle alone.  We all need help on occasion, even if that help is a novice, someone still in training.  If two heads are better than one - certainly three heads even more so.  When God assembles a team like this, when the Holy Spirit sends us out on mission, things are going to happen.

Acts 13:4-5

Acts: 4: 23-31

                                                           Praying Bold

Have you ever been so passionate about something that you spoke with the intensity of a great warrior or scholar and had no idea where the words came from? Was there a time when you stood strong for a cause in a way that you would have never believed you could? Did you ever impulsively grab a child just before he ran into the street or jump between two people when one was about to attack the other in some way? In these types of situations, it doesn't take a great deal of forethought, it happens because it is supposed to. The courage jumps into us swiftly and takes control.

I remember the last day of  my sophomore year in high school. I was very quiet and rather insecure. All of the students had to turn in their books, locks, etc., so it was an unstructured situation with many students hanging around, talking, and waiting for their friends. I was walking down a long corridor alone, when up ahead I watched as a group of “tough” girls grabbed hold of a student and were attempting to drag her outside. I recognized the girl as Ginger. She was somewhat heavy set, and was seldom seen in the school hallways because she had a cognitive disability. Ginger was obviously scared to death, as this gang of rough teens had hold of her on all sides. Without even thinking, I ran ahead and yelled at the top of my lungs, “Let her go!” I stepped into their arena as Ginger was attempting to grab on to the door frame. The girls let go of Ginger and she hurried off in a panic. They then grabbed hold of me and suddenly I became their target. I survived the ordeal, but have often thought about where that courage came from. There were about seven or eight of them and one of me. I knew Ginger would be of no help, and I had no intention of getting into a street fight, but when I saw her being brutalized by her peers I didn't think for a second about walking by. It was something that simply had to be done.

I believe this is the type of inner passion today’s scripture refers to: Being Bold!

Peter and John were seized and taken to jail because of what they were speaking about Jesus.  They were questioned and warned multiple times not to speak of or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Upon their release, Peter and John were even more intent on their mission. They prayed; “……now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Verse 31 goes on to say; After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

We can be bold and assertive without being aggressive or pushy. Being bold for the Lord is a great honor. Meeting people where they are with the confidence of the Holy Spirit within us will draw others to us. Perhaps you are not a bold person by nature, but it is amazing what can come forth from within even the small and meek,  when the Spirit is near and we are open to it. In 2 Corinthians the Lord states, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Be bold for God.

Listen to/Read Acts 4: 23-31