According To Luke: The Gospel Grows Feet

According To Luke: The Gospel Grows Feet

Opening Illustration:

Have you ever had the desire to do something but lack the tools necessary to get the job done? A few years ago my wife wanted a table to go in our den. She wanted something somewhat rustic, sort of farm house style. She told me what she wanted and I agreed that that sort of table would be fantastic and look really nice in the house. I wished I could have built it for her myself as there is not really anything out there that we had seen that she really liked. 

Then I remembered my good buddy Josh Raybon. I called Josh, told him what I was looking for and he got to work. He got the wood, used tools necessary to construct the table and delivered it to me as a gift to my wife. You see, I had the desire to build it but lacked the tools to carry out the desire. 

That can be pretty frustrating when you apply it to your spiritual life? Have you ever wanted to go on a mission trip but you feel intimated by the scope of the trip? Have you ever wanted to share the Gospel with a co-worker or friend but feel that you lack the Biblical knowledge to start the conversation? Have you ever felt called to teach a Life Group class but sense that you are not praying enough, know enough Scripture, or are spiritual enough to perform the work? I think that we have all been there before. 

Point:

I am sure that the 12 disciples felt the same way when Jesus sent them out for the very first time. The probably had the desire to take the message of Christ to the masses but might have felt ill equipped to carry out the call. If they did feel equipped, Jesus was about to remove that comfort for them. Jesus wanted to move the disciples from knowledge of the Gospel to performance of the Gospel. He was throwing them in the proverbial deep end. 

The disciples probably felt a lot like this…

Play John Wayne Video

Point:

For the record, I am not in favor of throwing children into the deep end to learn how to swim. However, in a sense, that’s exactly what Jesus does to His disciples. 

When you think about the ministry of Christ to the disciples, you will see a consistent pattern of discipleship. This pattern repeats itself over and over again in the Gospels and is seen in the book of Luke. The pattern goes like this:

Stage One: Jesus Ministers, Disciples Watch

Stage Two: Jesus Ministers, Disciples Assist

Stage Three: Disciples Minister, Jesus Assists

State Four: Jesus Watched, Disciples Minister

Point:

When we arrive to Luke 9, we have the disciples ready. They have the tools. They are ready. Now Jesus is throwing them into the deep end of ministry. It is sink or swim time. They really only have three options. It is the same options as this little boy faced with John Wayne. Stay on the shore. That’s no good. Sink to the bottom, even worse. Lastly, they could use the tools that Jesus has given them and make it to the other side!

Luke 9:1-6 we see Jesus take a very different approach to His disciples. Fill in these blanks, the disciples know the messiah, now they will share His message.

The Disciples Know The Messiah, Now They Will Share His Message!

Scripture:

Luke 9:1-6 ESV

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

4 Lessons From The Disciple’s Leap of Faith!

I. Completely Obedient vs. 3

Luke 9:3 ESV

3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 

Point:

We learn so much about Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We see His compassion. We witness His miracles. We hear His teachings. The Gospel narratives do such a phenomenal job of rounding out who Jesus is. One thing that we know about Jesus is His prioritization of material wealth and dependence on His Father. From the outside looking in, you might say that Jesus was just a poor commoner. 

Listen to His own words concerning His material possessions.

Luke 9:58 ESV

But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head."

Jesus even talks about the corrupting qualities of greed, wealth and riches. 

Matthew 19:21-24 ESV

21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Point:

Again from the outside, Jesus would appear poor but I believe that Jesus had more than most of us. Jesus, while appearing poor was wealthy with God’s presence and power. What He lacked in appearance He more than made up for with an uncomplicated life, unhindered by materialism and fads, and completely focused on the one thing that matters, doing the will of His Father. 

Point:

So, as Jesus prepares to send out His disciples, he remarks that they will take nothing for their journey. No material possessions except for those that might keep them warm and clothed. No staff meant no protection and an uncomfortable walk. No bag meant that there would be nothing hidden to take on the journey with them. They would be exposed to God and to one another. No bag meant greater intimacy with God and with one another. No bread is no food. No money is no way to purchase the one thing that they need to keep going. 

Why? Why did Jesus do this? What lesson is He trying to communicate?

Point:

I think that He commanded His disciples to do this because this is the way He lived His life. He wanted them to experience His lifestyle. As Jesus is obedient to the will of the Father, the disciples should be obedient to the will of Jesus. He also desired to increase their faith in God's provision for them, as well as their reliance on Him. 

Point:

How many of you are large packers when you go out of town for a few days? I probably pack to much as well. I am always trying to figure out ways to not pack so much so that I can move quicker through airports and security points. Less is better in many way. Jesus wanted His Gospel to grow feet, to be on the move. The more the disciples had to call their own, the slower they would move getting the word out about Jesus’ message of salvation. Also, in taking nothing, Jesus gives others the opportunity to supply the need. Jesus gives them no staff for protection in hopes that they will have protection from others. No food so other will feed them. No money so others may take care of their needs. Jesus is teaching His disciples not to be cynical of other rather to have faith in others. 

Point:

So Jesus sends the disciples packing as He did. They would walk as He did. Hearing Jesus, the disciples were completely obedient to what Jesus commanded them to do. 

Luke 11:28 ESV

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

4 Lessons From The Disciple’s Leap of Faith!

I. Completely Obedient vs. 3

II. Consistant Obstacles vs. 4

Luke 9:4

4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.

Illustration:

Over Thanksgiving, my family went to the beach with my Mom and Dad. We were only gone for a few days but it was a lot of fun. Before we went, we got online and searched out a place that would be right for our family. My brother and his girls were also coming so bathrooms were a big deal. My mom wanted a place where she could relax, so a big couch was important. My Dad wanted to watch the games on TV, so TV size became important. I like a big bed, so we searched houses with King Size beds. Each person had a specific request. Finally, we found the house that was right for us. 

Point:

Sadly Jesus did not give the disciples the option of VRBO. Jesus told them whatever house they enter, thats where they stayed. Jesus did not give them the option of find the right place. The house that suited their personal needs was never in the cards. Whatever house they came to, that was it. You see Peter was probably looking for a gym. John and James were probably looking for something on the water. Judas wanted something in the financial district. Matthew was hoping for a college town. No matter what they were wanting, they would stop and stay at the first house they came to. 

Point: 

Again, what was Jesus trying to teach? I think that Jesus was trying to teach contentment. Be satisfied in the situation that you are in and trust that God has you there for a reason. When God wants to move you, he will move you. Until, be content. 

This is a hard lesson for us today. It is a hard lesson for me too. Do you feel that you are stuck in a dead in job and that you have no upward momentum? You are frustrated and constantly asking God why He doesn’t move you to a new place that you will think will meet you needs? My only response to that is that God has plan for you being there and to be content there until He moves you. You could apply that to just about anything. You’d like a better house. Well generally better homes cost more money and require more time. You’d like a better car. That car usually comes with a car payment and God knows you don’t need that. Imagine how much better our lives would be if we could just be content with our surroundings. 

Quote:

"What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity."

Point:

You see, the disciples could have looked at Jesus’ command to stay…wherever…as a problem or obstacle. Instead they saw it as an opportunity. Do you see your difficulty as an opportunity. 

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

4 Lessons From The Disciple’s Leap of Faith!

I. Completely Obedient vs. 3

II. Consistant Obstacles vs. 4

III. Continued Objections vs. 5

Luke 9:5 ESV

5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 

Illustration:

There is an old story about a pastor leaving a church. At his farewell dinner, he tried to encourage one of the pillar members, “Don’t be so sad. The next pastor might be better than me.” She replied, “That’s what they said last time, but it keeps getting worse.”

I guess when your church feels this way about you, it is time to go.

Point:

Have you ever heard the statement, “you’ve worn out you welcome”? I have and so have you. Sadly, the disciples would not get that opportunity. Jesus knew in some situations that He was sending His disciples in to fierce rejections. He was putting their very lives on the line as preaching and teaching Jesus’ message equated to some as blasphemy and blasphemy was punished by death. Jesus knew that His disciples would get ran out of some towns and villages. 

Quote:

Poet Carl Sandberg once said, "There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud."

Sandberg is right. There is a part of us humans that like to sit in the mud and muck. There are some of us who like the division, like the arguments, like the fight. You need to remember that he talking to Peter here. Peter was a fella who liked the fight. Remember the night they came to get Jesus in the Garden. It was Peter who was ready to fight the entire army. So Jesus is sending a hothead into a potentially volatile situation. How do you think Peter would have responded? If the townspeople picked up rocks, Peter was likely to find himself a boulder. 

Jesus did not desire that of him and I believe that Jesus does not desire that of us. In a moment, you will see that Jesus had no desire to go to war with the culture, imposing His will on society. No. Rather Jesus wanted to collapse the worldly culture with the truth of His message. He wanted to change the culture radically through grace, peace, forgiveness and mercy. 

Point:

I think that is what Jesus is looking for us to do today. He wants us to collapse the worldly Satanic culture through the truth that is found in His Gospel. He is not looking for domination but devotion. 

Point:

Jesus knew that there would be opposition. Instead of sinking in the mud of discussions and arguments that go no where, He commanded them to move on. Jesus knew that just because the disciples would move on, His message would stay behind for the Holy Spirit to germinate. While some towns might initially reject the message of Christ, in time the seed of the Gospel would grow into salvation. 

Point:

Jesus knows our time is valuable. Where are you wasting your time and energy? I see this mostly on social media. I know so many people wasting valuable Gospel sharing energy on fruitless arguments on the internet. Perhaps we should follow Jesus’ call to plant and move on. 

John 9:4 NLT

We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.

4 Lessons From The Disciple’s Leap of Faith!

I. Completely Obedient vs. 3

II. Consistant Obstacles vs. 4

III. Continued Objections vs. 5

IV. Caring Observers vs. 6

Luke 9:6 ESV

6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Point:

Jesus expected His Gospel to grow feet! It would be the feet of the disciples that would carry the message of Christ to the ends of the earth. More than that, they would be preaching, teaching, healing, and driving out demons. 

Jesus commands for them to take nothing on their journey, but give everything on their journey. Such is the reality of the cross. It takes from us what we don’t want and gives to us the one thing that we need…salvation. 

Point:

Jesus commands His disciples to see the needs around them. Observe the needs, observe Jesus’ nature and act accordingly. 

Point:

I like to read and listen to all sorts of stories and podcasts. I recently read one about a woman who went into surgery for a cataract in her right eye. She had been suffering for years with irritation in that eye and her vision had become so bad, she needed surgery. For 35 years she felt with the pain and frustration until she finally went to the doctor. 

When they were about to perform surgery on the eye, a nurse noticed something unusual. She had a contact on. She took it out. Then she noticed another contact beneath the first one. She took it out do. She repeated the procedure of removing contact after contact 25 more times. The woman had 27 contacts in her eye. 

It set a world record. How did this happen? For 35 years she had been wearing disposable contacts. Over the years she would wake up and her contact would be missing. So, she would just put one in. That process was repeated over the years until finally the pain caught up with her. She needed a doctor.  

Instead of going to the doctor and seeing the person that could fix her blurred vision, she just tried harder. She kept adding something else, thinking that it must be the problem. What this woman didn't need was something else added to her life- She needed it removed. She needed a healer.

Point:

Isn’t it great that Jesus, our great Physician, sees our need and instead of us coming to Him, He comes to us with healing in His hands?

Point:

Church today know that Jesus is sending you out into the world representing Him and carrying His message. Don’t depend on tricks and tools to spread the message, use the power of your testimony and depend on God to water the seed of the message. Don’t get stuck in the mud of petty arguments and waste you valuable time on pointless endeavors. Lastly, know that what you are giving is going a long way! 

Our goal:

Matthew 25:21 ESV

"The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'

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