Purposed Participation

Purposed Participation

Luke 10:1-24

-Apart from continual worship, the largest part of our purpose in life as believers is the —pointing those around us to the hope they can have in Christ alone!

I. Recognize the Plan (Luke 10:1)
–After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

-God’s plan to reconcile man back to right standing with Himself is for every individual person to accept the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf as their only way of being in right relationship with God.

-There is also a personal mission given to believer to take that offer of salvation to everyone around them.

II. Responsively (Luke 10:2)

–Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

-Our prayers for lost souls and for God to use us is directly resultant of the fact that there are many, many souls still to receive Christ!

-3 ways I can think of that this should change your prayer life:

1. Compile a small list of those you know who need Christ. (Enactment)

2. Ask the Lord to you to reach those people on the list. (Involvement)

3. Ask others to be praying for those people. (Encouragement)

III. Resolutely Proceed (Luke 10:3)

-Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

-This is Jesus’ prompt to these disciples to go ahead and take some steps in Gospel ministry.

-Satan does not want the Gospel to go forward and will do everything in his power to stop it!

-Jesus was brutally honest about the dangers of Gospel ministry, but nonetheless told them to go get started!

-God will fight the battles than need to be fought along the way, but our part is to resolve to get started in to His mission.

-What does that mean for you?

-Intentionally building a redemptive relationship

-Looking for ways to share Christ in that relationship

-Don’t focus on the possible negatives…just “go” get started!

IV. Resist Putting Off (Luke 10:4)

–Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

-The temptation: to make sure we have all our fulfilled before we get started.

-Once you receive Christ as your own Savior, you’re ready to share with others how they can too!

3 Things we take away from v 4:

1. God will your physical needs.

2. God will equip you for the task.

3. There’s no time to delay. 

V. Pursue (Luke 10:5-11)

– And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

-Key idea: spend with people!

-Also He says to be sure to let these people know: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 

-2 Necessities for your Gospel Approach:

1. Build redemptive relationships with those in your sphere of activity.

2. Always be working toward and taking steps in actually the Gospel in those relationships.

VI. Realize the Punishment (Luke 10:12-16)

–But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

-It’s to realize the eternal torment and punishment awaiting everyone who does not accept Christ!

-Sharing the Gospel with those God has placed around us is our way of putting the ball in their court and being used by God to give an opportunity to for a person to choose Jesus over the alternative of damnation.

VII. Replace (Luke 10:17-20)

–And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

-The big deal in life is not what we can do–it’s what we have because of Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 1:3-14, Philippians 3:8-10)

-The Christian life is never about us and what we do–it’s always about Christ and what He has done, is doing, and will continue to do!

-The place for pride is inside a prayer of repentance!

VIII. Remember the Privilege (Luke 10:21-24)

–In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

-It’s a privilege to know Christ and be a follower of His!

-What’s the proper response to that? !

Wrap up:

-If you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, you have been with a mission!

-How are you doing with that mission? (active, used to be active, need to become active?)