Embracing Our Call as Sent Ones
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to share a deeply personal journey that intertwines with our collective calling as followers of Christ. Reflecting on my own life, I see how integral my wife, Lisa, has been in inviting me into new experiences, including our shared journey in the Vineyard church. This year, we celebrate 26 years of marriage and our return to the Vineyard family, a place that has always felt like home.
Our focus today is on Luke 9:1-9, where Jesus calls the twelve disciples, empowers them, and sends them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God. This passage is not just about the disciples but about us, as modern-day followers, being called to be "sent ones." Jesus didn't just call the twelve to follow Him; He called them to be apostles, to be sent out with a mission. This mission involves radical dependence on God, as Jesus instructed them to take nothing for their journey, emphasizing reliance on divine provision over material comfort.
The journey of the disciples was not just about spreading the message but about transformation—becoming more like Christ in the process. This transformation is essential for us as well. We are called to be more than just followers; we are called to be active participants in God's family business, bringing healing, deliverance, and the good news to those around us.
Jesus also prepared the disciples for rejection, teaching them to shake the dust off their feet when not welcomed. This is a crucial lesson for us today, as we will face both acceptance and rejection in our mission. The story of Herod in the passage serves as a reminder of the world's cynicism and insecurity, which we must navigate with faith and resilience.
In closing, I urge you to consider how you can live out your calling as a sent one in your daily life. Whether at work, in your community, or even in simple acts of kindness, there are countless opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The church is not just a building; it is us, the people, living out the mission of Christ in the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Radical Dependence on God: Jesus instructed the disciples to take nothing for their journey, emphasizing the importance of relying on God rather than material possessions. This radical dependence challenges our love for self-sufficiency and comfort, calling us to trust in God's provision in all aspects of our lives. [46:22]
2. Transformation Through Mission: The journey of the disciples was not just about spreading the message but about their own transformation. As we engage in God's mission, we too are transformed, becoming more like Christ. This transformation is essential for fulfilling our calling as sent ones. [49:46]
3. Handling Rejection: Jesus prepared the disciples to face rejection, teaching them to shake the dust off their feet when not welcomed. This lesson is crucial for us today, reminding us that rejection is part of the mission and not a reflection of our worth. [55:09]
4. Navigating Cynicism and Insecurity: The story of Herod highlights the world's cynicism and insecurity towards the Kingdom of God. As sent ones, we must navigate these challenges with faith, understanding that the world's skepticism is often rooted in fear and insecurity. [59:49]
5. Living Out the Mission Daily: Being a sent one is not confined to church activities but extends to our daily lives. Whether at work, in the community, or through simple acts of kindness, we have countless opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing the Kingdom of God to those around us. [01:08:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:23] - Personal Journey and Marriage
[34:59] - Daily Tension and Listening to God
[36:40] - God as Father, Church as Mother
[38:20] - Call to Be Sent Ones
[39:50] - Reading Luke 9:1-9
[40:59] - Empowering the Twelve
[42:38] - Apostles: Sent Ones
[44:08] - Misunderstanding Jesus' Mission
[45:39] - Radical Dependence on God
[47:04] - Teaching Dependence
[49:46] - Transformation Through Mission
[55:09] - Handling Rejection
[59:49] - Navigating Cynicism and Insecurity
[01:08:40] - Living Out the Mission Daily
[01:22:22] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 9:1-9 (NIV)
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to the twelve disciples when He sent them out? ([39:50])
2. How did Jesus prepare the disciples to handle rejection during their mission? ([55:09])
3. What was Herod's reaction to the activities of Jesus and His disciples, and why was he perplexed? ([39:50])
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation of the disciples from followers to apostles? ([42:38])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to have "radical dependence on God" as described in the sermon? How does this challenge our modern-day reliance on material possessions and self-sufficiency? ([46:22])
2. In what ways does engaging in God's mission lead to personal transformation, according to the sermon? ([49:46])
3. How can the lesson of shaking the dust off one's feet when facing rejection be applied in our lives today? ([55:09])
4. What are some modern-day examples of the cynicism and insecurity that Herod exhibited, and how can we navigate these challenges with faith? ([59:49])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to rely solely on God’s provision. How did that experience shape your faith and dependence on Him? ([46:22])
2. Think about your current daily life. In what ways can you actively participate in God's mission and allow it to transform you? ([49:46])
3. Have you ever faced rejection while trying to share your faith or do good? How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Jesus' instruction to the disciples? ([55:09])
4. Identify a situation in your life where you encounter cynicism or insecurity. How can you approach this situation with faith and resilience, as the sermon suggests? ([59:49])
5. What are some practical steps you can take to live out your calling as a "sent one" in your workplace, community, or through simple acts of kindness? ([01:08:40])
6. How can you cultivate a willing heart to see and respond to what God is doing around you, even in the mundane aspects of daily life? ([01:08:40])
7. Consider the distractions in your life that keep you from focusing on your calling. What specific changes can you make this week to minimize these distractions and better align with God's mission? ([01:11:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Radical Dependence on God
Description: In Luke 9:1-9, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples with specific instructions to take nothing for their journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and no extra tunic. This directive was not just about physical preparation but about cultivating a radical dependence on God. By stripping away their material comforts, Jesus was teaching them to rely entirely on divine provision. This challenges our modern-day inclination towards self-sufficiency and comfort, urging us to trust in God's provision in all aspects of our lives. [46:22]
Luke 9:3-4 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself relying more on material possessions or your own abilities rather than on God? How can you begin to shift that reliance to God today?
Day 2: Transformation Through Mission
Description: The journey of the disciples was not just about spreading the message of the Kingdom of God; it was also about their own transformation. As they engaged in God's mission, they were being shaped and molded to become more like Christ. This transformation is essential for us as well. When we actively participate in God's mission, we undergo a spiritual metamorphosis that aligns us more closely with the character and heart of Jesus. This process of transformation is crucial for fulfilling our calling as sent ones. [49:46]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: Think about a recent experience where you stepped out in faith to serve others. How did that experience shape you or change your perspective? What is one way you can continue to allow God to transform you through service?
Day 3: Handling Rejection
Description: Jesus prepared the disciples to face rejection by instructing them to shake the dust off their feet when they were not welcomed. This act symbolized moving on without carrying the burden of rejection. For us today, this lesson is crucial as we will inevitably face both acceptance and rejection in our mission. Understanding that rejection is part of the journey and not a reflection of our worth helps us to remain resilient and focused on our calling. [55:09]
Matthew 10:14 (ESV): "And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town."
Reflection: Recall a time when you faced rejection while trying to share your faith or serve others. How did you handle it? What steps can you take to better cope with rejection in the future, trusting that it does not define your worth?
Day 4: Navigating Cynicism and Insecurity
Description: The story of Herod in Luke 9:1-9 highlights the world's cynicism and insecurity towards the Kingdom of God. Herod's reaction to the news about Jesus and His disciples was one of fear and confusion. As sent ones, we must navigate these challenges with faith, understanding that the world's skepticism is often rooted in fear and insecurity. By maintaining our faith and resilience, we can effectively witness to others despite their initial resistance. [59:49]
1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is skeptical or cynical about your faith. How can you approach them with gentleness and respect, offering a reason for the hope that is in you without being defensive?
Day 5: Living Out the Mission Daily
Description: Being a sent one is not confined to church activities but extends to our daily lives. Whether at work, in the community, or through simple acts of kindness, we have countless opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The church is not just a building; it is us, the people, living out the mission of Christ in the world. This daily commitment to living out our faith can bring the Kingdom of God to those around us in tangible and meaningful ways. [01:08:40]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can be the hands and feet of Jesus in your daily routine today. How can you intentionally bring the Kingdom of God to someone in your workplace, community, or through a simple act of kindness?
Quotes
1. "I feel the tension every day of trying to listen to the Lord and trying to give people exactly what they need. That word of affirmation. And you never know what that word might be. But that's the tension I feel every day. And that's the tension I feel this morning, by the way. Because more than anything, it's being able to share the word that is honoring and loving in a way that speaks to the Jesus for each of you." [34:59] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I love the church because, you know, as one reformer theologian said, God was like a father to me and the church like a mother. And that's what the church has always represented to me growing up. And while I didn't know it when I was growing up until later that I was adopted and that I was orphaned in a very natural way. But as time went on, I began to realize that I was also a spiritualist." [36:40] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus demonstrates, you know, the greater vision of the Father's heart to them and to each of us. And by being in that intentional relationship with the disciples, he calls them into that relationship. He calls them into taking part in the enterprise of doing the family business. And while he's demonstrating that, you'll see that then he says, now it's your turn. Now it's your turn to do the stuff." [38:20] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And I think in some ways it's our human nature that we pack it in. We pack and prepare and plan. And let's face it, you know, we, especially in this context, we love self-sufficiency. Right? We love material abundance. And let's face it, we also love comfort. But His call to the disciples, and I believe His call to us, is to really rely on Him and have dependence on Him." [46:22] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And in many ways, I think that that is a sign of the New Testament ethic. That whatever He is going to change and do within you, He's going to ask you to extend and do that to others. And I love that because what He's doing and what He's teaching in that process isn't just about the sacrifice or the time that He's calling you into that space. But it's about who you become." [49:04] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So Jesus didn't just call the twelve to stand by Him and to hold His bags or to hold His mic. He empowered them and sent them out. And He gave what I think typically would be ordinary people. And He provided them with an extraordinary opportunity. Empowered them. Gifted them. And in many ways, I believe that that's what He is calling us." [50:30] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so do you believe that God can use you to bring the kingdom to those around you? From being maybe a deliverer to a deliverer. Maybe to one that has been baptized to being a baptizer. Maybe from being someone that has been healed to being a healer. Or better yet, maybe even being called a wounded healer." [51:39] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so as I close out this time, I think about the mission of the original Sent Ones. I think about how all of us as Christians are called to be a Sent One in our own context, our own work, through our own associations, maybe roles or titles, that we have an opportunity to share and declare the kingdom through our lives. So being a Sent One is so central to our call." [01:01:41] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "A career is something I choose for myself. A calling is something I receive. A career is something I do for myself. A calling is something I do for God. A career promises status, money, or power. A calling generally promises difficulty and even some suffering. And the opportunity to be used by God, a career is about upward mobility. A calling generally leads to downward mobility." [01:02:53] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And if we don't understand how important the church is, then we don't get Jesus. We don't understand what he died for, what he struggled for, and what's still on his heart for us today. And the church is also a place where we find ourselves becoming the best versions of ourselves if we allow us to. And it doesn't matter if we're students or if we're working or if we're not working or if we're even retired." [01:05:53] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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