Embracing Our Mission: Humility, Community, and Dependence on God

 

Summary

Today, I explored the profound implications of our Christian mission, drawing from Luke chapter 10, where Jesus sends out the 72 disciples. This passage serves as a cornerstone for understanding our role and responsibilities as followers of Christ.

The mission, as I emphasized, is not about us. It's about Jesus, the true attraction. We are merely the opening act, setting the stage for His divine work. This perspective shifts our focus from self-promotion to promoting Christ. We are called to humility, much like John the Baptist, who declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Furthermore, the mission is not a solo endeavor. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, illustrating the importance of community and partnership in our spiritual journey. This teaches us the value of supporting one another and recognizing that the mission extends beyond individual capabilities.

A critical aspect of our mission is that it does not depend on our personal attributes or resources. Jesus instructed the disciples to carry no money bag, knapsack, or sandals, and to greet no one on the road. This directive underscores our reliance on God's provision rather than our own. It's a call to trust in His sufficiency and to focus on the urgency of the mission.

The mission's success does not hinge on our success in every endeavor. There are times when we face rejection or our efforts seem to fail, as illustrated by my anecdote about the ministry event with the glass bottle sodas. Yet, these moments do not define the ultimate success of God's kingdom. Our failures are often where God's strength and sovereignty are most vividly displayed.

Lastly, the mission is both an announcement and a demonstration. We proclaim the kingdom of God with our words and demonstrate it through our actions. This dual approach is essential for a holistic gospel witness. We are to live out the truths we declare, embodying the values of the kingdom in our daily lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Mission is Not About Us - When we engage in God's work, our primary focus should be on glorifying Him, not seeking personal accolades. We are the messengers, not the message. This mindset helps us stay humble and driven by the right motives. [34:05]

2. The Mission Requires Community - The strategy of sending disciples two by two highlights the importance of partnership in ministry. We are not meant to serve in isolation but in community. This collaborative approach not only provides support but also accountability and a broader impact than solo efforts could achieve. [39:15]

3. Dependence on God Over Personal Resources - Our effectiveness in ministry is not contingent on our wealth, appearance, or personal charisma. Jesus' instructions to the disciples to travel light and rely on hospitality reflect our need to depend solely on God's provision and guidance. [48:54]

4. Perseverance Through Apparent Failure - Not every effort will be met with success, but every effort counts in the kingdom of God. The story of the unclaimed glass bottle sodas serves as a reminder that what seems like a failure can still be used by God for future opportunities. [52:04]

5. Proclamation and Demonstration of the Kingdom - Our mission involves both declaring the good news verbally and demonstrating it through our actions. This comprehensive approach ensures that our witness is not only heard but also seen, making the gospel tangible to those around us. [55:37]

Chapters:
- 0:00 - Welcome
- 0:29:54 - Introduction to the Mission
- 0:34:05 - The Mission is Not About Us
- 0:37:34 - Challenges of a Self-Centered Mission
- 0:39:15 - The Mission is Not a Solo
- 0:40:09 - Anecdote: Unexpected Visitor
- 0:45:14 - The Nature of Our Approach in Mission
- 0:48:54 - The Irrelevance of Personal Appeal in Mission
- 0:52:04 - Learning from Failures
- 0:55:37 - Proclamation and Demonstration of the Kingdom
- 1:00:13 - Call to Action and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 10:1-20 (ESV)

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to the 72 disciples before sending them out? ([31:45])
2. How did Jesus describe the relationship between the disciples and the towns they visited, especially when they faced rejection? ([32:33])
3. What was the reaction of the 72 disciples when they returned from their mission, and how did Jesus respond to their excitement? ([33:19])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized that the mission is not about the disciples but about Him? How does this perspective affect our approach to ministry? ([34:48])
2. What is the significance of Jesus sending the disciples out two by two? How does this model of partnership apply to our current ministry efforts? ([39:15])
3. How does Jesus' instruction to carry no money bag, knapsack, or sandals reflect our need to depend on God's provision? What does this teach us about reliance on God versus reliance on personal resources? ([44:26])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you made ministry about yourself rather than about Jesus. How can you shift your focus to glorify Him more effectively in your current ministry efforts? ([34:48])
2. In what ways can you foster a sense of community and partnership in your small group or church? How can you support one another in your spiritual journeys? ([39:15])
3. Identify an area in your life where you rely more on your personal resources than on God's provision. What steps can you take to trust God more in this area? ([44:26])
4. Think about a recent failure or rejection you experienced in your ministry or personal life. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for God's strength and sovereignty to be displayed? ([52:04])
5. How can you balance the proclamation and demonstration of the kingdom of God in your daily life? What specific actions can you take this week to live out the truths you declare? ([55:37])
6. Consider the urgency of the mission Jesus described. What distractions or unnecessary engagements can you eliminate to focus more on the mission God has given you? ([49:47])
7. Reflect on the idea that the mission is not always successful in human terms but is always a success in God's kingdom. How does this perspective change your approach to setbacks and challenges in your ministry? ([52:04])

Devotional

Day 1: Elevating Christ Above Ourselves
In our journey as followers of Christ, it is vital to remember that the mission is not about us; it is about glorifying Jesus. We are merely vessels through which His message is conveyed. This mindset shifts our focus from seeking personal accolades to promoting Christ and His kingdom. By adopting a posture of humility, similar to John the Baptist's declaration, "He must increase, but I must decrease," we align ourselves more closely with the true purpose of our calling. This approach not only keeps our motives pure but also enhances the impact of our ministry by keeping Christ at the center of all we do. [34:05]

2 Corinthians 4:5, "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus this week to elevate Christ in your daily interactions and personal endeavors?

Day 2: The Power of Community in Mission
The strategy of sending disciples two by two is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and partnership in fulfilling our Christian mission. This approach not only provides mutual support and accountability but also amplifies the impact of our efforts. It teaches us that our individual capabilities are enhanced when combined with the strengths of others. In this light, every believer is called to engage in the mission not in isolation but alongside fellow believers, sharing the load and the joy of spreading the gospel. [39:15]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up."

Reflection: Who is God calling you to partner with in ministry, and how can you initiate or strengthen this partnership?

Day 3: Relying on God’s Provision
Our effectiveness in ministry does not depend on our personal resources or attributes but on our reliance on God's provision. Jesus instructed His disciples to travel light, without money, bag, or extra sandals, emphasizing the need to depend solely on God and the hospitality of others. This directive challenges us to trust in God's sufficiency and to focus on the urgency of the mission rather than our own comforts or preparations. It's a call to step out in faith, knowing that God will provide all that is needed for the journey. [48:54]

Luke 12:22-24, "And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more value are you than the birds!'"

Reflection: What material or personal resources have you been relying on that you need to entrust to God’s care?

Day 4: Embracing Failure as Part of God’s Plan
Not every effort in our mission will meet with success, yet every effort counts in the kingdom of God. Experiences of rejection or apparent failure, like the unclaimed glass bottle sodas at a ministry event, are not indicators of the ultimate value or success of our endeavors. These moments are opportunities for learning and growth, and they often set the stage for future successes. They remind us that God's strength and sovereignty are most vividly displayed in our weaknesses and failures. [52:04]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Can you identify a recent 'failure' in your ministry or personal life? How can you view and use this experience as a stepping stone for growth?

Day 5: Living Out the Gospel
Our mission involves both proclaiming the kingdom of God with our words and demonstrating it through our actions. This dual approach ensures that our witness is not only heard but also seen, making the gospel tangible to those around us. By living out the truths we declare, we embody the values of the kingdom in our daily lives, offering a consistent and compelling witness to the world. This comprehensive approach to discipleship challenges us to align our actions with our words, fostering integrity and authenticity in our faith. [55:37]

James 2:17-18, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate the values of the kingdom in a practical way this week in your community or workplace?

Quotes

"Your mission includes opening your mouth and telling the world that the Son of God came as a man. And he lived a sinless life. And he paid the debt that you and I owe. But the grave couldn't hold him and he rose again. And he's alive, living and reigning today." [55:37]( | | )

"We live our lives as a demonstration that the kingdom of God is here. We put things right. We fight for justice. We embody unity. We embody reconciliation. We live in the light of the kingdom we proclaim." [57:34]( | | )

"Nobody's coming to Jesus because of your shoes. Nobody's coming to Jesus because of how cool you look how attractive you may be in a worldly sense. That's not how the Lord saves people. The Lord saves people because he saves people." [48:54]( | | )

"This mission is a privilege. It is an honor to serve him. He doesn't need us. He could just snap his fingers and everyone would know him. But he chooses and we have the privilege of answering that call, that mission." [50:29]( | | )

"The mission is not always successful, but I want to be clear, it is always a success. We might not win every battle, but we're going to win the war." [52:04]( | | )

"This mission is not about us. Please, I'll do my best to point it out, but as we go through this passage, look at the many other ways that Christ calls on the 72 to deny themselves as they are serving." [37:34]( | | )

"He sends them out two by two to proclaim that the kingdom has come. What a beautiful parallel. But as he is sending out the 72, did you notice this? Look in verse 2. He's instructing them to pray for more people." [39:15]( | | )

"This mission does not depend on our affluence. Its success also does not rely on our assets. It tells them also in verse 4, Carry no knapsacks. I like to think of it, don't carry a bag of tricks." [46:56]( | | )

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Transcript
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