Empowered Evangelism: Trusting God in Our Mission
Summary
### Summary
In our journey of faith, we are all called to evangelize and make disciples, a task that Jesus commanded to all of us. This mission is not just for a select few but for every believer. To endure in this mission, we must pray for strength, knowing that God will provide it. As we close this morning, I want to share the words of David Livingston, a missionary in Africa who worked tirelessly to eradicate the slave trade by preaching the gospel. His prayer was, "God, send me anywhere, only go with me." This should be our prayer as well, as we face opposition with wisdom and confidence, knowing that God's plan will not be thwarted ([01:23:27]).
Jesus, in Matthew 10, gives us realistic expectations of what the mission field will look like. He paints a picture that seems daunting, but the point is to make us utterly dependent on Him. He sent out His disciples without extra provisions to teach them to trust in His provision. They found success not through their own strength but through God's provision ([38:23]). We are sent out as sheep among wolves, helpless and defenseless, yet God promises to be with us. We must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, understanding the enemy's tactics but remaining pure and above reproach ([40:43]).
We need to approach evangelism with biblical expectations. New believers are often zealous, but they need to be prepared for the reality that not everyone will be receptive. Like soldiers in hostile territory, we must be wise and above reproach, ready to move on if a village rejects us. We must put on the full armor of God, recognizing that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces ([49:13]). We must be ready to keep moving, knowing that we won't reach every single person, but we will reach the perfect amount of people that God has planned for us ([57:16]).
Jesus warns us that we will face opposition from religious institutions, governing authorities, and even our own families. This opposition can be painful, but we must not be surprised. Instead, we should be prepared and respond with joy, knowing that we are suffering for Christ's sake. We must trust that God will give us the words to say when we are brought before authorities. This promise is fulfilled throughout the book of Acts, where the apostles spoke boldly through the Holy Spirit ([01:03:22]).
We must have full confidence in God's provision. Many of us have experienced moments where we spoke words we didn't plan, guided by the Holy Spirit. This is a testament to God's faithfulness. We should make appointments to share the gospel, trusting that God will provide the strength, opportunity, and words. We must also pray for the strength to endure and trust that we will reach the right amount of people. This task is hard and exhausting, but it is good. Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength ([01:17:56]).
In conclusion, we need to trust God to provide the strength, wisdom, and words as we go out and evangelize. We should be emboldened by the examples of faithful men and women who have gone before us. Let us pray for the strength to endure and the wisdom to approach opposition with confidence, knowing that God's plan will not be thwarted.
### Key Takeaways
1. Dependence on God’s Strength: To endure in our mission to evangelize and make disciples, we must pray for strength, knowing that God will provide it. David Livingston's prayer, "God, send me anywhere, only go with me," should be our prayer as well. This mindset helps us face opposition with wisdom and confidence, trusting in God's plan ([01:23:27]).
2. Realistic Expectations: Jesus gives us realistic expectations of the mission field, teaching us to depend on Him. He sent His disciples without extra provisions to show that success comes not through our strength but through God's provision. We are like sheep among wolves, but God promises to be with us, guiding us to be wise and innocent ([38:23]).
3. Biblical Expectations in Evangelism: We must approach evangelism with biblical expectations, understanding that not everyone will be receptive. Like soldiers in hostile territory, we must be wise and above reproach, ready to move on if rejected. Our battle is spiritual, and we must put on the full armor of God, trusting in His strength ([49:13]).
4. Facing Opposition: Jesus warns us that we will face opposition from religious institutions, governing authorities, and even our families. This opposition can be painful, but we should not be surprised. Instead, we should respond with joy, knowing that we are suffering for Christ's sake. Trusting that God will give us the words to say when needed is crucial ([01:03:22]).
5. Confidence in God’s Provision: We must have full confidence in God's provision. Many of us have experienced moments where we spoke words we didn't plan, guided by the Holy Spirit. This is a testament to God's faithfulness. We should make appointments to share the gospel, trusting that God will provide the strength, opportunity, and words. Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength ([01:17:56]).
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:53] - Realistic Expectations in Evangelism
[36:29] - The Spiritual Battlefield
[38:23] - Dependence on God’s Provision
[40:43] - Sheep Among Wolves
[49:13] - Biblical Expectations in Evangelism
[57:16] - Keep Moving Forward
[01:03:22] - Facing Opposition
[01:17:56] - Confidence in God’s Provision
[01:23:27] - Dependence on God’s Strength
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 10:16-23 - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
2. Isaiah 40:29-31 - "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions does Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 10:16-23 about how to handle opposition? ([40:43])
2. According to Isaiah 40:29-31, what does God promise to those who wait on Him?
3. How does Jesus describe the mission field in Matthew 10:16-23, and what imagery does He use to convey the challenges? ([37:48])
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of being "wise as serpents and innocent as doves"? ([42:05])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the need for His disciples to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" in their mission? How can this balance be practically achieved in today's context? ([40:43])
2. How does the promise in Isaiah 40:29-31 provide encouragement for believers facing the challenges of evangelism and discipleship? ([01:22:49])
3. What does it mean to endure to the end according to Matthew 10:22, and how does this endurance relate to salvation? ([01:13:19])
4. How can believers prepare for the painful opposition that Jesus warns about in Matthew 10:17-23? What practical steps can be taken to remain steadfast in faith? ([01:05:23])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition while sharing your faith. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to be both wise and innocent? ([40:43])
2. In what ways can you depend more on God's strength and provision in your daily life and ministry? Share a specific area where you need to trust God more. ([01:17:56])
3. How can you set realistic expectations for yourself and others when it comes to evangelism? What steps can you take to prepare for potential rejection or opposition? ([49:13])
4. Identify a person or group in your life who may be resistant to the gospel. How can you approach them with wisdom and gentleness, and what specific actions can you take to build a relationship with them? ([42:45])
5. Think of a recent situation where you felt unprepared to share your faith. How can you better equip yourself with Scripture and prayer to be ready for future opportunities? ([01:14:38])
6. How can you support and encourage fellow believers who are facing opposition for their faith? Share a practical way you can offer support this week. ([01:10:16])
7. Reflect on David Livingston's prayer, "God, send me anywhere, only go with me." How can this prayer shape your approach to evangelism and discipleship in your own life? ([01:23:27])
Devotional
Day 1: Dependence on God’s Strength
In our mission to evangelize and make disciples, we must rely on God's strength. This task is not just for a select few but for every believer. David Livingston's prayer, "God, send me anywhere, only go with me," exemplifies the mindset we should have. As we face opposition, we must do so with wisdom and confidence, trusting that God's plan will not be thwarted. This dependence on God’s strength is crucial for enduring the challenges we will encounter.
Jesus, in Matthew 10, gives us realistic expectations of what the mission field will look like. He sent out His disciples without extra provisions to teach them to trust in His provision. They found success not through their own strength but through God's provision. We are sent out as sheep among wolves, helpless and defenseless, yet God promises to be with us. We must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, understanding the enemy's tactics but remaining pure and above reproach. [01:23:27]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing in your mission to share the gospel. How can you specifically pray for God's strength and wisdom to face this challenge today?
Day 2: Realistic Expectations
Jesus provides us with realistic expectations of the mission field, teaching us to depend on Him. He sent His disciples without extra provisions to show that success comes not through our strength but through God's provision. We are like sheep among wolves, but God promises to be with us, guiding us to be wise and innocent. This dependence on God’s provision is essential for navigating the difficulties of evangelism.
Jesus paints a picture that seems daunting, but the point is to make us utterly dependent on Him. He sent out His disciples without extra provisions to teach them to trust in His provision. They found success not through their own strength but through God's provision. We are sent out as sheep among wolves, helpless and defenseless, yet God promises to be with us. We must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, understanding the enemy's tactics but remaining pure and above reproach. [38:23]
Matthew 10:16 (ESV): "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unprepared or inadequate in sharing your faith. How did you see God’s provision in that situation, and how can you trust Him more in future opportunities?
Day 3: Biblical Expectations in Evangelism
We must approach evangelism with biblical expectations, understanding that not everyone will be receptive. Like soldiers in hostile territory, we must be wise and above reproach, ready to move on if rejected. Our battle is spiritual, and we must put on the full armor of God, trusting in His strength. This mindset helps us to remain steadfast and focused on our mission.
New believers are often zealous, but they need to be prepared for the reality that not everyone will be receptive. Like soldiers in hostile territory, we must be wise and above reproach, ready to move on if a village rejects us. We must put on the full armor of God, recognizing that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. We must be ready to keep moving, knowing that we won't reach every single person, but we will reach the perfect amount of people that God has planned for us. [49:13]
Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Think about a recent experience where you faced rejection while sharing your faith. How can you prepare yourself spiritually and emotionally to handle rejection in the future, trusting in God’s plan?
Day 4: Facing Opposition
Jesus warns us that we will face opposition from religious institutions, governing authorities, and even our families. This opposition can be painful, but we should not be surprised. Instead, we should respond with joy, knowing that we are suffering for Christ's sake. Trusting that God will give us the words to say when needed is crucial for enduring these challenges.
Jesus warns us that we will face opposition from religious institutions, governing authorities, and even our own families. This opposition can be painful, but we must not be surprised. Instead, we should be prepared and respond with joy, knowing that we are suffering for Christ's sake. We must trust that God will give us the words to say when we are brought before authorities. This promise is fulfilled throughout the book of Acts, where the apostles spoke boldly through the Holy Spirit. [01:03:22]
Acts 4:29-31 (ESV): "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you might face opposition for your faith. How can you prepare yourself to respond with joy and trust in God’s provision for the words to say?
Day 5: Confidence in God’s Provision
We must have full confidence in God's provision. Many of us have experienced moments where we spoke words we didn't plan, guided by the Holy Spirit. This is a testament to God's faithfulness. We should make appointments to share the gospel, trusting that God will provide the strength, opportunity, and words. Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
We must have full confidence in God's provision. Many of us have experienced moments where we spoke words we didn't plan, guided by the Holy Spirit. This is a testament to God's faithfulness. We should make appointments to share the gospel, trusting that God will provide the strength, opportunity, and words. We must also pray for the strength to endure and trust that we will reach the right amount of people. This task is hard and exhausting, but it is good. Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. [01:17:56]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "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: Think of a recent moment when you felt guided by the Holy Spirit in your words or actions. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God’s provision and make intentional plans to share the gospel this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We don't mind doing a task or a chore if we're given maybe proper expectations. Like men, your wife quickly asks you if you can help clean the dishes for her as she goes to run some errands. You say sure, you go down there and realize you didn't realize that she made a five-course meal of your favorite Italian dish. Now there's pots and pans not just in the sink but every counter space and maybe somewhere in the living room as well." [33:53]
2. "I don't know about you, but I bet if I asked you about an evangelism encounter that you had recently or in the past that you were in the midst of the conversation and all of a sudden you're saying things that you didn't even think of at the time or you're answering an objection to go and I didn't think of that but all of a sudden you have the answer." [01:17:56]
3. "We need to be prepared for painful opposition to not just the gospel but of the design of what God has made in the world. But we cannot be surprised. You need to jot down John 31:19-20. Jesus says this: 'The light has come into the world.' That sounds nice. If people just saw Jesus, they all would respond. That's not true because the light came into the world, but the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." [01:07:58]
4. "We need to make sure we know our audience, get to know our neighbors, know our co-workers, know our family members and go, you know what, if I say the word Trump or Biden, is that because it's going to derail all my efforts to evangelize to these people? If I bring up different senses of politics, world news, is that just going to just cause this conversation to explode? Instead, how can I just be tactful to get to the gospel?" [53:34]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We cannot be foolish in our endeavor. We can't do things in our own wisdom. We can't just rely on our own wit. We can't rely on our own opinions. We must utterly depend on Christ for us to fulfill our duty to go out and make disciples, beginning with evangelizing to the lost." [48:32]
2. "We need to approach evangelism with Biblical expectations. I love new believers because new believers are just bold and zealous and just excited, and they are ready to share it with anyone. But we need to make sure that we encourage them to keep going, to say, 'Hey, guess what, you're going to get slapped in the face a little bit. Someone's going to mock you, and not everyone's going to be very happy about your change.'" [49:13]
3. "We need to trust God to provide the strength, the wisdom, and the words as we go out and evangelize. We need to see these examples, and these examples need to embolden us to trust God more and to go out more and to evangelize more, to make more disciples for the glory of God." [01:17:56]
4. "We need to be ready to keep moving. There's a lot of interpretations on verse 23. One in particular that I all agree on is that when it says you will not reach all the towns until the Son of Man comes, well, there's an initial fulfillment meaning Jesus like you won't reach all the towns until I come. You're going to do all these witnessing, and I'm going to preach in your cities soon after." [57:16]
5. "We need to be prepared for painful opposition. Jesus is so gracious and merciful to properly prepare these disciples as they go out to say, 'Hey, I'm going to give it to you real. I'm not going to hide anything. This is what you're going to experience as you live things out in my name.'" [01:06:00]
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