Sent, Sealed, and Set for God's Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking National Repentance and Unity

In a world often divided by political and social issues, the call for national repentance and unity is a profound reminder of our collective responsibility. The need for forgiveness of our nation's sins is not just a call to action but a spiritual awakening that requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As believers, we are urged to pray fervently for our leaders and the church, seeking divine wisdom and compassion to navigate through crises. Our faith should be a unifying force, transcending political divides and fostering a spirit of love and understanding, especially in times of natural disasters and societal unrest. This unity is not merely a political stance but a spiritual mandate that reflects the heart of Christ. [27:38]

Isaiah 58:12 (ESV): "And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."

Reflection: Consider a current national or community issue that burdens your heart. How can you actively pray for unity and seek God's guidance in this matter today?

Day 2: Proclaiming the Alternative Kingdom

The mission of being sent as lambs among wolves is a daunting yet exhilarating call to proclaim an alternative kingdom—a kingdom characterized by hope, grace, and mercy. Like the 72 disciples, we are sent into a world that may not always welcome us, but we carry a message that transcends earthly kingdoms. This mission is not without challenges, as rejection and opposition are part of the journey. However, the assurance of our identity as children of God empowers us to stand firm and share the good news of salvation. Our task is to prepare the way for Christ's return, offering a glimpse of His kingdom to those living in darkness. [35:49]

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: Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about the hope and grace of God's kingdom. How can you share this message with them in a way that is both wise and compassionate?

Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Our identity as children of God is sealed by the Holy Spirit, granting us the authority and power to act as His witnesses. This divine seal is not just a mark of belonging but a source of empowerment that enables us to bring others from darkness to light. As believers, we are called to live out this identity with confidence, knowing that the Holy Spirit equips us for every good work. The assurance of being sealed by the Spirit gives us the courage to proclaim the gospel boldly, even in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our mission; the Spirit is our constant guide and helper. [41:26]

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt hesitant to share your faith. How can the assurance of being sealed by the Holy Spirit give you confidence to witness in similar situations?

Day 4: Rejoicing in Eternal Assurance

The true joy of our faith lies not in the miracles we perform but in the assurance that our names are written in heaven. This eternal perspective shifts our focus from temporary achievements to the lasting promise of salvation. As we engage in our mission, it is crucial to remember the severe consequences of rejecting Jesus and the urgency of choosing the kingdom of God. Our testimonies and acts of faith bring joy to Jesus, demonstrating the power of His kingdom at work in our lives. This eternal assurance fuels our mission, reminding us that our ultimate reward is not of this world but in the heavenly realm. [48:27]

Luke 10:20 (ESV): "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Reflection: What are some ways you can shift your focus from earthly achievements to the eternal assurance of your salvation? How does this perspective change your approach to daily life?

Day 5: Sharing the Truth of Jesus

We are blessed to see and hear the truth of Jesus Christ, having the full story of His death and resurrection. This knowledge is not just a privilege but a responsibility to share the gospel with others. Recognizing the urgency of our mission, we are called to be active participants in spreading the truth of Christ's love and redemption. The blessing of knowing Jesus compels us to live out our faith authentically, being a light in a world often shrouded in darkness. As we share this truth, we are reminded of the transformative power of the gospel and the hope it brings to those who receive it. [59:32]

1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV): "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Reflection: Think of someone who has not yet heard the full story of Jesus' death and resurrection. How can you share this truth with them in a way that is both loving and compelling?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound calling and mission that Jesus has entrusted to His followers. We began by acknowledging the need for national repentance and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide our leaders and the church. We prayed for unity and compassion, especially for those affected by natural disasters, emphasizing that our faith transcends political divides. As we delved into Luke 10, we reflected on the commissioning of the 72 disciples, understanding that we, too, are sent, sealed, and set up for success in God's kingdom.

The narrative of Jesus sending the 72 ahead of Him serves as a powerful reminder that we are called to prepare the way for His return. We are sent as lambs among wolves, tasked with proclaiming an alternative kingdom—a kingdom of hope, grace, and mercy. Despite the challenges and rejections we may face, we are assured of our identity as children of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit. This identity empowers us to act as His witnesses, sharing the good news of salvation and the reality of two kingdoms: one of darkness and one of light.

We are reminded that our ultimate joy should not be in the miracles we perform but in the assurance that our names are written in heaven. This eternal perspective fuels our mission, knowing that rejecting Jesus carries severe consequences. As we witness to others, we must convey the urgency and significance of choosing the kingdom of God. Our testimonies, like those of the disciples, bring joy to Jesus and demonstrate the power of His kingdom at work in our lives.

Finally, we are encouraged to recognize the blessing of seeing and hearing the truth of Jesus Christ. We have an advantage, knowing the full story of His death and resurrection, and are called to share this truth with others. As we conclude, we are reminded that we have been sent, sealed, and set up to succeed in our mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring light to a world in darkness.

Key Takeaways

1. National Repentance and Unity: We must seek forgiveness for our nation's sins and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our leaders and the church. Our faith should unite us beyond political divides, especially in times of crisis. [27:38]
2. Sent as Lambs Among Wolves: Like the 72 disciples, we are sent into a world that may reject us, but we carry the message of an alternative kingdom—a kingdom of hope and grace. Our mission is to proclaim this kingdom despite the challenges. [35:49]
3. Sealed by the Holy Spirit: Our identity as children of God is sealed by the Holy Spirit, empowering us to act as His witnesses. This assurance gives us the authority to proclaim the gospel and bring others from darkness to light. [41:26]
4. Eternal Perspective: Our joy should be rooted in the assurance that our names are written in heaven, not in the miracles we perform. This eternal perspective fuels our mission and reminds us of the severe consequences of rejecting Jesus. [48:27]
5. Blessed Recognition of Jesus: We are blessed to see and hear the truth of Jesus Christ, knowing the full story of His death and resurrection. This knowledge calls us to share the gospel with others, recognizing the urgency of our mission. [59:32]
** [59:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:38] - Prayer for the Nation and Unity
[28:32] - Introduction to Luke 10
[29:17] - The Commissioning of the 72
[30:12] - Instructions for the Disciples
[31:07] - Warnings to Unrepentant Cities
[31:52] - Authority Over the Enemy
[32:44] - The Joy of Revelation
[33:24] - Sent to Prepare the Way
[34:16] - Our Call to Proclaim the Kingdom
[35:49] - Lambs Among Wolves
[36:46] - The Alternative Kingdom
[39:26] - The Importance of Being Sent
[41:26] - Sealed by the Spirit
[48:27] - Rejoice in Your Salvation
[59:32] - Blessed Recognition of Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What instructions did Jesus give to the 72 disciples before sending them out? How did He describe the nature of their mission? [29:17]
How did the disciples react upon returning from their mission, and what was Jesus' response to their report? [31:52]
What does Jesus emphasize as the true source of joy for His followers? [48:27]
How does Jesus describe the consequences for those who reject His message and the kingdom of God? [52:04]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to be "sent as lambs among wolves," and how does this metaphor apply to the challenges faced by believers today? [35:49]
How does the concept of being "sealed by the Holy Spirit" empower believers in their mission? What implications does this have for their identity and authority? [41:26]
Why is it significant that Jesus instructs His followers to rejoice in their salvation rather than in the miracles they perform? [48:27]
How does the knowledge of Jesus' death and resurrection provide believers with an advantage in understanding and sharing the gospel? [59:32]

Application Questions

Reflect on the idea of national repentance and unity. How can you personally contribute to fostering unity within your community, especially in times of crisis? [27:38]
Consider the metaphor of being "lambs among wolves." What are some specific challenges you face in sharing your faith, and how can you overcome them with the message of hope and grace? [35:49]
In what ways can you live out your identity as a child of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit, in your daily interactions? How does this identity influence your actions and decisions? [41:26]
How can you maintain an eternal perspective in your life, focusing on the assurance of your salvation rather than temporary successes or failures? [48:27]
Think about the urgency of sharing the gospel. Who in your life needs to hear the message of Jesus, and what steps can you take to share it with them this week? [52:04]
Reflect on the blessing of recognizing Jesus and knowing the full story of His death and resurrection. How can this knowledge inspire you to share your faith with others? [59:32]
Identify one area in your life where you feel "sent" by God. How can you actively pursue this calling, trusting in the Holy Spirit's empowerment to succeed? [50:51]

Sermon Clips

1) "We have been sent, we've been sealed, and we've been set up. We've been sent to succeed. Sent, sealed, and succeed. As you go through and as you see how Jesus commissioned the 72, alright? It says, After this, the Lord appointed 72 others and sent them two by two ahead of him into every town and place where he was about to go. Don't miss that. He sent them ahead of him into the towns where he was going to go on his way to Jerusalem as he went to the cross. He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go. I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." [29:17] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Jesus' disciples are sealed by their identity as children of God and by his power. Jesus says, if they reject you, they reject me. If they reject me, they reject the one who sent me. Do you see how he brings us into the family? I identify as a child of God. My Father in heaven doesn't just own the cattle. He owns the hills they graze. And I'm part of this family, you see. I've been sealed with the Spirit. I have the Holy Spirit as the down payment, alright? Ephesians chapter 1. In Ephesians chapter 1 in verse 13. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, when you believed. Now listen, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit." [41:26] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Having your name written in heaven is more important than the ability to perform miracles. See, it's so easy to get caught up in performing miracles. It's so easy to get caught up in the power and this and that. And prosperity. You can get all caught up in it. But listen to Jesus. He said, hey, hey, don't rejoice in that. Rejoice in this. Your name is written. In the Lamb's Book of Life. I'm here to tell you this morning, if your name's in the Lamb's Book of Life, then you have potential that you haven't even begun to tap into yet. I mean, do you know the Spirit of God will talk to you and He wants to tell you things?" [48:27] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Rejecting Jesus and His kingdom carries a severe eternal consequence. You see, folks, we're being sent into a world full of wolves to take them out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the light of God's Son. And it's not just some little call that doesn't mean anything. It's a matter of fact. It's a matter of life and death. Eternal life and eternal death. And Jesus goes through the whole thing. He says, it'll be more bearable for Sodom on judgment day compared to those who reject me here. He says of His hometown, Capernaum, He says, if the things that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago." [51:25] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "The disciples' joyful testimonies caused Jesus' spirit to rejoice. It says, Jesus rejoiced in the spirit. I would have loved to have been there to see what that was like. I wonder, what did Jesus do? Did he dance? Did he sing? Did he jump up and down? Did he just have a big smile on his face? What was he doing? It says he rejoiced. I think he praised his father because he saw this kingdom come into pass. I think in the future, he saw each and every one of you being a witness that's been sent out and sealed by his spirit. What a powerful moment." [56:13] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Blessed are the eyes and the ears that recognize Jesus. Do you realize that He said this to His disciples? Who He was traveling with and Jesus was walking with them in person. But He said, blessed are your eyes because prophets and kings long to see and hear what you see and what you hear. King David longed to meet Jesus. Elijah got to meet Him on the Mount of Transfiguration. That had to be awesome. Now you and I have an advantage. Turn to somebody and say, we have an advantage. Go ahead. Go ahead." [59:32] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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