WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.000 Amen. Praise the Lord for that. If you have your Bibles, Luke chapter number 9. 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:09.700 Luke chapter number 9. If you are able to stand for the reading of God's Word, I ask that you would. 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:15.200 Children's Church, if you haven't been dismissed already, 1st through 5th grade is meeting already in the back. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:16.760 So Children's Church, 1st through 5th grade. 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:18.679 I'm thankful for the music this morning. 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:23.500 I'm thankful for just the reminder that Jesus never fails. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:28.100 And we could almost just go home after the song service. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.100 Because the idea with the music is that we're not just trying to waste time. 00:00:33.159 --> 00:00:35.480 We're trying to lift Jesus Christ high. 00:00:36.619 --> 00:00:38.759 But I think it does prepare our hearts for the preaching. 00:00:38.859 --> 00:00:45.159 I'm so thankful for our brother Jared and our musicians that put the time and the effort in to prepare our hearts for this. 00:00:45.700 --> 00:00:47.600 And I'm thankful we can open the Word of God. 00:00:47.900 --> 00:00:53.620 And we can come to a Sunday after a week like this and know that Jesus never fails. 00:00:54.299 --> 00:00:57.240 That He's still in control and we have a mission to be on. 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:00.160 Our series in the Gospel of Luke is Jesus and His mission. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:05.100 But here we're kind of reaching the point in the Gospel where Jesus has been training and training and training. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:07.040 Now He's saying, alright, now it's your turn to go. 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:09.480 Now it's your turn to go and be on mission. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:12.460 And I think there's some great truths that we can take with us this morning. 00:01:12.520 --> 00:01:16.920 So if you found your place there in Luke chapter 9, we're going to read the first 10 verses together. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:18.260 And the Bible says this. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:25.320 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:29.100 And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 00:01:30.080 --> 00:01:31.020 And He said unto them, 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:38.580 Take nothing for your journey, neither staves nor scrip, neither bread, neither money, neither have two coats apiece. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:43.320 And whatsoever house ye enter into, they're abide and fenced apart. 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:51.399 And whosoever will not receive you when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:53.280 Notice verse number 6. 00:01:53.919 --> 00:01:59.759 And they departed and went through the towns preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:01.239 Verse 7 says, 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:31.219 Verse 10 says, 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:43.439 This morning I want to preach a message entitled this. 00:02:43.920 --> 00:02:47.420 Sent with His power for His mission. 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:49.860 Sent with His power for His mission. 00:02:49.920 --> 00:02:52.740 Because that's what Jesus is wanting His disciples to do. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:55.120 And the same thing He wants His disciples today to do. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:59.580 That He, we don't have to go out and live the Christian life in our own strength and our own power. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:02.700 We're sent with His power for His mission. 00:03:03.100 --> 00:03:04.840 Let's go to Him in prayer and then we're going to jump right in. 00:03:04.920 --> 00:03:07.540 Father, thank You for this wonderful day that You've given us. 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:09.700 This beautiful service that we've already had. 00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:13.800 And Lord, I'm thankful for every person that's here this morning. 00:03:14.140 --> 00:03:16.320 Every life, every family that's represented. 00:03:16.480 --> 00:03:19.960 And Lord, I pray that You know the needs of all of us. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:22.420 You know exactly what some are walking through. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:24.100 There's things I do not know, Lord. 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:26.099 But I'm thankful that You can meet the needs. 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:29.139 Lord, I pray if someone doesn't know You as their Savior, Lord. 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:31.000 They've been searching for answers. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:33.699 They've been trying to figure out what life is all about. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:36.219 That today would be the day of salvation. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:40.959 For those that have maybe just had a hard week and things going on in life. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:41.840 Lord, You would meet them. 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:42.599 You would help them. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:43.439 Encourage them. 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:46.579 Lord, for those of us that know the mission You've sent us on. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:48.859 Lord, I pray You would help us to look at our own life. 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:51.260 And to see if we are living in that mission. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:55.880 If it's something we're taking with us to our workplace and to our homes and to our neighborhoods. 00:03:56.600 --> 00:03:57.620 Lord, I pray You'd be with me now. 00:03:57.700 --> 00:03:58.540 You'd empty me of self. 00:03:59.160 --> 00:03:59.980 You'd cleanse me of sin. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:00.940 You'd fill me with Your Spirit. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:02.780 That it might be a help to Your people here this morning. 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:04.560 And we ask it in Christ's name. 00:04:05.160 --> 00:04:05.420 Amen. 00:04:05.540 --> 00:04:06.280 Thank you so much for standing. 00:04:06.320 --> 00:04:06.780 You may be seated. 00:04:08.580 --> 00:04:10.260 I look around the room this morning. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:12.420 All kinds of trades. 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:14.520 All kinds of careers are represented. 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:16.120 We've got teachers. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:17.139 And we've got coaches. 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:19.279 We've got medical workers. 00:04:19.479 --> 00:04:20.360 Business owners. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:21.599 Mechanics. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:22.539 Contractors. 00:04:23.159 --> 00:04:23.560 Landscapers. 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:24.300 Landlords. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:27.379 And the hardest working group of anybody in here. 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:28.259 Moms. 00:04:30.099 --> 00:04:31.279 That was your chance, moms. 00:04:32.719 --> 00:04:33.439 Listen, guys. 00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:35.379 Have you ever tried to be mom for like an hour? 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:38.279 You're like, hey, when are you coming back? 00:04:39.039 --> 00:04:40.279 I don't know what I'm doing here. 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:42.300 How do you make macaroni? 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:43.620 I'm not really sure how this works. 00:04:44.039 --> 00:04:44.759 I'll order pizza. 00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:45.779 Anybody like that? 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:48.019 Every time my mom was out of town, I knew what we were having. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:48.719 Pizza. 00:04:49.219 --> 00:04:51.000 That was my dad's best meal that he cooked. 00:04:51.299 --> 00:04:52.199 And it was fantastic. 00:04:53.859 --> 00:04:56.659 But when we think about these careers, we think about the trades represented here. 00:04:57.059 --> 00:04:58.500 Many of them required training. 00:04:59.099 --> 00:05:03.139 Many of them required you to maybe get a degree or have on-the-job training. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:05.279 To be a teacher, you have to go to school. 00:05:05.779 --> 00:05:09.619 Then you have to, while you're at school, then you have a teacher's aide. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:11.899 You've got to kind of walk as a student teacher. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:15.459 And to be a doctor, you go to school for, I think, 40 years or something like that. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.399 And then you go and you just practice. 00:05:17.780 --> 00:05:19.399 And you're practicing your residency. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:25.420 To be a doctor, I mean, to be an electrician, to be a lineman, you probably need some training there. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:30.840 You know, if you're going to mess with some high-voltage stuff, you don't want to kind of be in a situation like that. 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:34.500 And the idea is this, that training matters. 00:05:35.119 --> 00:05:37.500 That training is very, very important. 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:44.139 And we open up to Luke chapter 9, we see that Jesus is kind of giving his disciples on-the-job training. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:46.159 That it's time to move forward. 00:05:46.339 --> 00:05:49.139 And really up to this point, they've been apprentices. 00:05:50.059 --> 00:05:51.699 They've kind of been watching Jesus. 00:05:51.919 --> 00:05:56.039 We kind of walk through the gospel of Luke and we've seen that Jesus has called them. 00:05:56.399 --> 00:05:57.759 And they've left their fishing nets. 00:05:57.759 --> 00:05:59.239 And they've left their tax booths. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:04.660 And they've left kind of the life that they were known for and things they were good at to follow him. 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:07.620 And they've kind of been watching him do these things. 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:11.740 And you ever been on-the-job training and you're thinking, they're like, you understanding this? 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:12.500 And you're like, yeah. 00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:15.420 But inside you're like, I have no idea what I'm doing. 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.439 You know, they tell you they're going to train you for weeks and you're going to do all these things. 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:21.939 Like, the next day you show up, you're like, did you get all that yesterday? 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:22.720 You're on your own. 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:23.680 We're shorthanded today. 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:25.240 Anybody ever been there? 00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:30.519 Thankfully, up to this point, Jesus has been training his disciples for a while. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:35.139 But now they've seen these things and they've seen how Jesus operates. 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:38.780 They've heard the gospel, the message, the preaching of the kingdom. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:44.600 They've observed, as we've seen over the last couple weeks in Luke chapter 8, Jesus calmed the storm. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:47.220 He cast the demons out of the maniac of Gadara. 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:52.139 He called Jairus' daughter back to life. 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:54.219 He healed the woman with the issue of blood. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:58.019 And now Jesus gathers him around and says, hey, you're next. 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:01.459 It's kind of like when my dad taught me how to ride a bicycle. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:05.419 It wasn't like this gentle parenting loving situation. 00:07:06.039 --> 00:07:08.219 He just came out and said, we're taking the training wheels off. 00:07:08.719 --> 00:07:09.740 I was like, I don't think I'm ready for that. 00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:10.639 He's like, yeah, you are. 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:16.479 And he put me on this big hill and he held the back of it and then he lied to me like all parents do. 00:07:16.659 --> 00:07:17.539 I'm like, are you holding it? 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:18.279 Yeah, I am. 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:19.620 He was not holding it. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:21.519 And I got it really good. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.799 I mean, I got it first try. 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.740 Did not explain to me what brakes were. 00:07:26.919 --> 00:07:29.240 So there's a giant tree at the end of our driveway. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:31.439 Guess where my first bike ride ended up? 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.319 Right there. 00:07:32.699 --> 00:07:35.579 I mean, it was on the job training and it didn't go very well. 00:07:36.539 --> 00:07:40.579 But Jesus has been training his disciples much better than my dad did me riding a bicycle. 00:07:42.159 --> 00:07:44.680 And really, he didn't tell them to go out and figure out what to do. 00:07:45.359 --> 00:07:48.399 He said, here's the job that I called you to do. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:51.159 Here's the job that I called you to, Peter, when you were in your boat. 00:07:51.719 --> 00:07:53.599 Advance the kingdom of God. 00:07:54.179 --> 00:07:55.500 Preach the gospel. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:57.819 Change lives in that sense. 00:07:57.979 --> 00:08:01.859 And that's really where this message connects with us. 00:08:02.299 --> 00:08:05.959 Because the mission has not changed. 00:08:06.539 --> 00:08:08.199 It does not matter that it's 2025. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:10.639 The mission is the same. 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:14.300 Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:19.079 We saw this week, and I know we keep bringing it up, but here's what we were reminded. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.480 This world needs Jesus. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.659 It needs the gospel. 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:28.399 We felt kind of the darkness maybe more than we have in recent times. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:30.959 And even the remembrance of 9-11 and all those things. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:32.620 Listen, why is our world like that? 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:35.980 Because it's lost and it's dying and it's on its way to hell. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:39.120 And Jesus says, you have what they need. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:40.840 You have the message. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:43.000 And that's what he brings his disciples. 00:08:44.060 --> 00:08:46.920 See, the same calling is the same calling for us today. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:52.580 And we know this as we study the New Testament especially. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:57.039 These men were faithful to the mission. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.420 Yeah, they had their ups and downs. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:01.019 Peter had a difficulty. 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:02.899 He denied even knowing the Lord. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:06.340 And he struggled, but God had brought them through the ups and downs. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:11.000 And when you study church history, these men gave their life for the mission. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:12.639 They were faithful. 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:17.579 So the big question as we kind of walk through this text this morning is this. 00:09:18.199 --> 00:09:26.620 How can we, how can you, remain faithful to the mission that Jesus has given us? 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:28.340 I want to be faithful. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:37.919 Listen, I want to hear one day from my Lord, well done, thou good and faithful servant. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:40.799 God doesn't call us to be talented. 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:42.460 He doesn't call us to use all these. 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:44.440 Here's what he calls us to be, faithful. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:46.600 That's what makes a difference. 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:50.680 That's what people see and they realize, hey, I want what you have. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:51.519 It's not what we have. 00:09:51.680 --> 00:09:52.940 It's Jesus in us. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:56.520 And so the question is, how do we remain faithful? 00:09:56.760 --> 00:09:58.980 And Luke's going to show us three essential things. 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:01.540 Number one, we see this. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:06.220 To stay faithful to the mission, we must be dependent. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.960 We must be dependent. 00:10:10.140 --> 00:10:14.280 See, Jesus didn't just throw his disciples into the deep end without any preparation. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:17.620 Peter didn't say, I need to put my floaties on. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.120 No, Jesus, he just threw them in, but they were ready. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:25.259 They understood what was going on and he gave them exactly what they needed. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:32.320 Verse number one, then he called the 12 disciples together and gave them power and authority. 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:39.419 He knew what they were going to need when they went out to the world and when they had to face these things and they went to these villages preaching. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:43.080 They had to be dependent, number one, on God's power. 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:50.540 Listen, the power that we have, the ability that God has given us is not ours. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:52.020 It's him. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:57.780 That's why Jesus told them there in the Great Commission in Matthew 28, all power is given unto me in heaven and earth. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:05.759 And that same power that he gives to us, he wants us to be reminded we're not sent out into this world empty-handed. 00:11:07.040 --> 00:11:08.080 That's not how Jesus operates. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.560 He gave them his power and his authority. 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:14.839 Why? Because they were about to face some serious opposition. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:22.639 Because I wonder, a fly-on-the-wall situation, we kind of read this, we're excited, like, hey, man, they get to go out. 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:24.679 I bet they're thinking, oh, no. 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:25.939 You ever been there? 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:27.539 Maybe that's where they were. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:29.399 Sometimes we kind of put them on this pedestal. 00:11:30.099 --> 00:11:31.579 Listen, they were probably just like me and you. 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:33.399 I'm thinking, Jesus, I can't do that. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:35.439 I mean, what if we meet a guy like the maniac of God? 00:11:35.699 --> 00:11:36.719 What if this happens? 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:38.259 What if this happens, Lord? 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.960 Because they had seen things. 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:49.500 I mean, they had been there in Luke chapter 4 when Jesus is preaching in the synagogue and this demon-possessed man gets up and starts causing this huge issue. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:52.519 Peter's thinking, what happens if that happens, Lord? 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:55.819 He reminds them he gave them their power. 00:11:55.820 --> 00:12:02.820 They also remember that the enemy is out seeking to snatch away the seed of the gospel, Luke chapter 8. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:05.300 They're thinking, how can I be effective? 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:09.180 His power and his authority. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:15.180 Because it's one of those things, like, to know about something, but to actually do it is two different things, isn't it? 00:12:15.760 --> 00:12:17.740 You ever watch YouTube videos on how to do something? 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:20.660 And you're watching, and you're like, I can do this. 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:25.179 And then you get out there and you're like, I cannot do this. 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:27.019 I have no idea what I'm doing. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:29.879 And then I call maybe one of y'all, hey, y'all ever done this? 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:32.120 Yeah, why don't you come over to my house and show me how to do it? 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:33.839 You know, some of you have been there. 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:39.459 See, Jesus, as he's preparing to send them out, he knew they were going to experience his opposition, 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.659 but he wanted them to know, hey, as long as you're dependent on me, you're going to be okay. 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:50.919 Jesus told his disciples in John 15, without me, ye can do nothing. 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.919 Listen, we need to be reminded of that. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:13:01.219 We are built into our human nature, and as Americans, and most of us Texans, except a few South Dakotas here, 00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:04.059 we think, you know what, I can handle this. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.860 I can figure this out. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.600 I can do what I need to do. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:12.960 And we need to be reminded that if we try to help people find and follow Jesus in our own strength, 00:13:13.040 --> 00:13:15.500 we are going to burn out real quick. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:20.399 That's why some people get excited about church and come to church, and they, I'm going to do all this, 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:21.879 and they just fizzle out. 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:22.560 You think, what happened? 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.460 They weren't living in the strength of Christ. 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:27.940 That you can't live this life in your own strength. 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:32.540 You're going to get frustrated and mad and tired and just say, hey, that's too hard. 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.840 Jesus has come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.940 And I will give you rest. 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:42.800 See, when we depend on the power of Christ, His Spirit equips us for the task. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:49.840 You know, sometimes I've been trying to, every once in a while, my wife does find something on Pinterest or Etsy that I'm supposed to build. 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.840 I found this out, though. 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.600 You're supposed to plug your power tools in. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:56.899 You ever been there? 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.240 You're like, what is wrong with this thing? 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.300 And then you look back, and it's not plugged in. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.500 You think, well, that's a silly illustration. 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:05.940 But sometimes we come to church. 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.840 We're trying to, okay, we're going to do all this. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:10.279 We walk out the door, and we're not even connected to the source. 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:14.679 The tools aren't going to work if you're not connected to the source. 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:16.220 He didn't say, go out and figure it out. 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:18.759 Go out and use your talent and your skill of persuasion and all this. 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:21.120 No, no, we have to rest in Christ. 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:23.860 We're going to run on His power, not our own. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:27.759 And this meets us where we are this morning. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.460 Because you know what you're going to do this week? 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.559 You're going to step into school. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.639 You're going to step into work. 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:36.759 You're going to maybe step into a conversation with a friend or a co-worker. 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:39.819 And here's what we need to stop and say before any of that happens. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.519 Lord, I need you. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.340 Lord, I can't do this. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:45.799 Lord, I'm tired. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.120 I don't even know how to do it. 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:49.000 I don't know how to bring up this conversation. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:51.699 Lord, they need you, but I don't know what to do. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:54.419 Jesus wants to be there. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.740 He wants to help us. 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:59.819 And He's reminding us, listen, you have to be dependent on me. 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:05.360 So the disciples were to be dependent on God's power, but they're also to be dependent on God's provision. 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:10.760 Verse number three, the Bible says this, and He said unto them, take nothing for your journey. 00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:16.480 See, what He's doing here in verse three and four is He's telling them to travel light. 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.000 Why? 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:21.960 Because He wanted them in this posture of dependence. 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:28.480 That they weren't going to take everything they thought they needed, that they could fix this person and change this person's life. 00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:32.879 No, He wanted them to trust completely on Him and that He would meet their needs. 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:39.340 And to be honest, some of you would have failed discipleship right here because you've never packed light in your life. 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.660 You know who you are. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:46.180 I mean, it's just like, wait, I thought this was a day trip. 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:50.399 Well, yeah, but I need this in case this happens and this happens and this happens. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:55.960 I mean, I remember as a youth pastor, we're going to a youth camp and I'm thinking, you brought three suitcases for one week of youth camp? 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:58.280 I'm like, what kind of person are you? 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:00.860 And I will admit it. 00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:03.120 Sometimes I do overpack a little bit. 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:07.639 You know, it's weird, like I'm 40 years old, but sometimes I pack like, what if I have an accident? 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.960 Don't act like you've never thought that. 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:13.080 I mean, let's just, let's be real. 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:18.039 We're all, we're all things that are, and you come back home, you're like, well, I guess I didn't need 47 pairs of those. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.620 I don't know if we can laugh about little things like that. 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:30.439 But sometimes when Jesus calls us to do something, we say, okay, Lord, I'll do it, but let me get all the things that I think I'm going to need. 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:33.299 Because I'm going to need this and I'm going to need this and I'm going to need that. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.759 What if this happens, what if this comes up? 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:38.439 And in all that time, God's called us and he's saying, just go. 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:40.319 We're thinking, no, no, I got to get the things I need. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:43.519 No, he says, I'll take care of you. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.439 I know what you need. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.860 Hey, I take care of the ravens. 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:53.539 I take care of the lilies of the field and the grass that's just going to be burnt up and just going to wither away. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.259 I take care of that. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:56.379 How much more would I take care of you? 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.960 And we were reminded of that truth over and over. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:01.280 And sometimes, here's what God has to do to us. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:05.519 He has to place us in a place of need so we'll depend more deeply on him. 00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:16.740 Maybe you're walking through a dry spell in your life and you're thinking, God, if you would just provide this bill, if you would provide this answer, if you would provide this and this, then I could serve you. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.700 But maybe this morning, here's what God is saying. 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:22.740 I have that in your life so you'll look to me. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:26.759 Not call and try to pick up more hours at work. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:29.299 There's different, don't misunderstand what I'm saying. 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.299 But here's the thing. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.940 Are we trusting more in our ability or God's provision? 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.920 Because that's what he's telling his disciples. 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:38.559 That I'm the one sending you out. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:43.539 I'm the one placing you on this mission and it's my job to take care of you. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.539 He can take care of us, by the way. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:49.660 He's more than able to do that and he's reminding them of this truth. 00:17:49.660 --> 00:18:00.620 See, that need of provision that you have and you feel like it's just not being met, that deepest need can actually be a gift if it drives you to Jesus Christ. 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.340 Maybe that's why you're here this morning. 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:06.820 Maybe that's why you came to church whenever you came a long, long time ago. 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:10.180 It was born out of this need and saying, Lord, I don't know what to do. 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:12.380 Well, you're in the right place because Jesus does. 00:18:13.040 --> 00:18:14.180 And he loves you. 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.900 And he knows where you are. 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:20.880 See, the disciples were to be dependent on God's power and on God's provision. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.300 But I love this. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:25.680 They were to be dependent on one another. 00:18:27.060 --> 00:18:32.860 Mark's account, Mark's parallel account, it reminds us that Jesus sent them out two by two. 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.320 Why? 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:38.460 Because the mission God has called us to is not a solo sport. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:41.380 It's not for you to do alone. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.420 Anybody ever watch the show alone? 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:45.900 Anybody have a TV? 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:49.039 Not me, I'm a Baptist. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.840 Okay, here's the premise of the show alone. 00:18:54.519 --> 00:19:01.100 They take these people out into the wilderness, like Alaska or something like that, and they just drop them off. 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.720 They give them a few tools. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:08.320 They give them some things that they're going to need, tools and a camera and a chance to win a whole lot of money. 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:12.619 I tell you right now, once they drop me off, I'd be like, I need my one phone call. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.039 Come pick me up. 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:18.839 My camping includes hotels with Texas-shaped waffles. 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.139 That's kind of where I have a role. 00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:25.679 But when you really watch the show, it's very interesting to me. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:33.539 And almost every time, the reason they tap out is not hunger, is not cold, is not lack of supplies. 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.180 Here's what it is. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.140 They're alone. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.519 They're lonely. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:42.380 They miss their family because they're out there for months and months at a time. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:44.759 And being alone, it breaks them. 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:48.119 And that's the same when it comes to sharing our faith. 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:50.660 And sometimes we have this fear of rejection. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.420 We have this fear of saying the wrong thing. 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.720 We have this fear of looking foolish. 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:56.960 And it all presses heavier when you think you're alone. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.339 But here's what I want to do something this morning. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.640 This is going to scare some of y'all. 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.799 Just look around. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.879 Like literally turn around and look around. 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:07.740 Yeah. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.700 Some of y'all didn't know there's this many people here. 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:09.900 You're like. 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:15.200 You're not alone. 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.340 You're not. 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:20.580 Now, you may not work at the same place. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.500 And you may not be there side by side. 00:20:24.280 --> 00:20:27.400 But you're going to go to work and you're going to think, I'm the only one that's even trying to do this. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:27.640 No. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:31.180 You just looked at a whole bunch of people that God is calling to do the very same thing. 00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:35.460 And you may not be able to walk side by side or eat lunch at the same table. 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.440 But you can shoot a text. 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.500 Hey, I'm praying for you. 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:39.500 Hey, that person you mentioned on the Wednesday night prayer list. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:43.900 I'm praying that you just have an opportunity to share the gospel or to love on them like Jesus would. 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:46.160 And you have to realize you're not alone. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:50.140 Yes, we need to be dependent on God and his power and his provision. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:57.140 But God has given us a wonderful church family to remind us that we are not alone when it comes to sharing the gospel. 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.599 That's a beautiful thing. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.519 That we can come together. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:05.279 And that's why Jesus sends his people out in community. 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:08.059 That's why the Great Commission was given to the church. 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.139 Church. 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.879 Not just individuals. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:14.119 We are individuals and we are to go with the gospel. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.519 But it was given to the church. 00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:19.579 And the church is the vehicle that the gospel moves through. 00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:22.319 So maybe find somebody here this morning. 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:26.599 Maybe you have somebody that you need that's just kind of a gospel partner for you. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.879 That is there and encourages you. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:33.960 And you can talk back and forth and say, listen, I'm really witnessing to this person. 00:21:34.040 --> 00:21:37.640 Would you pray that I could just have an opportunity to share the love of Christ with him? 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.980 And it reminds you that you're not alone. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:45.960 So Jesus shows us that faithfulness begins with dependence. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.259 Dependence on these things. 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:50.420 But dependence isn't the only thing that we need. 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.819 There's another essential ingredient. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.099 Persistence. 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.680 Persistence. 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:59.579 To stay faithful to the mission, you must be persistent. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:08.879 I love this fact that Jesus prepared his disciples not just for success but for rejection. 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:15.419 Sometimes we want everything just to be roses and just great and, hey, we have no problems. 00:22:16.199 --> 00:22:17.059 But here's the reality. 00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:21.439 When you try to stay faithful to the mission, you're going to be rejected for it. 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:24.600 You're not going to always have success. 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:28.259 It's not going to always be just everybody's excited to hear that. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:32.720 But Jesus reminds his disciples and he's reminding us, don't quit when you're rejected. 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.640 Look what the Bible says in verse 6. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:36.980 Verse 5. 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:43.660 Whosoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.039 He said, listen, guys. 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:47.140 You're going to go preach this message. 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.980 You're going to preach repent and believe. 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:51.819 You're going to preach that Jesus is the way. 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.440 And here's what some people are going to say. 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.799 I don't want any part of that. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:58.259 And they're going to reject you and they're going to walk away. 00:22:58.440 --> 00:23:01.700 He's reminding them, don't be discouraged when people say no. 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.860 We just got to shake it off. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.380 We got to move on. 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:07.759 We have to understand that in our life. 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:11.240 Listen, sometimes we see great athletes. 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.720 They make a mistake. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:14.500 But they don't say, well, I made a mistake. 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.420 I'm just not going to shoot again. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:17.079 I'm not going to throw the ball again. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:17.860 You know what they do? 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:20.419 They shake off that moment and they keep pressing forward. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.699 They keep moving. 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:23.539 And the same is true in our Christian life. 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:26.699 I mean, Jesus modeled this himself. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:31.259 I know we're kind of pulling back and it's been a long time since we were in Luke 4. 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:33.579 But Jesus went to his hometown. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:38.319 I mean, in your hometown you should have a little bit of a home field advantage. 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.419 And he goes there to Nazareth. 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:42.139 And he begins to preach. 00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:45.079 And he preaches the same message that he's calling them to preach. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.579 And here's what they tried to do. 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.179 Push him off a cliff. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:49.599 Literally. 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.339 Not figuratively. 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:53.019 They brought him to the precipice of the city. 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:54.339 And they were going to push him off. 00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.259 You know what Jesus did? 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.379 He said, okay. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.519 And he just went on. 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:01.079 He was modeling that for his disciples. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.279 He went to the next town. 00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:03.919 And here's what the Bible says he did in Luke 4. 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.319 Preach the good news of the gospel. 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:08.639 He didn't say, well, I can't believe my hometown didn't hear it. 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:09.679 And my hometown didn't hear it. 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.619 Nobody's going to hear it. 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.599 That's not what was in his mindset. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:18.779 I know we give a lot of sports illustrations because it's biblical. 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:20.679 I don't know. 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.719 I mean, you think of a baseball player. 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.939 Nobody bats 1,000. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:30.019 In fact, the most successful players, you bat 300, they're going to put you in the Hall of Fame. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:34.039 If you're successful three out of ten times, you're an all-time great player. 00:24:35.199 --> 00:24:36.379 You know what makes them great? 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.419 Persistence. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:42.120 Because you'll watch them get up there and, you know, us sitting in our couch, we're thinking, 00:24:42.300 --> 00:24:44.480 I can't believe that guy can't hit a baseball. 00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:45.800 He went 0 for 5. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.560 This dude's terrible. 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.620 Send him somewhere else. 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:50.880 And the next game, he hits four home runs like this guy is the greatest. 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:54.740 You know why he hit home runs? 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.980 Because he got back up to the plate and swung the bat. 00:24:58.200 --> 00:25:01.400 Just because you strike out doesn't mean that you don't have to get back to the plate. 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:07.019 And I know it's kind of a crude illustration, but it just reminds us that that's how life is. 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:09.759 You say, preacher, I just struggle with persistence. 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:13.720 Listen, if you're a man and you're married, you don't struggle with persistence because she married you. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:16.540 Because it wasn't like the first time you saw her, like, I'm going to marry you. 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:18.740 And she's like, oh, gross. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:21.500 I mean, you kept calling. 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:23.940 She's thinking, man, I'll just marry this guy so it'll leave me alone. 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.559 You're welcome. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.500 Is that not life sometimes? 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:31.359 Because I promise you, it wasn't the first time I'm like, wow, this is the man of my dreams. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:33.079 You're thinking, this is who you sent, Lord? 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.559 This is what I've been praying for? 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:42.480 Listen, we're persistent in what we want to be persistent in. 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.839 I mean, that's just the simple truth. 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:51.659 You put the time and the effort and the persistence in whatever you deem is valuable to you. 00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.539 I love to golf. 00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:56.859 And I will putt all day long. 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:57.720 You know why? 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.319 Because I got tired of missing putts. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.419 Don't say anything, Kevin. 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:03.220 And I just kept putting, and I kept putting, and I kept putting. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:03.500 You know what? 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.899 I wanted to be better at that. 00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:08.259 How persistent are we with the gospel? 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.179 With the message? 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:14.839 We're going to tell one person one time at school, and they say, well, I don't want that, 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:17.039 so we're not going to tell anybody else at school any other time. 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:22.259 We're going to be rejected at work, and they say, you really believe all that stuff? 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.119 Hey, this is the workplace. 00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:24.159 Stop talking about that. 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:27.139 Listen, Jesus Christ changed your life. 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.919 You shouldn't be able to just be shot down in one thing. 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.919 We must have persistence in our life. 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:36.159 And I just want to encourage you, when you invite that neighbor and they say, no, just keep inviting people. 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:41.000 When you share that good news with a coworker, when you serve in a ministry at church and it feels like, is this even worth anything? 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.040 Keep serving. 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.840 Keep going. 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:43.640 Keep telling. 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.300 We need that persistence. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:48.519 God calls us to be faithful, not count results. 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:51.320 That's not our job to save. 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.380 It's not our job to change lives. 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:55.300 Our job is to be faithful to the mission. 00:26:58.100 --> 00:27:00.259 Dependence keeps us connected to the source. 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:02.960 Persistence keeps us steady through rejection. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:05.759 But there's one more piece that we see as we close it out this morning. 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:09.319 To stay faithful to the mission, you must be obedient. 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.460 Must be obedient. 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:15.200 See, Jesus laid out the risk. 00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:18.440 He laid out, didn't say, you're probably going to have rejection. 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.599 He said, no, you're going to face it. 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:22.019 He let them know how it was going to go. 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:24.619 He told them, he told them not to care anything. 00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:26.059 And I love verse 6. 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:28.379 And they departed. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.680 You know what that is? 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.840 Obedience. 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:34.140 Yeah, there's going to be some success. 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.660 But it's going to be hard. 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:38.360 You're going to have to go trusting that God's going to provide. 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:40.940 You're going to have to go trusting that you know you're going to be rejected. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:46.320 And it simply says they went out and they did exactly what Jesus told them. 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:50.279 Verse number 10 reminds us that they come back and they're excited. 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:52.660 The parallel accounts remind us too. 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:55.200 They come and they say, Jesus, you wouldn't believe what happened. 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.259 Actually, he would. 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:59.019 Because he knows how the mission works. 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.940 He's the one that designed it. 00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:04.319 And they came back with joy and told him all of these things. 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:07.359 And, you know, sometimes it seems like, is it worth it? 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.139 Let's just be real. 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:12.539 Is it worth really being obedient to it? 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:16.180 Because sometimes the Christian life kind of seems like a medicine commercial. 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.879 You ever seen those? 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.799 These people are so happy. 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:21.299 And they're riding their bicycles. 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.859 I'm like, where is this place? 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:24.259 This place looks so nice. 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.519 They're riding their bicycles. 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.720 And they're just riding. 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.480 They're going fishing. 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:29.220 I'm like, do these people have jobs? 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.460 I mean, they're just, they're so happy. 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.740 That's just what I'm thinking. 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:36.360 And the reason they're so happy is because they're taking this new medicine. 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:38.799 Yeah. 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:43.120 And if I started singing some of them, y'all would just, the whole church in unison would sing the little tune with it. 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.460 Lower your A1C. 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.460 You know, all one of those things. 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:53.460 But at the end of the commercial, they list like 50 side effects of it. 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:57.120 Like some people experience da-da-da-da and death. 00:28:59.100 --> 00:29:03.880 And you're thinking, is that bicycle really, that bicycle ride really worth that? 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:10.120 And sometimes living on Jesus' mission feels like that. 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:13.440 He tells us the cost up front. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:16.519 And he tells us there's going to be success. 00:29:16.820 --> 00:29:18.640 But there is going to be problems sometimes. 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:23.279 He promised in this world we'll experience tribulation. 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:25.420 But then he says, hey, I've got even a better side effect. 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:27.920 But I have overcome the world. 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:30.279 Yes, it's going to be difficult. 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:32.820 Following Christ is not for the faint of heart. 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.340 We must count the cost. 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:39.259 But he also reminds us and he shows us the joy that we can experience. 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.980 It is much greater. 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.299 That's the idea of the medicine. 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.619 Yeah, you might have some issues. 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:45.680 But it's going to make your life so much better. 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:49.220 And if we live on mission, we're going to see lives changed. 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.559 Families transformed. 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.220 Eternity impacted. 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:54.619 And that's what it's all about. 00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:56.299 That's the mission. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:58.720 That's the job that he has called us to. 00:29:59.019 --> 00:30:02.700 Listen, one person coming to Christ is worth every risk. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.159 Every awkward moment. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:06.700 Every no that you've ever heard. 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:11.080 The Bible says there's rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents. 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:14.580 Listen, I'm thankful somebody was persistent with me. 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.660 And kept loving on me. 00:30:16.840 --> 00:30:18.519 And kept sharing the gospel with me. 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:20.220 And was just there when I needed them. 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:22.779 So we don't just need to talk about evangelism. 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:24.299 We don't need to just pray about it. 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:26.200 No, at some point, here's what Jesus is saying. 00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:27.440 You've got to go and do it. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:30.180 You've got to live it out loud. 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:32.680 It's got to be something real in your life. 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:36.580 And Luke does something kind of fascinating right here. 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:40.220 In the middle of the story, he kind of shifts the camera. 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:42.500 And like looks over at Herod real quick. 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.340 Herod's not a great guy. 00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:47.759 He's the king that beheaded John the Baptist. 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:51.000 But Herod asked this question in verse number 9. 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.980 That still hangs in the air today. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:56.320 And Herod said, John I have beheaded. 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:59.539 But who is this? 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:03.620 See, right in the middle of this missions trip. 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:06.740 We're kind of pulled out of the scene. 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:09.019 And pulled into the palace. 00:31:10.060 --> 00:31:11.960 And I just want to remind us right here. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:14.680 That this is the most important question. 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.560 That anyone can ask. 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:19.560 I'd imagine even after this week. 00:31:19.620 --> 00:31:20.440 In our country, in our world. 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.900 People are saying, who is Jesus? 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:25.200 Maybe you heard some of the. 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:28.759 I think you may not agree with everything Charlie Kirk said. 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.400 But he did this. 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:32.280 He articulated the gospel extremely well. 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:34.519 And a lot of people are saying. 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.519 I wonder if he. 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:37.540 He seems to really have believed that. 00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:39.300 Who is this? 00:31:39.820 --> 00:31:40.620 Jesus Christ. 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:43.640 You see, there was all kinds of opinions out there. 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:44.960 Some thought it was John the Baptist. 00:31:45.060 --> 00:31:45.660 Come back from the dead. 00:31:46.340 --> 00:31:47.580 Herod said, no, I'm pretty sure it's not. 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.500 I cut his head off. 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:49.900 I mean, that's what he said. 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:51.120 He's just kind of being real about it. 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.980 He said, I don't think it's him. 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.340 I don't know who he is. 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.100 But I know this. 00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:55.799 I want to meet this man. 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:58.419 You know why that was? 00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:01.659 Because the mission was going forth. 00:32:02.459 --> 00:32:04.099 And everybody was kind of hearing it. 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:06.779 And Herod said, well, maybe that's what I need. 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:09.959 Maybe I do need to meet this man. 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:12.659 And I just asked you the question this morning. 00:32:13.460 --> 00:32:14.960 Who is Jesus to you? 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:18.759 Jesus didn't send them out and say, hey, tell them I'm a good teacher. 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.640 Tell them I can heal people. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.980 Tell them I'm a really good religious leader. 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:25.200 He said, tell them this. 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.259 Tell them who I am. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:28.320 I am the son of God. 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:32.380 I have come to seek and to save that which was lost. 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:38.600 And as important as this question is to ask, the answer is everything. 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:46.859 Because everything eternal hinges on who you believe Jesus is and what you do with him. 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:49.500 That's where it all boils down to. 00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:52.319 And that really brings us to our conclusion. 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:57.819 See, because this passage doesn't just inform us about the disciples' mission. 00:32:58.539 --> 00:33:00.299 It confronts us with our own. 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:04.299 They completed their course. 00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:06.699 They were faithful to the mission. 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:10.200 Yes, in this small sense, in this preaching journey. 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:14.400 But you studied their lives and all 11 of them except Judas were faithful. 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:17.580 Taking the mission to the uttermost. 00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:20.440 So how do we remain faithful? 00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:22.779 By being dependent on God. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:25.799 By being dependent on one another. 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:28.640 By being persistent in the face of rejection. 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:31.259 By being obedient to Jesus' commands. 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:35.279 And if you're a believer, I just want to talk to you for a second. 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:38.819 You know he's the Christ. 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:43.500 You've experienced the life-changing power that he gives. 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.539 So here's how we should live. 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.880 Like sent people. 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:51.440 God didn't call you, save you, to sit in a chair. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.580 He called you to go. 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:57.519 He called you to let your light so shine before men. 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:59.660 That they may see your good works. 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:03.240 And glorify your Father, which is in heaven. 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:06.120 That's what God has called us to do. 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.880 That you're going to step into a mission field this week. 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.539 You say, I'm not a missionary. 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.159 Yes, you are. 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.800 You can go to school tomorrow. 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.559 You can go to work tomorrow. 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:16.440 Some of you are going to go to a family that doesn't know Christ as their Savior. 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.920 You know what they need to see? 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:19.639 Somebody that's dependent on Christ. 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:21.980 That's persistent and loves them. 00:34:22.180 --> 00:34:23.099 And obeys his call. 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:24.960 The question is, who will you invite? 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:26.180 Who will you share with? 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:28.940 Who will you serve in the name of Jesus this week? 00:34:30.339 --> 00:34:32.079 Decide that before you walk out these doors. 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:35.480 Maybe you're here and you're not a believer. 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:38.379 Maybe you're searching for answers. 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:40.440 Maybe you're just trying to figure it all out. 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.659 Well, here's where it starts. 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:46.039 Who is Jesus to you? 00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:50.500 He's not some shadowy figure in the Middle East some 2,000 years ago. 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:53.219 When you study the Word of God, you're going to find this out. 00:34:53.259 --> 00:34:54.579 That he is the Son of God. 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:56.900 That he is God in the flesh. 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.500 And he came to this earth. 00:34:58.900 --> 00:35:00.799 And he lived a perfect, sinless life. 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:02.259 Something that we cannot do. 00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:05.460 The Bible made it very clear that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:08.219 But God showed his love toward us. 00:35:08.279 --> 00:35:09.539 He commended his love toward us. 00:35:09.759 --> 00:35:12.259 In that while we were yet sinners, he died for us. 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:14.719 See, John 3, 16 is for you. 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:17.500 For God so loved the world. 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:18.880 It's for me. 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.679 See, he's more than a prophet. 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:23.000 He's more than a moral example. 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.619 He's more than a teacher. 00:35:24.760 --> 00:35:28.480 He is the Savior who died for you and rose again. 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.960 So you might have life eternally. 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:33.820 But you might have life worth living here on this side. 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:36.599 I just encourage you. 00:35:37.699 --> 00:35:38.239 Repent. 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.460 Believe. 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:39.699 Receive. 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:41.840 Receive him today. 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:45.780 The great preacher Charles Spurgeon said this. 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:48.460 Brethren, do something. 00:35:49.119 --> 00:35:49.900 Do something. 00:35:50.240 --> 00:35:50.820 Do something. 00:35:51.220 --> 00:35:51.760 Do something. 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:56.260 While committees waste time over resolutions, do something. 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:58.820 Our aim is to save sinners. 00:35:59.380 --> 00:36:02.199 And we are not merely to talk about it. 00:36:02.720 --> 00:36:05.860 But to obey in the power of God. 00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:07.480 Listen, church. 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:09.840 Let's not just talk about the mission. 00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:13.539 We saw real poignantly this week. 00:36:13.740 --> 00:36:15.820 The world needs people to live the mission out. 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:19.740 They're searching and seeking for answers. 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:22.260 And it's right here. 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:24.220 We have it. 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:26.400 It changed your life. 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.540 You know what God has given you? 00:36:28.700 --> 00:36:29.460 A testimony. 00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:32.320 You say, well, I don't know how that could change. 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:34.520 You can say, listen, my life was a wreck. 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.900 And I was going down this road. 00:36:36.080 --> 00:36:37.240 And Jesus showed up. 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:39.220 Our marriage was on the rocks. 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:40.360 And I didn't know what was going to happen. 00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:41.640 And Jesus showed up. 00:36:42.200 --> 00:36:44.380 I didn't know if I even could make it another day. 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.680 But Jesus showed up. 00:36:46.680 --> 00:36:49.200 And you're only here today by the grace of God. 00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:51.400 And I'm only here today by the grace of God. 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:53.860 God, tell somebody about it. 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:57.300 Found people, find people. 00:36:58.180 --> 00:37:01.360 And love them just like Jesus loved you.