| I have been taking some people through the | | | | Capernaum, after all, was His adopted hometown |
| Gospel of Luke, reading it and studying it, and | | | | following His being rejected in Nazareth. |
| below are certain vital principles for every aspect | | | | Within a few years Chorazin was totally gone. |
| and area of service, work, ministry and business. | | | | Bethsaida vanished, and today Capernaum |
| These lessons are so very practical and profitable! | | | | remains in ruins - a heap of rubble. Today there |
| We are reading in Luke Chapter 10 of various | | | | are the remains of the synagogue. The |
| basic principles when it comes to mission and | | | | foundations of what used to be a prosperous |
| ministry. Jesus teaches those men He is sending | | | | fishing town can be seen - but that is all. His |
| out to travel light. Don't let a lot of luggage hinder | | | | words all came true. They always do! |
| you and clutter you, and slow you down. And - | | | | Verse 16. Jesus then taught these teams who |
| don't waste time blethering and gossiping along | | | | were being sent out. He who listens to you listens |
| the way - lit. 'don't pass the time of day with | | | | to ME - he who rejects you rejects ME - but he |
| people'. What does this mean? Don't spend too | | | | who rejects ME rejects HIM WHO SENT ME. It is |
| much time on superficial conversation, so that the | | | | suggested - that by the use of these words here |
| time just passes and nothing real has been | | | | - Jesus had already experienced real rejection - |
| achieved or accomplished. This short brief mission | | | | and was about to leave that area for the final |
| has the sense of haste and urgency. | | | | time. |
| "Greet" is not a good translation. It does not | | | | If Jesus Christ appoints and anoints and sends |
| mean we are not to say HELLO or GOOD | | | | you - there will be those who will be drawn closer |
| MORNING. We are not to be unfriendly. It is just | | | | to God through you - and there will be those who |
| that Middle East greetings and salutations can take | | | | will wander further away from God because of |
| a long time. | | | | you. Every preacher and teacher and disciple and |
| It means that we are not spend an hour or two | | | | follower of Jesus has to come to terms with that. |
| hours, and ALL WE HAVE SAID is HELLO or | | | | When they returned from their brief mission, they |
| GOOD MORNING - not when we are on a mission | | | | were filled with JOY. They were radiant. "Jesus it |
| - a work for Jesus - not when He wanted us to | | | | works. Even the demons had to submit to us in |
| be elsewhere doing some real work. | | | | your name." |
| Jesus then teaches those people He is sending | | | | Jesus says to them - O I saw it all - don't get too |
| out. "Go in a spirit of peace, but if the people do | | | | taken up with the thrill of success - just rejoice |
| not want the blessing of the peace of God, which | | | | that your names are written in heaven. Beware |
| will flow through you, then, move on elsewhere. | | | | of any degree of pride. |
| Do not force it upon them." | | | | This can be one of the consequences of |
| This is in contrast with the judgmental fire we | | | | effective ministry. You have what you regard as |
| read of in the previous Chapter when people did | | | | a successful time, and pride can enter. They are |
| not want Jesus. | | | | no different to us, and we need this solemn |
| When you find someplace to stay - remain there. | | | | warning from Jesus. |
| Eat and drink what they give you. Don't be picky | | | | With the power of the risen Jesus in us - with the |
| and choosy about your food - what you eat and | | | | Power of the Holy Spirit upon us - and flowing |
| drink - take what is offered. You are messengers | | | | through us - there will be successes and victories |
| - not beggars. | | | | - but these have to be set in their proper place - |
| The worker deserves his wages - the labourer is | | | | and all the praise and honour and glory given to |
| worthy of his hire. | | | | God. |
| Ministry is a two way thing. Take from the people | | | | Verse 19. Jesus gave these men authority and |
| you minister to. When you give spiritual help, be | | | | authority involves the right to command. |
| open to receive material help. Jesus is giving basic | | | | Where were all these people when Jesus was |
| principles here on all kinds of areas, and we need | | | | crucified? How long did it last? |
| to be reminded of the basic principles which Jesus | | | | After Jesus gave them this mild rebuke - He |
| taught. | | | | rejoiced in His spirit. He rejoiced that these |
| Verse 9. Heal the sick who are there. You bring | | | | ordinary people had been spiritually successful, and |
| with you the kingdom of God, and that involves | | | | triumphant over evil. They had been victorious. |
| wholeness. We saw that when Paul landed on | | | | Jesus prayed and gave thanks, that God had |
| Malta. | | | | revealed this to babes. God had revealed this to |
| Let people know that Jesus Christ the King is | | | | very ordinary folks - not the learned and clever - |
| near. Jesus can heal people of their sicknesses, | | | | not to those who considered themselves to be |
| and He can deal with their pains and diseases. This | | | | so wise - but to people who were open to Jesus |
| power was given for this short time of mission | | | | - willing to obey Jesus - open to receive what |
| and ministry and outreach. | | | | Jesus had for them. |
| Jesus is so realistic. He warns them that their | | | | There has to be openness continually - throughout |
| success will be LIMITED. | | | | our whole ministries - all the time - open to Jesus |
| Some will receive you. Some will reject you. All | | | | - openness to God - openness to the Holy |
| the time this word is being preached and taught | | | | Spirit.v.22. All we know about God, and all we |
| and shared, this is on-going. Some will be receiving | | | | need to know about God, comes through Jesus |
| and embracing your words and witness and | | | | Christ and through His Word. Now, let that |
| testimony, whilst others are rejecting it. | | | | encourage you as well as warn you concerning |
| Some are open to what Jesus is saying, whilst | | | | false and superficial things which can and do |
| others are closed. Some are waiting to hear what | | | | attract certain people.v 23. Jesus then turned |
| God has to say to them, whilst others refuse to | | | | privately to His disciples. Because of what you see |
| hear The Living God. | | | | you are blessed. Prophets and kings have desired |
| Then Jesus teaches an amazing truth - To reject | | | | to see what you are seeing. Isaiah, Jeremiah, |
| you and the ministry you bring will be worse than | | | | David, Solomon, would liked to have experienced |
| what was going on in sinful Sodom. Jesus had | | | | what you are experiencing. |
| been to Chorazin and Bethsaida. Jesus had | | | | There are profound principles here and solemn |
| preached and worked miracles there, but there | | | | warnings regarding the danger of pride when we |
| was no spirit of repentance. What an opportunity | | | | sense spiritual success. Wise men will pay great |
| Capernaum had to accept and receive and follow | | | | heed to these very practical instructions. |
| Jesus Christ, but they would not hear and obey. | | | | |