Red Letters: Sent - Pastor Josiah Elias

Not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord,” we sang. That was one of the worship songs that set the tone for our praise to the Lord. Then Josh Munoz reminded us that repentance is the gateway to Him daily. When we repent, “He is rolling the shame off of you.” You can fully and freely come face to face with Him.

Several announcements included the need for more help in the children’s ministry; VBS is June 24-27 with the informational meeting on 5/18; Pastor Greg Hendricks, who leads the Men of God Movement, invited the men and their sons to a combined gathering with the men of Foothills Church on 5/30. The church will pay for the fee. Please sign up using the QR code to reserve a space. Pastor Greg stated,”The road that is typically challenging you is often developing you-divine development.”

FC’s mission is to culture like Christ, and the vision is Jesus. Pastor Josiah reminded us how the religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They wanted to trap Him, but Jesus wrote in the dust, got His hands dirty, and said for the one that was innocent of sin to cast the first stone. The religious leaders, beginning with the oldest, drifted away from the accused woman. Willing to get His hands dirty for the woman, He is also willing to get His hands dirty for each of us.

This week the passage is Luke 10. Jesus “chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit.” Luke 10:1 (NLT) Jesus sent His people out two by two; they were not alone, for they were in community. Just like the disciples, you’re not alone. Get connected with people. Link arms together because we are stronger together.

Jesus sent His disciples in pairs to prepare the people for the Savior. “sent - Grk. apostello-To order one to go to an appointed place. To send forth.” “apostle-Grk-One sent forth with orders.” The term apostle was a navy term where they sent people to establish a culture in new regions. That is what Jesus wanted for His disciples to do-prepare the people to hear about the Kingdom of God. Just like His disciples were sent, we are also called to be sent-to be influencers concerning the Kingdom of God.

Jesus instructed them, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 (NLT)  “send-Grk. ekballo-To cast out, to drive out, to compel one to depart, to violently thrust out.” The time is short, and the message is urgent.

The Paramount Point is We’re not being nudged out of the nest; we’re being thrust into the harvest fields. Wherever God sends you, you are the answer. You have everything you need to share what Jesus has done in your life.

Jesus told them,”Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3 (NLT) Of course, they would experience challenges. Spiritual battles occurred because they struggled “not against flesh and blood but against principalities.” Ephesians 6:12 (KJB) When you go out to share Him, you will experience challenges too. You are His messenger. You represent Him, so wherever you go, represent Him well.

Then Pastor Josiah spotted Levys Hernandez, a missionary FC supports, who ministers in his home country. Levys admonished us to cling to God and to the Holy Spirit. “Any place you are in it’s an opportunity to share Jesus.” May it be second nature for us to share the love of the Lord with others.

In the next section, Jesus instructed His seventy-two disciples “to not take money, nor a traveler’s bags, nor an extra pair of sandals.” Luke 10:4 (NLT) He  wanted His people to trust the Lord, who is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. “And don’t stop to greet any one on the road.” Luke 10:4b (NLT) How easy it is to get off track, to get distracted. They needed to stay on task, be intentional, and missionally minded as do we.

Next he recommended,”Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide.” Luke 10:7 (NLT) Better a deep impact with few than shallow impact with many. He emphasized deep versus shallow.

                        “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen

                        you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so

                        that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you,

                        being rooted and grounded in love, may have power together

                        with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long

                        and high and deep is the love of Christ….” Ephesians 3:19-18 (NIV)

In the next section, Jesus warned His disciples,

                        ”If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set

                         before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom f God

                        is near you now.’ But If a town refuses to welcome you, go out

                        into its streets and say, ’We wipe even the dust of your town

                        from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your

                        fate.’” Luke 10:8-11 (NLT)

Good seeds in good soil grow healthily. The soil of your heart is critical and needs tending. However, He mourned for Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, for sorrow awaited them. We cannot afford to miss this point. The decision to follow Jesus, to learn how to live like He did, and to repent is grave. We need to draw closer to Him not push Him away like those listed towns did. Don’t be Capernaum. Jesus told His disciples,”Anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.” Luke 10:16b (NLT)

After the seventy-two disciples returned, they reported that even demons responded to His name, but the Lord said to them,”Nevertheless do not rejoice in this that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 (NLT) Previously, Jesus had declared that He was “the Light of the World.” John 8:12 Those who followed Jesus reflected His light.  The light always dispels the darkness.

From Luke 10:21-24 Jesus rejoiced because He “was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 10:21 (NLT). In verses 23-24 He told the disciples,”Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it.” (NLT) Pastor Josiah declared,”Rejoice! Your faith is in Jesus.” You are being sent out, and this opportunity is 24/7. Do you have a willing heart? Walk in the fullness of His love. He shed His blood to get you back. He didn’t sacrifice His life to just get you to heaven. But He wanted for you to be in His will. From what we have learned, may we be salt and light in this troubled world.

Calendar:

5/16-LB potluck, worship and viewing of the great movie, The Forge.

Submitted by

Annette Linthicum