{"id":5306,"date":"2025-11-02T18:58:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T01:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/?p=5306"},"modified":"2025-11-02T18:58:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T01:58:51","slug":"the-call-to-go-sent-with-power-purpose-a-bible-study-and-pastor-joeys-sermon-on-luke-91-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/2025\/11\/02\/the-call-to-go-sent-with-power-purpose-a-bible-study-and-pastor-joeys-sermon-on-luke-91-6\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;The Call To Go: Sent With Power &#038; Purpose.&#8221; A Bible Study and Pastor Joey&#8217;s Sermon on Luke 9:1-6."},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='dropshadowboxes-container dropshadowboxes-center ' style='width:100%;'>\r\n                            <div class='dropshadowboxes-drop-shadow dropshadowboxes-rounded-corners dropshadowboxes-inside-and-outside-shadow dropshadowboxes-lifted-both dropshadowboxes-effect-default' style='width:auto; border: 1px solid #dddddd; height:; background-color:#ffffff;    '>\r\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3724 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/EVIC-Church.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/EVIC-Church.png 750w, https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/EVIC-Church-300x208.png 300w, https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/EVIC-Church-150x104.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evichurch.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>East Valley International <\/strong><b>Church <\/b><\/a>views\u00a0the digital world not as a distraction from faith, but as a new frontier for it\u2014a wilderness where hearts still wander, searching for light. As the Spirit once hovered over the waters at creation, so He now moves through signals and screens, carrying grace through pixels and presence through code.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Our use of tools like <strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">Anthropic&#8217;s<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/claude.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ClaudeAI<\/a><\/strong>, is not an escape from ministry but an expansion of it. Tradition must serve Jesus, never stand between Him and those longing for hope. Whether it\u2019s a livestream, a message thread, or a prayer whispered into a phone at midnight, our goal is the same: that every digital doorway might open into divine encounter.<\/p>\n<p>The gospel has never fit neatly into our expectations. Jesus broke boundaries, healed on forbidden days, and brought joy where emptiness had taken root. The same Spirit who spoke from burning bushes and called prophets from obscurity now speaks through technology, social platforms, and AI alike. The methods evolve, but the miracle remains unchanged\u2014God is still seeking the heart that will listen.<\/p>\n<p>This Sunday, Pastor Joey Sampaga led us through <span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong><em>Luke 9:1-6\u2014The Call To Go: Sent With Power &amp; Purpose<\/em><\/strong><\/span>\u2014a story of how Jesus sent fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots, and common laborers on a mission of redemption.\u00a0Jesus chose them, trained them, and sent them out.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #175c6b;\"><strong>Approximate reading time: 20-30 minutes.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class='dropshadowboxes-container dropshadowboxes-center ' style='width:100%;'>\r\n                            <div class='dropshadowboxes-drop-shadow dropshadowboxes-rounded-corners dropshadowboxes-inside-and-outside-shadow dropshadowboxes-lifted-both dropshadowboxes-effect-default' style='width:auto; border: 1px solid #dddddd; height:; background-color:#ffffff;    '>\r\n                            <\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><em>Let&#8217;s get practical. The true value of a sermon isn&#8217;t found in a fleeting moment of &#8220;anointed preaching,&#8221; but in its long-term, actionable utility. The traditional, singular sermon event\u2014complete with its reliance on emotional appeals and unpredictable &#8220;Spirit-breathed delivery&#8221;\u2014is inherently inefficient for the modern learner. It forces a one-time consumption of data, leaving the burden of organization, cross-referencing, and long-term retention solely on the listener.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This is precisely where AI-powered tools become indispensable. They\u2019re not mere supplements or study aids; they are a transformative enhancement to how the message is delivered and engaged with. By taking Pastor Joey Sampaga\u2019s raw sermon audio\u2014often rich but linear and dense\u2014we convert it into a searchable, thematically organized, and hyperlinked resource.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Your invitation: engage deeply with both the sermon and these AI-curated materials with intentionality. Don\u2019t just gather information\u2014allow it to shape and transform you. The technology doesn\u2019t replace the sermon; it amplifies the truth it contains for lasting growth and understanding.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QUL8M9wCT80?si=T0_hc0DYEbxHx7XG\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Download the PDF to print at home (15 pages): <a href=\"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/The-Call-To-Go-Sent-With-Power-Purpose.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>The Call To Go: Sent With Power &amp; Purpose<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<details class=\"collapsible-quote\" open=\"open\">\n<summary><strong>[<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Click here<\/span>] <span style=\"color: #003366;\">to read the full transcript<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\"> <strong>of this sermon [<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Click again to close<\/span>]<\/strong><\/span><\/summary>\n<blockquote><p><i>(Due to variable audio quality\u2014including background noise, unclear speech, or recording issues\u2014this transcription may contain errors or omissions not present in the original recording. For complete accuracy, please refer to the audio itself or consult with participants about any uncertainties in the text.)<\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Good morning. How&#8217;s everyone doing? It&#8217;s nice to see all your smiling faces. Do me a favor, let&#8217;s sing Happy Birthday to Kuya Ed since he wasn&#8217;t 60? 62. Okay, good. All right, I just want to be calm. All right, so let&#8217;s also keep in mind to pray for Sister Bina, I think Cheryl&#8217;s sister who&#8217;s going into surgery today, right? She&#8217;s in the operating room now, so&#8230; Also pray for the Canedas as they travel. And pray for Puya Dani and Akinenda as they are recovering. And then also for Brother Aaron over there with his hand. I&#8217;m glad he&#8217;s here. So he can come back and play some guitar for us whenever he&#8217;s ready, of course. So keep them in prayer.<\/p>\n<p>All right, so last week, Pastor David preached on the faith the woman who was bleeding for years, if you recall that, as well as for Jairus&#8217; daughter. Jairus, who had a tremendous failure, knowing that his daughter is going to be healed. Today we&#8217;re going to be in Luke chapter 9, so if you have your Bibles, which I hope you do, get to Luke chapter 9. Let&#8217;s go ahead and open in prayer.<\/p>\n<p>Lord God, help me, Father, to thank you for calling us not only to follow you, but to represent you. And Lord, as we open your word today, help us to understand what it means to be sent, to trust you, rely on you, and to share your message with the world around us. Lord, I also lift up Auntie Cheryl&#8217;s sister, Vina, to you. Lord, be with her. She&#8217;s going through her surgery. Lord, we also lift up the Kanedas as they travel, and Lord, we pray for Keodani and Nenna as they recover from what they&#8217;re recovering from, and of course for Brother Aaron that he blew his hand, but he&#8217;s able to use them as he&#8217;s supposed to.<\/p>\n<p>Lord God, we also praise you for Kuya Ed&#8217;s birthday. Father, we ask that you teach us through your Spirit and give us courage to obey and to absorb your word today as it&#8217;s being preached. Lord, be with everyone. Give them a clear mind. Give them a clear conscience. And if there&#8217;s anything that&#8217;s on their minds right now that&#8217;s stressing them out or causing them anxiety, Lord, I ask that you just remove that from them as your word is being preached. And of course, Lord, as I&#8217;m preaching, use me as your vessel. Allow me to be filled with your spirit and for your spirit to speak through me. Father, we love you, we praise you, in Jesus&#8217; name, amen.<\/p>\n<p>All right, I want to set the scene here for this sermon. Now, up to this point in Luke, Jesus has done ministry pretty much all himself, right? So he&#8217;s preached the good news, he&#8217;s preached about himself, he healed the sick, he cast out demons, and even raised the dead. Now the disciples have been following, they&#8217;ve been learning, and they&#8217;ve been watching, and they&#8217;ve been experiencing Jesus&#8217;s miracles that he&#8217;s been performing.<\/p>\n<p>Now in Luke chapter nine, the training shifts, right? So Jesus is about to send them out to do what he has been doing, but this time without him physically deciding them, right? So he&#8217;s gonna send them out two by two as we&#8217;re going to learn. And so the one who became the teacher, or who is the teacher, Jesus, he&#8217;s now sending out his disciples to go out and preach the good news. He gives them authority to cast out demons to heal the sick, to basically do what he has been doing.<\/p>\n<p>So that&#8217;s where we start with Luke 9. Luke 9, verse one and two, and all, and he called the 12 together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. So this here is the turning point. Jesus isn&#8217;t just making believers, he&#8217;s making messengers. So whenever we&#8217;re learning things here, You don&#8217;t just become hearers, you become doers. You now become the messengers of Jesus. You don&#8217;t just become the learners, you now go out and be the messenger.<\/p>\n<p>Mark&#8217;s gospel tells us in Mark 6-7 that Jesus sent them out two by two. Why two by two? For encouragement. Because ministry can be lonely. Right? For accountability. They could strengthen each other, they could encourage each other, they could exhort each other, they could pray for one another. And for credibility. In Jewish law, truth was confirmed by at least two witnesses, right?<\/p>\n<p>So Matthew 10, which is another account, gives us a little more detail, which is a whole chapter of Jesus&#8217; instructions. Matthew tells us who these 12 men were and what kind of hearts they had. You&#8217;ve got to think about it. They were Christians. They were ordinary people. They weren&#8217;t scholars. They weren&#8217;t teachers. They were tax collectors and sinners. Most of them weren&#8217;t spiritually mature. But Jesus chooses them anyway. He&#8217;s showing the work of God doesn&#8217;t depend on ability, but depends on availability. And I mentioned that earlier during our class. So it doesn&#8217;t depend on ability, but on availability. Are you available? It&#8217;s not about what you know. It&#8217;s not how much you know about the Bible. But it&#8217;s about what God has done in your life. Your witness. Your testimony.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s good to practice our testimony. And you want to practice that in different forms and different lengths. You want to have&#8230; Maybe the entire story of your testimony. And then you want to have a 30-minute one, or a 20-minute one, or a 10-minute one, or an elevator speech. Because it all depends on the situation.<\/p>\n<p>But you don&#8217;t want to stop with your testimony. You also want to move, well, ultimately you want to get to the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ. You want to be able to share the gospel. A lot of people, or not a lot of people, but some people, they would share their testimony, and sometimes it goes so long that they don&#8217;t get the chance to share the gospel. The reason why God gave you your testimony is to share it, but ultimately to basically be the icebreaker to get into the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because it&#8217;s the gospel that saves, not your testimony. I mean, it&#8217;s good to hear about your testimony, but ultimately it&#8217;s the gospel that we want to get to.<\/p>\n<p>All right. So in verses one and two, Jesus calls the 12 together and he gives them power and authority.<\/p>\n<p>Now power means the ability to do something. In Greek it&#8217;s dunamis, dunamis. And then authority means the right to do it. In Greek it&#8217;s exousia, exousia. So they&#8217;re not going out in their own strength or their own cleverness or their own ability. They&#8217;re going out in Jesus&#8217; name under his authority. And we too are given that authority to go out and share the gospel. In Matthew 10.1, it says, And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease and every affliction. So in other words, Jesus gives them permission to act on his behalf. They&#8217;re his representative. They&#8217;re his ambassadors.<\/p>\n<p>So their mission is simple, but it&#8217;s powerful. It&#8217;s to preach the kingdom of God, to go out and heal the sick, to cast out demons. That&#8217;s what God, or that&#8217;s what Jesus, gave them authority to do. So these three go hand in hand. The message shows people their need for salvation, and the miracles show them the compassion and the power of God.<\/p>\n<p>So the kingdom message is this. God&#8217;s reign is here. So we&#8217;re going out two by two to say God&#8217;s reign is here. The king has come. Who&#8217;s the king? Jesus. So every Christian today is called to carry that same message.<\/p>\n<p>Now, you probably, or we probably, aren&#8217;t given the authority to heal the sick or to cast out demons, but you carry the power of the gospel, which Jesus has given that authority to us to go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make disciples, right, to teach people God&#8217;s word. So the power to change hearts, families, and eternity. Because the gospel is the power, the only power to salvation. And it&#8217;s only the gospel that can transform, that can change hearts.<\/p>\n<p>And what we&#8217;re to do is to share the gospel. And I mentioned this earlier, our, in the class that is, our mission is to go out and share the gospel with and then allow the saving to be done by God. So that takes a lot off of our back, doesn&#8217;t it? We&#8217;re not there to prove to people that our ability to speak and to convince people to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we don&#8217;t have to have that burden on us. The burden is on God. And really, it&#8217;s not a verdict for him, but he is the one who saves, not us. We can speak very little, we can speak a lot, but it&#8217;s going to be up to God to save. So you don&#8217;t have to worry about that.<\/p>\n<p>Now look at the next part, verse 3.<\/p>\n<p>And he said to them, take nothing for your journey, no staff, no pad, no bread, no money, and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there. And from there departs. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them.<\/p>\n<p>So that&#8217;s a pretty unusual packing list, isn&#8217;t it? I&#8217;m sure, and I&#8217;m just going to guess, and I&#8217;m going to talk about them because they&#8217;re not here. I&#8217;m sure when Adelani packed, she probably packed two suitcases. Brothers Endy probably packed the bag. But what did God tell them to pack? Nothing. Practically nothing.<\/p>\n<p>Basically, Jesus said, I want you just to go with whatever you have on right now. He&#8217;s teaching them to depend completely on him, on God. And when you&#8217;re sent out by God, your security is in your wallet, or your skill, or your connections, it&#8217;s in Him. You know, and I know that&#8217;s how the missionaries that, oh gosh, my memory is bad here, that Kuya Allen and Brother Zenji went out with. What&#8217;s the name of that? What is it? Mission School. It&#8217;s called Vision School. They went out there. I think they were given a little bit of money, but other than that, they said, okay, you guys just go out and drop them off in the town, and then they just leave. And they&#8217;re to go out and start speaking with people, to start sharing the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>Not so much to proclaim it out loud. But it&#8217;s to go talk with people, and if there&#8217;s a family that decides to take them into the house, then they stay with them. And usually that family would provide for them with their meals, and sometimes they would ask them to stay the night. They didn&#8217;t bring much with them. They just trusted on the Lord. And that&#8217;s what the apostles did, and that&#8217;s how vision school, they modeled their mission trips based on this.<\/p>\n<p>Now Mark chapter six, verse eight and nine adds, he charged them to make nothing, to take nothing for their journey except a staff. No bread, no bag, no money in their belts. But to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. Y&#8217;all know what a tunic is? What&#8217;s a tunic? It&#8217;s like a robe, it&#8217;s like a little jacket, right? A sweater.<\/p>\n<p>And in Matthew chapter 10, verses 9 and 10, it says, So he&#8217;s basically saying, don&#8217;t go to churches. Don&#8217;t go ask your neighbors or your friends or your family for them to take care of you, to sponsor you. Just go out where I tell you to go. And that&#8217;s what they did.<\/p>\n<p>All three accounts in Luke, Mark, and Matthew, they emphasize the same thing. What is that? To trust in God to provide. So they weren&#8217;t out to run from house to house looking for better accommodations or bigger meals or saying, ooh, these people over here are serving better meals. Let&#8217;s go over there. Or this person over here has a nicer house. Let&#8217;s stay there.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s whoever or whatever house you enter, stay there, is what he&#8217;s saying. Be content where God places you. Right? That&#8217;s a good lesson for all of us. Be faithful where God plants you before he moves you somewhere else.<\/p>\n<p>Now, I know that, you know, when we go out on missions, and Brother David and Sister Kendra can attest to this, that, you know, they would maybe ask for sponsors to go out because that gives us a little bit, or that gives them a little bit more, you know, like support or, you know, they know that they&#8217;re going to be taken care of. And it definitely is God who takes care of them. But imagine just going out without any support and just saying, Lord, I trust you. Do you think he&#8217;d provide? I would say yes. Absolutely.<\/p>\n<p>And so Jesus was also saying that when people rejected them, shake off the dust from your feet. As a testimony, just go. Go. In that culture, Jewish travelers should shake dust off their feet when leaving Gentile territory. Symbolizing separation from unbelief. So here Jesus applies that same math to any town who rejects the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>You know, and we ought to do the same thing. When we&#8217;re sharing the gospel and all they&#8217;re doing is wanting to debate with you because they&#8217;re saying that they&#8217;re right, well, you don&#8217;t want to, you don&#8217;t need to continue on with sharing the gospel with them. It&#8217;s like throwing pearls to swine, right? They&#8217;re just going to trample all over the gospel. They&#8217;ll trample all over the pearl that you&#8217;re trying to give them.<\/p>\n<p>So you want to only move to sharing the gospel when you see the conviction. And the more you start to do it, the more you start to recognize, oh, I&#8217;m taking this person through the Ten Commandments, and oh, I&#8217;m seeing that their face goes from smiling big to kind of just being sad about you know, or they&#8217;re being convicted by the Holy Spirit, you can see it in their face.<\/p>\n<p>Then you continue to share the gospel. But if they continue wanting to always bring up a different subject, you know, when you&#8217;re talking about the gospel and all of a sudden they say, well, what about the Bible? Oh, what about the earth? Is it really 4,000 years old? Or what about this? Or what about that?<\/p>\n<p>Well, you can just say, well, God bless you. And then just pray for them. You don&#8217;t have to pray with them. Pray for them. Let them go. Find someone else to share the gospel with, right? So it&#8217;s not about anger or judgment when they were dusting off their feet. It&#8217;s about responsibility. You&#8217;ve done your part. You&#8217;ve shared the gospel. You&#8217;ve planted the seed.<\/p>\n<p>Now the decision is between them and God. Actually, it&#8217;s just on God. It&#8217;s His decision if He wants to save them or not. Hearts softened by the Holy Spirit to receive that, to receive God&#8217;s word? Are they going to respond in a manner where they&#8217;re going to receive the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior? Are they going to repent from their sins? Or are they going to continue to live the life that they&#8217;re living in this world?<\/p>\n<p>So when you share Christ with someone, you&#8217;re not responsible for how they respond. And I want you to remember that. You are not responsible for how they respond, only for being faithful to share the gospel. That simple.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes the hardest part of ministry is knowing when to move on. And Jesus reminds us, do your part, then trust God with the rest.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, Pastor Joey, I don&#8217;t know how to share the gospel. Well, learn it. God made it so simple that a seven-year-old should be able to understand the gospel. What is the gospel world? John 3.16 is a good way to describe it in a nutshell. Christ died for sinners. And if they believe that Christ did die for sinners, then they will not perish but have eternal life. Really simple.<\/p>\n<p>And you just go on a little bit more. When Jesus died on that cross, what happened? He took his body down, and then what? He buried him. And then after he was buried, on the third day, what happened? God raised him from the dead.<\/p>\n<p>There were about 500 witnesses he saw of his resurrected body, and then he ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father, and now he will come. Eventually, he will come again to judge the living and the dead.<\/p>\n<p>Now, that&#8217;s the simplicity of the gospel. And that&#8217;s how you share it. And when you share it in that manner, then you say, God, do your thing. They&#8217;re either going to accept it, or they&#8217;re going to reject it. And that&#8217;s not on you. Not on you.<\/p>\n<p>Verse 6. And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everyone. So they went, no hesitation, well, probably no hesitation, no questions, no excuses, they just went. They simply obeyed. And they went, As they went, God worked through them.<\/p>\n<p>Mark 6, 12, and 13 tells us what that looked like. It says, So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.<\/p>\n<p>So notice what they preached. They preached repentance. Repentance. Because at that time, Jesus didn&#8217;t go to the cross. He didn&#8217;t die. He wasn&#8217;t resurrected yet. Right? But it was still the gospel. It&#8217;s still the truth. It&#8217;s still the good news.<\/p>\n<p>Same thing with John the Baptist. He was preaching repentance because Jesus had not died, buried. He wasn&#8217;t buried. He wasn&#8217;t raised yet. So they preached what they knew when Jesus had asked them to preach.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m kind of curious though, you know, with Judas being there, I wonder if he was out there preaching. If he was out there sharing the gospel with people. It makes me wonder. I&#8217;m going to guess he did. I&#8217;m going to guess he did.<\/p>\n<p>And it doesn&#8217;t matter where the gospel comes from because God&#8217;s word never comes back void, right? He uses even the unbelievers to bring people to himself. That&#8217;s how merciful and graceful God is. He can use evil. He can use unbelievers. He can use bad situations, trials, and tribulations to bring people to himself. That&#8217;s why God is God.<\/p>\n<p>So their message wasn&#8217;t, the apostles&#8217; message wasn&#8217;t about feeling good or living better lives. It wasn&#8217;t if you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, your life is going to be better. Your wallets are going to be full, and your bank accounts are going to be a lot bigger. It&#8217;s not about that.<\/p>\n<p>They didn&#8217;t preach about if you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, your health is going to be better, that your life is going to prosper. It&#8217;s not about that. Unfortunately, there are a bunch of false teachers out there preaching that, right? And guess what? That tickles the people&#8217;s ears.<\/p>\n<p>And that brings them to that church or to that preacher because these false teachers are preaching what people want to hear. They don&#8217;t want to hear about repentance. Oh, I have to stop doing what I love to do? Like partying and having sex before marriage and all of this stuff that I like to do? I have to stop that now? Hmm.<\/p>\n<p>Or they don&#8217;t like to hear, oh, we&#8217;re going to hell? We don&#8217;t put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ? Well, the Jesus that I know, the God that I know, will never send me to hell. Never sends people to hell. Really.<\/p>\n<p>Right? These prosperity preachers, they only preach what people want to hear. That&#8217;s why they have full houses. You know, and I know one in Texas where that&#8217;s, it&#8217;s like a stadium or like an arena of 25,000 people every single Sunday. That&#8217;s a lot of people. Look at us. We&#8217;re like a board. Max. And I&#8217;m hoping we grow because of God&#8217;s word, not because of the prosperity preacher being up here at the pulpit.<\/p>\n<p>I want us to grow because people want to hear the truth, not what they&#8217;re hoping to hear of wealth and good health.<\/p>\n<p>So everywhere the apostles went, people were healed, demons were cast out, and lives were changed, all because these 12 ordinary men obeyed an extraordinary Satan. Right? Can God give us the power to heal people? I don&#8217;t know. I mean, he could. Let me take that back. I know he could, but does he still do? Well, they say some people believe that that type of authority that was given to the apostles weren&#8217;t given to us, or God ceased to give that authority to go out and heal people or to raise people from the dead or cast out demons. I don&#8217;t know for sure. There&#8217;s two camps to offer.<\/p>\n<p>So we may not travel from town to town all the time, but every one of us is sent. We are sent. Every time you show kindness, you pray with someone, or share what Jesus has done in your life, you&#8217;re living out that same mission. Because ultimately, you will have that chance to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. And when we obey, God still works through us. Not because we&#8217;re powerful, but because he is.<\/p>\n<p>We only have the authority that God has given us, and that&#8217;s a pretty big authority, isn&#8217;t it? That&#8217;s a big responsibility that he&#8217;s given to us, and we are blessed to have that. But do we take advantage of it? Do we actually do it? Do you do it? Do I do it? Right?<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s easy for me to stand up here at the pulpit and preach to those who are coming in to hear God&#8217;s word. But would I go out in the street and get on a microphone and start preaching openly? That&#8217;s a little bit harder, isn&#8217;t it? Because here I&#8217;m not going to get much conflict. Much people debate it. And because this is a sermon, it&#8217;s only a one-way communication. It&#8217;s me to you. In Bible studies, yeah, we have a dialogue. But here, you can try and say something, and I might answer. But typically, a sermon is one way.<\/p>\n<p>Now, just because it&#8217;s one way, you still have to hold the password down to make sure that I&#8217;m preaching truth. and not health, wealth, and prosperity.<\/p>\n<p>So while we obey, God still works through us.<\/p>\n<p>So this story isn&#8217;t just about the 12. God put this in the Bible for a reason. It&#8217;s to prescribe to us what he wants us to do. The same Jesus who sent them out then still sends us out today. He put this in the Bible for us to learn, to understand Jesus sent them out. And guess what? Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave us that command to go out and share the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus left heaven. Well, think about this for a second. Jesus, he modeled this. He modeled what he was telling the disciples to do.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus left heaven with no dad, no Bible, no money, no comfort, no wealth. He relied completely on the Father&#8217;s will. God sent him to this world as a humble human baby while at the same time, him still being fully God. Fully human, fully God.<\/p>\n<p>And he was rejected by many, but remained faithful to the end.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;re talking about Jesus, the God-man, who was rejected by many, who was ran out of town, and even in his own town, where he grew up in Nazareth, they wanted to throw him off the cliff, didn&#8217;t they? And then you have the religious leaders wanting to stone him to death. And eventually, they crucify him.<\/p>\n<p>For a person who&#8217;s never sinned, they wanted to crucify him. For a person, all he did was heal people, cast out demons, resurrected people, showed love, spoke love. What did they want to do? They wanted to kill him. He was innocent. He was rejected by many, but remained faithful to the end, all the way to the cross. He was faithful. He did as his Father commanded. He did the will of the Father. And at that cross, he completed the ultimate mission, and that was to rescue humanity from sin and death. That was his ultimate mission, to rescue us from sin and death.<\/p>\n<p>Not to come here and to take the Romans out, to wipe out Rome or the enemies of Israel. He didn&#8217;t come here to do that. He came here to rescue humanity from sin and death. We were all destined. It wasn&#8217;t until Jesus came and did what he did that those who would put their faith and trust in him would be saved.<\/p>\n<p>And Jesus even came to die for those before he came, those in the Old Testament times, because they were promised the Messiah, and those who believed in that promised Messiah, or just a promise that God gave them, like Abraham, The faith that they had was faith in God.<\/p>\n<p>And as long as you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in God, in what God did for us, you will be saved. You will repent from your sins on a daily basis and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<p>And dying on the cross for our sins, being buried, and a few days later, being raised from the dead. And then after his resurrection, he looked at his followers and he said this in John 20, verse 1. He says, As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. And that&#8217;s you and I as well.<\/p>\n<p>Even though he was talking to his disciples.<\/p>\n<p>What is a disciple? A follower of Christ. And if you are a follower of Christ, guess what? You too are a disciple.<\/p>\n<p>Before he ascended, this is what he promised in Acts chapter 1 verse 8, he says, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses to the end of the earth.<\/p>\n<p>Right? And when did we, when did you, when did I, when did all believers receive the power of the Holy Spirit? At the moment that you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<p>Because once you did that, He indwelled in you. And he&#8217;s giving you that now. To go out and to share the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>Are people going to hate you for it? Are they going to debate you on it? Yes. Maybe not. But mostly yes, they will. But are you going to stand up for the truth?<\/p>\n<p>Remember, Jesus says they&#8217;re going to hate you. Why? Because they hated him first. They hated him to the point that they killed him.<\/p>\n<p>You know, when I mention that to some people, they say, well, that&#8217;s why I don&#8217;t follow Jesus, because I don&#8217;t want people to kill me.<\/p>\n<p>Well, guess what? After this world, you&#8217;re going to suffer a death that&#8217;s never ending. And that&#8217;s going to hurt us a lot. So the mission continues for us.<\/p>\n<p>School for the kids. And I heard some stories of some of our youth of sharing the gospel and questioning or sharing it with their classmates. And that&#8217;s why we teach them here, and that&#8217;s why the parents are, of course, The first line of defense is to teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ, to raise them up in Christian values.<\/p>\n<p>And then they come here to church, and then the Sunday school teachers will then teach. And then they come to sermons, to service, and then the pastor teaches them. But ultimately, it falls on the parents first to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<p>So our mission continues. What God has given to us.<\/p>\n<p>So we are his hands, his voice, and his witnesses in the world. Why? Because he&#8217;s given us the authority to do so. And I praise the Lord for that.<\/p>\n<p>And please hear me when I say this. We need to be encouraged. We need to be emboldened to go out and share the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m not just talking to you, I&#8217;m talking to me as well.<\/p>\n<p>Because after this lifetime, after this lifetime, we&#8217;re done.<\/p>\n<p>Wherever we end up, your friends, your family members, your neighbors, your coworkers, your classmates, if they have not put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they&#8217;re going to be in hell for eternity. And that&#8217;s the last thing we should ever want for anything.<\/p>\n<p>And people can mock us all they want on this Bible thing. Jesus freaks.<\/p>\n<p>Because they&#8217;ll understand at the end why you were so, why you were telling them that, earnestly telling them that.<\/p>\n<p>Because if they&#8217;re in that line of being judged to go to what God is, Jesus is going to sentence them to in hell, and you&#8217;re in that line of receiving your rewards based off of your good works, and you guys happen to pass each other in the lines, you&#8217;re going to say, why didn&#8217;t you tell me? Ayanna, why weren&#8217;t you a little bit more forceful with me? Why didn&#8217;t you tell me that Jesus was real? Why didn&#8217;t you tell me at all? I thought you were my friend.<\/p>\n<p>Because if you don&#8217;t tell them, I mean, it&#8217;s going to be a sad day for them. And I don&#8217;t know how we&#8217;re going to feel to know them.<\/p>\n<p>In heaven, it&#8217;s full joy, right? I don&#8217;t know how we&#8217;re going to feel about them if God gave us that opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>You know, but one of the things I do that&#8217;s very comforting is God&#8230; knows, and he&#8217;s in control. He&#8217;s sovereign. His providence is perfect. His timing is perfect. So even though we miss out on that opportunity, he&#8217;s probably given that opportunity to someone else to share the gospel with that person.<\/p>\n<p>So I would encourage you, please, first of all, you, if you&#8217;re not right with God, if If you are still an enemy of God, an unbeliever of Jesus Christ, or you&#8217;re just kind of on the fence, still trying to decide, I would encourage you to make that decision today.<\/p>\n<p>Ask God to save you, because only He can save you. You can&#8217;t save yourself by doing all the good works you think you can do. You can&#8217;t do enough to earn your way to God. You can&#8217;t afford it.<\/p>\n<p>All right? So please put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And once you have, of course, thank God, give him the glory, and start sharing the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>And those who come to God based off of you sharing the gospel, guess what? You&#8217;re going to be rewarded for that in heaven.<\/p>\n<p>And those rewards ultimately are crowns that we&#8217;re going to throw at the feet of Jesus. So we have nothing to boast about. other than the resurrection, the death and burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s what we have to do. Amen.<\/p>\n<p>Lord God, Heavenly Father, thank you that you still call and send ordinary people like us. Lord God, give us courage to step out in faith. to depend on you for everything we need, and to share your good news wherever we go, whether it&#8217;s at work, whether it&#8217;s at school, whether it&#8217;s in the neighborhoods, wherever it is, Lord, be with us, send us, empower us, embolden us, give us the words and the wisdom, and Lord, we leave the rest to you.<\/p>\n<p>And Father, may your power and authority shine Through our words and actions. So others may know. Your son. And what he did for us. Father we thank you. I pray for those who are here. I pray that you bless them. And that you protect them. And that you give them those opportunities. To share the gospel of Jesus with them. Father we thank you.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/details>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Comprehensive Bible Study and Sermon on Luke 9:1-6<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>INTRODUCTION<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Imagine you&#8217;ve spent months following Jesus\u2014watching Him heal the sick, cast out demons, calm storms, feed thousands, and teach with unmatched authority. You&#8217;ve witnessed power beyond anything you could imagine. You&#8217;ve seen the impossible become possible. You&#8217;ve watched the Son of God at work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And then one day, He turns to you and says, &#8220;Now it&#8217;s your turn. Go and do what you&#8217;ve seen Me do.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">That&#8217;s exactly what happened in Luke 9:1-6. After training His disciples through observation and participation, Jesus sent them out on their first independent mission. He gave them power, authority, and instructions\u2014then sent them out to do kingdom work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This wasn&#8217;t just a historical moment for the twelve first-century disciples. This passage reveals the pattern for Christian mission that continues today. Every believer is called, empowered, and sent by Jesus to participate in His kingdom work. We&#8217;re not spectators watching Jesus work\u2014we&#8217;re sent ones, commissioned with power and purpose to extend His ministry to the world.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In this passage, we discover:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What Jesus gives us<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0(power and authority)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What Jesus sends us to do<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0(preach and heal)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">How Jesus wants us to go<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0(in radical dependence)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What happens when we obey<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0(the gospel advances)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This is the call to go\u2014not someday, not when we&#8217;re ready, not when we feel capable, but now, sent by Jesus with everything we need to fulfill His mission.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Let&#8217;s walk through this transformative passage and discover what it means to be sent with power and purpose.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>PART ONE: THE CALLING OF THE TWELVE (Luke 9:1a)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>The Setting: After the Training<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Verse 1a:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And he called the twelve together&#8230;&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This moment didn&#8217;t happen in a vacuum. It came after intensive training. Let&#8217;s review what the disciples had witnessed by this point in Luke&#8217;s Gospel:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What They Had Seen Jesus Do:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Miracles of healing:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Cleansing a leper (Luke 5:12-14)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Healing a paralytic (Luke 5:17-26)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Restoring a man&#8217;s withered hand (Luke 6:6-11)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Healing the centurion&#8217;s servant (Luke 7:1-10)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Raising the widow&#8217;s son from the dead (Luke 7:11-17)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Healing many sick and demon-possessed (Luke 4:40-41)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Miracles over nature:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Calming the storm (Luke 8:22-25)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Miracles of deliverance:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Casting out demons in the synagogue (Luke 4:31-37)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Delivering the Gerasene demoniac (Luke 8:26-39)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Healing the woman with the flow of blood (Luke 8:43-48)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Raising Jairus&#8217;s daughter (Luke 8:40-56)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Powerful teaching:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Parables about the kingdom (Luke 8:1-18)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Teachings on prayer, faith, and discipleship<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The disciples hadn&#8217;t just heard about Jesus&#8217;s power\u2014they had witnessed it repeatedly. They had been with Him in the crowds, in homes, on boats, in synagogues. They had watched Him work, listened to Him teach, observed His methods, and experienced His authority firsthand.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">They had been apprentices. Now it was time to become practitioners.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Twelve: Called and Gathered<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;He called the twelve together&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; This phrase is significant in several ways.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Who Were the Twelve?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Luke 6:13-16 lists them:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Simon Peter<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; fisherman, impulsive, natural leader<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Andrew<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; Peter&#8217;s brother, brought people to Jesus<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">James<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; son of Zebedee, part of inner circle<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">John<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; James&#8217;s brother, &#8220;beloved disciple&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Philip<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; thoughtful, analytical<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bartholomew<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0(Nathanael) \u2022 skeptic turned believer<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Matthew<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; former tax collector, Gospel writer<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Thomas<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; doubter who needed evidence<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">James<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; son of Alphaeus, less prominent<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Simon the Zealot<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; former political revolutionary<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Judas son of James<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0(also called Thaddaeus)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Judas Iscariot<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; the betrayer<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">These<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> were fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots, and common laborers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0Yet Jesus chose them, trained them, and now was sending them out.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Significance of Being Called<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Before we examine what Jesus gave them and sent them to do, we must understand the significance of being\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">called by Jesus<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The call is primary:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not our decision to volunteer<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not our choice to pursue ministry<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But Jesus&#8217;s sovereign selection<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His initiative, His choice, His call<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Mark 3:14<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0records the earlier moment when Jesus appointed the twelve: <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles)\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>so that they might be with him<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>\u00a0and he might\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>send them out to preach<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Notice the order:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">First<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">: Be with Him (relationship, training, observation)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Then<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">: Be sent out (mission, ministry, multiplication)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You can&#8217;t be sent effectively until you&#8217;ve been with Jesus.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Many try to reverse this\u2014jumping into ministry without spending time with Jesus. But Jesus&#8217;s pattern is clear:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Intimacy precedes impact<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Relationship precedes mission<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Being precedes doing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">With Him, then for Him<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The disciples had been with Jesus. They had observed, learned, absorbed. Now they were ready to be sent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>PART TWO: THE EMPOWERMENT \u2022 POWER AND AUTHORITY (Luke 9:1b)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Gift: Power and Authority<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Verse 1b:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;&#8230;and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus didn&#8217;t just give them instructions and send them out unprepared.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He empowered them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0He equipped them with supernatural resources for supernatural work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Notice the two words Luke uses:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">power<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">authority<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">. These aren&#8217;t synonyms\u2014they&#8217;re complementary concepts that together reveal what Jesus gave His disciples.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Understanding &#8220;Power&#8221; (Dynamis)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Greek word:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">dynamis<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0(from which we get &#8220;dynamite,&#8221; &#8220;dynamic,&#8221; &#8220;dynamo&#8221;)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Meaning:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Miraculous power<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Supernatural ability<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Divine energy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Effective force<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Actual capability to accomplish<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Power is the ability to do something.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0It&#8217;s the energy, the force, the capability to act. It&#8217;s having the resources to accomplish the task.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Think of it like electricity\u2014raw power, energy flowing, capability to work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>What this meant for the disciples:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">They received actual supernatural ability<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not just authority on paper, but real power to act<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Divine energy flowing through them<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Capability they didn&#8217;t naturally possess<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Resources beyond their own strength<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Acts 1:8<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0echoes this: <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;But you will receive\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>power<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>\u00a0when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses&#8230;&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Power is what enables ministry to happen. Without it, we&#8217;re just religious people going through motions. With it, we&#8217;re conduits of divine energy accomplishing supernatural works.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Understanding &#8220;Authority&#8221; (Exousia)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Greek word:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">exousia<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Meaning:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Delegated authority<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Official right to act<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jurisdiction<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Authorization<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Legal permission and backing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Authority is the right to do something.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0It&#8217;s the legal permission, the official sanction, the delegated authorization to act on behalf of another.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Think of it like a police officer&#8217;s badge\u2014authority to act in the name of the law, backed by the full power of the state.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Matthew 28:18-20<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0connects authority to mission: <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;All\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>authority<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>\u00a0in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples&#8230;&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Authority is what gives legitimacy to ministry. Without it, we&#8217;re unauthorized pretenders. With it, we&#8217;re official ambassadors backed by the King of kings.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Power AND Authority Together<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus gave both because both are necessary:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Authority without power:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You have permission but no ability<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Official title but no effectiveness<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Right to act but no energy to accomplish<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Like a police officer with a badge but no training or weapons<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Power without authority:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You have the ability but no permission<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Energy but no legal right<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Capability but no backing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Like a vigilante\u2014power to act but no official sanction<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Power AND authority together:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Permission plus ability<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Right plus capability<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Authorization plus energy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Official backing plus supernatural effectiveness<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Over What: Demons and Diseases<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus specified the scope of the power and authority He gave:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8220;Over All Demons&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Comprehensive spiritual authority:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not some demons, but ALL demons<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Complete jurisdiction in the spiritual realm<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Authority over Satan&#8217;s kingdom<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Power to cast out evil spirits<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Why demons?<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Demons represent Satan&#8217;s oppressive work:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bondage and torment<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Spiritual darkness<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Opposition to God&#8217;s kingdom<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Destruction of human life<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The disciples&#8217; authority over demons is demonstrated:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Satan&#8217;s kingdom is being invaded<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">God&#8217;s kingdom advancing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Evil being defeated<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Captives being freed<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This was spiritual warfare<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; the battle between God&#8217;s kingdom and Satan&#8217;s. The disciples weren&#8217;t just healing diseases; they were liberating prisoners of war.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Luke 10:17-19<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0records when the disciples returned: <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, &#8216;Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!&#8217; And he said to them, &#8216;&#8230;Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.'&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus&#8217;s authority extended through them to defeat Satan&#8217;s forces.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This was redemptive ministry<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; pushing back the effects of the Fall, demonstrating what the kingdom of God looks like when it invades a broken world.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Matthew 10:1<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0adds: <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The scope was comprehensive\u2014every disease, every affliction. Nothing was too hard, too chronic, too impossible.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Source: From Jesus, Not Themselves<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Critical point:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">gave<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0them this power and authority.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This wasn&#8217;t:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Something they generated themselves<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Natural ability they developed<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Power they earned or deserved<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Their own righteousness or holiness<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This was delegated, transferred, imparted authority and power from Jesus to them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">John 15:5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Apart from me you can do nothing.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Every miracle they would perform, every demon they would cast out, every person they would heal\u2014it would all be Jesus&#8217;s power flowing through them, Jesus&#8217;s authority backing their words, Jesus&#8217;s work accomplished through His representatives.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">They were conduits, not sources. Channels, not generators. Ambassadors, not independent agents.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This is crucial for all Christian ministry: We don&#8217;t work in our own power or authority. We work in His. We don&#8217;t act independently; we act as His representatives. We don&#8217;t rely on our own capabilities; we depend on His empowerment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">2 Corinthians 3:5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>PART THREE: THE COMMISSION &#8211; SENT TO PREACH AND HEAL (Luke 9:2)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Mission Statement<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Verse 2:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">After empowering them, Jesus sent them with clear instructions about their mission. Notice two primary activities:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">proclaim<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">heal<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>&#8220;Sent Them Out&#8221;<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The verb &#8220;sent&#8221; (<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">apostell\u014d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">) is where we get &#8220;apostle&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; literally &#8220;sent one.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>To be sent means:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You go with authority from the sender<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You represent the one who sends you<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You carry their message and mission<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You act on their behalf<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You&#8217;re accountable to them<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">John 20:21<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Jesus said to them again, &#8216;Peace be with you.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8216;&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The pattern of sending continues: Father sends Son, Son sends disciples, disciples send others. The mission multiplies through sending.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8220;Out&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0is significant &#8211; they must leave where they are comfortable and go where the need is. Mission requires movement, risk, leaving security, going to new places and people.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>This was the same message Jesus preached:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Luke 4:43<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Mark 1:15<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The disciples&#8217; message was Jesus&#8217;s message.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0They weren&#8217;t creating their own teaching; they were heralds announcing what Jesus had proclaimed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Proclamation involves:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Speaking God&#8217;s word clearly<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Announcing truth publicly<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Calling for response (repentance and faith)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Declaring what God has done in Christ<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Inviting people into the kingdom<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>This is evangelism<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; telling the good news that God&#8217;s kingdom has come in Jesus and calling people to enter it through repentance and faith.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Romans 10:14-15<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The proclamation requires sent ones. People can&#8217;t believe it until they hear. They can&#8217;t hear until someone tells them. And they can&#8217;t tell until they&#8217;re sent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The disciples were sent to tell.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><a name=\"en-ESV-24417\"><\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Mark 6:12-13 &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">So they went out and\u00a0proclaimed\u00a0that people should repent.\u00a0And they cast out many demons and\u00a0ano<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>inted with oil many who were sick and healed them.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">A modern interpretation of Mark 6:12-13 for Christian disciples highlights key themes of mission, faith, and reliance on Jesus&#8217; authority:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Healing wasn&#8217;t separate from proclamation\u2014it reinforced it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0The message was &#8220;the kingdom is here,&#8221; and the healings proved it. Words declared it; works demonstrated it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Isaiah 35:5-6<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> prophesied about the Messiah&#8217;s kingdom: <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When Jesus and His disciples healed, they were fulfilling these kingdom prophecies. The miracles said, &#8220;This is that! The kingdom Isaiah predicted is here!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Word and Deed Together<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Notice Jesus sent them to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">proclaim AND heal<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; not one or the other, but both.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>The pattern throughout Scripture:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus preached and healed (Luke 4:18-19)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The church proclaimed and served (Acts 6:1-7)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Paul taught and performed miracles (Acts 19:11-12)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">James insisted faith works (James 2:14-17)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Word without deed:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">All talk, no action<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Proclamation without demonstration<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Truth without love<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Orthodoxy without compassion<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Knowledge without application<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Deed without word:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Social work without spiritual truth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Action without explanation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Compassion without conversion<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Meeting physical needs while ignoring spiritual needs<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Humanitarian work without gospel proclamation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Word AND deed together:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Holistic ministry<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Proclamation plus demonstration<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Truth with love<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Orthodoxy plus compassion<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Gospel in word and action<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">1 John 3:18<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The mission Jesus gave requires both proclamation and demonstration, word and deed, telling and showing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Focus: The Kingdom, Not Themselves<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Notice what they proclaimed:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;the kingdom of God&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; not themselves, not their own ideas, not their personal testimonies alone.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The message was theocentric (God-centered), not anthropocentric (man-centered):<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">About God&#8217;s reign, not human achievement<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">About God&#8217;s salvation, not human potential<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">About God&#8217;s kingdom, not human kingdoms<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">About God&#8217;s glory, not human success<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">2 Corinthians 4:5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus&#8217; sake.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">True Christian mission always points away from ourselves to Jesus and His kingdom. We decrease; He increases. We&#8217;re messengers, not the message. Heralds, not heroes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">According to modern biblical apologists, Christians today generally do not share the same unique apostolic power that Jesus gave to His original disciples. The office of apostle, as described in the New Testament, was a unique and foundational role appointed directly by Jesus to eyewitnesses of His resurrection. These apostles were granted special supernatural abilities\u2014such as performing miracles, raising the dead, and authoritative teaching\u2014to establish the early church.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Key points from contemporary apologists include:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The qualifications for apostleship included personally witnessing Jesus&#8217; resurrection and being personally commissioned by Him. No living person today can meet these criteria.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The apostles\u2019 unique powers served to validate the gospel message during the church\u2019s foundational period and are not passed automatically to all Christians.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">While Christians today share spiritual authority through their union with Christ and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission, this authority is distinct from the apostolic office and does not include the full range of miraculous powers possessed by the original apostles.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Some movements claim to restore apostolic authority, but mainstream biblical scholarship and apologetics warn these claims often deviate from scripture, calling for discernment and testing against biblical qualifications.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In summary, Christians are empowered to serve, witness, and minister with spiritual authority derived from Christ, but the unique apostolic office and miraculous powers given to the original twelve and Paul are viewed as irreplaceable and not fully transferable to all believers today.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Sources:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Are There Modern-Day Apostles? \u2022 Apologetics Press\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apologeticspress.org\/are-there-modern-day-apostles-1226\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">https:\/\/apologeticspress.org\/<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Is God restoring the offices of apostle and prophet in the church today?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gotquestions.org\/apostles-prophets-restored.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">https:\/\/www.gotquestions.org\/<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) claim apostolic succession through a restorationist theology centered on their founder, Joseph Smith. They believe that after the death of the original apostles, the priesthood authority and apostolic power were lost in what they call the Great Apostasy. According to LDS teaching, this authority was restored in 1829 when the resurrected apostles Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood, which includes the keys of apostolic authority.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This restoration is viewed as necessary because they believe all original apostolic authority was lost from the earth until Joseph Smith received it directly from heavenly messengers. The Church teaches that apostles today are ordained within this restored priesthood by laying on of hands, sustained by the Church membership, and part of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which continues the original apostolic role. They see their apostles as witnesses of Christ and leaders with authority over the global Church, continuing the mission and leadership of the first-century apostles in a restored form.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">LDS theology holds that apostleship is a living office with ongoing authority, divine revelation, and responsibility for witnessing Christ, unlike traditional Christian views that regard the apostolic office as unique and non-transferable after the original twelve and Paul.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In summary, Mormon apostolic succession is claimed based on a restorationist event in 1829 through divine ordination by resurrected original apostles to Joseph Smith, enabling a continued lineage of apostles in their Church today. This is distinct from historic apostolic succession claims in traditional Christian churches.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\">\u2022 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">True Apostles v False Apostles of Mormonism &#8211; The Village Smithy\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/davemallinak.com\/2024\/10\/09\/true-apostles-v-false-apostles-of-mormonism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">https:\/\/davemallinak.com\/2024\/<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The differences between Catholic and LDS apostolic succession hinge on theology, historical understanding, and the nature of authority transfer:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>1. Historical Continuity vs. Restorationist View \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Catholics erroneously believe in an unbroken historical succession of authority passed through bishops from the apostles, particularly Peter, who is seen as the first pope. This succession is maintained through the laying on of hands and ordination in a continuous line, preserving doctrinal and sacramental authority through the ages. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">LDS <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">are also in error, <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">believ<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">ing<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> that after the original apostles died, the priesthood authority was lost in a Great Apostasy, meaning there was a break in the line of apostolic authority. They hold that this authority was restored in 1829 by heavenly messengers conferring it anew to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, thus restoring apostolic succession from that point forward.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>2. Nature of Authority \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Catholics see apostolic succession as a guarantee of valid priesthood authority to teach, govern, and administer sacraments, which includes a hierarchical structure culminating in the papacy based on Peter\u2019s primacy. The succession is both spiritual and institutional, aiming at preserving one true church and faith. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">LDS emphasize direct divine conferral of priesthood keys and authority through revelation as essential. Apostolic authority includes the power to lead the restored church, receive new revelation, and direct church government through the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>3. Role of Peter and the Papacy \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Catholics teach that Peter holds a unique primacy and his authority continues in the pope, who is the visible head of the universal church. This role allegedly unifies the church&#8217;s apostolic succession and teaching authority. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">LDS recognize Peter&#8217;s primacy among the first apostles but assert that the keys of priesthood authority were lost after the apostolic era, not preserved through bishops or a continuous line of leaders. Their leadership model focuses on prophetic restoration rather than papal succession.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>4. Sacramental Implications \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">For Catholics, apostolic succession is essential for the valid administration of most sacraments, including ordination. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For LDS, priesthood authority restored through angelic visitations authorizes them for their ordinances and church governance, separate from Catholic sacramental theology.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In summary, Catholic apostolic succession is based on an unbroken historical and institutional transmission from the original apostles (especially Peter) through bishops and the pope, ensuring doctrinal and sacramental continuity. LDS apostolic succession is understood as a restoration after a period of apostasy, starting with divine conferral of authority in the 19th century, emphasizing ongoing revelation and a restored church organization.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>PART FOUR: THE INSTRUCTIONS \u2022 RADICAL DEPENDENCE (Luke 9:3-5)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Shocking Command: Take Nothing<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Verse 3:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And he said to them, &#8216;Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.'&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">After empowering them and commissioning them, Jesus gave specific instructions about how to go. And these instructions are shocking\u2014they&#8217;re commanded to go with almost nothing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>What They Were Forbidden to Take:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">No staff<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Nor bag<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Nor bread<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Nor money<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Do not have two tunics<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Why Such Radical Instructions?<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Several reasons for these instructions:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>1. To Develop Faith<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Going without resources forces reliance on God. When you have plenty, it&#8217;s easy to trust yourself. When you have nothing, you must trust God.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Proverbs 3:5-6<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211;<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> &#8220;Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>These instructions made trusting God necessary, not optional.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>2. To Demonstrate God&#8217;s Faithfulness<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When God provides despite lack of resources, it proves His faithfulness. The disciples would experience God meeting their needs, strengthening their faith.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Philippians 4:19<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">They would learn this experientially, not just theoretically.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>3. To Show Kingdom Values<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The kingdom operates differently than the world:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The world trusts possessions; the kingdom trusts God<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The world accumulates; the kingdom travels light<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The world seeks security; the kingdom risks in faith<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The world depends on self; the kingdom depends on God<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Matthew 6:31-33<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Therefore do not be anxious, saying, &#8216;What shall we eat?&#8217; or &#8216;What shall we drink?&#8217; or &#8216;What shall we wear?&#8217; For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The disciples&#8217; journey demonstrated kingdom priorities in action.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>4. To Maintain Focus<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Possessions distract. Preparations consume energy. Planning takes time. By stripping away all extras, Jesus kept them focused on the mission\u2014proclaim and heal, nothing else matters.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Luke 9:62<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Jesus said to him, &#8216;No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Move forward, don&#8217;t look back, stay focused, keep going.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>5. To Increase Urgency<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This wasn&#8217;t a long-term missionary journey with months of preparation. This was urgent: <i>&#8220;Go now, immediately, don&#8217;t delay gathering supplies.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The kingdom message is urgent. People are dying, lost, in darkness. There&#8217;s no time to waste on preparations. Go with what you have\u2014which is Jesus&#8217;s power and authority, and that&#8217;s enough.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>6. To Create Dependence on Hospitality<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">By having nothing, they would need to depend on those they ministered to. This created connection, community, and tested receptivity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Principle for All Times<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">While these specific instructions were for this particular mission, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">principle<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0applies to all Christian mission:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Go in radical dependence on God, not self-sufficiency.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The application varies by context, but the principle remains:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0Christian mission requires faith that risks, trusts God&#8217;s provision, and stays focused on the task without distraction from accumulation or security.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Modern theologians reconcile Luke 9:3, where Jesus instructs His disciples to take no money or provisions, with the practice of supported missionaries today by understanding the historical and theological context:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The command to take nothing was a way to teach radical dependence on God and to avoid any appearance of mercenary motives while on a short-term mission. It emphasized faith in God&#8217;s provision and the hospitality of those they ministered to.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">However, theologians note that Jesus Himself was supported by faithful followers during His ministry (Luke 8:3), setting a precedent for support in ministry.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The apostle Paul openly taught and expected financial support for those who preach the gospel, affirming that missionaries have a right to earn a living through their work (1 Corinthians 9:7-14; Luke 10:7).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The early church practiced financial partnership with missionaries as a biblical mandate (3 John 5-8; Titus 3:13), which encourages believers to support them to serve effectively.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The broader principle is that while missionaries are called to trust God and live simply, receiving financial support to sustain their ministry is biblically validated and practically necessary in most cases today.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Thus, theologians view Jesus&#8217; instruction not as a strict rule against financial support but as a lesson in trust, humility, and mission focus, while affirming biblical grounds for supporting missionaries through partnerships and the church&#8217;s provision. This allows missionaries to dedicate themselves fully to their calling without undue hardship, embodying Jesus\u2019 mission in contemporary contexts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Instructions About Housing<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Verse 4:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Stay Where You&#8217;re Welcomed<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus gave simple instructions about lodging:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Whatever house you enter&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><i> <\/i><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8211; Accept hospitality offered\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Stay there&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><i> <\/i><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8211; Remain in that first house\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;From there depart&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; When you leave town, leave from there<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Why These Instructions?<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Accept Hospitality Graciously<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Don&#8217;t be picky or demanding. If someone opens their home, accept gratefully. Don&#8217;t look for better accommodations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">1 Corinthians 9:14<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Those who benefit from gospel ministry should support gospel workers. Accepting hospitality allowed this principle to function.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Instructions About Rejection<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Verse 5:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>When People Reject the Message<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not everyone would welcome them or receive their message. Jesus prepared them for rejection and gave instructions for how to respond.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Do not receive you&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0means:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Refusing to listen to the message<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Rejecting the gospel<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Closing their homes and hearts<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Opposition or hostility<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When this happened, Jesus said:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>&#8220;Shake off the dust from your feet&#8221;<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This was a symbolic action Jews performed when leaving Gentile territory\u2014shaking off &#8220;contaminated&#8221; dust before re-entering Jewish land. By telling disciples to do this in Jewish towns that rejected the gospel, Jesus was saying:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;Treat them like pagans\u2014you offered them the kingdom, they refused, now move on.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Acts 18:6<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; When Jews opposed Paul&#8217;s message, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;he shook out his garments and said to them, &#8216;Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent.'&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ezekiel 3:18-19<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211;<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> &#8220;If I say to the wicked, &#8216;You shall surely die,&#8217; and you give him no warning&#8230;I will require his blood at your hand. But if you warn the wicked&#8230;you will have delivered your soul.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Matthew 10:14<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211;<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> &#8220;And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Time is short. People are dying. Don&#8217;t get stuck arguing with hardened rejecters. Move on to those who will listen.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Luke 10:16<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;The one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Rejecting the messenger is rejecting Jesus, which is rejecting the Father.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Balance: Persistence and Moving On<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The key:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>\u00a0Faithful proclamation to all, but strategic focus on those who respond.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Modern missionaries are not necessarily required to reject financial support despite Jesus&#8217; instruction in Luke 9:3-5 to take no money or extra supplies. The key principle behind Jesus&#8217; command was to teach radical dependence on God and trusting in His provision during their mission. However, interpretations and Christian practice recognize that the specific historical context of Jesus sending out the twelve with no resources is nuanced and does not mean that missionaries must refuse all financial help today.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Many biblical and theological perspectives affirm that:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus himself and his disciples were supported by faithful followers who provided for their needs (Luke 8:3).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The apostle Paul taught and practiced the principle that those who preach the gospel deserve to receive financial support (1 Corinthians 9:14; Luke 10:7).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The church is biblically called to support missionaries and ministers financially as part of the body of Christ working together (1 Timothy 5:17-18; Deuteronomy 25:4).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Modern missionaries often raise financial support to cover living and ministry expenses, which enables them to focus on their calling without undue hardship.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2022 <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The principle of trusting God&#8217;s provision remains essential, but this can be through networks of financial partnership, not necessarily traveling without any resources.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It is generally considered acceptable and scripturally supported for missionaries to receive financial assistance to sustain their mission work, as long as their dependency is ultimately on God, not on money as an idol. Jesus\u2019 instruction calls for faith and simplicity in mission but not necessarily prohibiting all forms of financial support today. A generous financial partnership is a way for the broader church to participate in God&#8217;s mission.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>PART FIVE: THE OBEDIENCE AND RESULTS (Luke 9:6)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>They Went<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Verse 6:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">After receiving power, commission, and instructions,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">the disciples obeyed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0This simple statement is profound.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8220;They Departed&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>They actually went.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">James 1:22<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The disciples were doers. They heard Jesus&#8217;s command and did it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Romans 1:16<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>&#8220;For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The disciples weren&#8217;t ashamed. They preached boldly.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8220;And Healing Everywhere&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">They demonstrated the kingdom<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; word backed by deed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">They were simply obedient conduits of Jesus&#8217;s work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Pattern for All Missions<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This verse establishes the pattern for Christian mission throughout history:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">1. Be sent by Jesus<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">2. Go where sent<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">3. Proclaim the gospel<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">4. Demonstrate kingdom reality<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">5. Do it everywhere<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6. Depend on His power<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>This pattern has repeated <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>itself<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b> for 2,000 years:<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The apostles did it (Acts)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The early church did it (throughout history)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Missionaries do it (around the world)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Local churches do it (in communities)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Individual believers do it (in daily life)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The same Jesus who sent the twelve sends us. The same power He gave them is available to us. The same mission He commissioned them with is ours today.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\">John 20:21 &#8211; Jesus said to them again,<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><i> \u201cPeace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Acts 1:8 &#8211; \u201c<i>But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Jesus continues to send believers on His mission today, just as He sent His first disciples. His mission, rooted in love and redemption, calls each of us to be His messengers\u2014bringing good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to those in bondage. Though He finished the work of redemption on the cross, Jesus entrusted us with the ongoing task of sharing His message of hope and transformation throughout the world.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As modern-day disciples, we may not carry staffs or travel light as the original apostles did, but the call remains the same: to trust God\u2019s provision, rely on His Spirit, and faithfully serve where He sends us. Our mission is incarnational and transformational\u2014we meet people\u2019s needs and share Kingdom truth that changes hearts and lives. Like the first disciples, we are empowered not by our own strength, but by the authority and love of Jesus. He sends us today to be His hands, His feet, and His voice in a hurting world, inviting us to partner with Him as His ongoing ambassadors of grace and truth.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b><span style=\"color: #000000;\">May we respond with willing hearts, prepared to follow wherever He leads, living as faithful witnesses of His redeeming love and Kingdom power.<\/span><\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>East Valley International Church views\u00a0the digital world not as a distraction from faith, but as a new frontier for it\u2014a wilderness where hearts still wander, searching for light. As the Spirit once hovered over the waters at creation, so He now moves through signals and screens, carrying grace through pixels and presence through code. Our&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-e-v-i-c-study-notes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5306\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}