Is It Too Much? Part 2

I’m following up on Lesson One for this year…Is it too much? 

As we continue in the New Year, we re-evaluate what we have done, what we feel “has been successful” and where do I go from here?  This can be good but perhaps “not so good”.  What is God’s call, his instructions?  He doesn’t tell us “All the plan.”

When he told Abraham, “I want you to move”, Abraham must have said, “where, how, God?”  He told David, “You are anointed to be the next King!  Sounds great but there were years on a journey that looked as if there is something wrong with this picture.  He told Noah, “Build an ark”.  Okay, “Lord, how will I do this and for what reason?”

It can seem too much when we are not given the whole picture. We know God’s plan is always the Best Plan, the only one to follow but is it difficult? Yes, at times?  But we do learn, and our lives are changed forever.  We see our steps are ordered “each day” by our Creator and Father.

 Let’s look at Luke 10:1-9 at a few instructions Jesus gives his disciples and lessons they had to learn, and we are still learning today – 2022.  Lord, we open our hearts for you to speak to us.

LUKE 10:1-9 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit.  These were his instructions to them. The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.  No go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.  Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals.  And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.

When you enter someone’s home, first say, “May God’s peace be on this house.”  If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you.  Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide.  Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.  If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you.  Heal the sick and tell them, The Kingdom of God is near you now.  

What a journey it was for Jesus on earth and especially for His chosen ones, his disciples as they constantly learned from their friend, the Messiah and Savior.

Jesus increases his team to 72 to prepare towns for his later visit.  They were not better educated, more capable but prepared by Jesus’ power and a vision to reach people.  Education helps but most important is to know we are chosen and called to reach the lost.

Jesus released them with these instructions that are still our instructions today.

1. THE HARVEST IS HUGE AND RIPE.  BUT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HARVESTERS TO BRING IT IN.

There is a harvest, and it is time to reap that harvest.  The seed has been planted in many places and many times, but we do not always reap in those places.  We all sow, we all reap! He gives the rain and sunshine.  After we plant, He gives the increase/harvest!

Jesus wants that harvest (his kingdom) to bring wholeness which brings peace, healing, and touches both physical and spiritual dimensions.  As we continue to use our talents and skills, we must continue to be equipped with His power to have a clear vision of what He wants and the need.

2. PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST.

Part of our job is to pray for new workers and help those in learning. Jesus did not tell the disciples to just do the work of planting and winning the lost but to pray for the workers.  Whatever your role is in God’s work, pray always for more helpers.  Jesus gave a different approach.  Begin by mobilizing people to pray.  Prayer comes FIRST.

3. WE ARE NOT TO WORK ALONE. 

 Recruit and equip others as they explore new opportunities. We pray for the “lost” but for others working in His vineyard.

Jesus knew he was sending his disciples out as “lambs among wolves”.  We today are sent as “lambs among wolves” to face our enemies (His enemies).

We must be alert, face our enemies not with aggression but love and care.

A dangerous mission requires commitment. Doing His work always takes sharing, caring, and working together for the kingdom. Do not be afraid to train others to help carry the load.  This is God’s plan.

4. TRUST IN GOD ALONE.  

V 3 You won’t need to take anything with you but trust God to meet your needs.

If we went out with only the clothes on our back, as a sheep among wolves and saw great things, who would benefit?  You are those being served and serving. Both are learners on their journey.  They were sent to point to one Savior and see salvation as they took these steps of faith.  Don’t get discouraged, our lives are ordered by God, our King.

5. DON’T GET DISTRACTED. 

Many times, people can cause us to leave our focus and we can let go of His instructions.  There can be many voices, but His voice must stay loud and clear. We must stay intentional to stay focused.

6. BRING PEACE UPON THE HOUSE AND PEOPLE WHERE YOU STAY.  

V 5.  Say God’s blessing of peace upon this house.  In fact, staying in one house could avoid problems that families could be offended.

V 6 Don’t feel the need to shift from one house to another.  

Let the house rest upon your peace.  We can change the atmosphere.

7. APPRECIATE AND RECEIVE HOSPITALITY. 

 V 7 Eat and drink whatever they serve you.  Receive their hospitality for you are my harvesters and you deserve to be cared for.

People can begin to compete in serving, even giving hospitality.

If the disciples didn’t accept hospitality, the town would not accept Jesus when he followed them. By staying in one place, they could focus on their tasks.

8. THERE IS REWARD FOR SERVICES.  

Our Father takes care of His team, his servants, those who give to reach and help His love be accepted.

V7 You deserve to be cared for, your work entitles you to the care.

I’ve always heard, “His shovel is bigger than mine”.

Our Lord will take care of His chosen but we as leaders have a responsibility to teach and train what is required of following our Lord.

My dad was a pastor, but he had a hard time preaching on tithing, giving and generosity.  Thus, we had lack at times and our people also struggled.  God’s principles on giving works.  Even though it could be the widow’s mite, the very smallest, God blesses our obedience.  Ninety percent is more blessed than keeping the 100 percent.  

9. JESUS WANTED TO BE SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD.

V 9 Eat what is set before you, don’t complain.  Be thankful and grateful.

V 9 Do my work, heal the sick and tell them “God’s kingdom realm has arrived and is now within your reach.”

When you do these things and are obedient, He will take care of the rest!

Because of His healings, (His work) people will be willing to listen to the good news.

We look at people and what they think.  We must remember, we are “only the messengers”.

V 16 Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me.  And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me.  And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.

CONCLUSION:

• We look at the numbers, what looks like success or failure!  We are chosen, sent and do his commands leaving the results to Him.  

• Rejoice your name (yours and those who responded to your message).  They are written in the journals of heaven and belong to God’s kingdom.

•  Sometimes we need to be reminded of our His instructions as we keep giving everything to Him and others.

• A LIFE OF SERVICE IS NEVER TOO MUCH.