Going Forth in His Name

SERMON STARTER

The year was 1912. Three days after the new, gleaming, unsinkable ship left Queenstown, she received a wire telling of icebergs in her path. The wireless operator ignored the message! He had been told by his employers that the ship was unsinkable, so why should he worry? Hours later another cable came with the same message. The wireless operator heard it, but he failed to write it down! A THIRD message came. This time the operator wrote it down, handed it to the captain, who read it and, without com­ment, turned it over to the managing director of the White Star Line, who looked at it and threw it in the wastebasket on the bridge.

          An hour later, a fourth warning came. This time the captain said, "Tell the people on lookout to watch for icebergs."

That was all that was done! The Titanic steamed ahead, full speed, 22 knots, into the darkness!

          The FIFTH warning came about 9:30 that eve­ning. There was still no slowdown! Twenty-two knots ahead! At 11:30 the crackling sound of another ship was heard in the radio room:

"Hey, this is the Californian. I don't know about you, but boy, we are really locked in with an ice field out here!" “Shut up,” said the radio operator of the Titanic,

"You're jamming my airways!" and he cut him off!

Ten minutes later the lookout screamed, "Iceberg ahead!"

But now there was really nothing that could be done!

IT WAS TOO LATE!

          The mighty ship rammed the iceberg, cutting a gash in its side about 300 feet long! All sixteen water tight compartments were immediately sealed off, and everybody said, “We will be alright!

It's unsinkable!"

SERMON STARTER, cont.

BUT ONE BULKHEAD AFTER ANOTHER GAVE WAY, AND THE SHIP WAS DOOMED!

          Meanwhile, the passengers were told the ship was in danger, that they should head for the lifeboats.

BUT NEVER IN THE WHOLE CRUISE HAD THE PASSENGERS BEEN ASSIGNED TO A LIFEBOAT!

After all, what were lifeboats needed for? The Titanic was unsinkable! When the announcement came that the ship was sinking, and for the people to go to the lifeboats, many of them refused to obey the order.

Why should they? The Titanic was unsinkable! Testimony later showed the lifeboats could have accommodated at least 500 more passengers, BUT TO NO AVAIL!

1,516 people sunk to a watery grave!!!

          There are infinitely more people than those lost in the Titanic Disaster that are lost and dying in the world around us. What about your neighborhood? Do you see people with misplaced values, living meaningless lives? Do you think they need you to go forth in Jesus’ name with the Gospel of His Kingdom? This sermon challenges us to reach out to those who are sinking. Do it today.

 

Pastor Phil  <><<

 

Eg.

Ministry friend leads an 11 year old to know Christ as Savior on a day when she was experiencing great personal pain and distress. The little girl asked her,

“Will you show me how I can ask Jesus into my heart?”

She did and what joy there was from the experience.

 

 

February 15, 2009

Sheepfold Ministries, Pastor Phil Roland

Going Forth in His Name

Luke 10:1-9; 16-21

“Evangelism is misunderstood by followers of Jesus. Jesus showed us how He called, Commissioned and Sent them forth.”                                 Pastor Phil 

"After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them before His Face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.   Luke 10:1

WHY SEVENTY?

            a. Roots in Moses’ Seventy Elders – Numbers 11:16

                 “So the LORD said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders

                   of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers

                   over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may

                   stand there with you.”

            b. In Jesus’ time they became the Sanhedrian – “Soon-ed-ree-on”

                 Made up of Tribunal Council of Chief Priests, Scribes and Elders

            c. Met for Administrative Purposes and Judgment of the Law

 

Jesus sent His disciples forth with a MISSION, a MESSAGE, and an expected RETURN

 I.   THE MISSION -

          A. Sent Forth by Two – Luke 10:1

                 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent

                   them two by two before His face into every city and place where He

                   Himself was about to go.”

                        1. Disciples – “Learners”

                        2. Apostles – Those who were “Sent Forth”

            B. Sent Forth Helplessly - v.3

                 "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.”

                        1. Vulnerability of a Lamb

                        2. “Attack Lambs” – Proclaiming Christ’s Gospel

                              Mark Geppert, “Every Place Your Foot Shall Tread”

            C. Sent Forth Urgently - v.4

                 "Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one

                   along the road.”

            D. Sent Forth Peacefully - vs.5-8

                        1. Go to the houses where Peace is found

                        2. Stay in one place – Bloom where you’re planted

II.   THE MESSAGE -  Mark 1:14,15

          “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the

            gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the

            kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

            A. The Kingdom of God is Now  

                "The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in this present

                  age."         John Wimber

                    1. Jesus is the Kingdom – Matthew 6:33

GOING FORTH IN HIS NAME, cont.

                            “"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and

                                all these things shall be added to you.”

                        2. The Kingdom of God is not a geographic Place

                        3. The Kingdom of God is a Person: Jesus Christ

                        4. The Kingdom of God is a Relationship with Him

          B. The Gospel of Jesus means “Good News”

                        1. Historical Understanding: “A City is Under Attack”

                        2. Defending Armies have marched against the Enemy

                        3. Fought and Won the Battle

                        4. Send a runner back to the Walled City

                        5. Shouts, “Good News! The Battle’s Won! We Have Victory!”

          C. Jesus’ Gospel of the Kingdom

                        1. Good News!

                        2. I’ve Defeated the Enemy: Sin, Death and the Devil!

                        3. I have won the Victory!

                        4. Accept it! Open your Gates and Shout for joy!

                        5. Jesus is Lord!

        D. Jesus Commissions the Seventy – Luke 9:1-12

                 “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and

                  authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach

                  the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

                        1. Go Forth w/Power & Authority for Deliverance – Lk. 10:9; 9:2

                        2. Go Forth With Healing Power and the Kingdom Message

                                    a. Jesus heals our Sin-ridden Hearts

                                    b. Jesus heals our Disease-ridden Bodies

 

III.  THE RETURN – Luke 10:16-21

          A. The JOY of the SEVENTY - v. 17

                 “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are

                   subject to us in Your name."

                        1. The Seventy and Jesus Leapt for Joy

                        2. Picture Middle Eastern Exuberance

            B. The JOY of the MASTER –  Luke 10:21a

                 “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit. . .”

            C. The Master’s Commissioning – Luke 10:18,19

                  "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. "Behold, I give you

                   the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all

                   the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt

                   you.”

1. Satan fell from his former Place of Power in the Heavens

2. His Reign of Power has Shifted from Heaven to Earth

3. Satan’s Dominions are Subject to Christ’s Evangelists

 

 

Going Forth in His Name, Texts:

Luke 10:1-9

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.

2  Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

3  "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

4  "Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.

5  "But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'

6  "And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

7  "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

8  "Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

9  "And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going Forth in His Name, cont.

Luke 10:16-21

16  "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."

17  Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."

18  And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19  "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20  "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

21  In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

 

 

 

The Sinking of the Titanic

As Seen by the World's Great Religionists

 

CONFUCIOUS:

      "You'd better stay away from boats, they are dangerous to

        those who wish to live a long life."

BUDDHA:

       "Learn from this experience, so that in your next

        reincarnation, you will have a safer trip!"

 

MOHAMMED:

       "The ship going down, and your death, it is the Will of

        Allah!"

 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE:

        "You are simply thinking wrongly!  You are not really in

        trouble!

         There are no icebergs!   They are simply an illusion!

         You're just thinking wrong!"

 

  HINDUISM:

        "You're KARMA isn't right!

         Maybe NEXT TIME you'll have a better existence!"

 

EVOLUTIONIST:

       "TIME is the answer,  A few million more years and truly

        unsinkable ships will evolve!"

 

YOGA:

       "Transcend you dilemma by contemplation! 

          THINK about it!  You're going to be all right!"

 

          UNITY:

       "All you need is more love. 

         Realize your true self, get more love, and you'll be all

        right!"

 

TITANIC SINKING, RELIGIONISTS, cont.

NEW AGE:

       "God is in you, you are god.

         If you self-actualize, and reach your higher self, your

        highest potential, it won't matter if you sink or swim.  You

        are a part of the great spiritual oneness.  That's more

        important than if you live or die!"

 

FORTUNE TELLER:

      "Consult your signs.  Your astrological sign is written in the

         stars.  There you will find your destiny!"

 

SPIRITUALISM:

       "When you drown, die and reach the next life, seek out a

        good channeller (spiritualistic medium), you can still send

        and receive messages from and to your loved ones.  Don't

        worry!  Take hope, there is an after-life, where all is well.

        Drowning isn't the worst thing that could happen!"

 

DARWIN:

       "It's the survival of the fittest! 

          The strongest of you deserve to live, and the weak

        deserve to die!  Through 'natural selection' your ancestors

        that follow you will be better and stronger.  They will

        probably be able to swim better and longer."

 

PSYCHIATRY/PSYCHOLOGY:

      "Do you feel bad?  Here, take this diagnosis and pill!"

       "Don't feel guilty!   Just go out there and sin some more.           If you keep sinning, you're conscience will desensitize and

        you won't feel guilty or afraid!"

 

  JESUS:

       "I am the Way.  Here is My Hand.

          I have provided a life-boat of safety for you.

          I have come to save you from your sins!

          Will you receive My Hand of Provision and My Way of

          escape?"

 

        Sheepfold Ministries, Sharon, PA -  Rev. Phil Roland - 724-981-5683