This week, as we continue in our Luke series, we see Jesus developing and growing His disciples, as He grows us, by stretching our faith through challenging opportunities and giving us deeper revelation of who He is.
‘When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.’ (Luke 9:1-9)
Lesson: Jesus stretches us as He calls us to do more than we can so that we learn to rely on Jesus more than we currently do.
You can listen to this devotional below (It’s also available on Spotify on the Community Church Putney podcast)
Jesus calls His disciples to do far more than they possibly can in their natural selves. They are not qualified for this! Later on in this chapter, we will hear them arguing as to who is the greatest, and He’s calling these men to be His ambassadors! There’s no way that they can drive out demons, cure diseases, and proclaim the kingdom of God, unless they receive Jesus’ power and authority! Paul says something about His utter dependence upon God for success in His ministry:
‘Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.’ (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)
He calls incompetent people and makes them competent by His Spirit. He calls unqualified people to do far more than they can so that they learn to put their faith in Him. The reason why they have to go on this mission with minimal resources - No staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt - was so that they would be forced to put their faith in Him in a new way.
In essence, all of us are called to keep doing the mission as outlined here. We are to go out in Jesus’ authority and power to deliver people and help them to come into the Kingdom through the gospel. Like them, our success and willingness to get involved depends upon our faith in Him - if we believe that He is still able to make weak people effective!
Response
Jesus stretches us as He calls us to do more than we can so that we learn to rely on Jesus more than we currently do. You and I are commissioned for His mission of mercy. We continue to be His ambassadors; He gives us His authority and power so let’s get involved in any way that He leads.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Please ensure that the members of your group are aware and familiar with using the daily devotionals which is accessed in Church News or the Teaching button on the website.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message from our series in Luke on Sunday was entitled, ‘With Christ is the School of Growth’.
In the section that we looked at (Luke 9:1-50), the disciples’ are grown through revelation of Jesus and by stretching ministry opportunities. To grow as a Christian or leader, we must be amazed by Jesus through fresh revelation, and we must also take on responsibilities that stretch us. The two things, as I hope we can see, work together.
Please read Luke 9:1-50, and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
What are the various moments of revelation - where Jesus’ glory and mission are revealed - in this text?
What do these revelations teach us about Jesus and how should this affect our lives?
How does Jesus give His disciples responsibility - hard things to do - in order to develop them?
What hard things is Jesus calling you to do in order to grow you?
SIV - What does this text teach us about the ways we can seek to bring our community to Jesus?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
Let’s pray together that, this week, we will have opportunities to SIV; and pray for anything else that’s come out of our time in God’s Word.
Comments