A few thoughts on this reading, two on evangelism, one on our own personal relationship with Jesus, and one on the Orlando mass shooting.

Two Thoughts on Evangelism: 

Thought One…

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” -Luke 9:1-6

Jesus’ method included addressing physical needs and teaching the message of the Gospel. Not one or the other. Both/And!

I’ve heard it said, “The health message is the right arm of evangelism.”

“The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel.”– Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 515

Thought Two…

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” -Luke 10:1

Of course the next verse is the famous one we often hear…

“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Luke 10:2

Verse two teaches us that we need more workers, but verse one teaches us a lot too!

1. Send out those you have. You may only have 72 when you need 1000, but don’t wait for the 1000 send out the 72.
2. Send people out in teams. Team ministry is better than solo ministry. As far as I can read in the writings of Paul he always had a partner in ministry too, whether Barnabas, Titus, Timothy, etc..
3. Do pre-work before going for the big reaping. “sent them two by two AHEAD of him to every town…He was about to go.” Pre-work is Biblical!
4. Thus then the corollary to that would be go where the ground has already been previously tilled some.

One Thought on Our Own Personal Relationship with Jesus (obviously there are way more than one in this reading, but one hit me):

“do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” -Luke 10:20

My thought: Don’t rejoice about the powers you have being connected to Jesus, just rejoice that you’re connected to Jesus. I was convicted on this because I think I and probably other preachers rejoice in compliments on sermons or on being known as decent preachers. Jesus would probably say to us, “Good deal, but don’t rejoice over that gift you have from being connected to me. Just rejoice you’re connected to me!”

My Thought on The Orlando Mass Shooting:

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.” -Luke 9:51-55

Shame on those who want to declare or define judgment on those they believe have wronged God either through open rejection or through embracing of sin. Jesus rebuked His disciples for using language even that would close the door on this city and this people.

Next Reading: Ephesians 1-3