Into the Harvest… vs. 1-4

• 1^st – Twelve men… vs. 1
  • All night in Prayer…
    • Luke 6:12 – “[Jesus] went to the mountain to pray – and continued all night in prayer to God.”
    • Jesus had just finished saying – PRAY the Lord send workers into His HARVEST…
    • And the very next thing He did – was PRAY who to send to reach the LOST…
    • Multitudes had come to hear Jesus – and a growing number of DISCIPLES followed Him…
    • But by PRAYER – from the among the many DISCIPLES – He choose TWELVE…
    • Listed FOUR times in the New Testament – Mark 3:13-19 – Luke 6:12-16 – Acts 1:13
    • Often people make MAJOR decisions – WITHOUT taking the time to PRAY…
    • But the truth is we have no IDEA what tomorrow holds…
    • Therefore we are WISE to ask the only one who SEES the FUTURE!
    • Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart – lean not on your own understanding.”
  • Why Twelve…
    • When He had called His twelve disciples to Him!
    • One would assume if Jesus wanted to spread the GOSPEL – He would send LOTS of people…
    • And Jesus did send more than TWELVE into the HARVEST – [the SEVENTY] – Luke 10:1
    • But these TWELVE were SPECIAL – they would also become LEADERS in the CHURCH!
    • TWELVE is a number we see used to represent the GOVERNMENT of God…
    • There were TWELVE tribes in the nation of Israel – Genesis 49:28
    • TWENTY four ELDERS [Tribes and Apostles] before the throne of God – Revelation 4:4
    • These TWELVE men will be the PILLARS of the New Jerusalem – Revelation 21:14
  • Authority…
    • He gave them [authority] over unclean spirits – to cast them out.
    • And to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease!
    • The TWELVE had SEEN Jesus do the impossible…
    • They had SEEN Him cast demons [legion] out of men – Matthew 8:32
    • They had SEEN Him heal incurable diseases [lepper]- Matthew 8:3
    • They had SEEN Him heal the paralytic – the blind – the dumb…
    • They had SEEN Him raise the dead [daughter of Jairus] – Matthew 9:25
    • There was NO question He had AUTHORITY [ἐξουσία] over demons and ALL [πᾶς] sickness…
    • And now He was giving that same AUTHORITY to the TWELVE!
    • John 14:12 – “Anyone who believes in me will do the same works… and even greater works.”
    • Because God is the one who SENDS us – we go out in His AUTHORITY…
    • Meaning we also will have POWER over demons – and ALL kinds of SICKNESS…
    • But we will NOT only do what Jesus did – we will do GREATER things…
    • What could be greater than healing – casting out demons – raising the dead…
    • If we HEAL people will get sick again – if we RAISE the dead they DIE again one day…
    • The GREATER work is giving the GOSPEL – bringing eternal LIFE that never fades away!
• 2^nd – The Apostles… vs. 2-4
  • Sent out…
    • Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: 
    • This is the FRIST time the word APOSTLE is used in the NEW Testament…
    • The TITLE of Apostle is one that tends to cause confusion…
    • Some see it as the HIGHEST authority within the church – Ephesians 4:11
    • But the word – APOSTLE [ἀπόστολος] – simple means one who is SENT out!
    • It is a picture of an AMBASSADOR – a representative of God to the world…
    • EVERYTHING we have SEEN Jesus do in our lives – we are called to go tell EVERYONE…
    • We might think that we will NEVER be an APOSTLE – but we are all SENT out!
    • II Corinthians 5:20 – “We are ambassadors for Christ…”
  • Their Names …
    • Simon Peter – Simeon [Σίμων] means to HEAR – but Peter [πρῶτος] means ROCK [hard head]
    • Andrew – [Ἀνδρέας] – MANLY or macho [he was the brother of Peter]
    • James – [Ἰάκωβος] from Hebrew Jacob – meaning heal catcher [brother of John]
    • John – [Ἰωάννης] meaning God is [חָנַן] gracious [James and John were the sons of Zebedee]
    • Philip – [Φίλιππος] – LOVER of horses [from Bethsaida – friend of Nathaniel]
    • Bartholomew – SON of [תַּלְמַי] giant [surname] – given name was Nathaniel – John 1:45
    • Thomas – [Θωμᾶς] TWIN – best known for doubting the resurrection of Jesus – John 20:25
    • Matthew – [Μαθθαῖος] GIFT of Yahweh [tax collector from Capernaum]
    • James – [Ἰάκωβος] the son of Alpheus – brother of Matthew [Levi] – Mark 2:14
    • Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus – BIG heart [surname] – given name was Judas [brother of James]
    • Simeon – the Canaanite [קַנָּא] or Zealot [ζηλωτής] – wanted to overthrow Roman rule
    • Judas Iscariot [man of the city] – the one who would ultimately betray Jesus!
    • There are FOUR things that HIT me looking at this list!
  • The Three…
    • FIRST – Peter – James – and John were with Jesus even when NO one else was…
    • Jesus resurrects the little girl – Matthew 9:25 – Mount of Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1
    • Only they went with Jesus when He prayed in Gethsemane – Matthew 26:37
    • This leads us to believe these disciples were SPECIAL – SUPER disciples…
    • Especially when we consider how God used Peter and John in the book of Acts!
    • Yet when we look closer at their lives – they were a MESS…
    • Peter was the only APOSTLE to DENY Jesus – and then QUIT the ministry – John 21:3
    • James and John were called the Sons of Thunder [not a compliment] – Mark 3:17
    • They wanted to call down FIRE on a village that refused to let them enter – Luke 9:54
      
    • I do NOT think they were SPECIAL [good] – I think they were SPECIAL [bad]
    • If we have kids who always get into TROUBLE – we want them right NEXT to us…
    • Jesus kept these men CLOSE – afraid to let them wander too far away!
  • Relationships…
    • SECOND – these men were NOT strangers to each other…
    • Brothers: Peter and Andrew – James and John – Matthew with James and Judas…
    • Friends: Andrew knew Philip – and Philip knew Nathaniel…
    • Only Thomas – Simeon – and Judas Iscariot seem to have no connections to the rest!
    • There are over EIGHT billion people in the world – and ALL of them need Jesus…
    • Reaching a LOST with the Gospel can seem an overwhelming task…
    • But the Gospel often moves along RELATIONAL lines…
    • We go out in the HARVEST and by reaching our FAMILIES and FRIENDS!
  • Ordinary men…
    • THIRD – these were NOT the men you would expect God to choose…
    • If I was to pick TWELVE men to reach out and change the world…
    • I would pick the POLITICIANS [from Rome] – who could make the rules…
    • I would pick MOVIE stars [gladiators] – who could influence the most people…
    • I would pick PROFESSORS [Socrates] – who could teach others…
    • I would pick rich BUSINESS men – who could finance the work!
    • But the APOSTLES were from the Galilee – a TINY city in an IRRELEVANT province of Rome…
    • They were POOR fishermen – they were UNEDUCATED – Acts 4:13
    • They had NOTHING that qualified them to CHANGE the world…
    • Other than Jesus CHOSE them – and they said YES!
    • I Corinthians 1:27-29 – “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise… that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
    • We might be thinking that God could never use us…
    • Thinking that we do NOT have the right EDUCATION – we have no MONEY…
    • We might think we are only from the PROVINCE – NOT famous or influential…
    • But what that means is we are just as qualified as the Apostles were…
    • The only question to answer is – do we say YES when God calls us!

• 2^nd – Sending the Twelve… vs. 5-9
  • 1^st – Where to go… vs. 5-6
    • Two by two…
      • Jesus broke up the APOSTLES into SIX groups – He sent them out TWO by TWO – Mark 6:7
      • There is wisdom in NOT being alone as we step out to serve Jesus…
      • Peter had John – Paul had Barnabas [or Silas] – Timothy had Titus!
      • Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one…  If one person falls – the other can reach out and help.”
      • Having someone who will encourage us – stand beside us in Jesus – is priceless…
      • If we have a bad day they can encourage us – if they are hurting we can encourage them…
      • If one of us is struggling with sin – the other is there to pray and point back to Jesus!
    • Only to Israel…
      • These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them saying:
      • Do not go into the way of the [nations] – and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.
      • But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel!
      • Jesus SENT [ἀποστέλλω] – verb form of the noun APOSTLE [ἀπόστολος]
      • He gave them FOUR commands [παραγγέλλω] as they went out into the HARVEST:
      • FIRST – do NOT to go [subjunctive] to the NATIONS [ἔθνος] – or cities of the SAMARITANS…
      • Instead GO [imperative] to the LOST [ἀπόλλυμι] sheep of Israel…
      • That does NOT mean that the Gospel is ONLY for Israel…
      • It meant the God planned for the Gospel to SPREAD out from Israel…
      • The Church started in Jerusalem – then to Judah – Samaria – and the world – Acts 1:8
      • If we are wondering what part of the HARVEST God will send us out into…
      • The answer is all around us – He sends us into our WORK – SCHOOL – NEIGHBORHOOD!
  • 2^nd – What to say… vs. 7
    • And as you go – preach saying: [Because] the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
    • As they went from place to place – person to person…
    • Then had to [imperative] PREACH [κηρύσσω] the message of the Gospel…
    • Telling people: because the Kingdom of Heaven is CLOSE [not much time]
    • That is why they were HEALING the sick and – RAISING the dead – and CASTING out demons!
    • Our SUN is so big – if hollowed out it could hold 1.3 MILLION earths…
    • But UY Scuti – the largest known star – could hold 5 BILLION suns!
    • Yet they are only a small speck of light in the sky – because they are so very FAR away!
    • Psalm 34:3 – “Magnify the LORD with me – and let us exalt His name together.”
    • God is HUGE – but LOST sinners are very FAR from Jesus – so they cannot SEE Him…
    • Therefore we are called to go PROCLAIM [κηρύσσω] the GOOD news to them…
    • But not just with WORDS – we need to SHOW them the AUTHORITY [ἐξουσία] of God…
    • It is though our lives that we MAGNIFY Jesus so that they can see His LOVE…
    • We get to SHOW them the KINGDOM of God – Jesus in our HEARTS!
    • Luke 17:21 – “For indeed – the kingdom of God is within you.”
  • 3^rd – What to do… vs. 8
    • Give life…
      • Heal the [weak] – cleanse the lepers – raise the dead – cast out demons. 
      • The APOSTLES had to do FOUR things to show the Kingdom of Heaven was CLOSE…
      • HEAL [imperative] – those who were WEAK [ἀσθενέω] – different word from – Matthew 10:1
      • CLEANSE [imperative] – the LEPERS – those who were UNCLEAN…
      • WAKE up [imperative] – those who were DEAD [νεκρός]
      • CAST out [imperative] – the demons who were keeping people from the TRUTH…
      • Put together it paints a SPIRITUAL picture of our WORK…
      • Those who are WEAK [sick] – because they are UNCLEAN [lepers] as a result of sin…
      • Spiritually DEAD – blinded by the god of this world – II Corinthians 4:4
      • We were to HEAL by sharing the Gospel – that will CLEANSE them of their sin…
      • So they can be RAISED to new LIFE – FREED [cast out] from the bondage of satan!
    • No Charge…
      • Freely you have received – freely give!
      • We did not PAY for our SALVATION – it was a GIFT [δῶρον] of God – Ephesians 2:8
      • Therefore we must freely [δωρεάν] GIVE [imperative] the Gospel!
      • Sadly – there are churches and pastors today who put a PRICE on salvation…
      • They greedily present a Gospel where MONEY [tithing] is part of the message…
      • But Paul told the church he would rather DIE than charge for the Gospel – I Corinthians 9:15
      • The LAST words of Jesus on the cross were – it is FINISHED – John 19:30
      • The PRICE for our SIN was paid – there is NO outstanding balance…
      • Jesus took care of it – and offers EVERYONE the FREE gift of salvation!
        
        
  • 4^th – What to bring… vs. 9
    • Nothing…
      • Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts.
      • Nor bag for your journey – nor two tunics – nor sandals – nor staffs.
      • For a worker is worthy of his food!
      • They APOSTLES were NOT [imperative] to take anything with them – Luke 9:3
      • They were NOT to take and MONEY – spare CLOTHES – or even a walking STICK…
      • The reason is because as they worked for GOD – He would provide for their NEEDS!
    • Child of the King…
      • There was a missionary named Brother Andrew [Gods smuggler]
      • When he was in Bible college they were told to do a month long evangelistic outreach…
      • One group from the college did lots of fund raising – and they came back in DEBT…
      • But God put spoke to Andrew and asked – are you the son of a PAUPER or KING…
      • The son of a KING does NOT need to go around BEGGING for money – the KING provides…
      • Therefore Andrew asked for nothing – and came back with an ABUNDANCE!
      • Too often in the church money is the focus [tithes plus offerings]
      • The reason – the church is trying to do something that is THEIR idea…
      • If it is OUR idea we have to PAY for it – because it is NOT from God…
      • But if it is from God – then there is NO need to ask – He will PROVIDE!
      • Exodus 36:6 – “Do not [give] any more… We have enough!” [NLT]

• 3^rd – Sowing Seed… vs. 10-15
  • 1^st – Worthy house… vs. 11-13
    • Seeking… vs. 11-13
      • Whatever city or town you enter – inquire who in it is worthy – and stay there till you go out.
      • And when you go into a household – greet it.
      • If the household is worthy – let your peace come upon it!
      • Whenever the APOSTLES came into a new city or town – they were to INQUIRE…
      • INQUIRE [imperative] – to SEEK out a HOUSE [people] who were WORTHY…
      • WORTHY – someone who wanted to hear about Jesus…
      • When they found such a HOUSE – they were walk in and GREET [imperative] the people…
      • And if the people were OPEN – then they were to give [imperative] PEACE to them…
      • Ephesians 2:14 – “For [Jesus] is our peace.”
    • Leaving… vs. 13
      • But if it is not worthy – let your peace return to you!
      • If the people in the house did NOT want to hear the Gospel – UNWORTHY…
      • Then they were to TAKE back [imperative] the MESSAGE [peace]
      • And move on to the next HOUSE – next TOWN – next CITY!
      • Parable of the SOWER – the SEED was scattered over all types of ground – Mark 4:3
      • It was not up to the FARMER to decide where the SEED fell – or to make it GROW!
      • Our JOB is not to make people BELIEVE – we are called to spread the Word [seed]
      • If someone is OPEN to the Gospel – we STAY there and make disciples…
      • But when people chose NOT to listen – we must move on…
      • Just because one person says NO – does not mean the next one might not say YES!
  • 2^nd – Shake the Dust… vs. 14-15
    • Not listening… vs. 14
      • Whoever will not receive you nor hear your words.
      • When you depart from that house or city – shake off the dust from your feet!
      • When someone REJECTS the Gospel – will not LISTEN to the Word…
      • As we LEAVE – we must [imperative] SHAKE their dust off our feet…
      • A dramatic way of saying – even their DUST we REJECT!
      • Paul had a deep LOVE for his people – the JEWS…
      • But every time he tried to reach them with the GOSPEL – it did not work out…
      • In frustration he finally shook of the DUST – and went to the GENTILES!
      • Acts 18:6 – “He shook [off their dust] …from now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
      • Just because someone does NOT receive the Gospel – does not mean they are LOST…
      • It might just mean that is NOT where God is calling us to PREACH…
      • How do we know WHO God has called us to SHARE the Gospel with…
      • When people are willing to LISTEN – that is who we are called to reach!
    • Sodom and Gomorrah… vs. 15
      • Assuredly – I say to you – it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah…
      • In the day of judgment than for that city!
      • But if someone does NEVER listens to the Gospel – it will NOT end well…
      • AMEN [ἀμήν] – it will be BETTER for Sodom and Gomorrah…
      • These TWO cities are used throughout the Bible as a lesson on CONSEQUENCES…
      • They were wiped out in a SINGLE day [fire and brimstone] – Genesis 19:24
      • Destroyed because EVERYTHING they did was WICKED – Genesis 18:20
      • But the one thing the people of Sodom and Gomorrah did not do – was REJECT the Gospel…
      • Therefore will be better for them in the Day of Judgment!
      • This is why we GO – this is why we PRAY for the Lord to send laborers…
      • Because there are only TWO destinations – Heaven and Hell…
      • And they only way to get to HEAVEN – is through the message of the Gospel…
      • People have to CHOSE – but we are called to go and give them the CHOICE!
      • Romans 10:15 – “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.”