Make an impact in your community | Chapel Hill Online | Gig Harbor
As Christians we’re called to make a difference in the world around us. But HOW do we do that? In this sermon from Pastor Mark Toone, we see how the 12 disciples made a difference in the communities around them, and how we can commit to serve together to make a difference in our own local communities.
LIFEGROUP QUESTIONS THIS WEEK
1. Can you recall a time in your life when you were part of a group working together for a common goal? What stands out to you about that time?
2. Read Luke 9:1-6. What four things did Jesus do for the 12 disciples? What were they supposed to do? What was their response? Why do you think he sent them out together? What is the source of power and authority for the modern Christian? How does this passage relate to Matthew 28:19?
3. How can you and your LifeGroup reach into the community with the gospel? What is one practical step you can take to deepen your commitment to serve together?
Transcript: Many of you know Nick Nesland, a long-time member and elder of this church. He and Sheila have been exemplary in their support and leadership of our mission. But let me tell you about the innovative support and leadership Nick provided to a group of his buddies many, many years ago.
Back in 1970, Nick and four of his friends decided to hike Mt. Si, that beautiful peak just outside of North Bend. Unfortunately, they weren’t really prepared for the trip…and they dawdled so long at the top that, by the time they started the four mile return hike, it was getting dark. Half way down, it was pitch black…and none of them had thought to bring a flashlight. They literally could not see to complete the hike down the mountain. What would they do? What would YOU do!
Well…here’s what Nick did. He removed his underpants….wrapped them around a stick… set them on fire…and made a torch to light their way down the rest of the mountain! Now THAT’S ingenious! THAT’S leadership. Nick and his crew made it safely down….with only a few charred elastic fragments to spare! It was a scary, uncharted…and very exciting adventure.
This morning we find Jesus’ disciples following HIS lead into scary, uncharted and very exciting territory. And what we discover here may be the most important next lesson we have to learn as a church family: what it means for our small groups…our LifeGroups… to be on mission together. Luke 9: 1-6
And [Jesus] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere….
The first 8 chapters of Luke’s gospel reveal how exciting it was to be a disciple e of Jesus. They had a ringside seat to the most incredible things anyone had ever seen or heard. Jesus taught as no one had ever taught before! He cast evil spirits out of people. He touched a leper and restored his rotting skin. He commanded a paralytic to rise and walk. He healed a man’s withered hand. He preached the greatest sermon ever preached, calmed a storm with a word, healed a woman who had hemorrhaged for 12 years, healed a Centurion’s son from a distance with just a word and…for the coup de grace, raised a young boy AND a little girl from the dead.
If you were a disciple of a rabbi who was doing that kind of stuff… that was good duty! This Jesus was the talk of the town and they were gaining notoriety because of their affiliation him. Things are going along swimmingly…and then comes Luke 9:1:
And [Jesus] called the twelve together and gave THEM power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent THEM out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. ………and the disciples said, “Come again?”
“Yep…all that stuff you’ve seen me do…the healing, the battling with evil, the teaching…the caring for God’s people… I want YOU to go do that.” Now THAT was a different kettle of fish. The disciples enjoyed the recognition that came with being Jesus’ crew. They were learning a lot from his teaching. They were understanding the scriptures as never before, learning to pray as never before, experiencing the presence of God in their lives… as never before.
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