MISSION ITS CALL AND COST Luke 9 1

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Luke 9: 1 -27

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Illustration of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Illustration of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • How could a man with such social consciousness and such awareness of the injustice of life in his country be so simple in his analysis of life in prison? • Such a response to his situation came only because he was committed to his God, no matter what

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST • In Luke chapter 9 we find Jesus calling and illustrating such committed faith while the disciples struggle to understand what Jesus meant and to discover how to live life that way • Our study this week may challenge us to examine our own commitment • How does our commitment measure up beside Christ’s demands for a commitment that leads to the Cross?

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST • Luke 9 is about commitment • Let’s examine how Jesus teaches about commitment

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment in Actions (Luke 9: 1 -6) • One day Jesus called the twelve disciples and sent them on the most important part of their ministry training • They had seen Him at work ministering to people • Now it was their turn • Just as He had come preaching the kingdom of God, so they would go preaching the same message • Often, He would heal the sick – so would they • And, as he cast out demons, they would also

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment in Actions (Luke 9: 1 -6) • As we look over this text, we could say that the disciples were simple lay people with no formal training • Simple – yes • No formal training – No • They had been with the Rabbi, with Jesus, the Master Teacher and Healer • And now, He gave them the same authority He had to carry out His mission to areas He could not reach during His time on earth

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment in Actions (Luke 9: 1 -6) • They went as He did – without any material provisions • As they trusted God for authority and power to heal and exorcise, so they must trust Him for daily strength and provisions • Each town offered different circumstances – the disciples were to accept what they got – not searching out the best house, or the kindest, most generous host

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment in Actions (Luke 9: 1 -6) • And, rejection awaited the disciples – the same kind of rejection Jesus experienced • When that happened, they were to symbolize God’s rejection of the village by shaking the dust off their feet when they left a village • What Jesus did, the disciples did – and so is our mission as God’s people – follow Jesus’ example – sharing the Good News and inviting people to accept it and become part of God’s kingdom

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST A comment (Luke 9: 7 -9) • Luke includes a note on Herod, the tetrarch (four persons ruling or governing jointly) • Herod heard the reports of Jesus, but did not accept what people were saying, knowing that John the Baptist was dead • Herod is an example of people who reject Jesus • While Herod wanted to see Jesus, he could not command an interview • Luke’s note is to show that people with no commitment to Jesus often gain no access to Jesus

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment to Human Needs (Luke 9: 10 -17) • Luke then brings us to what we refer to as the Feeding of the 5, 000 • Before Luke shares the miracle with us, he notes that the disciples upon their return, told Jesus all that they had done, the use of Jesus’ delegated power and authority, in casting out demons, healing, and preaching • Jesus now sought to spend some time in private with them, taking them to Bethsaida for a time of private prayer with God, and to continue in their training

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment to Human Needs (Luke 9: 10 -17) • But when the crowds heard where Jesus went, they followed • We are told that Jesus “welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had a need of healing. ” (Luke 9: 11) • The Twelve had not yet comprehended what Jesus was about • Jesus saw the needs of the crowd, had compassion, and met the needs • In comparison, the disciples claimed that they had no power to minister to a crowd in need of food

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment to Human Needs (Luke 9: 10 -17) • Their solution lay in a commercial venture – buying food for the multitude, something beyond their financial means • Jesus wanted them to find something other than the world’s way to meet needs • He wanted them to call on the power they had depended on during their mission task • Instead, they complained that they could not do an impossible task with only “five loaves and two fish”. (Luke 9: 13)

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment to Human Needs (Luke 9: 10 -17) • The disciples having failed, Jesus took over • First, he acted as administrator and organized the crowd into manageable groups of fifty • Taking the resources the disciples claimed to be the only ones available, Jesus “looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them”. (Luke 9: 16) • He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment to Human Needs (Luke 9: 10 -17) • What Jesus provided was not meager subsistence • What He gave filled them, totally meeting their needs • Twelve baskets of leftovers remained – one for each disciple? – one for each of the 12 tribes? • John would later say that Jesus is the Bread of Life for all people, no matter their number or their need (John 6: 35) • As He did in our text, Christ continues to commission His disciples today to meet the needs of others

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment to Human Needs (Luke 9: 10 -17) • As we reflect on the Feeding of the Five Thousand, a couple of observations/questions • Are contemporary disciples, like the original twelve, too busy celebrating past works for the Lord and neglect to ask for power to accomplish present work?

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment to Human Needs (Luke 9: 10 -17) • As we reflect on the Feeding of the Five Thousand, a couple of observations/questions • Are contemporary disciples, like the original twelve, too busy celebrating past works for the Lord and neglect to ask for power to accomplish present work? • Or, are they so proud of what they have accomplished for God that they fail to see that more must be done?

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Finally, a moment of privacy for prayer and teaching of the Twelve • Jesus taught by asking questions • “Who do the crowds say that I am? ” (Luke 9: 18) • Several ideas were floating around • John the Baptist • Elijah • Another prophet

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Jesus wanted more than the crowd’s response, which He used to introduce the real issue • “Who do you say that I am? ” (Luke 9: 20) • Guess what

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Jesus wanted more than the crowd’s response, which He used to introduce the real issue • “Who do you say that I am? ” (Luke 9: 20) • Guess what – Peter beat all the other disciples in answering • “The Christ of God. ” (Luke 9: 20) • What great insight!

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Jesus was the one the Hebrew Bible kept pointing to • He was the one for whom all Israel hoped • He was the source of deliverance from all that opposed God’s people, even the Roman government • Peter awaited Jesus’ affirmation • Something else came and surprised him

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone, using strong language of rebuke and adding language of warning and command • How could this be? • The disciples had discovered God’s Messiah, Israel’s hope, the source of deliverance and salvation, and they were not to say a word about it? • They did not get it

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Philip Yancy Illustration

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Jesus had a simple, but horrifying answer • Messiah in your minds is not what Messiah is in My mind or in God’s mind • You look for deliverance, salvation, military victory, and national domination • You look to Messiah to lead you to war • But,

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Jesus had a simple, but horrifying answer • Messiah in your minds is not what Messiah is in my mind or in God’s mind • You look for deliverance, salvation, military victory, and national domination • You look to Messiah to lead you to war • But He is the Prince of Peace • He will not become messianic king of the world through war and fighting

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • He has another way, God’s way, the way of suffering • He will stand against leadership, both Jewish and Roman • They will appear to win the first battle – and seem to win the final battle – they kill Him • But, on the third day, he will be raised • Do you see what Jesus was teaching:

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • He has another way, God’s way, the way of suffering • He will stand against leadership, both Jewish and Roman • They will appear to win the first battle – and seem to win the final battle – they kill Him • But, on the third day, he will be raised • Do you see what Jesus was teaching: First you endure suffering, but something else!

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Jesus told them that many who have followed Him from place to place were waiting for healings and miracles • Jesus told the disciples that they were seeking the wrong thing • He provided the healings and miracles to those in need – as signs of God’s power as He brings His kingdom to earth through Me (Jesus) • But that is not where this earthly ministry leads • The final road you travel as you follow Me leads to a criminal’s cross

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • • Not a gold cross on a chain, or a beautiful piece of artwork You cannot wear this cross You must bear it And, this cross may lead to earthly death

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • What does all this mean for us today? • Self denial • Quit looking for miracles and healing • Quit centering your attention on things that enhance and please you • Focus on Christ

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • What does all this mean for us today? • Let Him create a daily relationship with you • Find out what He wants you to do every day and Do it! • Do not expect to win popularity contests, fame, fortune, or success • Be ready to suffer the rejection, pain, and death He suffered

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • What does all this mean for us today? • His lifestyle leads to that • Only as you lead this lifestyle can you learn who the Messiah really is • Only this lifestyle leads to eternal life in heaven • Only a lifestyle that focuses on the final judgment leads to eternal life in heaven

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross • Charles Swindoll Illustration

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Commitment: Self-Denial to the Cross It reminds him of the path he follows in his life

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Which path will you follow in your life?

MISSION: ITS CALL AND COST Will you follow The Son of Man on the path to the Cross?