Called and Sent

Nehemiah 5:1-13; Mark 6:7-13 / Ecclesiastes 4:7-16

I. What Follows NO ?

A. Decapolis had rejected Jesus. “And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.” (Mark 5:17)

B. Nazareth had rejected Jesus. “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” (Mark 6:3)

C. Jesus was on business from His Father; He was not free to stop simply because people rejected Him. “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28)

D. Rejection at Decapolis and Nazareth could have been a disaster, but Jesus seized the moment to evangelize. “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;” (Mark 6:7)

E. In another place, Jesus put evangelism in perspective. “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

II. Jesus Delivered a Mission Manual

A. Jesus sent the disciples in pairs; from the human perspective, paired evangelists have a natural advantage. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:11)

B. Theologically, God demands multiple witnesses to establish truth. “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15)

C. Jesus instructed the disciples to observe the same rules which the rabbis taught for entering the Temple compound. “And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” (Mark 6:8-9) At a later time Jesus would send the gospel messengers to the Samaritans and the Gentles.

D. Evangelism was to be the only purpose for the mission; here is the pattern for short-term missions. “And he said unto them, In what place so ever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.” (Mark 6:10)

E. Though this first mission was to the Jews, the pattern substantially influenced the mission to Europe under Paul; redeemed people want to share in the gospel project. “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” (Acts 16:14-15)

F. Jesus told the disciples they were on important business, but to leave problems to His Father; Christian evangelism has nothing in common with the ways of the world. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Mark 6:11)

III. Great Things Began To Happen

A. Repentance is the starting place for the gospel; people need to understand the danger inherent in sinful living. “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6:12)

B. Jesus confirmed the gospel preaching. “And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:13)

C. Christian methods must conform to the Christian message; graciousness best conveys grace. “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)