Called and Sent

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

I. Jesus Assembled His Disciples

A. What follows no? The rejection in 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)

1. “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)

2. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)


B. Jesus gave these first missionaries specific instructions for the mission; these were the rules for entering the Temple. “And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:” (Mark 6:8)

C. Jesus demanded absolute simplicity; evangelism was to be clearly the only objective of the mission. “But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” (Mark 6:9)

II. Jesus Delivered a Project Manual

A. “And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.” (Mark 6:10)

B. “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 Gomorrha in the Day of Judgment, than for that city.” (Mark 6:11)

III. The Disciples Did as They Were Directed

A. “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6:12)

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


“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 AV)

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40 AV)

“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” (Matthew 25:45 AV)