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The Kingdom of God
on Luke 9:1-6 and Luke 10:1-12,
two commissioning events
on Luke 9:1-6 and Luke 10:1-12,
two commissioning events
Fourth
Sunday of Lent
www.FirstChurchBville.com
@FirstUMCBville @kerrfunk
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Current Bible reading plan, Luke 9-12 I wanted to do it all!
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So the story goes that when Jesus returned to heaven following his death and
resurrection, the angels gathered around in amazement, examining the wounds in
his hands and feet and shuddering to recall his suffering. Finally Gabriel
spoke: “Master, you suffered terribly down there. Do they know and appreciate
the extent of your sacrifice?”
“No,” Jesus replied. “Not yet. Right now only a handful of people in Palestine know.”
“Then what have you done to let everyone else know?” asked Gabriel.
“I’ve asked Peter, James, and John, and a few others to spread the news. They will tell others who will tell others who will tell others until the message spreads to the ends of the earth.”
But Gabriel, knowing the nature of human beings, asked, “What’s Plan B?”
“There is no Plan B,” replied the Christ. “There is no alternative strategy. I’m counting on them.”
Twenty centuries later, there’s still no Plan B. Christ is counting on you and me.
“No,” Jesus replied. “Not yet. Right now only a handful of people in Palestine know.”
“Then what have you done to let everyone else know?” asked Gabriel.
“I’ve asked Peter, James, and John, and a few others to spread the news. They will tell others who will tell others who will tell others until the message spreads to the ends of the earth.”
But Gabriel, knowing the nature of human beings, asked, “What’s Plan B?”
“There is no Plan B,” replied the Christ. “There is no alternative strategy. I’m counting on them.”
Twenty centuries later, there’s still no Plan B. Christ is counting on you and me.
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Both of today’s “commission verses” include followers being sent to heal and
proclaim the Kingdom of God (KoG).
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How shall we understand supernatural healing stories? Consider two
possibilities, though; that they really happened as the disciples were that in
touch with the power of God in Jesus Christ; or consider that various illnesses
isolated individuals socially, and the disciples became willing to administer healing
care to them.
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Kingdom of God. What does it mean, to
proclaim the KoG, to tell people KoG is near? How would you respond if a
stranger told you?
Look
back earlier in Luke for clues about KoG: John the Baptist preaching justice
(don’t take more than you’re supposed to; don’t extort…) Also when Jesus read
from the scroll of Isaiah 61 in Luke 4: The
Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of
sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the
Lord’s favor.
In a word: the Kingdom of God is Hope.
Or Hope with power, hope with community.
Or Hope with power, hope with community.
That’s
what we’re sent to do.
Proclaim hope where there is none.
Proclaim hope where there is none.
Are
there areas of no hope in Bville?
How do we address?
How do we address?
The Gospel is not something we go to
church to hear,
it is something we go from church to tell.
it is something we go from church to tell.
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to share the love of God with people in a hurting world…
to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world…
to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world…
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There is no Plan B. We are apostles.
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Hymn 571 Go, Make of All Disciples
Luke 9:1-6
(Common
English Bible)
9 Jesus
called the Twelve together and he gave them power and authority over all demons
and to heal sicknesses. 2 He sent them out to proclaim
God’s kingdom and to heal the sick. 3 He told
them, “Take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, no bag, no bread, no
money, not even an extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you
enter, remain there until you leave that place. 5 Wherever
they don’t welcome you, as you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as
a witness against them.” 6 They departed and went through
the villages proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. ò
Luke 10:1-12
(CEB)
10 After
these things, the Lord commissioned seventy-two others and sent them on ahead
in pairs to every city and place he was about to go. 2 He
said to them, “The harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are
few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers
for his harvest. 3 Go! Be warned, though, that I’m sending
you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no wallet, no bag,
and no sandals. Don’t even greet anyone along the way. 5 Whenever
you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house.’ 6 If
anyone there shares God’s peace, then your peace will rest on that person. If
not, your blessing will return to you. 7 Remain in this
house, eating and drinking whatever they set before you, for workers deserve
their pay. Don’t move from house to house. 8 Whenever you
enter a city and its people welcome you, eat what they set before you. 9 Heal
the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘God’s kingdom has come upon
you.’ 10 Whenever you enter a city and the people don’t
welcome you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘As a
complaint against you, we brush off the dust of your city that has collected on
our feet. But know this: God’s kingdom has come to you.’ 12 I
assure you that Sodom will be better off on Judgment Day than that city. ò
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