EMPOWERMENT
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Empowerment
i) 1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6 NIV)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Note Jesus' methods of leadership. He empowered his disciples (see Luke 9:1), gave them specific instructions so that they knew what to do (see Luke 9:3-4), told them how to deal with tough times (see Luke 9:5), and held them accountable. As you lead others, study the Master Leader's pattern. Which of these elements do you need to incorporate into your leadership?
b) Jesus announced his kingdom by both preaching and healing. If he had limited himself to preaching, people might have seen his kingdom as spiritual only. On the other hand, if he had healed without preaching, people might not have realized the spiritual importance of his mission. Most of his listeners expected a Messiah who would bring wealth and power to their nation; they preferred material benefits to spiritual discernment. The truth about Jesus is that he is both God and man, both spiritual and physical; and the salvation that he offers is both for the soul and the body. Any group or teaching that emphasizes soul at the expense of body, or body at the expense of soul, is in danger of distorting Jesus' Good News.
c) Why were the disciples instructed to depend on others while they went from town to town preaching the gospel? Their purpose was to blanket Judea with Jesus' message, and by travelling light they could move quickly. Their dependence on others had other good effects as well:
i) it clearly showed that the Messiah had not come to offer wealth to his followers;
ii) it forced the disciples to rely on God's power and not on their own provision;
iii) it involved the villagers and made them more eager to hear the message.
d) This was an excellent approach for the disciples' short-term mission; it was not intended, however, to be a permanent way of life for them.
e) The disciples were told to stay in only one home in each town because they were not to offend their hosts by moving to a home that was more comfortable or socially prominent. To remain in one home was not a burden for the homeowner, because the disciples' stay in each community was short.
f) Shaking the dust of unaccepting towns form their feet had deep cultural implications. Pious Jews would do this after passing through Gentile cities to show their separation from Gentile practices. If the disciples shook the dust of a Jewish town from their feet, it would show their separation from Jews who rejected their Messiah. This action also showed that the disciples were not responsible for how the people responded to their message. Neither are we responsible if we carefully and truthfully presented Christ, but our message is rejected. Like the disciples, we must move on to others whom God desires to reach.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we would not give up when others rejected our sharing about Jesus and continue to pray for them.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Empowerment
i) 1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6 NIV)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Note Jesus' methods of leadership. He empowered his disciples (see Luke 9:1), gave them specific instructions so that they knew what to do (see Luke 9:3-4), told them how to deal with tough times (see Luke 9:5), and held them accountable. As you lead others, study the Master Leader's pattern. Which of these elements do you need to incorporate into your leadership?
b) Jesus announced his kingdom by both preaching and healing. If he had limited himself to preaching, people might have seen his kingdom as spiritual only. On the other hand, if he had healed without preaching, people might not have realized the spiritual importance of his mission. Most of his listeners expected a Messiah who would bring wealth and power to their nation; they preferred material benefits to spiritual discernment. The truth about Jesus is that he is both God and man, both spiritual and physical; and the salvation that he offers is both for the soul and the body. Any group or teaching that emphasizes soul at the expense of body, or body at the expense of soul, is in danger of distorting Jesus' Good News.
c) Why were the disciples instructed to depend on others while they went from town to town preaching the gospel? Their purpose was to blanket Judea with Jesus' message, and by travelling light they could move quickly. Their dependence on others had other good effects as well:
i) it clearly showed that the Messiah had not come to offer wealth to his followers;
ii) it forced the disciples to rely on God's power and not on their own provision;
iii) it involved the villagers and made them more eager to hear the message.
d) This was an excellent approach for the disciples' short-term mission; it was not intended, however, to be a permanent way of life for them.
e) The disciples were told to stay in only one home in each town because they were not to offend their hosts by moving to a home that was more comfortable or socially prominent. To remain in one home was not a burden for the homeowner, because the disciples' stay in each community was short.
f) Shaking the dust of unaccepting towns form their feet had deep cultural implications. Pious Jews would do this after passing through Gentile cities to show their separation from Gentile practices. If the disciples shook the dust of a Jewish town from their feet, it would show their separation from Jews who rejected their Messiah. This action also showed that the disciples were not responsible for how the people responded to their message. Neither are we responsible if we carefully and truthfully presented Christ, but our message is rejected. Like the disciples, we must move on to others whom God desires to reach.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we would not give up when others rejected our sharing about Jesus and continue to pray for them.
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