Luke 10 shows Jesus issuing a command to 72 whom he has sent out – if you haven’t read it (Luke 10:1-12) go read it quick or click here. Jesus issues a few truths which I want to tackle this morning as important reminders for though of us who have been entrusted to bring the Gospel – good news – to concrete-thinkers.
Pray.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (verse 2)
It begins with prayer – whether we are the ones being sent out or the ones with concrete-thinkers in our household – we pray. Pray that God would use us and pray that God would call out others into this messy, crazy, often chaotic world of concrete-thinkers. At the end of the day – this is more important than any tool we are equipped with, any blog we read, any video we watch, or any training we attend. Praying to our God and Father will accomplish more than anything we could come up with.
Go.
Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. (verse 3)
Stop just talking about it – do it. Look at the rhythms of your life and ask how they need to be adjusted or how you need to be intentional about living on mission with God. Who around you needs to hear and see the good news of Jesus Christ?
Specific to creating concrete disciples – are you a pastor? Do you know the needs of your students? Of their parents? Do you spend time going where your families are? Do the schools know you desire to be good news to them? Good news to the school may not be you running a bible study but it may be you folding hundreds of letters going out to parents – and that is ok.
Are you a parent?
How are you good news to the friends in your child’s life? To their parents? Do you display a life surrendered to Christ when you sit next to the other parents on the basketball court or soccer field? Are your words sprinkled with salt and light? When the ref makes a bad call – does your mouth reveal your flesh or speak with grace? Do you shelter your child or seek to mobilize them to make disciples by how you disciple others in your life?
Keep On.
Go your way; behold I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
The reality is we are not held to a response received but on the message given. We are called to bring good news to those we are around in our everyday lives – at our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, local gyms, sports teams, travel teams, playhouse, grocery store, etc. We press forward – letting every facet of our life breathe the redemption of Christ. Our conversations, our actions, our social media – should all proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do not focus on results. Let God do what only God can do. Focus on loving Him above all and letting that love pour out into the everyday. Let Him redeem every waking moment – let the good news of Jesus be with you everywhere. Make much of Him. Encourage those around you – the ones watching, who think concretely – need to see tangible ways displayed in you – so they too can pray, go, and keep on.