This week's Bible Study - February 17, 2008
The Messengers
 Background Scripture:
Luke 10:1-16
Quote of the Week:
“When you resort to attacking the messenger and not the message, you have lost the debate.”
Addison Whithecomb
What do you think of when you hear the word messenger? In today's
society, a lot of people go straight to the Internet - Instant Messenger
(MSN, AOL, Yahoo, etc). Some people live on IM, it would seem. They
have it installed on every computer they use, as well as on their cell
phones. Certainly, technology is great, as we can now talk to people
all over the world, as if they are sitting next to us. The problem is
that they aren't sitting next to us and words that are used in IM and
email often can be taken in many ways - often wrong!
You may also have heard of messenger pigeons. They were often used as
military messengers, based largely on their homing ability, speed and
altitude. In World War I, messenger pigeons were used by the French and
US Armies. It is said that in October 1918, a pigeon delivered a
crucial message, despite having been shot through the wing. This
message, found in the capsule hanging from his shattered leg, saved
around 200 US soldiers in the "Lost Battalion".
You probably have also heard of the phrase - don't shoot the messenger.
Messengers are used to get a message across - they are not the message
in and of themselves. Dictionary.com describes a messenger as one who
carries a message or goes on an errand for another, especially as a
matter of duty or business.
In this passage, we read that Jesus appointed seventy-two to go ahead of
him. We often think of the twelve disciples - they are the ones who we
have read more about - but there were many others that Jesus used in his
ministry. He sent them out in twos- no one was on their own. Why do
you think he did this? What purpose was there in sending them out in
twos? Together, these could encourage one another, provide backup for
each other and also be companions as they did the task before them.
Similarly, we are called to work in partnership with others. In any
line of business, two people work better than one - and certainly as we
share our faith, there is much to be said about having others who are
working with us. Who is your companion in sharing? We need one
another as we share the hope we have within us, just as we do in
anything else that we do.
These seventy two were to go ahead of Jesus. They were to go to the
places where he was to go. They were to prepare the way. I think
about the Billy Graham crusades of which I have been a part of in the
past. Months before a crusade comes to a town, there are teams of
people that are making arrangements, praying for the lost and sharing
their faith with others. All of this preparation has made these
crusades much better - and allowed Dr Graham to have much success. This
is the same model that Jesus followed - by sending teams ahead of him -
and by doing so, preparing the way for his arrival.
Jesus told his workers that the harvest was truly plentiful and the
workers were few. They were to pray for more helpers and to pick them
up along the way. As they went from town to town, they would find
others who would partner with them in getting people ready for Christ.
These workers were to be single-minded in purpose, with a total
dependence on God.
Sometimes, I think we start down this path and we truly desire to share
our faith. However, when we do it on our own, without others around us,
we are more likely to step backwards rather than forward. Who is there
to stand with you, or are you going it alone? Or, have you just blended
in - waiting for someone else to speak?
Jesus gave these messengers instructions - when they enter a house....
First, Jesus said 'when', not 'if'. When Jesus told them what to do, he
was expecting that they would follow through. When they entered a
house, they were to bring a blessing of peace. Based on the response of
the person there, they were to either stay at that house, or to go to
the next house.
While at the house, they were to stay, eating and drinking whatever they
were given. This is how God was providing for their needs - using
people. When we are living in the presence of other believers, we need
to realize that we are to help each other out - and, as importantly, we
are to accept help. Whether it is our upbringing or just what we've
learned, it seems that many tend to go for self reliance. They don't
want anyone else to be responsible for taking care of them. You may
even fall into that category. When you have needs, are you willing to
call other believers for help? Sometimes, we don't want to intrude
into other's lives with our needs, but I believe that we can sometimes
do more harm than good by going it alone.
When we don't allow others to help us, we are deriving them of a bigger
blessing. You've probably seen it in your own life - you feel more
blessed to help someone in need that to let them go it alone. However,
most of us, if not all of us, don't want to be that someone in need.
What needs do you have or what needs have you had? Have you utilized
the body of believers to help you meet those needs? It may be that you
have needed a ride or someone to do something else for you - would you
call them and let them help? Or, would you suck it up and go it alone?
Jesus told these messengers to find the place that they could stay and
stay there. They were to build a base and work from there. God wanted
to meet their needs, where they were - rather than having them seeking
relief elsewhere. It is easy to get caught up in our own lives now -
seeking the things that we think will bring us peace. Many go from job
to job - or house to house - or relationship to relationship - in search
of that peace or some sense of satisfaction. I believe that God is
telling many of us that we need to find what he has given us and get
about doing what he has asked us to do.
Jesus went from entering a house to entering a town. Again, it was when
they entered, not if they entered. Where they were welcomed, these
messengers were to stay and eat - again, finding a place to minister.
They were told to heal the sick and to tell them that the kingdom of God
was near.
You may think that you can't bring healing to those around you - and
you're probably right. If your co-worker gets the flu, God hasn't
gifted anybody I know with the ability to touch them to cure them of
their sickness. However, the presence of a true believer can bring many
benefits. I've seen some people that, though they don't want to become
a believer, they want to get as close as possible to one to be able to
share in the blessings that seem to come their way. You've probably
seen the old Charlie Brown cartoons - and the one character, Pigpen. No
matter where he went there was a cloud of dust that seemed to follow
him. We aren't to be Pigpens, but we are to bring a cloud of blessing
to those around us. A believer can have an impact on a workplace, a
neighborhood, a school, a home or any other place that they go. Are you
bringing blessings to those around you? Are you telling anybody else
about the kingdom of God?
As the messengers entered a town that did not welcome them, they were to
leave. Even in that town, they were to share of the nearness of the
kingdom of God.
God prepares people in all sorts of places. You can go just about
anywhere in the world and find believers in whose life God is working.
When you go to a new job, find that. When you move to a new city or go
to a new school, find that. The place to be is where God is at work.
If he isn't at work around you, find where he is and join him.
Jesus sent his messengers to all types of towns and houses. We tend to
want to pick the places we go. We may even think we should be picking
the people that we share the love of Christ with. Remember that you are
the messenger and not the message. Even where you share your faith
brilliantly, only God can provide the harvest of souls.
We all know people that just don't want to believe. They are looking
for some sort of sign - some supernatural event that will cause them to
believe. If only this happened or that happened. It is amazing that
some of these same people that require such proof from the Bible or from
Christians will spend a lot of resources into trying to fit some other
teaching into their lives. For some, it may be New Age thought - or
horoscopes or any of a number of things. They will spend hours and
hours and days seeking 'truth' from the falsehood. Meanwhile, they want
to spend little, if any time, in seeking the validity of the Bible. It
is as if they have blinders on. For these people, only God will reach
them. Our best arguments won't work. Even that supernatural event that
they want - it won't work.
God is at work in the midst of some people - and has been for some time.
It may even be in some type of supernatural way. However, they still
are in unbelief. They want more and then they want more. Never enough.
God does show himself and when people continue to reject God over and
over - woe unto them.
To many people, God has shown his presence and has worked in very
tangible ways in the midst of these people. They have accepted Christ
and are seeking to follow him. Others have been around the same things
and rejected. Perhaps it is too familiar and they take it for granted.
Many of these people are in churches most every Sunday. They tend to
think of themselves as better than others. While others may fall for
this or that, they don't have the same type of failures or addictions.
However, we are not to compare ourselves to the world. God wants us to
be his people and from his people, God expects many things.
Some of us take a lot on our own. There are many believers that are
very serious about wanting to reach others. When they share with
others, they want to see results. It becomes a very personal thing.
When others accept, some start thinking that they have an uncanny
ability to reach others. It is true that God has gifted some people
with the gift of evangelism - that is, to share their faith with
results. However, even in their lives, it is God at work - not them.
Some people share and are rejected by others. Nobody likes rejection
and some will take it very personally. They may become very discouraged
or may even consider giving up. Nobody accepts what they say, so why
should they continue to speak? When people listen, they are listening
to God. When people reject us, they are not rejecting us, but they are
rejecting God.
Sometimes, we create a 'we' versus 'them' mentality. Sometimes, we see
the nonbelievers are the enemies, or maybe the prey. Just like a lion
seeks the prey, some believers are sharing their faith - but in a very
dangerous way. The enemy is not the guy who lives next door or the
person you work with that seems to hate God. Ephesians 6:12 says that
our struggle is not against flesh and blood - our struggle is against a
spiritual enemy. It is this enemy that we have problems with, as we
share our faith. Don't make it personal with the person who rejects
you.
Closing
We are called to be messengers, but we aren't called to be lone
messengers. God has called us to work with others and partner with
them in sharing the gospel. Sometimes, I think our denominationalism
has made this much more difficult. We may wait until there is someone
around us that goes to our church - they will be our ally. Actually, we
are brothers and sisters with all believers - whether they go to your
church or not. We are called to partner with others and work with them
in sharing the gospel. Who is your partner - at work, at school, at
home?
God provides for the resources we need as we share the message we've
been given. Often, he uses other believers to provide for our needs.
As you go through your life, realize that you have something to offer
others in need - and offer it. And, as you experience need, call upon
your Christian brothers and sisters to help you when you need it.
We have a hope in us that the world desperately needs. Even though we
may experience failure in our own lives from time to time, we can still
get back up and share with others. There are people who are in your
sphere of influence - at school, work or in your neighborhood. There
are parents of other kids that know your kids - in sports teams or in
other areas. Do these other people know of the hope that is in you?
Are you sharing with them what God has done for you and how he is at
work in your life? Become the messenger that God has called you to be -
this instant!
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