The Limited Commission

The disciples that were chosen to apostles for a purpose now are being sent out with a commission to fulfill the purpose. A limited commission at this time.

From disciples to Apostles (Mk3:13-19)

Apostles with a purpose (Mk3:14-15)

Mark 3:14–15 NASB95

14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons.

Mark 3:14 NASB95

14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,

David McKenna in his commentary about this section of scripture says:

“From now on, a new reality will dictate His ministry, a reality in which the scales tip from service to suffering, a reality in which the clock of destiny ticks into fast time on an appointment with death.”

The cross is before Jesus and the time in preparation for the Apostles to carry out the Great Commission is at hand, so time to put them into the field to start some work.

The day to day operations of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven is about to be passed down to the Apostles, no more time for leisurely learners , time to raise up men ready to preach, teach, heal and cast out demons.

This is all happening after the homecoming in Nazareth in which there was rejection of the message and the messenger. Jesus is going to entrust the message and the mission to the 12 who responded to the call.

Mk1:7

Mark 1:17 NASB95

17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

Today in our passage we will see they are sent out with authority, so let’s get to the passage.

Mark 6:7–8 NASB95

7 And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt—

Mark 6:9–10 NASB95

9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” 10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.

Mark 6:11–12 NASB95

11 “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that men should repent.

Mark 6:13 NASB95

13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?

So in Mark’s account of the limited commission which is parallel in Mt10:1-15, limited as in time and authority right now, but also limited for the house of Israel.

-6

Matthew 10:5–6 NASB95

5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Jesus is giving a class on practical evangelism, preparing them for their mission field that is coming. The instructions, the principles are solid and we can glean from them today.

Principle of Synergy

Synergy: The working together of two or more things to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. Evangelism is a synergistic.

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Apostles sent out in pairs (Mk6:7) - only noted in Mark’s account

Method further proven in sending the 70 (Lk10:1)

Or even Paul and Barnabas (Act13:2)

Why Synergy, or synergistic method?

Synergistic sending when sending in pairs (Mk6:7)

Synergistic witness according to the Law (Deu17:6)

Synergistic for encouragement purposes too (Ecc4:9-10)

Synergy lends credibility to their story (Jn8:17)

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Synergistic sending when sending in pairs (Mk6:7)

Mark 6:7 NASB95

7 And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

Proven method when Jesus sent the 70 in (Lk10:1)

Luke 10:1 NASB95

1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.

or you can look it up more in Act13:2 when Paul and Barnabas where separated and sent out together.

Synergistic sending when sending in pairs (Mk6:7)

Synergistic witness according to the Law (Deu17:6)

Deuteronomy 17:6 NASB95

6 “On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

Synergistic sending when sending in pairs (Mk6:7)

Synergistic witness according to the Law (Deu17:6)

Synergistic for encouragement purposes too (Ecc4:9-10)

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NKJV

9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

Synergistic sending when sending in pairs (Mk6:7)

Synergistic witness according to the Law (Deu17:6)

Synergistic for encouragement purposes too (Ecc4:9-10)

Synergy lends credibility to their story (Jn8:17)

John 8:17 NASB95

17 “Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true.

How about some application as we go along the way today?

Many churches have a minister and an evangelist. The evangelist is about bringing people to the body, the minister is about keeping the people in the body and growing in Christ.

In looking at mission work you will see mission teams, or partners, rarely would you see a sole person in mission field.

We are synergistic here when it comes to visiting, in home bible studies etc. So it is smart to partner up with someone, or a group of people and strive together vs. trying to do it on your own.

So may we remember to be synergistic in our desire to grow the church here.

(transition) - this now leads us from working together to the next principle in evangelism as seen in our passage today, support.

Principle of support

Support, resources, authority are important when it comes to evangelistic endeavors. That as well as faith and yes, sacrifice.

Mark 6:7–8 NASB95

Mark 6:9–10 NASB95

9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” 10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.

Authority given (Mk7:7)

We have not had any questions as of yet, so let’s break down this section some with some questions.

Who gave the authority to them (v.7) is it implied on stated?

What was the authority given (v.7)?

What were the instructions given (vv.8-10)?

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Principle of support

Allowed them support, from others (MK6:8-10)

Support by those who are willing to support (LK10:7-8)

This principle also applied, applies, to elders who rule well (1Tim5:17-18)

Principle further shown in (3Jn5-8)

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Notice in this section it is about what not to take more than what to take, which means they were to trust, rely on the support of others to accomplish their mission.

Support comes from those who are willing to support

Luke 10:7–8 NASB95

7 “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. 8 “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;

If they are received, that means they are supported.

We can see other use of support in the N.T. in Paul’s writing to Timothy

1 Timothy 5:17–18 NASB95

17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

and then look at the words of John

3 John 5–6 NASB95

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

3 John 7–8 NASB95

7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

3Jn

So we have some biblical examples of how the gospel was spread, with authority and with support to this point, so what can we do today in our evangelistic efforts in modeling the New Testament. example?

Preachers, and preaching/teaching elders are worthy of support today so their focus can be on the work and not finances.

Support should come from within the Christian community, not in the means of getting rich, accumulating wealth, but to support so they can keep focus on the gospel.

Churches can provide and oftentimes do provide the support (2Cor11:8-9)

2 Corinthians 11:8–9 NASB95

8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.

There is much mission work, both foreign/domestic that is left undone due to churches unwillingness to send and support the work (Rom10:15)

Romans 10:15 NASB95

15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Idalou Church of Christ sent me. They prayed, they supported me in school, they sent me to Lockett, and they prayerfully joined in sending me here to Westside. They pray weekly for my work here and our congregation.

Then coming from the congregational level in support, coming down to the individual support. I have been blessed with an 86 year old woman who has been partnered with my wife and I since we started school. She prays, she supports, she writes cards of encouragement to us. So it is not out of the ordinary to help support a person in ministry too. Tabby and I support a missionary couple in Scotland and have for years now.

There is a saying I heard in preparing to go to school “If you are unable to teach, at least be willing to support those who do.” I thought that line was pretty harsh, but in hindsight now, it is accurate. Preachers, in general, are over worked, under appreciated, under payed, under supported in prayer and encouragement. No, I’m not here looking for a raise or anything!

Now leading us to our next point. Principle of selection

Principle of Selection

The principle of selection is about willingness and reception, it is not a principle of judgment and exclusion.

Mark 6:10–11 NASB95

10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.”

mk6:

Apostles were to be selective, who was willing to receive them.

If a household accepted and gave hospitality to them, they were to stay put

Apostles were to stay put, when a house received them.

If received and offered hospitality into a home they were to stay put. They were not to look for any other accommodations or better one’s.

Shake off the dust if no reception (Mt7:6; Act13:42-46; Mk16:15).

When an orthodox Jew returned from a Gentile area (like Samaria) they were to shake off every bit of dust from shoes because the Gentiles were considered unclean and dogs.

(Insert door knocking experience, story here; Be sure to watch the clock).

While this may be hard to accept. I hate to give up on anyone, but I cannot control or persuade anyone if they are not willing to listen. look at what scripture says.

Matthew 7:6 NASB95

6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

People judge themselves unworthy of the gospel by their own lack of interest. We need to be willing, if there is a willingness change to share with them again and again.

Acts 13:42–43 NASB95

42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.

Act13:44

Acts 13:44 NASB95

44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.

And if people are not interested, then shake off the dust and move on.

Acts 13:45–46 NASB95

45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

This is a hard principle to hear, hard to accept and I know I don’t know where the line is on willingness and unwillingness for the most part.

For when the great commission came, in which we are under, we are told to preach to every creation (Mk16:15); so the right line, the right balance, is hard. In reality at somepoint we have to shake the dust off and move on looking for people who are receptive.

Receptive to the message, and that brings us to our next point, the principle of subject.

Principle of Subject

The message, the subject is more important than the messenger. Jesus gave them authority, gave them direction and gave them the message to convey.

Mark 6:12–13 NASB95

12 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

In the limited commission, in Mark, it is repent (v.12 Mt4:17; Mt3:2)

In the limited commission, with Matthew it included the kingdom of God (Mt10:7)

In the great commission it included the gospel of Christ (Mk16:15)

Jesus spoke of repent before didn’t He (Mt4:17); as did John (Mt3:2)

And we know that both John and Jesus preached the kingdom of God, and Jesus instructions for the great commission included the gospel of Jesus, the death, burial, resurrection and baptism into His possession.

The limited commission lead to the great commission and the great commission was carried out in the synagogues and in the homes just as it is today (Act8:12; Act19:8; Act5:42) for it is the power of God unto salvation (Rom1:16)

e death, burial, resurrection and baptism into His possession.

It sent Philip to Samria

Acts 8:12 NASB95

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

Paul from synagogues to homes

Acts 19:8 NASB95

8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Acts 28:23 NASB95

23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

Acts 5:42 NASB95

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

For the gospel is the power of God unto salvation

Romans 1:16 NASB95

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

So a little more application then we will close

The message needs to be God’s message, the good news, not a message to entertain and amuse people. It needs to be God’s Word!

If trying to share, trying to teach, don’t get caught into many subjects, stick to the subject at hand, the Kingdom of God, let the “big thing” be the big thing and everything else secondary to it.

May we remember the instructions given to Timothy as we close.

2 Timothy 4:1–2 NASB95

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 NASB95

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

2 Timothy 4:5 NASB95

5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.