Not a Spectator Sport

Matthew Round

The Gospel of Luke • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Jesus draws his disciples into his mission, empowering and commissioning them. He sends them out urgently to share his message and show his power, and sending them in dependency, aware some will reject them. Jesus is making disciples not converts - he commissions and empowers us for the same urgent mission.

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Jesus multiplies his mission, sending empowered but dependent disciples

Not a Spectator Sport

There’s a huge difference between watching and playing rugby.

Jesus draws his disciples into his mission, empowering and commissioning them. He sends them out urgently to share his message and show his power. He sends them in dependency, aware some will reject them. Jesus is making disciples not converts - he commissions and empowers us for the same urgent mission.

Big Application

Jesus multiplies his mission, sending empowered but dependent disciples

Big Application

1. Following Jesus not a spectator sport: he’s making disciples not converts

a. Jesus’ mission is unique - but notice just how closely the disciples’ mission mirrors his

b. You're empowered for this mission by the Holy Spirit

If you know me at all, you know I’m not the most passionate about sports - but it’s hard to entirely ignore this thing called rugby when you live in Scotland. Particularly if you’ve ever been anywhere near Murrayfield on a 6 nations day!

c. But still you're dependent in it - some receive and support; others reject

you don’t have everything you need - and that’s by design

not everyone is going to receive this - and that’s not a surprise or failure

2. There's a warning for those rejecting Jesus' message - but still time to change

Outline

There’s a huge difference between watching and playing rugby

If you know me, you know I’m not the most passionate about sports - but it’s hard to entirely ignore the rugby if you’re anywhere near Murrayfield on a 6 nations day

Truth is when I put my mind to it, I can quite enjoy watching rugby - though I still don’t really understand it. Like most people. But conceivably I could actually become a fan. Perhaps.

But playing it, that’s a whole ‘nother thing. I have some memories from school days. Bad memories, needless to say. In my mind, school rugby is always played in the freezing winter, mostly when it’s raining. Everyone else was always bigger than me. Even if they had to grow before each games lesson to make that true. And I never could get my head around choosing to throw yourself at someone else’s shoes when they are running. Just always seemed like a bad idea.

You don’t need me to tell you there’s a huge difference between watching and actually playing. Well Jesus’ disciples have done plenty of watching - now it’s time for them to get onto the pitch.

Jesus’ disciples have done plenty of watching - now it’s time for them to get onto the pitch

We’re continuing our journey through Luke’s gospel - Luke’s telling of Jesus’ life story - and in today’s reading things really begin to change for Jesus’ disciples. But this isn’t just a dusty old book about things that happened far away and long ago. What we’re going to look at today has important things to say to us here and now.

Come with me to Luke, chapter nine, and we’ll read the first nine verses. Why not pick up one of these blue church bibles if there’s one near you? We’re on page _______. Luke chapter 9 - the chapters are the big numbers in here, and verses one to nine - the verses are the little numbers. Page ______, and look for the big nine. Nita is going to come and read for us today.

We pick up the story after a series of amazing miracles where Jesus shows his power over nature, the supernatural, health, and even life itself. What’s next?

Context

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Context

Reading:

Luke 9:1–9 NIV

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.

The Twelve Spectators

feet up on sofa with TV picture

Jesus chose these twelve, commonly called the apostles, back in chapter 6 - though he had started gathering them earlier still.

Though he had started gathering them earlier still

Perhaps you’ll remember Peter the fisherman’s boat trip with Jesus in chapter 5? That ended with Peter and his friends leaving everything to follow Jesus.

And then later that same chapter, Jesus calls Levi away from his tax collecting - and after a massive party with Levi’s friends, it seems he’s on the road with Jesus too.

But here’s the thing: so far, Jesus’ disciples, even this inner circle of twelve, have basically been spectators. Watching Jesus at his work - crazy big miracles by the dozen. Listening to Jesus’ words - some feisty, some revolutionary, some head-scratching. But basically just watching from the sofa.

Watching Jesus at his work - crazy big miracles and all

Listening to Jesus’ words - some head-scratching, some feisty, some revolutionary

But basically just watching from the sofa.

Now to be fair, they had left everything and gone a wondering with Jesus - so a sofa picture’s probably overdoing it. But in many ways they really were still spectators.

And then Jesus turns up the heat. It’s time for them to get some more skin in the game. It’s time for them to move from spectators to players

time for them to get some more skin in the game.

time for them to move from spectators to players

Shifting his strategy

sports strategy diagram on whiteboard; circles, lines, x’s

time for them to get some more skin in the game.

time for them to move from spectators to players

If you’re familiar with this story, or at least the general idea of the disciples joining Jesus’ mission, we can just read this story and think “yes, of course, that’s just what happened next.”

Why does Jesus shift his strategy here? Why does he change the way he’s going about his mission?

But before we get too far into this we really need to stop the clock and ask the question why: Why does Jesus shift his strategy here? Why does he change the way he’s going about his mission? Because make no mistake, this is a fundamental shift in Jesus’ strategy from him being the only teacher, the only worker.

Scalability? Was it simply impossible for Jesus himself to reach global scale as an individual in the days before mass media?

Is it Scalability? Was it simply impossible for Jesus himself to reach global scale as an individual in the days before mass media?

Nowadays, of course, this isn’t much of a problem. Thanks to platforms like YouTube, a single individual can become hugely globally influential. Even if most of us still have absolutely no idea at all who they are! Who’s heard of James Charles? Well apparently he’s famous enough to bring Birmingham to a standstill just by visiting a cosmetics store for a 30 second appearance. Thanks to his ten million YouTube followers!

But if Jesus had wanted to do it all himself, he could have just chosen a better timing for his incarnation. A millenial Jesus with his own YouTube channel - easy. Or just broadcast direct to the inside of everyone in the world’s head, of course.

Or he could have just invented vision-TV right then and there and broadcast direct to everyone in the world’s eyes.

No, he chose to do it this way. Why?

Perhaps it’s that there’s something fundamentally Christ-like about mission? Jesus’ mission flows naturally out of who he is, his love and grace - and so, as his disciples become more and more like him, they will unavoidably join him in his mission. That’s the only possible consequence of developing more and more of his character. Perhaps he’s involving them here precisely to challenge them to grow towards Christlikeness, being sent just as he himself is sent.

But the resurrected Jesus could have stayed and continued his mission

He really doesn’t need us

Dignity? significance and purpose for the twelve

reaching out - and so his disciples, becoming more and more like him, unavoidably will join him in his mission which flows from his character.

He doesn’t need them - he’s so much better at it than they are.

He wants them to be involved

Christlikeness

Without being on mission, they cannot deeply be like Christ

His mission flows out of who he is; it’s central to his identity; it’s the reason he wrapped himself in flesh and lived among us.

Becoming like Christ must mean increasingly joining his mission

Because we should notice here just how closely the mission he’s giving his disciples mirrors his own mission.

A Mirror Mission

When he talks about sending his disciples “to proclaim the kingdom of God” that’s exactly how Jesus understands his own mission - in SLIDE Jesus says: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God … because that is why I was sent”. And then he sends his disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God. Jesus heals and drives out demons; his disciples heal people everywhere - and, although it’s not said, perhaps we could reasonably presume they drove out demons too.

Luke 4:43 NIV

But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

Jesus heals and drives out demons; his disciples heal people everywhere - and perhaps we could reasonbly presume they drove out demons too given they were empowered for this.

Luke 4:43 NIV

But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

Jesus’ disciples’ mission mirrors his own mission.

Jesus is shifting his strategy, moving these twelve disciples from their seats onto the pitch, bringing them into his mission. But first, he gives them something.

Empowered yet dependent

Empowered... yet dependent?

empty plate with crumbs

He empowers them to drive out demons and to heal before he commissions them and sends them out. But here’s the funny thing: right as he gives this supernatural empowering, he also lists things they are to leave; things which, it seems, really would have helped them.

What does he give them? Power and authority to drive out demons and to heal. Power they didn’t have before, but Jesus does. Power he has the right to grant to them as well. Jesus empowers his disciples before he sends them out.

Ever wonder why they need this empowering? Why wouldn’t they just report what Jesus has already done elsewhere, tell people about the signs and wonders he has performed? Point back to the source, you know - after all, Jesus and his acts were becoming well known - remember at the end of our reading how this had even piqued the interest of king Herod in his palace. Why do the the disciples need their own miracles rather than just saying “that’s my man” and pointing to Jesus?

don’t ask questions you can’t answer!

Authentication - Do these disciples really speak for Jesus, for that Jesus? How could those hearing know for sure? These miracles they were empowered to do authenticate them

like the ID card you should always ask for when someone comes, claiming he’s there with the electric company to read your meter.

but don’t we face precisely the same problem today and therefore also need signs to authenticate? Perhaps conversion/transformation is the true and greater sign which the healings pointed to: actual restoration with God rather than just a picture of restoration?

don’t ask questions you can’t answer!

Transformation - the kingdom of God actually breaking in with restoration, not just a distant message about how it was happening elsewhere.

the difference between being told about how good a strawberry is and actually tasting it for yourself.

don’t ask questions you can’t answer!

But here’s a funny thing: along with this supernatural empowering Jesus gives his disciples for their commissioning, there’s also a long list of things they are to leave; things which, it seems, really would have empowered them.

empty glass? leak? empty plate? crumbs

v3 “take nothing for the journey”.

no staff - is that like being told to leave your walking poles behind as you set off up a Monroe? Increasing the risk of a sprained ankle? Or is it more serious, like heading out into bear country defenceless?

no bag - well, since they’re told to take nothing, there wouldn’t be anything to go in that bag anyway - so I guess it’d be pretty pointless taking an empty bag. Now this bag might refer to a begging bag - in that case it would mean even more restriction for the disciples. But anyway...

no bread - now this is starting to get really serious. Ok, without a staff they might end up in trouble on the road - I don’t really know how dangerous those roads were but I’m sure it wasn’t certain death to head out without a staff. No bag could be a bit inconvenient - or just impair your fashion sense. But no bread? Everyone’s got to eat. Particularly if they’re planning long distance walks. Jesus is telling his disciples not to bring even the absolute bare essentials for this trip.

no money - so no bread, and no way to buy bread.

no extra shirt - so presumably personal hygiene isn’t quite the concern it is today. And presumably Jesus doesn’t see this as a major obstruction to their mission either.

A whole list of stuff not to take. Instructions meaning Jesus’ disciples are making themselves totally dependent, totally vulnerable as they take on this mission.

Why do you think Jesus does this? I know I keep asking questions - that’s just the sort of person I am. But sometimes when we ask questions it helps us explore and understand more about what’s going on. So why travel staff-less, bag-less, bread-less, money-less, (spare) shirt-less? Why send your disciples out on your mission empowered on the one hand - but totally dependent on the other?

We could imagine this will leave the disciples dependent on God for their practical provision - even as they are supernaturally empowered for the mission. But that wouldn’t be quite right - at least not directly: Jesus’ plan is they will find provision in people who receive their message, not raining down out of the sky.

v4 talks about entering a house and staying there. And in the paralleled in Matthew's gospel we see it’s the house that belongs to “a worthy person”, someone who receives their message.

Well, Jesus’ plan is they will find provision in people who receive their message - that much is clear; this passage is paralleled in Matthew's gospel and there we see the house these missionary disciples are to enter which v4 talks about belongs to “a worthy person”, someone who receives their message.

v4 talks about entering a house and staying there. And in the paralleled in Matthew's gospel we see it’s the house that belongs to “a worthy person”, someone who receives their message.

Perhaps knowing they are to be dependent on people receiving their message helps the disciples focus on seeing people receive the message? You know, “if no-one listens to me, I’m not going to eat, I’m going to freeze. So I need to find someone who will listen. If this person won’t listen, I need to find someone else.” Does that make sense?

But also there’s a real sense of immediacy here: no excuses to be made about preparing for the mission. You know, “oh, of course, Jesus; I’ll head on out just as soon as I’ve got me a nice hefty staff. Bears out there you know. Big bears. Perilous roads. Oh, and I’d best get some bread. Some nice crusty bread with a bit of a crunch. I’ll get over to the bakers right away. And I’ll need to be sure I’ve gotten enough money together to keep me through the whole trip. Looks like I’ll need to find some supporters and start a prayer letter. And a spare shirt. Better look my best. And. and. and.”

Have you ever seen someone playing for time like that? Ever had to get a child out the door for school?! “I just need one more thing… I’ll be ready in a minute… Just after this game. Just after this programme. Just after this week. Just after the summer. Just after I retire...”

So Jesus is moving these twelve disciples from their seats onto the pitch. As he commissions them, he empowers them - and he sends them immediately, dependent on their urgent message being received. No faffing about preparing. One final thing to see here:

One final thing to see here:

Expecting rejection

closed sign

From the start, Jesus is telling them to expect to be received by some - otherwise they’d need to take provisions - but also to be rejected by others. And here, Jesus’ direction is simple: v6 “if people do not welcome you, leave”

There’s going to be rejection for these disciples, empowered by Jesus, carrying his message - rejection as well as rejoicing. And really that’s just another way the disciples’ mission mirrors Jesus’ mission: Jesus was rejected too. If you’ve been with us a while, think back to his own hometown of Nazareth. His nearest and dearest. The friends he grew up with. And they laughed him out of town.

It’s amazing that people who have been given the gift of healing, the gift of deliverance, could be rejected by a town - but it’s true nonetheless. Part of being on the pitch is facing rejection. Just like part of playing rugby is getting whacked down to the ground. It’s part and parcel of their mission.

Part of being on the pitch is facing rejection. Just like part of playing rugby is getting whacked down to the ground. It’s part and parcel of their mission.

Well, I’ve said I like to ask questions - if you’ve been with us before, you’ll know I like to ask this question too: “so what?” So Jesus sent out his twelve special apostles on some mission thousands of years ago and far away. Big deal. What does that have to do with you or me, with our here and now? So what?

So what?

I think the single biggest thing this passage shows us is that following Jesus is not a spectator sport.

Sure, it’s just those key twelve who Jesus calls up here in what we’ve read - but as we’ll see, this call expands. 72 are called to join Jesus in his mission in the very next chapter. Ultimately, every disciple is called to join Jesus in his mission.

This book of Luke closes with Jesus addressing all his disciples, gathered together in hiding after his death. He tells them that they are all to be his witnesses, calling people to turn away from wrong and embrace the forgiveness and restoration with God available through Jesus. That they are all going to be carriers of this message beginning at Jerusalem - but ultimately reaching all nations.

Now that first generation of disciples didn’t make it to the ends of the earth - but as they made disciples, as they passed on his message, they also passed on his mission. Because disciples aren’t spectators. Jesus’ message calls us into Jesus’ mission.

This message calls us into this mission.

You see, Jesus isn’t just about sorting things out between us and God so we can mind our own business and get on with our lives. Jesus is about restoring and transforming us as he draws us into his mission. Jesus is making disciples - not just converts.

So what about you?

he’s making disciples not converts

Have you heard Jesus’ message? Have you had a chance to consider it? If not, we’re so glad you’re hear and we would love you to stick with us. As we keep working through Luke’s gospel week by week, we’ll see Jesus make his message plain - forgiveness and restoration for people who’ve turned away from God - and ultimately he’ll show us how it’s possible through his own death in our place.

a. Jesus’ mission is unique - but notice just how closely the disciples’ mission mirrors his

Have you heard this message - perhaps many times - but rejected it? Jesus tells his disciples here he and his message will be rejected - and they should respond with a warning. So if that’s you, rejecting this message, I have to leave you with a warning.

Jesus walked the earth two thousand years ago bringing mercy and grace to us from God. He offered pardon, cleansing from all our wrongs. He offered a path back towards God through his own death. This door of forgiveness stands open just now. But it won’t always be that way.

God has set a day when Jesus will return to judge the earth. And this time anyone who has not taken shelter in what Jesus has done will face the white hot wrath of a God who has been spurned. Tomorrow could be that day. Tomorrow could be your last day. Please don’t ignore this warning.

Still a spectator?

Perhaps you’ve heard Jesus’ message and responded to it, embraced Jesus’ free offer of new life, but you’re still really a spectator when it comes to Jesus’ mission.

Perhaps that’s because this is still new for you and you just don’t feel like you’re ready to engage with this idea yet. Jesus does seem to have given his disciples some time as spectators here before calling them onto the pitch.

Perhaps you’ve watched others jump into this mission and you feel that’s fine for them - but it’s not for you: people are different, right, they have different personalities, different gifts.

Perhaps you’re in a really difficult place just now, and this feels like a time where you’re hanging on desperately for yourself, just about keeping things together, and in no position to reach out to others.

Perhaps you just don’t know what it could really mean for someone like you to join Jesus’ mission - do you have to become a street preacher? a missionary to Africa? Maybe you just can’t imagine this actually being compatible with your real life.

Perhaps you just don’t seem to have any opportunity to engage with Jesus’ mission - your friends aren’t interested; your colleagues are just colleagues - no real connections, no real opportunities.

Perhaps you’ve tried this before and nothing has happened. You and your message have been rejected. And you feel like that’s how it will always be.

Perhaps you’ve tried this before and nothing has happened. And you feel like that’s how it will always be.

Perhaps you’ve watched others jump into this mission and you feel that’s fine for them - but it’s not for you: people are different, right, they have different personalities, different gifts.

As a church, if you’ve been with us a while, hopefully you’ll know Jesus’ mission is a big thing for us. We try and talk about it a lot. We try and think hard about how all of us can be engaged in it - while recognising we’re all different people in different situations.

We want to be a church where each of us, everyday, everywhere we find ourselves, with everyone around us, are trying to take small steps forward in pursuit of Jesus’ mission. Because we think the Bible shows us this is fundamental to being a disciple of Jesus.

If you struggle with this idea of engaging with Jesus’ mission, why not give our evening gatherings a shot - even just for a few weeks? As a part of each Sunday evening we try and get really practical, thinking through realistic and meaningful ways each of us can be a part of Jesus’ mission - small steps, doable steps, but steps that can really make a difference to those around us who are still living in darkness.

This passage tells us we should be encouraged in our mission - because just as Jesus empowered these first disciples, he still empowers us with his Holy Spirit. He knows - and I hope we know too - that we need his power for this mission - that’s why after he had risen he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for “power from on high” before beginning their mission - power that every Christian now has.

We should be urgent in our mission - not delaying, thinking we always need just a bit more preparation first: I’ll be ready when … I’ll be ready when. We have all we need in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The time to go is now. While there is still time for the message to be received.

We should persevere in our mission - because we know sometimes we’ll be rejected just like these first disciples Jesus’ sent out - but at the same time, sometimes Jesus’ message will be received. And Jesus’ plan is to multiply his disciples. So we hope to see those that receive his message also come and join his mission.

b. You're empowered for this mission by the Holy Spirit

Following Jesus is not a spectator sport - so get in the game.

b. You're empowered for this mission by the Holy Spirit

c. But still you're dependent in it - some receive and support; others reject

you don’t have everything you need - and that’s by design

not everyone is going to receive this - and that’s not a surprise or failure

2. There's a warning for those rejecting Jesus' message - but still time to change

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