Mission
Notes
Transcript
ME
I want to start off with some interactivty this morning.
When I say the word Mission, what comes to mind?
When I say the word Mission, what comes to mind?
type it in the chat.
(30 seconds)
And as you know this is pre-recorded I can’t read your answer. But my live self might be responding to you.
WE
Now let me ask a second question.
Why is mission so challenging?
Why is mission so challenging?
(30 seconds)
Keep this in mind as we dive into Jesus’ Mission this morning.
GOD
We are on our seventh message in this eight part series on Jesus in Galilee, looking at the major themes in the Gospel of Mark. We hope to learn not only that Jesus is the son of God who has the authority as king to bring in the kingdom of God, but also how we are to live as his disciples in this kingdom reality. We have explored the themes of Gospel Announced, Calling Disciples, Forgiveness, Healing, Confrontation, Kingdom, and next week Tim will conclude our series with the theme of Identity, Jesus’ identity. Today we are going to look at a familiar commissioning story. When Jim spoke about the message way back in our second message, we know at the very least five disciples were called, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Levi. What we didn’t get to explore in Mark 3:13-19 is how the five became twelve.
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus chose whom he desired on a mountain. These are the the twelve who are to a) to be with him, b) preach, and c) cast out demons. In both v. 14, 16 there’s the mention of the twelve. That’s quite intentional. Notice that there are also the twelve tribes of Israel, first recorded in Genesis. Jesus is reconstituting a new Israel, with Him as the messianic king by authority. Where Israel has failed to live up to their covenant to represent a community where God would be in their midst, Jesus is now giving all Israel a new chance to be that community again. And this brings us to today’s message. For over 5 chapters the disciples indeed were with him as they watched him challenge the scribes and pharisees, heal and show compassion to countless people who have been oppressed, teach about the kingdom of God in parables, even command the winds and waves! Now Jesus is ready for them to be like their master. Here’s our main point:
Jesus commisions his disciples with His authority and instruction to proclaim the kingdom of God in word and deed.
Jesus commisions his disciples with His authority and instruction to proclaim the kingdom of God in word and deed.
So with a digital or physical bible, turn with me to Mark, chapter 6, and we will begin in verse 6.
6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages teaching.
Just a brief context. Jesus went back to his hometown to try to bring the same kingdom message. The problem was that the people there were already familiar with Jesus while he was growing up and there is a saying that familiarity breeds contempt. So he was not able to do anything for them. Verse 6 started off with his amazement at their unbelief. This verse also reminds us about how arbitrarily these verse numbers are sometimes placed. The original bible has no verse numbers. In fact, it doesn’t even have any punctuation. Clearly 6b transitions from the previous story but should fit better as part of verse 7.
Our first point:
I. Disciples are commissioned by Jesus with his authority to live simply and dependent on God (7-9)
I. Disciples are commissioned by Jesus with his authority to live simply and dependent on God (7-9)
7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
There it is again, the twelve. The reconstituted tribes of Israel represented by each disciple. The anticipation of God’s kingdom and therefore, his inaugurated king! Through a series of actions and commands, Jesus prepares and instructs his disciples who have been with him to do likewise. He begins here with breaking down into six groups of twos. Why? The practical reason is for companionship, support and encouragement. But another reason is to validate their testimony in court according to Jewish laws, as in Deuteronomy 17:6. And we see this pattern of two by two well after Jesus has been resurrected with famous pairs like Peter and John or Paul and Silas in the book of Acts. Although in verse 7 casting out unclean spirits is singled out, clearly Jesus meant the broader scope of his ministry as we can see in verse 12-13. More on that later.
But it’s easy to just read past this part without noticing the significant gift as part of their preparation. Jesus gives the authority he has received from the Father to his disciples! Remember how important authority was. This was the issue that led to the challenges and confrontations between Jesus and his opponents. Who has the authority to heal or forgive but God? It’s blasphemous enough that Jesus doesn’t call in God’s name or teaches thus says the LORD, but by his own authority he heals and teaches. Now, with Jesus giving his disciples this authority, they are also endowed with the power to heal, to cast out demons, to teach about the kingdom. The religious authority’s troubles have just worsened twelvefold!
Live Simply and Dependently
Live Simply and Dependently
8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.
Jesus prepares not only the formation of the teams and the power to this mission but also the provisions necessary. It’s a thin list. The overarching principle is to travel light. A staff, for walking, sandals and one tunic (that would be the equivalent of a robe-like undershirt). That’s it. No bread which would have kept them going, no bag which could have helped them to beg or carry more provisions, and no money which could have given them the spending power to resupply. Jesus tells them to bring none of that. Their reliance as we will see are on two things: God’s provision and the hospitality of the receptive. Which is really just one thing, God’s provision through the hospitality of the receptive.
II. Disciples are to BE with the receptive as they proclaim the gospel in word and deed (10-13)
II. Disciples are to BE with the receptive as they proclaim the gospel in word and deed (10-13)
Live with them (10-12)
Live with them (10-12)
10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”
What is this instruction all about? Jesus is saying to rely on the hospitality of others and remain there until your mission is complete. But there will be those who will reject the message by just shutting the door in your face or just have no interest in hearing the message you are bringing. In other words, they will refuse to give hospitality. This would have been a huge anti-social behaviour in that culture. What’s implied is that there was a choice given, and the homeowner and their household chose deliberately not to repent or accept the message. Then the pair of disciples are to testify to this refusal by theJewish act of shaking off the dust on your feet. This action would mark that household as under judgment. Lest we think people weren’t given a proper chance, if by all that is said and done their heart is still hardened and they do not listen or let these wandering missionaries in, what more can the disciples do? Even if a miracle was performed in their house, would it be received as from God or like their master, accused of being from a demonic source?
12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.
Having received very clear instructions, we are told that these acts are part of the greater message of repentance. Again, Mark gives us the short version, but he is pointing to that declaration we all read and learned abou in the first message:
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Again, there is a choice to be made. Are you for this new kingdom where God has made his son King, one who rules with grace, compassion and mercy, especially for those who are ostracized and powerless? Or, will you continue to turn a blind eye to your sin, complicity and arrogance and side with the relgiious elites? The result:
Demonstrate the authority to heal and exorcise (13)
Demonstrate the authority to heal and exorcise (13)
13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Like master, like apprentice.
Like discipler, like disciples.
Like Jesus, like the twelve.
If you remove the word “they” with “he,” this verse would apply to Jesus and what he has been doing by his own authority. But the kingdom is now gaining ground, and Satan’s forces and territory, his grip on the lives of the oppressed has been loosened. But there is one more thing to look at before we complete the mission narrative. Mark diverges from the main story after this to explain about the complex story of John the Baptist’s fate at the hands of Herod, told in verses 14 to 29. John the Baptist calls out Herod for marrying his brother Phillip ’s wife Herodias. This leads to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, being beheaded. Then the story picks up for two more verses:
Restoration (30-31)
Restoration (30-31)
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Notice again they are not just the twelve but the apostles which we first see in Mark 3 earlier, i.e. the sent ones. In Mark 3 it was a future identity, now it has become who they are and will remain with them. And they would be known even to today as the apostles. Later on in the Bible in the book of Acts, the apostle Paul would be added to their ranks. This was because Paul had seen the risen Jesus and been commissioned to the mission of proclaiming the gospel in word and deed. Having reported about how they mimic their master, action by action, word by word, you would think Jesus would send them out for a greater harvest.
I know that’s what a lot of churches would do. You have the momentum, now keep going. Strike while the iron is hot! What are you waiting for? Don’t you care about lost souls? But Jesus surprises us again by telling them to rest. To find a place where no one can find you and be alone. Sleep if you have to. Or pray to the Father. Whatever you do, pause on your mission. This completes the mission narrative. What are we to make of it?
YOU
For the remaining few minutes, I want to use my own personal examples of mission to encourage you. Now I am not a missionary by any stretch of the imagination. What we commonly call a short-term mission at church can be more accurately described by those who are life-long missionaries as a brief vision trip. The longest I’ve gone is three months to the United Arab Emirates in 2005. The shortest is a two day over the weekend evangelistic meeting in Waterloo or Kingston. I have gone for almost a decade for a one week camp to Bloodvein, Manitoba in the indigenous reserves with Pathway Camp Ministries. These have been learning experience and opportunities to work with wonderful teams and interesting people.
A few stories from the my own experience would put some context to how we can apply these truths.
Prepare. Live Simply and Dependently. Live with them.
I still remember one year when we went to Pathway and was at the airport. No, this was not Winnipeg international, but a small airport that was going to take us across Lake Winnipeg to Bloodvein. The Pathway leader at the time, Rick, had a half mocking, half serious tone when he was commenting on some of the huge suitcases some of our team members brought. At the end it still fit into our five seater cesna plane somehow, but the space’s main purpose was to carry all the food and equipment. Because, att the end of the day it’s not for our luxury. This is not a vacation. It’s mission. We eat what the kids eat for lunch, whether it’s sloppy joes or hot dogs. We may have days without showers because there is a problem with the water. We sleep with our undershirt only in hot teachridges. And wake up still the next day for our 7:30 AM wake up call for devotions and breakfast.
When I was in Dubai, specifically Jebel Ali in 2005 and later in Sharjah, I had worship services on Friday morning. That’s when the locals meet in their mosque and it took quite a bit of time to get used to. Plus, it was in 40 degree heat. Basically, the minute you step out of the guest house or the pastor’s resident you are ready to take another shower. The heat is relentless. I chose not to drive a car because frankly I didn’t want to be a martyr in UAE traffic. How four cars are able to fit into three lanes I will never know. So I took a taxi most of the time and hung on for dear life. But I also got to talk to the drivers, most of whom were from India or the Philippines.
It was also common to pray as we left in the pastor’s car for safety. Speaking of my pastor homestay for three months, here’s how I was trained to share the gospel. We would be two- thirds away to the destination of either a sister’s small group or a construction worker’s gathering and Rev. Lau (and I can still hear his voice to this day) would say, “Freddy, can you share with them when we get there for half an hour?” And you can’t say no. You got to be ready to draw from maybe a devotion or passage you have read, to read the context, rely on the Spirit, and be ready to share. As I shared with a small group recently, this is how I was trained to share my testimony over and over again to different people and have slight variations and emphases according to the need. And I learned it’s not even how well I prepared, but how much the Spirit worked as people came up one by one and wanted to receive Jesus. The hunger for the gospel is so real!
Now whether it’s Bloodvein or Dubai, whether it’s a week or three months you feel so focused, so ready and wanting to tell everyone about Jesus. You feel bold, and confident. But I always wonder why it doesn’t take long when you come back to Toronto that something I call mission leak happens. It didn’t leak as fast after three months, but it still leaked. You know, when you get back to your normal routine.
So I just had a lunch with Rev. Ho and Shu from RHCCC this past Thursday at Good Catch Cafe. Pastor Shu who spoke to us early on in the pandemic in May of last year was chatting about what it means to be missional. I still distinctly remember what he said, though I paraphrase.
I was sharing the frustration of being a pastor and 99% of people I know are Christians. Where is the opportunity, I wondered, and I live in a condo. I knew these were excuses. His first suggestion was to tell me to get a dog. When I said that’s quite impossible in 606 sq ft. when I can barely take care of myself and my wife. He lamented.
“We lack the imagination to know how to reach out to our community.”
I knew what he means. It’s becoming increasing difficult to invite someone into church space. It’s intimidating because we don’t realize how much even the sunday service is becoming a very foreign experience to most people who have no history with the local church (even the term local church is Christianese). So as we talk about creating space for meeting, he further quips: “I feel like you almost need to tell people step by step what to do because it’s so unfamiliar.” Then I am reminded of today’s message and say, “well hospitality was a very important entry point in the early church.” Except it’s pretty creepy in a non-Middle Eastern context to just invite yourself into someone’s home. You can get arrested for that. Just over the week there was this bizarre case of some man who trespassed into a woman’s home, dressed in her dress and cooked a meal. He WAS arrested!
But perhaps we can go have a meal or coffee with our neighbour? And get to know them. And listen to their stories. Not to convert them, but allow the Spirit to work. At the very least you might gain a friend and new perspective from someone who isn’t a Christian. What do they care about? What’s their story? And Lord willing, they may also hear about your life as a Christian and thus a chance to choose Jesus. (And no, I am not going to shake the dust off my feet in front of their condo door if they reject the message). I want to commit myself this year to take this step with Shannon to get to know a young couple across from our condo.
We need the Spirit to stir our imagination of what could be.
Start with the personal, the relational.
Then when there’s trust we can invite them to our small group.
The time it takes for them to go to a small group won’t be instant, but are we willing to be with them, count the cost, and still be with them if they reject your message?
WE
I like to end this message with something I just happen to see on a tweet a few days ago by Shane Claiborne, quoted by civil activist , community developer and theologian John Perkins:
“Go to the people.
Live among them.
Learn from them.
Love them.
Start with what they know.
Build on what they have.
But of the best leaders, when their work is done...
the people will say:
“We have done it ourselves.””
The first part is exactly the affirmation I needed from God and modeled by Jesus. But the second part, is why Jesus and his kingdom mission prevails by the power of the Spirit from the motley crew of twelve bumbling and self-centered disciples to now. Jesus build on them until they own his mission and own his method, so much so it becomes second nature and we thought we came up with it.
May we MCBC do the same!
Let’s pray.