Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Luke 10. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Often we take this for granted, but the fact is that each of us has an agenda of important things to do. Some of these things have to do with making a living, doing our job. Some of these things have to do with care and support of family and other people we have relationships with. Some of these things have to do with what makes us happy, what makes life worth living.
- When we then hear that God has things for us to be doing, it sometimes seems as if these items are intruding into “WHAT REALLY MATTERS” in our lives. But then we consider that it is God Who is instructing and encouraging us, this may occasion somewhat of a debate within us as to “WHAT DOES REALLY MATTER.”
- In this account we see Jesus helping the disciples to sort some of this out – “WHAT REALLY MATTERS” – and what doesn’t. His instruction is still applicable and helpful to us! So let us first consider that:
I. If We Have A Word From Jesus, His Instruction, Then Let Us Do It
A. He Asserts That The Harvest Is Plentiful
Text: “The harvest is plentiful . . . go your way.”
B. The Laborers Are Few – We Should Pray For More
Text: “The laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
C. Let Us Do So, Even Though There Will Be Some Danger
Text: “I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
Statement: Now we are not sent out to Judean villages by “twos.” We do not have a specific commission to “go out” in Lafayette, Erie, Louisville, or Longmont. However, we do have the church’s general instruction from Jesus, to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” And the harvest is still plentiful, and there remains a need for laborers!
Application: So we too have opportunity to speak Christ’s grace and salvation to others, and to support those who do so as a full time vocation! And perhaps the Lord may still use some of us to “go out into the harvest,” whether as young men or as “second career” pastors and teachers. But we must be aware that:
II. Our Labor For Christ Will Have Mixed Results
A. Our Attempts At Restoration – As Paul Encourages In The Epistle – Will Have Mixed Results
Gal. 6:1,2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
B. Our Witness To Christ, Our Speaking Of The Gospel, And Our Acts Of Mercy – Will Have Varied Results
Text: “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”
Epistle: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
C. But We Need To Remember That Our Speaking, After All, Is Christ’s Word
Text: “The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me, and the one who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me.”
Statement: This is “WHAT REALLY MATTERS.” We have Christ’s Word, expressing His will and concern. Though the results may be mixed, God’s will is done, and some will come to faith, and become people of peace, and be saved!
Application: This matters – even in relation to the other important things that we do, because it has to do with the eternal life and the salvation of God’s dear human beings. And though there will be challenge and danger:
III. We Know That God Will Always Preserve us
A. Yes, There Will Be Unbelievers
Text: “Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”
B. But Some Will Believe Through Our Witness
Rom. 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.”
C. Always, Our Joy Is In What Really Matters – Not The Results Of Our Labors But In What God Has Done For Us
Text: The seventy-two returned with joy, saying ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name!’ And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’”
Statement: These are pretty remarkable powers that the Lord has bestowed upon us – “authority . . . over all the power of the enemy.” I can see rejoicing over this authority that we are privileged to execute, and the safety of God’s protection! These are powers and gifts given also to you – in addition to all the abilities God has given you for your vocation, your work, and your personal obligations!
Application: But these spiritual gifts and tasks are the higher priority, of greater importance, and “WHAT REALLY MATTERS” in our lives. I am not discounting the other great responsibilities that we are privileged to undertake for the Lord in caring for our family and loved ones. But Jesus is clear with His disciples as to “WHAT REALLY MATTERS.”
Conclusion: We have a Word from Jesus! We have a description of some of the dangers and difficulties we will face. We know that our efforts will yield mixed results. But we also know the positive results are of huge importance, especially to God.
More than that, we know that our names have already been written in heaven, and that our worth, our value to God, and our eternal future does not depend on what we do, or how well we do it – but upon God, His gracious love and kindness!
And that is “WHAT REALLY MATTERS.” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.