Mark 6:7-13 Sent by Jesus 7/5/15

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1 Mark 6:7-13 Sent by Jesus 7/5/15 Since we are worshipping today on the Independence Day weekend, I thought it might be interesting to compare what things cost in 1776 with what they cost now However, since we were still using the British pound as our currency in 1776, the comparisons did not make much sense - In addition, as the war dragged on, the colonies began printing a vast amount of paper money, about $450 million, to cover costs, causing extreme inflation That inflation, combined with shortages resulting from British blockades, made the prices of many goods rise significantly - Things were a little more stable by 1800 when you could buy a pound of coffee for 25 or build a mansion for $8,000 In 1822, ten pounds of sugar went for 20 - In 1823, in Sumter, South Carolina, 400 acres was sold for $ In 1853, brand new homes in Brooklyn, New York were selling for $2,500 In more recent years, some of us may be old enough to remember our country s 200th anniversary in At that time, you could mail a letter for 13, buy a loaf of bread for 30, or a gallon of milk for $ Gasoline in those days was only 59 a gallon 1 If you can remember the late 1970 s you probably also remember that our economy was not very stable - By the time that decade ended, we were waiting in long lines at the gas station to pay more than a dollar a gallon - And the cost of everything we ate or wore had at least doubled As we celebrate the 239th anniversary of our country declaring its independence this weekend, there are no doubts that they have been years of change - Not only prices, but social conditions, technology, and even society s values have radically changed 1 Historical price data gleaned from: and Page 1

2 The one thing that has not changed in all those years is the need that people have to hear about Jesus - And the free gift of salvation offered to those who accept Him as their savior If we want to impact our world - Leading someone to Jesus Christ is the best way to do that - Changed lives will result in a changed world - And our Savior Jesus is in the way to change a life In today s Gospel reading, we heard of Jesus sending His disciples out to minister to others - In it we have more than just a history lesson - We have very practical advice for us to use when we share Jesus with others in the 21st Century Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 2 If all of us just talk about Jesus within the four walls of our beautiful Church building - It is rather doubtful that our message will spread very fast - Like the disciples, we are sent out by our Lord - To witness to our faith - And tell others about the Salvation we have found in Jesus In our passage, the disciples have been given power over impure spirits - They have been empowered by Jesus - Perhaps you are thinking that this is fine for them; they walked with Jesus every day But think of who these men were - They were the same men who constantly made mistakes, sometimes big mistakes - They just didn t seem to get it - Even by Good Friday, some just did not seem to have a clue about what was going on, or even who Jesus is So if these disciples could go out to share the faith - We can too - Even before we become fully mature in the faith we can share Jesus with others - We just need to love the Lord - And have a desire for others to know Him too 2 Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quoted has been taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc., (Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI) Page 2

3 Jesus sent the disciples out 2 by 2 - We also work better in groups - This is not meant to discourage us from ministering alone - Many souls have been added to God s Kingdom through one on one efforts Yet, the Church works better with more than one - I could probably stand here and preach this message to an empty Church building - But it would not be very useful In addition, we all have different gifts - When we gather together as the Church, our gifts are combined - Creating a powerful organization As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, in Romans 12:6-8, We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Mark 6:8-9 These were his instructions: Take nothing for the journey except a staff no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Jesus speaks against materialism time and time again - It would be hard to picture our Lord in a Maserati, when a Ford or a Chevy would do I also hear a caution in these verses for a Church with a multi-million dollar facility - But with no money available to help the needy Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. echoed Jesus feelings when he desired that our country should be a land where (people) will not take necessities from many to give luxuries to the few 3 Yet, also notice that Jesus did not send the disciples out naked - You discover in these verses that they had a staff, tunic, and sandals - Our Lord does not prohibit us from having the necessities of life 3 A Testament of Hope, The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., James Melvin Washington, editor, 1986 by Coretta Scott King, (Harper Collins, NYC, NY) - Adapted to use inclusive language Page 3

4 But if we have an over abundance - While others have nothing - Our ability to share the faith becomes limited - If that is the case, perhaps our faith has not changed us very much Mark 6:11, in the New King James reads, And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! 4 Obviously not everyone the disciples shared the Gospel with became radical followers of Jesus - Sometimes entire cities refused to listen to them The same holds true for us today - It would be nice if everyone we shared Jesus with would instantly want Him for their Savior - Sadly, however, not everyone will listen In that case, Jesus said, if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them 5 My Life Application Bible notes that, Pious Jews shook the dust from their feet after passing through Gentile cities or territory to show their separation from Gentile influences and practices When the disciples shook the dust from their feet after leaving a Jewish town, it was a vivid sign that they wished to remain separate from people who had rejected Jesus and his message - Jesus made it clear that all who heard the gospel were responsible for what they did with it The disciples were not to blame if the message was rejected, as long as they had faithfully and carefully presented it - We are not responsible when others reject Christ s message of salvation, but we do have the responsibility to share the Good News clearly and faithfully 6 4 The Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1979, 1980, 1982, (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN) 5 from Mark 6:11 6 Life Application Bible, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2012 (Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL) Page 4

5 What is important is that we make the effort - That we live lives that reflect Jesus - So people can look at us - And know there is something special about those of us who follow Jesus Our Scriptures call us to be people who share the Good News with others - We too are sent out by Jesus - To tell others of His love - To share the way of Salvation - And to invite others to be a part of the Church - Where they may continue to grow in the faith It is the responsibility of those we share with to act on what they hear and see - As the Lord told Ezekiel in Ezekiel 2:5 And whether they listen or fail to listen for they are a rebellious people they will know that a prophet has been among them A poor Scottish farmer by the name of Fleming was working in his field one day when he heard a cry coming from a nearby bog. Immediately he dropped his tools and rushed toward the sound of the cries. When he got to the bog, he saw a terrified young boy trying to fight his way out of the thick black muck, with very little success. Farmer Fleming waded into the bog, grabbed the young boy, and saved him from what might have been a slow and painful death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Fleming s small, rundown farmhouse. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. I want to repay you said the nobleman. You saved my son s life. No, I cannot accept payment for what I did, Fleming replied. At that moment, a young boy came to the door of the farmhouse. Is that your son? the nobleman asked. Yes, replied the farmer. Page 5

6 I have a proposition for you, the nobleman continued. Let me take your son with me and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he will grow to be a man you can be proud of. Knowing what an expensive education could mean for his son, Farmer Fleming accepted the offer. In time, his son graduated from St. Mary s Hospital Medical School in London and became known throughout the world as Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin. But that s not the end of the story. Years later, the nobleman s son was stricken with pneumonia. His life was saved by... you guessed it... penicillin. The nobleman s name was Lord Randolf Churchill. His son s name was Winston. Perhaps you have heard of Winston Churchill. 7 The same way that farmer pulled the boy out of the black muck of the bog - So the Church, with our message of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ, can pull free those in this world who are lost in the black muck of sin Likewise, the farmer s actions had long reaching positive results - The same goes for the Church - When we are successful in leading someone to a New Life in Jesus - The good results are eternal Finally, do you think the farmer could have walked past the boy that day? - Knowing his life was in danger? - And hearing his cries for help? - No, of course not! Neither should the Church be able to pass by someone who is lost in the ways of this world - Without offering our Savior Jesus Today s invitation to Christian Discipleship is an invitation to be an evangelist - Go forth from here and share Jesus with someone 7 Hot Illustrations, 2001, (Youth Specialties, El Cajon, CA) Page 6