ETERNAL PURPOSE
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits... So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them,” (Mark 6:7, 12-13, ESV).
Theme: We can follow Jesus’ example with the twelve disciples to learn how to invest in and train up others.
GOD’S PURPOSE
The first people we read about in the Old Testament are Adam and Eve. Their sin ushered disease and death into the world . Since then, throughout the Old Testament, we read stories of events and people that spanned thousands of years. These stories passed from one person to the next and were written down to reveal who God is and what He is up to. Those stories ultimately point to Jesus (John 1:45; 5:46).
JESUS’ PURPOSE
Jesus spent His life healing the sick and performing many miracles. He pushed back and reversed the effects of the Fall. He demonstrated that He was indeed the promised Messiah they were all looking for, promised throughout the Old Testament. Yet healing was not His primary purpose; it was to call people to repent (Matthew 4:17, Luke 2:1-12).
Jesus lived with the disciples, invested in them, taught them, and then sent them out. Jesus gave power to His disciples to heal the sick and to preach repentance of sin and belief in Jesus for salvation. He reiterated God’s plan to redeem the world (John 3:16) first promised in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15).
OUR PURPOSE
The arc of God’s plan has been carried out from generation to generation over thousands of years. God sent out Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, prophets, and others, revealing Himself and His plan of salvation, until finally He sent Jesus out of heaven into the world so we could be brought back to Him. We are called and sent out, just like the disciples, to share the promise of salvation in Jesus. The way we demonstrate that we know Him is by the love and care we demonstrate for others (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Make it Personal: Maybe you are at a place where you need someone to invest in you. Pray and ask for help from someone you trust. Or consider joining a life group. Maybe you feel too messed up to be “sent out.” Remember Peter? His calling by Jesus to build His church was not canceled when he failed. The Gospel is for messed up people! Join us on Tuesday evenings where I lead and serve with Celebrate Recovery, where you can be mentored and then trained to mentor others. Finally, remember that Jesus came to provide more than abilities like casting out demons. He instructed the disciples about what is most important: “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!' ...[Jesus said] 'Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven,'” (Luke 10: 17, 20 ESV).
Prayer: Father, You sent Jesus, who poured His life out into mine. Help me to see that so I can be free to pour out my life to those who You call me to. Help our church hear Your calling to go out into our community so others can be brought into Your kingdom till Jesus returns. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:1-2; 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12
Weekly Memory Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20, ESV