MULTIPLYING MINISTRY
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for all you have done that enables me to tell others about you.
Read LUKE 9:1-9
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
7 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, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Do you sometimes feel discouraged about the impact that your life, or church, is having? If only Jesus could be doing the ministry in person, he would surely have a more significant impact! What is Jesus calling you to do?The twelve disciples had been with Jesus, but now it was their time to be sent out by him. They got to do his ministry of making lives whole and pointing people to the purposes of God. There is a definite tone of humility in the instructions Jesus gave. They were to depend on God and live frugally (v 3). Perhaps their manner and their ministry were intended to reflect the character of God revealed in Jesus.
The disciples spread the word, and word certainly spread. In verses 7-9, we see that even the palace was stirred by what they heard. Herod, the regional royalty, heard about the ministry of the twelve. But notice: what was everyone talking about? Not the twelve, but Jesus. This is how good ministry works. As followers of Jesus represent Jesus in what they do and how they do it, society is moved to consider Jesus.
‘Who is this Jesus?’ This is the question that should be on everyone’s lips!
Apply
Pray for God to stir your motivation to represent Jesus in today’s world. Pray that as you and others seek to do Jesus’ work with Jesus’ humility, the whole of society would be stirred to think about Jesus.
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, in all that am, in all that I say and do, help me to reflect who Jesus is and encourage others to follow him.
Book and Author Intros
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