Sermon: 'Bringing the Joy to God's Heart' Jesus Sends them Out

Date Preached: Sunday July 8th 2007

Bible Reference: Luke Chapter 10, verses 1-24

I wonder if you’ve ever thought you’re capable of bring joy to God’s heart? What me?? Come off it!

Luke’s Gospel account is the only one that tells about the sending out of the seventy. It is also the only version that describes their joyous return and victory over the forces of darkness. Today’s passage reminds us that with our own faith comes the responsibility to join in sharing the good news of God’s grace with those who have not yet heard. Some will go great distances, others will be able to share with friends and neighbours, but we are all called to do something. Jesus didn’t leave the ministry to just the twelve. Neither does he leave the ministry today just to those who are ordained. It’s almost a year since I came to Waunarlwydd – with all sorts of trepidation and inadequacy – but one thing that’s been confirmed is the incredible talent that’s here. Which is why I haven’t tried to take on stuff that others do a good deal better than me; and it’s why I’ve challenged those that think that certain tasks are simply the vicar’s job. I was up at Brecon for last week’s ordination service – and it confirmed again that priests are to lead the people of God into holiness of life and to encourage the ministry of all God’s people. Have a close listen next Tuesday at the licensing, because the Bishop will remind me that I must help every member of Christ’s Church here to grow in the Christian life and discover and use the gifts of the Spirit.

Something that is particularly powerful to me in this passage when Luke says Jesus “rejoiced” upon hearing the report of the results of mission of the seventy. This is the only place in scripture where this particular word is used to describe the emotions of Jesus. It is mind-boggling to me to realize that we have the capacity to make God rejoice because of our faithful ministry.

So how can we bring Joy to the Lord’s Heart?”
When we respond to his call 
Jesus recruited seventy additional people for duty on the frontline. We aren’t told their names and we don’t know how or when Jesus selected them. But we do know that when Jesus called they were ready to go.
He tells them there’s much work to do, but not enough people to do it – working with kids – helping practically cleaning or working on the church grounds – giving generously to mission here.

Jesus knew that they would face opposition and danger in working for the kingdom – and he also conveys a sense of urgency by telling them to travel light – not to get bogged down

“Carry no purse or bag or sandals and greet no one on the road.” He isn’t telling the disciples to be rude to people, he’s warning then against engaging in the Jewish custom of long, elaborate and time-consuming greetings when meeting people on the road. He’s telling them to get on with what they’ve been called to do and not let anything turn them aside. In other words, “Don’t live cluttered lives or get so caught up in the social whirl that we forget the spiritual purpose for our existence!”

The principles of travelling light and the urgency of the task are timeless.
And the thing that can immobilize us today from spreading the gospel is the notion that there’s just too much work to do in God’s mission field, and there’s no way that my measly efforts will make any difference. (Ah ah!! that notion is so false!)

I’m sure you’ve heard the story about an old man, walking on the beach at dawn, who noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up with the youth, he asked what he was doing. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. ‘But the beach goes on for miles and miles, and there are millions of starfish,’ countered the man. ‘How can your effort make any difference?’ The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to safety in the waves. ‘It makes a difference to this one,’ he said.”

In the days of Christ’s ministry on the earth the labourers were “few” and they still are today. And isn’t is difficult to ask God to send someone else without first saying, “Lord, send me?” Praying is often getting our minds into cooperation with God – so it becomes difficult to pray regularly for someone close to us – or a neighbour, a friend and not be moved to actually do something. We cannot help but be moved to be the “someone” that God might use.

The message itself was simple, it’s reiterated: the disciples are instructed to convey the message that “the kingdom of God has come near to you”. The message then and now, is of God’s kingdom, that is, “his right to reign and rule in our lives.” Jesus the King is coming! God’s kingdom is very near. The kingdom of God is to be understood as near as the daybreak is imminent at the end of the night. Those who accept Jesus as their own Lord not only become a part of the kingdom of God but the kingdom of God becomes part of them. They not only enter the Kingdom of God but the Kingdom of God enters them. So there’s a call to be answered – and a consequence if we don’t that for some reason isn’t included in our reading which skips some verses – but Jesus completes his thoughts in verse sixteen by saying, “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me – and the One who sent me.” So we don’t take it personally – but it must be said that unfortunately, sometimes the Gospel in rejected because of the obnoxiousness or lack of love with which it is presented. People sometimes reject Jesus because of Christians – may that never be true of us.

We don’t know how long the seventy were gone, where they went, or how people responded in each place. But we do the high spirits they returned in, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." These disciples were overjoyed that have been used as instruments of God’s power.

Jesus uses figurative language when he tells the seventy that they had authority over spiritual enemies illustrated by “serpents and scorpions.” And then cautions them to not go on rejoicing only over the outwardly spectacular victories, but rather to rejoice because their names are written down in heaven. The disciples need to remember that while it is true that they will be with the Lord forever, it is not because of anything they have contributed but because of his grace. They must never forget that they are not fundamentally different from those to whom they are carrying the message of the gospel. No sense of superiority here – just one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.

So what did Jesus see, and what does it mean – I watched satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning? Although it’s probable that Jesus is speaking about the past, he knew and could assure the 70 that their work was indeed part of the great victory began in the desert and which he was going to complete on the cross. I believe that Jesus would say the same to us today when we see people coming to faith in him; when we give of our money and time to help mission in the world; when the kids here feel loved and special; when we welcome new folks into church; and when we forgive someone who’s wronged us – because these are all signs of the kingdom breaking in. 

What a privilege we have being involved in God’s work. As I said at the beginning, how mind-boggling it is to realize that we have the capacity to make God happy by being faithful in our ministry.
Luke tell us that Jesus’ joy causes him break into a prayer of thanksgiving. ".. I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes.”

The truth didn’t – and doesn’t - go only to the “wise and intelligent” but is something for any humble heart to receive. He rejoices because the understanding of that truth did not and does not depend on natural abilities or education. One of the gravest forms of spiritual deception is the idea that superior knowledge or intellectual capacity gives anyone a spiritual advantage. What did Jesus say when the disciples were wrangling about who was the greatest? – he placed a child in the middle and said this is what you need to be like.