“Authority” Luke 10:1-12, 17-21

Introduction:  Luke 9 Jesus sends out the Twelve.  In Luke 10 he expands the ministry to seventy-two.

(2 Corinthians 5:20) Ambassadors and (1 Corinthians 4:1) servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries

Part III of Highview’s mission statement: “To send each one out to do His (God’s) will.”

I.        The Mission

A.     (v1) “The Lord appointed seventy-two and sent them on ahead of him…”

1.      In pairs (support and accountability)

2.      He sent them ahead of him to the towns “where he was about to go.”

B.     (v2) “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.”

1.      True then and true now.  Few heed the call of Christ, and fewer yet pick up cross and serve.

2.      “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

**3.   Prayer for our missionaries and future harvesters.

II.       Travel Instructions

A.     (v3) “I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

1.      Dangerous and vulnerable position.  How contrary to our risk-free, save Christianity

2.      (v4) Take no extra provisions: “no wallet (purse), no backpack, no shoes…”

3.      (v8) “Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.”

B.     (v19) “Behold, I have given you authority…”

1.      “…to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.”

2.      (v9) “Heal the sick and say, ‘The kingdom of God has come near.’”

III.      The Return

A.     (v17) “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

1.      Many Christians remain unaware that there exists a spiritual

2.      Others fail to understand the key to winning that battle is to engage it in Jesus’ name.

B.     (v20) “Do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Conclusion:   Who will go?  Who will care?  Who will teach Sunday school and children’s church?  Who will be our first person on the mission field?  Who will write and hose and pray for our missionaries?  Who will be an ambassador for Christ at the work place?  Who will visit the prisons and nursing homes taking the word of Christ with them?  Who will host neighbors for Bible study?  Who will refuse to sit and watch others do the work while the harvest withers for lack of attention?