Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

     Jesus was the greatest teacher that ever lived, and by

observing his teachings and methods we can learn to improve as

teachers and as students. As a teacher Jesus first preached to

the crowds, then from out of the crowds he received disciples

(disciplined learners.) Next He chose from among His disciples 12

to become Apostles (ambassadors), and trained them more

thoroughly. When they were trained, He sent them out on a limited

mission and then finally He sent them out unto all the world.

     As students we can learn to progress from curious onlookers

to increasingly more active roles. First as disciples, and then

on toward total commitment as ambassadors.

     Where ever you are in your relationship with Christ,

remember your goal is to draw closer to Jesus and to become more

and more like Him in your thinking and actions.

     At this time kneel before the Father and pray with me. I'll

start and you can finish.



     Holy father we want to learn from you every day, teach us

how to become like your Son Jesus so that we may bring glory to

you ---Amen.



     Open your Bibles to Mark 6:7-13, and read the text through

several times.



verse 7

     The call, the message, the mission, the method, and the

authority all come from Jesus. To have a fruitful ministry we

must constantly review all these areas of our work to insure that

we are faithful. Remember success is Not measured in numbers but

in faithfulness.

     Jesus sent His Apostles out two by two, it is a mistake to

go it alone if there is any opportunity to share your work with

another. I always recommend that men work with men and women with

women to keep safe from temptation, unless the team is a husband

and his wife. 

     

verse 8-9

     Jesus sends out the twelve with no preparation for the

journey except sandals and a staff. The sandals would protect

their feet on the long road and the staff was The Multipurpose

Tool of the traveler, it served as a walking stick, a crutch to

lean on, a pry bar, a yoke to carry with, and a weapon against

the threat of man or beast. For food shelter and clothing, the

Apostles would learn to trust in God as he opened and closed

doors. This was not a guarantee that they would never suffer

exposure, hunger, nakedness, and poverty, it was simply an

exercise in trusting God to both know their needs, and meet them.



verse 10-11

     The Apostles would enter a town and begin to preach their

message in the public square. If the townsfolk  welcomed their

teaching and invited them to stay and speak again, they were to

accept the first invitation they received for lodging, and stay

there. They were not to shop around and wait for the most

luxurious quarters. They were on a mission, NOT a vacation! What

an important lesson to learn, in Jesus' day as in our own, many

religious leaders demand to be treated like royalty before they

are willing to serve. What would Jesus and the Apostle Paul say

to such as these?

     If the town rejected the Message, the Apostles were to shake

the dust off their sandals. This was an ancient expression of

destain and scorn and it said, "You are responsible for the

consequences you will suffer for your unbelief."



verse 12-13

     Their message centered around repentance, an idea that many

seem to shy away from these days, and they used the authority

that Jesus gave them to cast out demons. They also ministered to

the sick by anointing them with oil, the only medicine they knew,

and healed them by the Power of The Holy Spirit.

     As Christians we should never forget that our hearers needs

may be physical as well as spiritual and that Jesus always

ministered to All the needs of his hearers. We must always be

willing to do what we can to help those in need, only then can we

manifest the love of Christ.



                                   Love in Christ



                                   Greg Spencer



                                   gspencer@omnifest.uwm.edu