Sermon # 55 Luke
Sermons
Title: Are
there any like these left?
Text: Luke 9:1-6
Subject: The Work of the Ministry
Date: Sunday Evening –
Tape # W-45a
Introduction:
[Luke
9:1-6] "Then he called his twelve
disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to
cure diseases. [2] And he sent them to preach the
As I began to prepare my
message for this even, I read those words, thought about them a good bit, and
asked myself this question: -- “Are there any like these left?” That is the
title of my message. -- Are there
any like these left? I am fearful that the answer is too obvious
to be alarming.
I
know this: -- Along with the ministries of the evangelist, and the pastor/teacher,
the New Testament speaks of the ministries of the prophet and the apostle. I am
fully aware that, strictly speaking, The prophetic
office ceased with John the Baptist and the apostolic office ceased with the
apostles. There are none today who have the supernatural gifts of either the
prophets or the apostles. No matter what the charismatics claim to the
contrary, there none today who…
·
Have a new or fuller word of revelation
from God.
·
Have the gift of performing miraculous
works.
·
Have the gift of tongues.
Yet,
in the sense that the apostles were men who had seen the Lord, men who were
chosen, taught and sent out by Christ as his messengers, all true Gospel
preachers are apostles, messengers of God to the souls of men.
The
ministry of a prophet is more difficult to grasp. It is very hard to find
anything being said or written today, that is worth hearing or reading about
the work and ministry of a prophet. It is, in many ways, a mystery,
ministry that is known by all who hear a prophet’s voice, but a ministry no one
seems to have words to define.
I know the old
definition: -- "A prophet today is a forthteller rather than a
foreteller." We generally apply those words to preachers as spokesmen for
God. But Ephesians 4 speaks of the prophet as a distinct gift of the risen
Christ to his church. A pastor is God’s appointed teacher in the congregation
he serves, God’s messenger to that assembly. A faithful pastor both instructs
men and women in the Word of God, preaching the gospel to them and does the
work of an evangelist, seeking the salvation of men’s souls everywhere and
endeavoring to establish gospel churches where none are found.
I want, in all these
things, to be a good, faithful pastor to you, by the grace of God. But I must
acknowledge that I covet this as well. I want to serve you and serve my
generation as a prophet. There have never been many prophets; there are few
today; but I have, I believe, had the privilege of knowing, hearing, and
walking with two or three in my day. (Rolfe Barnard, Henry Mahan, Harry Graham.
But never was the need greater and the supply smaller
than it is in our day.
Someone, I don’t know
who, once described a prophet like this: -- “The prophet is a voice in
the wilderness. It is his business to sound the trumpet, proclaim the
ideal, not work on details or set up a program. He does not devise ways and
means. Others are gifted along that line. He does not belong on boards and
committees. He is a solitary soul and does his best work alone. He is no
parrot, puppet or promoter. He is nothing but a prophet, and if he tries to be
anything else he is an embarrassment to himself and to everybody else.
He is not popular with politicians either in state or church. He is not cowed
by dignitaries, and will call Herod a fox if occasion demands. He is an
unreconstructed rebel, an odd number in a day of regimentation. He has no more
patience with mere religion than Isaiah had when he thundered or Amos when he
called on
We are looking for
scholars, specialists, socializers, showmen. We need some seers who, like
Isaiah, have seen God in His holiness, themselves in their sinfulness, and the
land in its uncleanness. The prophet does not pack the house, nor
produce impressive statistics. He may get but poor response, but whether
they hear or not, his listeners will know that a prophet hath been among them.
People do not crowd churches to hear prophets. An age of ear-itch seeks not
troublers of
The Prophet is not
popular with the Pharisees. "Which of the prophets have not your
fathers persecuted?" "Ye are the children of them that killed
the prophets." So said the greatest of the prophets
to the Pharisees of His day. From Abel to Zacharias, He said, prophets
have been stoned while living and honored when dead. Be not misled by
monuments; they may be the gesture of one generation to cover up the crimes of
their fathers.
The Prophet is
not popular at home. In all four gospels we read our Lord's
pronouncement, "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country
and in his own house." Strange that any modern
prophet should expect to fare better than his Lord.
But prophets do
have their reward, and so do those who befriend them, even with a cup of cool
water. God will not overlook the "prophets chamber," where his unpopular
servants have been made to feel at home. There have not been many candidates for
Elijah's mantle. His path is not easy. There are many ways of getting rid of
prophets. John the Baptist's head is not brought in on a charger these days,
there are smoother and more adroit ways of hushing up lone dissenters like
Micaiah these days. Some can even be promoted into silence. Success has stopped
some mouths when persecution failed.
Like John the
Baptist the prophet is out to pull down the high
places, build up low places and make a way for the Lord. His business is not
interpretation but application. He does not lecture on mustard,
he makes a mustard poultice and lays it next to the trouble. Others may
comfort when afflicted, but he must afflict the comfortable. We are
trying to accomplish now by pep, publicity, propaganda, and promotion what once
was done by preaching. The woods are full of trained personnel, but none of
these things can save us if the prophets disappear.
Any young Elisha in
line for Elijah's mantle will need the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child,
and the hide of a rhinoceros. He may irk those who like to preserve the status
quo, for he is a disturber of Israel, but no one else can take his place in the
divine economy…There is not much prospect as to pay, promotion, or prestige.
But there has always been "yet one man" who will scorn the
hatred of Ahab and seek the honor of God.”
Here, in Luke 9:1-6, the Lord
Jesus Christ sent out his twelve disciples, the twelve apostles, as God’s
messengers to eternity bound men and women, to do the work of prophets. He sent
them forth to preach the gospel. These twelve men were the first men to be sent
forth in this gospel age as God’s messengers to men.
Proposition: The instructions our Lord gave to these men
tell us plainly what the work of the ministry is and what is expected of any
man God puts into the work.
I have no idea why the Lord
has given me this message; but I am sure he has given it to me for you. So
listen, and ask God the Holy Spirit to apply the message to your own heart and
life. I have already preached the message to myself. I hope the Lord has truly
taught me something about myself and that he has taught me something about what
is involved in this great work to which he has sent me. As we look at these six
verses of Scripture, I want to simply echo in your hearing what the Lord spoke
to my heart by them. In these six verses the Son of God tells those men whom he
sends forth what those men who speak to men in God’s stead must be and do. I
will give you my message in seven statements.
I. Those men who are sent
of God to preach the gospel are men who possess a God given authority to do
their work.
[Luke
9:1] "Then he called his twelve
disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to
cure diseases."
I am not talking about
trumped up authority and power, demagoguery, or religious showmanship. Our Lord
gives his messengers power and authority, -- power and authority by which they
prevailed over Satan, the influence of hell, and the havoc of sin in the lives
of men. What is this power? What is this authority? Let me give your four
answers.
A. The power and authority Christ gives
his servants is the power and authority of the gospel we preach.
[1
Thessalonians 1:2-5] "We give
thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; [3] Remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in
our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; [4] Knowing,
brethren beloved, your election of God. [5] For our gospel came not unto
you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much
assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."
[Romans 1:15-16] "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to
preach the gospel to you that are at
[Hebrews
4:12] "For the word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the
dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
[John
12:32] "And I, if I be lifted up
from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
B. It is the power and authority of the
anointing and unction of God the Holy Spirit upon the man by whom he speaks.
[1
Corinthians 2:1-5] "And I,
brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency
of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. [2] For
I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much
trembling. [4] And my speech and my preaching was
not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit
and of power: [5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God."
C. The power and authority by which
God’s servants speak is the power and authority that arises from confident
faith.
[Galatians
1:11-12] "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not
after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it,
but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
[2
Timothy 1:9-12] "Who hath saved us,
and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel: [11] Whereunto I am
appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. [12] For
the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against
that day."
D. This power and authority, which only
God himself can give to a man, is the power and authority of true meekness.
·
The Meekness of Noah in His Generation
·
The Meekness of Moses before Pharaoh
·
The Meekness of Elijah on
·
The Meekness of John the Baptist before Herod
·
The Meekness of Peter before the Sanhedrim
·
The Meekness of Paul at
II. God’s prophets are men
who know their work and stick to it.
[Luke
9:2] "And he sent them to preach
the
I do not pretend to know
anything at all about any other man’s work. I do not make any claim or pretense
of being a man of learning, a theologian, or historian. But I do know exactly
what God has called me to do. I know exactly what my work and responsibilities
are as a pastor and preacher. “The glorious gospel of the blessed God has
been committed to my trust” (1 Tim.
·
Study – Incessant Study!
·
Prayer – Fervent Prayer!
·
Preaching – Gospel Preaching!
III. Those men who are called and sent of God to
the great work of preaching the gospel are men who care for men.
These twelve men went about serving both the bodies and the
souls of men, preaching the gospel to them and healing them. They made the
needs of others their own. They hurt for those who hurt. They wept for those
who wept. They carried in their hearts the burdens of those to whom they
preached. How I pray that God will give me the grace to do that! I know this: --
If I am God’s servant, if I am God’s messenger to your soul, I do and I will
care for you and your needs.
·
Your Soul’s Needs – (Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1)
·
Your Body’s Needs
·
Your Family’s Needs
·
Your Heart’s Needs
IV. Men who are called, gifted, and sent of God to
preach the gospel must live for the gospel and live by the gospel.
[Luke
9:3] "And he said unto them, Take
nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor
scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece."
Our Lord here specifically forbids his
servants to provide a living for themselves.
[1
Corinthians 9:7-14] "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who
planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or
who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith
not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that
treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it
altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written:
that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope
should be partaker of his hope. [11] If we have sown unto you spiritual
things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? [12]
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we
rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest
we should hinder the gospel of Christ. [13] Do ye not know that they
which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the
altar? [14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the
gospel should live of the gospel."
V. God’s messengers are men who care not for the
world.
[Luke
9:4] "And whatsoever house ye enter
into, there abide, and thence depart."
They are separated unto the gospel. They seek nothing for
themselves: -- Neither their place of service nor property. They seek neither
the approval of the world, nor the riches of the world.
·
A prophet is content to serve God wherever God sends him.
·
A prophet is content to live and labor without recognition.
·
A prophet is content to live in this world as a stranger and pilgrim,
passing through for only a brief time.
[Philippians
4:12-13] "I know both how to be
abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
VI.
Prophets are men undaunted by men.
[Luke
9:5] "And whosoever will not
receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your
feet for a testimony against them."
They seek to please God, not men. If their
work appears to be in vain, they go on, knowing that their labor is not in vain
in the Lord? They go on sowing the good seed, planting and watering as God
enables them, knowing that it is God alone who gives the increase. They cast
their bread upon the waters, knowing that it will return in due season. They
preach the gospel faithfully, knowing that God’s Word will not return to him
void.
[Isaiah
55:11] "So shall my word be that
goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall
accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto
I sent it."
VII.
Prophets are men used of God.
[Luke
9:6] "And they departed, and went
through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where."
The Lord Jesus sent these men to preach the
gospel; and they preached it everywhere. The Master sent them out to heal the
sick; and they healed them. The Son of God sent these twelve men out to be a
blessing to the world; and what a blessing they have been!
Application:
[2
Corinthians 4:1-7] "Therefore
seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. [3] But
if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves,
but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For
God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and
not of us."
Amen.