Pastor Kevin Long explores the ministry model established by Jesus in Luke 9 and Luke 10. Jesus sent out the twelve disciples and later the seventy-two with a simple yet powerful strategy: total reliance on God, partnership in pairs, and radical obedience.
Whether through the twelve men or the larger group of men and women, the mission remains the same: proclaim the Kingdom of God, seek out “people of peace,” and trust that the Holy Spirit has already equipped the called.
Along the way, Pastor Kevin reminded us that not everything is meant to be fully explained, but everything God has revealed is meant to be obeyed, anchored in Deuteronomy 29:29.
The Disciples Are Commissioned
Jesus didn’t start with a complex business plan; He started with a commission. In Luke 9:1-6, He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over demons and diseases. Their mission was clear: proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal.
In Luke 10, Jesus expanded this commission to seventy-two others, sending them “two by two.” This partnership is the biblical model for support and accountability. During this mission, Jesus told them to look for a “Person of Peace.”
How to you recognize a person of peace?
• They like you – There is an immediate and friendly connection.
• They listen to you – They are open to the message you carry.
• They serve you – They are willing to provide hospitality or help.
If a town rejects the message, Jesus gave a startling instruction – shake the dust off your feet (Luke 9:5). This serves as a testimony that while the Kingdom came near, the responsibility for rejecting it lies with the hearers.
The Disciples Were Equipped
Too often, we make excuses for why we can’t share the Gospel. Jesus told His disciples to “take nothing for your journey” no staff, no bag, no bread, no money. (Luke 9:3)
• By taking nothing, the disciples had to rely entirely on God’s provision through others.
• Today, our primary equipment is the Holy Spirit. Pastor Long reminds us that when we open our mouths in obedience, the Spirit provides the words and the confidence.
• This equipping wasn’t just for the twelve apostles. It included the seventy-two, which featured both men and women.
The Disciples Were Obedient
The most critical part of the model is the “go.” (Luke 9:6).They didn’t just stay in the synagogue; they went where the people were.
When the seventy-two returned, they were overflowing with joy because they saw God’s power in action. (Luke 10:17). Jesus affirmed their excitement but refocused their hearts. The greatest miracle isn’t casting out demons; it’s the miracle of salvation.
The Secret Things of God
Obedience doesn’t require us to have all the answers.
We may not understand how the power of God works or why some reject the message, but we are responsible for what has been revealed:
• Jesus loves us.
• Jesus died for us.
• Jesus commissioned us to tell others.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.‘ – Deuteronomy 29:29
Watch This Week's Sermon
To watch other past sermons, visit our Sermon Page