Tom Mount – September 29, 2024

 

Scripture reading: Luke 6:12-19

Introduction

  • The occasion of this text is Jesus’ choosing of his twelve apostles. But it gives us important insight into the rhythm of our Lord’s relational life and demonstrates a pattern for us to follow as his disciples.

Overview: three concentric relational spheres

  • Jesus begins with the Father in solitude. Then he brings the benefits of that rich fellowship with the Father into community with his group of disciples. Finally, together with his disciples, he ministers to the world.
  • We are to do the same.

Alone with God: Luke 6:12

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

  • For Jesus, this was his normal practice to meet alone with his Father (Luke 5:16).
  • They were face-to-face. The Father had already told him he delighted in him (Lk 3:22).
  • For us, our spiritual life begins here. We cannot become spiritual strong unless we are intentionally meeting with God daily. We were specifically made to fellowship with Him. And God wants to fellowship daily with you! (2 Chron 16:9; John 4:23).
  • And there is nothing like God’s company on earth: no greater joy or delight (Ps 27:4).

Together with the group: Luke 6:13-16

13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

  • For Jesus, his apostles were—after his Father and the Spirit—his chief source of relational life (Jn 16:32).
  • As humans, we are made in God’s image. God is a holy Trinity: a community of three Persons. So, we are created to live in relationship with one another (cf. Ecc 4:9-12).
  • The Church consists of God’s “called out” ones. Note: we are called to be disciples of Jesus, not merely believers in him. So, our gatherings are not simply social but fiercely intentional, where we use our God-given gifts to build each other up (Heb 10:24-25).
  • We know each other and are known by one another. We rejoice and weep together (Rom 12:15). We learn to love, be patient with and forgive one another (Eph 4:2).
  • Our community life is enriched by our practice of solitude.
  • And we need a few others to share more deeply with, pray for us and mentor us. Finally, we need others we can mentor (2 Tim 2:2).

Ministering to the world: Luke 6:17-19

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

  • Jesus increasingly taught his apostles to use his kingdom authority to proclaim the Gospel, combat the dark powers and set people free (cf. Lk 9:1-2; 10:1-12).
  • We are commissioned to do the same, making disciples of all nations (Mt 28:18-20).
  • We do this best together (cf. Mk 6:7). We can do this in small and large ways, regularly or through special assignments.
  • What do times of ministry share In common? Extending God’s kingdom, pushing back the darkness, bringing God’s life, light and love to bear in every segment of society (business, education, technology, arts and entertainment, law, public policy, etc.) so that, increasingly, God’s will is in fact done on earth as it is in heaven (cf. Mt 6:10).
  • God has given us everything we need to walk in the way of Jesus and extend his kingdom until he comes again: his authority, power, Spirit, gifts, prayer (2 Peter 1:3).

What is your takeaway from this text? What is God telling you about your own three relational spheres?