Mark 6:6-13

  • It used to be that if you wanted to order in, you had two choices: pizza or Chinese food. Now you can order any food you want in with services like DoorDash. So you have a choice every time you want a particular restaurant’s offering: “Are we staying in or going out?”
  • Pandemic or no pandemic, I’d often just as soon stay in comfortable clothes and hang out at home with my family and my favorite food!
  • Let’s use that as a distinction between two different ways of thinking about being a member of Christ’s church. We can “stay in” and still make sure everyone in the church is fed. It’s more comfortable, and you get to spend time with your favorite people. But is that what we’re called to?
  • Let’s examine if we’ve become “DoorDash Disciples” today. Are we staying in or going out?

Sent

  • The twelve were sent out at Jesus’ instruction (Mark 6:7, 13). They couldn’t accomplish the job if they had stayed close to Jesus and didn’t step out of their comfort zone.
  • God opens doors “… they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). God uses us to spread the good news. He gives us work to do right where we are — we don’t have to travel to Africa to find someone around us with a receptive heart.
  • Watch for open doors “… From now on I will go to the Gentiles”” (Acts 18:6). Am I ready to move on from an approach or even a group that I can’t get to listen, while others are interested? Pay attention — look and listen — and know that if you’re willing to keep prayerfully searching for those who will receive it, God will help you find them.
  • The Challenge: Ask yourself, “Who in my life can Christ bring hope and peace?”

Strength

  • As Jesus sent his twelve, he gave them strength by going in pairs, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7). You might think they’d cover more ground alone, but Jesus knew they’d be stronger together.
  • Jesus is with us “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome”” (Acts 23:11). We’re not alone in the work when the Lord is by our side. We lean on him, casting our cares on him, and trusting that his Word is powerful to save!
  • We have each other “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them”” (Acts 13:2). We’re also not alone when we have each other. And if you’ve ever had a brother or sister to sharpen you and support you in your work of spreading the good news, you know how valuable that companionship is!
  • The Challenge: Ask someone, “What blessings do you wish your unbelieving friends knew?”

Simplicity

  • As Jesus sent his twelve, he gave them a simple packing list — just the clothes they wore, a pair of sandals, and a staff (Mark 6:8-9). They didn’t need to plan for every possible contingency, but the Lord would provide everything they needed.
  • A simple message “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:22–24). Though it’s tempting to get caught up in answering every question under the sun, the most important message is a simple one. Just keep it simple when sharing the good news about Jesus!
  • A simple delivery “So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. … Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:30–35). We may think evangelism is some complicated task, but it’s really about inviting people to come and see for themselves. Show them from Scripture and let them come to their own conclusions.
  • The Challenge: Invite someone to hear the good news, whether in a gathering or over coffee.

Spread

  • As Jesus sent his twelve, the good news spread to every receptive hearer (Mark 6:11-13). Their work was successful and accomplished exactly what Jesus intended.
  • The message multiplies “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). You can’t cause a seed to sprout or a flower to bloom, all you can do is plant and water. The power to grow and multiply — to create life from nothingness — is only in God’s hands!
  • Growth in adversity “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews” (Acts 11:19). If you think that difficulty will keep the gospel from sinking into people’s hearts, think again! Sometimes the greatest opposition produces the greatest results to expand the borders of the Lord’s kingdom!
  • The Challenge: Pray, “Lord, teach me to plant and water, trusting you to provide the increase” (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6).

Conclusion

  • Are you staying in or going out? Jesus sends us with strength and a simple message, and he takes care of the growth! Praise God for allowing us to be a part of such a high calling!