The Gospel of Luke: Big | Calling | Distraction | Participation - Video

Sermon 5/25/25 Notes: Luke 9: 1-9 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this text, Jesus calls the disciples to something big. Going out on their own, and doing as Jesus does - preaching and healing and casting out demons. From this text, we can see three things: Big calling Big distractions Big participation. Big Calling: This is no small errand. Jesus gives them the divine ability and the divine right to do these things. This is a huge transition from their daily life - walking with Jesus. God equips us before he employs us. In the mission details, he tells them to go on this road trip and bring nothing with them. No food, no money, no clothes - to rely only solely on God. For all who are called to Christ and called to live simply and contentedly. Shaking the dust off their feet were symbolically cast off the stress and anxiety of their inability to change the minds of some. We are all called to be disciple makers, but the harvest, whatever it is, belongs to God. Big Distractions: Reports of the activities of the 12 were big news, and Herod hears about it. He was perplexed - to be in doubt, unsure about what to say, think, or do. A man he had killed was reported to be brought to life! Of course he was confused. And he wanted to seek them out. The fear of opposition can be a big distraction. Herod’s attention was huge for the disciples, but do not let these pressures distract you from your mission. The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. But no matter who comes after you in your calling, we serve a bigger and infinite King. Big Participation: the disciples come back from their mission and tell Jesus eagerly all they did. Although they are excited, Jesus notices they are tired and in need of rest. The Lord of the Sabbath cares about your rest. He gives us seasons to rest, but we have to take them. But that doesn’t mean that your rest won't be interrupted for lost and the hungry. Just as we see here as thousands of people press in to see Jesus, He tells the disciples to give the 5000 people something to eat. But they didn’t have any money. But in this instance they bring Jesus all they have - 5 loaves and 2 fish. And Jesus uses what is impossibly small, for meet the needs of the impossibly large. We often wind up in the place where we have no more strength to go on, and it’s only Jesus who carries us and gives us strength. God is not looking for your ability, just your availability. Jesus is always able to meet the need of any emergency. And we should, like the disciples, follow Jesus’ odd instructions, to the letter. We are to live as a people who have been sent out. Trust that the lord will multiply our paltry offerings.