If you have a Bible. You can turn to Luke and we'll
be in Luke chapter 10. And as you're turning there, you
may have heard of a little vision for what we're doing in
the. Word for the.
Upcoming months, but I'll just. Restate it.
Because we're starting, you know, right in the middle of
Luke and. The the series is called.
Journey. To the cross it is.
From Luke Chapter 9 all the way until the crucifixion of.
Christ that we'll celebrate. And remember on Good Friday and
AS. We.
Map out now this. Is really just a big build up to
Easter. Starting in Luke 9 and and going
in through. The rest of the Gospel of Luke,
Jesus. Is journeying the road to
Jerusalem to fulfill his mission.
To give his life. On the cross, a ransom for many
so. We'll just look at a chapter,
roughly a chapter a week as we go through.
Up until Easter and as you know, you think.
About how to. To just take we won't have
enough time to look at every story and every verse.
My my first thought in in kind of developing the sermon series.
Was we'll. We'll do kind of a.
Highlight reel for the Gospel of Luke.
And there's so many. Stories.
You're probably. Familiar with in the Gospel of
Luke today, for example, Luke chapter 10 is the Good Samaritan
next. Week is the Lord's.
Prayer, and that's the tempting thing, is to.
Just look at the the. Things we all know and love
about the Gospels, but I think in line with what is really
necessary to remember that this is a story of Jesus going to lay
down his life and he's calling people to follow him to the
cross rather than look at the. Highlight reel, which is.
Often the way that we view Jesus anyway, we're going to look at
more challenging, more difficult passages in the Gospels.
And I think one of the motivations I had in in looking
for maybe the the more. Difficult way to the cross is
because we live. In a time that is growing in
becoming what is called post. Church.
And more and more. People have a view of Jesus,
that is. Very broad and very comfortable.
I was actually. Talking to a person not long ago
and I'm. I was grateful.
We're doing this series because they said to me I could never be
a Christian. But I absolutely love.
The teachings of Jesus. Because Jesus?
Really. Just teaches love and acceptance
and if only people were more focused on the teachings of
Jesus and less. Of all the other stuff.
That comes up in the Bible and it's it is a sentiment that you
may have run into. Maybe you've even felt man,
Jesus is so loving and he's so accepting and all the other.
Stuff is so hard. It made me wonder if she'd
actually ever read the teachings of Jesus, because no.
Doubt Jesus teaches love. And Jesus is the most radical,
accepting people, he says, to love enemies.
But when you read the teachings of Christ, you realize.
That he has some incredible difficult and high standards
that he's calling his people to live in, and we'll actually look
at some of that. Today.
And, and it wouldn't be an introduction to the new year
without at least one reference to the New Year's resolution.
It's the new year. There's so many people this time
of year that think about getting their life right.
So I read an article this. Week that I'll share.
At least the headline with you now it's called.
Why you're about to fail. So welcome to church.
Here's why you're going to fail and all your endeavors to to
have a new year and a new you. And you've probably either
experienced some of this in your life or heard all.
Of the philosophy. Behind why willpower on January
1st often turns into failure. By February, but here's.
One, I think very important antidote from this.
It says people fail. Because they underestimate the
commitment. And you know, that's a good
reminder for the. Other areas of your life that
could be resolved by good. Discipline in the new year.
But just as a as a proof. To this concept, going to the
gym for a week or two will not. Actually give you 6 pack.
ABS you know it's not going to happen with the the low bar of
commitment that is like I'm here, when's the change happen?
And same with your diet. Eating a couple salads in place
of junk food is not going to give.
You a beach body? Your finances will not be
changed radically because you skipped a few morning coffees
and made coffee at home. And you know, downloading a a
language learning app is probably not going to advance
you much past high school level Spanish.
There is a commitment that we fail.
To realize is required. And, and, and that is why some
people are failing by thinking Jesus just wants us to love.
That's not the commitment that he's asking to make.
So today we're going to look at what is the.
Actual commitment of a disciple and and this is a perfect
addition to what we looked at. Last week.
The the question is.
How can people follow Jesus? In a more than just a a cultural
kind of. Way and last.
Week was a reminder. That Jesus actually turned
people. Away, he said.
You're not fit to follow me if you're still thinking about the
cares of the world and the cares of your old family and the cares
of. The of of the plow last.
Week, he turned people away for their lack of commitment.
This week, we're going to look at some marks of.
What makes people a disciple? Not a cultural Christian.
Not someone who showed up on a new.
Year to get a couple. Sermons and get on their way,
not someone who's looking for. Good advice.
We're looking for how people actually follow Jesus in a way
that. He says you're 1 of mine now.
Today he's going to call people, anoint them to be messengers of
his mission. And they are marked by some real
radical commitments. So will you.
Join me as we look at the. Story that is often called Jesus
sending out the 70 it starts in Luke chapter 10.
We'll read verse one and then we'll I'll give you kind of a
road map of how we're going to look at this.
It says in verse one after these things the Lord appointed. 70
others also. And sent them. 2 by 2.
Before his face into every city and place where he.
Himself was about to go so right away.
We see the difference between last week's message and this.
It it says that after. The messages of turning people
away, he now brings people to him, he brings 70 and he
appoints them. He say you're going to represent
me. In fact, it says he's sending
them into cities. Where he's about to go.
In ancient language this is. The way that a.
King would send messengers to. Prepare the way for his arrival.
And he has found 70. He's broken up into, you know,
35 teams of. Two to say you.
Now represent me to where? I'm about to go these.
Are disciples. These are messengers of the
king. These are the people.
That God is looking for now people that are not.
Just culturally interested, but they would actually be used.
By him and representative of him to wherever he sends them.
And so the road map that we'll look.
Through is similar to how Jesus. Kind of speaks into all of our
lives. It'll start with.
Jesus giving them a vision. A vision for what?
This. This is all about.
He's then going to give them after the vision, a very clear
mission to go on with the mission.
We'll then look at the message of the message the of the
mission. And then at the very end, he
actually gives them a, a very helpful lesson as the whole
story concludes. And so we'll we'll have vision,
mission, message and lesson in each one of these on the road
map on the journey to the cross will come with a.
Clear mark of why these? People were appointed as
disciples. And so it starts with his
vision. Look what it.
Says in starting with verse 2 Luke chapter 10 verse 2 says
then he said to them. The harvest truly is great, but
the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the.
Harvest to send out laborers into his harvest before.
He. Gives them their marching
orders. He gives them a vision.
For the world that they. Live in and for for.
The things they're going to. Do in following him and.
I love this particular. Vision that he gives to.
The disciples. Because it reminds me that Jesus
helps them, helps us. See the world radically.
Different than we normally would.
Oftentimes you'll hear this called the upside down Kingdom
when. You really start.
To pay attention to the way Jesus.
Teaches you to see the world, you'll realize it's radically.
Different than you yourself, naturally.
See the World. And we can see this more clearly
in this metaphor. Of a harvest when he shares the.
Same metaphor, but in the Gospel of Matthew, look what it says in
Matthew Chapter 9. Same metaphor is about to be
used. It says in verse 36, when he saw
the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because
they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd.
And with that context now laid. It says this is what he sells
his disciples the harvest, truly.
Is plentiful, but the laborers. Are few the gospel writer?
Gives this really important detail of of.
What the harvest field looked like, It looked.
Like a bunch of scattered, worn out people with no direction and
no guidance. And I don't know if you've ever
looked out and seen. That but if you.
Haven't you should take a look at our current culture and I
don't know if. If you have the the.
Same response that I have sometimes when I look out and I
see a culture that just seems completely scattered, seems less
unified and and and less going in a common direction than ever.
We have more infighting, more people arguing, more pockets of
people just going separate ways, and I see a weary.
Culture, people that are just. Constantly on the brink of
exhaustion and tired and looking for just some breathing room in
life, I I see a. Culture that is scattered.
With with no guidance, I mean, there's, there's 1000 voices in,
in, in the ecosystem of our culture and there's no clear
direction of where we're all. Supposed to be going.
We've got. Politicians and influencers and
celebrities. And everybody's.
Listening to all these voices, but there's no shepherd.
And I know for me personally, there's times in my life.
When I just look at the state of our culture.
And I see the brokenness of the, the, the youth and the
loneliness and the, the decimation of the family unit
and the statistics on marriage just just being just so
heartbreaking that that most marriages are going to end and
the even the future. Of of of of the.
Church and faith and it just seems like.
You look out and you just see. Brokenness and for me.
I just feel like that is just. Such a burdensome thing for me.
My response is often like, Lord, you should come, you should just
return so we can be done with this whole operation and just
set into order the the new heavens and the new earth.
Let's just be done with this. And, and maybe you see it more
specifically in your workplace or your family and you're like
this. This just looks like chaos.
And hopelessness. But but here's what Jesus.
Does he gives a vision so that you can see the world totally
different? When he saw Weary.
And broken and people without guidance, he said.
That. Is a harvest.
Where he sees. Brokenness.
He's like, that's a person who I could heal.
Where he sees people who are weary.
He says this is these are the kind of people that are looking
for rest and I've got it when he sees.
People that don't have a shepherd.
He says I'm the great Shepherd. When people are scattered and
they're looking for someone to give them guidance, bring them
to me and I will point them down the.
Way that they should go. When he sees people in prison,
he says I have the keys to unlock their chains.
When he sees people in addiction, he's like.
This is perfect because I could heal them.
When he sees marriages on the brink, he's like, you guys have
been looking for an answer. I'm the answer.
When he sees youth that don't know where they're going,
they're like point them to me. This is bring them into my
Kingdom. This is all.
Perfect for the future. Of the Kingdom, Jesus gives
vision so that. We would see the world.
Totally different. So what?
Does that tell us? About being marked by his.
Discipleship. These people appointed by Jesus
hear a vision and they believed it.
They're about to respond which very simply for our purposes,
the way that you now. View the world.
If you are marked. By the discipleship of Christ.
Is very simply you listen to Jesus.
Disciples are people. Who listen to Jesus and they
believe Him. Disciples have a way to view the
world the way that Jesus views the world.
They read the words of Jesus. And they say that's reality if
you want to be marked. If you want to be.
Brought in to the Kingdom that is appointed by.
Jesus for good work. You're a person that listens to
Jesus and that's. Actually.
You know, if we had time to break down the entire.
Chapter that would be a. Theme of Luke chapter 10 these
are. These are there.
There are some people who don't listen.
There's some people. Who do but the the?
Whole chapter ends with this incredible story of what?
Jesus is. Looking for in people.
You've probably heard the. Story of Martha and Mary Martha
is busy getting the the house ready to host a bunch of Jesus
and his. Disciple type people.
And she's getting kind of annoyed because her sister Mary
is just sitting at the feet of Jesus and she's like.
Jesus, could you please tell her to get?
Busy to get working to see the. World how I see it.
And the whole scene is set up in this in this little phrase in
Luke chapter 10 verse 39 that says and and Mary had a sister
named Martha had a sister named Mary.
Who sat at Jesus? Feet and heard him, and Jesus
says. She's.
Chose the greater thing. The whole.
Change of your life to make you an actual appointed disciple of
Jesus begins when you have ears. To hear Jesus speak into your
life. And that you would listen that
that will what will change the dynamic.
You're not coming to hear a sermon.
You don't. You don't get your.
Right your. Life right and spirituality and
religion just by showing up to church and then going about your
way and doing you want. These are people who sat at the
feet of Jesus. And had their whole dynamic
change to. See what he sees.
Jesus sees your world radically. Different than you do.
He says the harvest is great. He's got hope for the for.
The culture he lived in. He sees you and he sees a.
Sinner that can be brought in and made into a St.
It all starts with listening to him.
Which of course. Is where many people get off the
discipleship invitation because one of the worst things we do in
life is listen you know it's. Very hard to sit.
To be undistracted and say. Jesus speak.
In To My Life Are you listening to the person of Jesus?
Does he have the ability to tell you how life is supposed to
work? Do you read his word and say
speak? Do you respond?
So disciples are marked by the simple fact that they listen to
Him, and then we know they're listening.
Because he's about to give. Them a mission, We'll now get to
the section of the mission and they're going to respond.
Look. What it says?
In verse three he says. Go your way.
That's another operation of listening.
He's like. I want you to go your way.
And here's how I'm going to send you.
This is the the the marching orders, the details of the
mission. I send you out as lambs among
wolves, carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals, and greet
no one along the. Road, but whatever house.
You enter. First say peace to this House.
And if a son of. Peace is there.
Your peace will rest. On it.
If not, it will return to you. And then, he says, remain in the
same house, eating and drinking such things.
As they give for the laborer is worthy of his wage, Don't go.
From house to house and whatever city you enter and they receive.
You eat. Such things are set before you
and while. You're there.
Heal the. Sick and say to them, the
Kingdom of God has come near to you.
He has sent them on a mission with some very unique but.
Clear. Mission commands, he tells them.
You know, they're not to take money, they're not to really
take any supplies, basically. Travel very light.
They're supposed to get to a house.
Offer peace. And if it's.
Received. You stay.
You don't go house to house, you're just content with the one
that received you. You eat with them, you show them
that. The the the Lord has the power
to. Heal and to comfort.
And then you say the Kingdom is here, and if they reject you,
then you just move on. And so there's all sorts of
things that we could just stay here and think through.
One of the things is that I want to make it.
Very clear that this is. Not a a.
Playbook for every believer This is a specific.
Moment in the ministry of Jesus for him to send.
Out his disciples. On the way to Jerusalem and he
had a reason for them to have no money and to to do the things
that he had them do. And there's other times where he
would send people and it looked very different the.
Book of Acts looks very. Different than this and it will
look different in your. Life so the.
Principle is not supposed to become a playbook for your life.
None of you have to read this and think, OK, I I need to just
have nothing and I needed to, you know, become a, a 19. 60s
Jesus people. Hippie.
That is hitchhiking to San Francisco until I can tell and
and then tell people all about, you know, the second coming that
it's not, it's not the playbook, it's a principle.
And the principle is this. He's requiring them.
To radically. Trust him.
That is the. Principle of a disciple that is
seen in the mission. The mission will have so many
different details, but there is one that will always remain.
Jesus is going to get a hold of your life if you listen to Him
and He's going to send you out on a mission.
That will require you. To radically trust him.
That is the the the. Glaring lesson of this when you
have no money, you have no place to stay, you don't bring extra
supplies and you're and you're going on a prayer that you'll
meet someone the. The the principle is trust.
And that's the same principle. For your life.
The the, the, the next exit on the on the on the road to
discipleship. Is do I really have to do it
Jesus way? You you know you're getting into
a place in your life where you're beginning to follow Jesus
when you lay your strategies before him and you.
Pick up his. They probably did not love
hearing the very first thing that he said.
I want you to go. And by the way, you're going to
be a lamb in a pack. Of wolves, so I got I'd.
Prefer not to do that. And he's like, OK, great.
And here's how you're going to protect yourself and afford
everything. You're not.
You're just going to go out and trust me.
And that is? Where the overlay is so.
Clear in our lives, the the money will look different, the
lodging will look different, the way you eat will look different,
the the way that you even interact will look different.
But we will always. Be.
Lambs in a world of. Wolves.
Every mission will. Require you to trust that you
have a shepherd that will care for you.
In ways that you are completely dependent for him to care on you
and if you want a challenge of your trust in Jesus.
Just very practically speaking, how you're living your life.
New Year's challenge New you re examine how you're living the
Sermon on the Mount Matthew chapter 5-6 and seven.
It is the constitution of the Kingdom of God, and it requires.
You to have the posture. Of a lamb the the the Sermon on
the Mount is Jesus saying, I want you to go out and live.
So radically representing my love.
That in a world. Of wolves you're.
A lamb. You turn your cheek, you give it
an extra mile. You give more than you need or
more than is asked. You you give.
Everything away and see how. I'll I'll take care of you.
And this. Is what is required.
Your church attendance, your you know, through the Bible in a
year plan. All of these good things are not
the main thing. What is required of you is that
you trust Jesus with. Everything that you have.
I've actually heard it said. That the most sacred thing that
you can give someone is, is not love.
And you'd think maybe that, you know, there's nothing more
powerful than giving someone love.
Well, just, you know, thinking through the teachings of Jesus,
he requires you to love everyone.
So you have to give that to everyone.
You have to love everyone. The most sacred thing you give
someone is trust, it says. We don't have to trust everyone.
We'll be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.
We're supposed to be shrewd. And for anyone of of you who
have been married, you know that the most sacred thing that you
gave on the day of your wedding. Was trust you've looked each.
Other in the eye and with a verbal contract said you can
trust me till the day that you die, that I will never leave you
or forsake you. It is.
The Sacred. Possession of someone to say
here is my trust and what is being required of you to become
a disciple of Jesus. Is for you to.
Give the most trust, more trust than you give anyone in the
world. You just say Jesus.
My life in your hands equals your goodness in return.
And we'll come back to that point, but we'll keep moving.
But I just want you to know some of you need to hear this for the
first time because you've never. Trusted Jesus radically that.
There is no one who trusts Jesus who is ever disappointed.
There's no one who says I'm going to do my life your way.
Whoever in the end of their life wishes they hadn't, we'll come.
Back to that, but. 1st we get to the message starting in verse
10. Here's the message.
That they're supposed to say, but whatever city you.
Enter and they do not receive you.
Go out into its St. and say the very.
Dust of your city which? Clings to us, we wipe off
against you. Nevertheless, know this.
The Kingdom of God has come near you.
But I say to you. That it will be more tolerable
in the day of Sodom than for that city?
Woe to you, Quarterson, Woe to you, Bethsaidia.
For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done
in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, then for you.
And you, Capernum, who will be exalted to heaven, will be
brought down to Hades. Let me return for just a moment.
To where we started, I love Jesus.
I just would never become a Christian I love.
Jesus, because he just teaches. Love and acceptance he does, and
his love. Is so real that he will tell you
the truth. This is a reminder.
That Jesus also preaches judgment.
The message that he sends his 70s to represent on his behalf.
The king is coming enter into his Kingdom.
It's a message of peace. If they receive you.
Give them your peace. If they reject you, your peace
will come back, disciples. Represent the peace of God he
sends his son into the world so that his. 1st.
Offering would be peace, but the message is.
Also. Narrow.
It's loving and narrow. Which true love?
Is loving and narrow when you say that you love someone and
you commit to them for the rest of your life, it means you are
loving them only. And to offer someone the free
invitation into God's Kingdom is to also tell them that in the
end there will only be one Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is going to be the new heavens and the new
earth, and the King of Kings will reign supreme with all
people who are in it. And there is coming a day that
we all. Long.
For believing it or not, where God is going to punish evil and
sin and he's going to lay waste all of the corruption of our
world and the injustices and we long for the dead.
And the only hope that any of us have that we're not part of the
judgment against evil, which. All of us are a part of.
Is the gospel. That we would freely by the
grace of God. Enter into His Kingdom, not by
our own goodness, but by receiving the free.
Gift of his life for ours. That's the message.
And as you listen to me preach this, you may think this is the
message. Of a preacher.
Or you may think this is, you know, a message you'll hear on
Sunday. And here's the point.
The third mark of a disciple is. This is a message of all
disciples. To be a disciple of Jesus is to.
Listen to him, to trust him, and to represent him and his
message. Look what it says.
In verse 16. He who hears you, hears.
Me. He who rejects you, rejects.
Me. And he who rejects me, rejects
him who sent me. For.
Reasons that will remain a mystery until we all get to
eternity. God has seen it.
Fit to. Use human cooperation as part of
His plan to send out the message of His saving grace and He.
Says where you go the. Kingdom is when you step into
your workplace, the Kingdom is there.
When you. Are at the dinner table with
your non believing family members.
The Kingdom is at the dinner table and you have a message.
That is so real that if they reject you, they reject Jesus.
Are you living like? That I always get tested.
In the burden that this can be to my.
Flesh, because everywhere. I go there's no separating me
from the reminder that where I am, I represent Jesus.
Because whenever I get the question, what do you?
Do I say pastor? I was on a.
Flight last. Year and so we.
Were just great. Flight we're all talking and and
then he looks to me and says, what do you do and I say well,
I'm a pastor and he's like, oh, it's gonna be a long flight I
got to rethink my drink order I have to rethink what movies I'm
watching next to you and and you're probably going to you
know and it's and it's a burden for me because I I sense.
People's like, oh great. But the the blessing of this
message is that it's a shared burden that we all have.
Where you go, people are supposed to have.
The same sense that they are sitting next to a representative
of the king of the Kingdom. Someone actually.
Shared a story about. A man on airplane with me and I
and I found it comforting and I want to give it to you.
Because this is this. Is a light burden, that is.
With great joy we get to do this.
So a man. Shares a story of that.
That moment they say, OK, what do you do when you're on the
airport? And, and the woman said, what do
you do? And, and, and the man said,
well, I work for a global enterprise.
She said, you do. And he said, yes, we've got
outlets in nearly every country of the world.
And she said, really? Said yeah, we do.
We've got hospitals, hospices, homeless shelters.
We do marriage work, we've got orphanages, we've got feeding
programs, educational programs. I said we do all sorts of
justice. And reconciliation of things and
people with neighbors and. Basically, we look after people.
From birth to death. And we're in the, we're in the
business of behavioral alteration.
I said well. That's a great way to put it.
And when you put it in those terms.
What a joy. That that's the representative,
that's you. Disciples represent Jesus.
I love. That in in Corinthians.
Paul says. You're a new creation now.
You're an ambassador of reconciliation.
Where you go, the Kingdom goes. Are you the kind of person that
has gone way beyond? You know this is the church I
attend, or you know, I, I, I want to get.
Right with God. So I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll.
Start, you know, helping out at church The the the.
Disciple has a very. Clear mission, and that is you
are now an ambassador of the Kingdom.
Where you go, Jesus goes. Where you're rejected, Jesus is.
Rejected. And the message is radical love
and honest warning. There's coming a day when the
king will return and. All that will be left.
Is the King of Kings reigning over the Kingdom of peace?
Where you go, Jesus goes. Disciples are marked and and are
representatives. Of Jesus.
And now comes the lesson. So we had the the, the vision,
the the mission and the message. And now he'll end by giving them
a very important lesson for all of.
Us, he says as they. Return in verse 17 they've gone
on their mission. They have found.
That what Jesus said worked. Verse 17 Then the 70 returned
with joy. Lord, even demons are subject to
us in your name. And he said to them, I saw Satan
fall like lightning from heaven. So I I promised we would come
back to that. That is baked into the story.
They went out as lambs among wolves and they returned.
Not saying Jesus you won't. Believe who got.
Picked off and taken down. Jesus, we need a lot.
Of help because only a. Few of us returned, it says.
They came back rejoicing. It worked and I want to make
this point. Twice because one of the.
Biggest barriers of entry when someone comes and.
Hears the Gospel. Of grace the message.
To follow. Jesus and give him your.
Life is. What if it doesn't work?
What if all my hopes and dreams and strategies for life just
turn into the dead ends of going to church and having nothing the
the promise of following? Jesus is that it's.
Life and life more abundant. The promises that when.
You live life how, Jesus? Designed your.
Life to be lived. You will experience great joy.
You will get the returns on the Kingdom investment now, and this
is where the lesson comes in because you know, once you start
hanging out with church long enough and you start, you know,
doing ministry and putting your hand to the Kingdom plow and
start volunteering, you can get mixed up as to what the ultimate
joy is. And this is the lesson Jesus
said. You know, I've, I've seen Satan
fall. He said, Behold, I give.
You the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions that
that's amazing all power over the enemy incredible the
blessings we. Have by the power.
Of the Holy Spirit, and nothing shall hurt you in the end.
You're more than a conqueror. You will live forever.
You're when you die, you're only sleeping until the resurrection
of the dead, and you're in eternity with Jesus.
Nothing in the end will stop the goodness of God in your life,
and yet nevertheless, do not rejoice in this.
That the spirits are subject to you, but rather.
Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
Disciples listen to Jesus, they trust Jesus, they represent
Jesus, and in it all. They rejoice with Jesus.
This is true joy. You know, if you study.
The the the earthly. Ministry of Jesus in the.
Gospels you will see very. Few moments of rejoicing.
You'll see a lot of breakthrough.
You'll you'll. See him do incredible things.
He will feed 5. Thousand with fish and loaves.
He will heal the sick. He will.
Confound the wise, but he never stops and says, isn't this
amazing? He never makes the end.
Goal. Ministry he doesn't make any
stop on the earthly journey. The last stop his mission as it
says in. Hebrews.
His joy was set. Before him to endure the.
Cross to go all the. Way to the end of.
His life trusting that. True joy was on the other side,
and that is you want to be marked by.
Not just a disciple who's. Who's being used and and going
through the the operations of ministry?
You want to be someone who looks radically different in the
world. You have something that's giving
you. Joy that goes beyond.
Anything in this life? You have a purpose to.
Your life that will not be satisfied in your life.
You have a. A.
A vision for where your. True.
Joy and your true aim and your true goal is that is not ever
going to stop on this side of eternity.
He says here's. Rejoicing I want you to rejoice
that your name is written in the book of heaven.
Jesus gives you a foundation for joy and a.
Future for joy. That nothing in this year or
years to come will shake. True joy.
Is that once you enter into the Kingdom of God and you become
one of his appointed people that represent him wherever?
You go. This life becomes a blink of an
eye. The the the.
Present sufferings can't compare to the eternal glory that awaits
you, that there is somewhere, either just a picture or some
giant book that lives in heaven that has your name written on
it. Because you have placed your.
Life into the hands of Jesus and as.
We put all that together. Let me just remind some of you.
Who are already followers of Jesus, but.
Invite others of you that this is not a message.
That just takes. You know someone who may be
interested in Jesus and and and gives them a more.
Serious desire to follow him. Closely, this is a message that
actually answers the deepest longing of every human soul.
It doesn't matter if you came here and you're like I, I want
to follow Jesus more. Closely or if you're here.
And you're like, I don't believe.
And I'm I'm, I'm, I'm outside the harvest.
Trust me, there are questions that every one of us.
Wrestle with. And this is the answer every
single one of you wrestle with. Who you should actually listen.
To with your life, all of us have an.
Ear to hear, we're all. Trying to figure.
Out who the the the right guide for our life.
Is the answer is Jesus? All of.
US are trying to. Figure out who to trust.
All of us are trying to to say, like, man, I've got this heart
and I don't want to give it away, but I'm also this longing
to be in community and friendship and maybe a
relationship and like who can I trust?
And pastors let me down and and church can get weird and I've
lost friendship. Who can I?
The answer for the longing of the human soul is that you were
made to. Trust Jesus.
And we are all looking from the the time you can all remember.
What's the purpose of your life? When you're sitting on an
airplane and someone says. What?
Do you do? They're asking.
What do you live? For the answer is that you were
made for such a time as this, to live as an ambassador of the
King of Kings. It's the longing of your life
and it will all point you to one of the hardest challenges of
life. When when, when life gets hard
and we're searching for answers and, and we're going through
the. The the the.
Dark night of the soul. Where?
Does rejoicing come from? And here's the answer for the
human soul, Rejoicing doesn't come ultimately in this life.
You were made for another world and Jesus.
People have their names written on the roll call of heaven.
So put it all together and give your life.
To Jesus, listen to him, trust Him, represent him, and live
your. Life to rejoice.
With him for eternity. Thanks for joining us today.
If you would like to watch the full service, check out the link
in the description. For next steps and to learn
more, visit calvaryboise.com.