Sent With Authority

 Jesus sent out 70 people in pairs in Luke 10:1. Later in that chapter He told them that He gave them authority over serpents and all the power of the enemy. The word authority in that passage means "charge or dominion." 

Did Jesus give that authority only to the 70 He chose to send out? Is that same authority available for His followers today? In your opinion, do you believe that the modern church operates with the authority of Jesus in this dark world? Are we effective in our ministries?

Earlier in the chapter Jesus commented that the harvest was plentiful. He then exhorted people to pray to the Lord to send more laborers into the harvest. Can you recall a time in recent memory that you or people you know prayed for God to send more laborers into the harvest. We often pray for lost people to be saved. I cannot recall a time recently when I personally prayed God would send more laborers into the harvest or heard anyone else pray that as well. 

I asked some believers the last time they had baptized anyone in their fellowship recently. They estimated it was about six months ago. I think the majority of churches might say something very similar. We recently went nearly a year without baptizing anyone. We do not seem to see many saved. Many churches report decreases in baptisms in recent years. How do we square that with Jesus saying the harvest is plentiful? Current reality does not seem to reinforce that idea. Are fewer people being saved or are many being saved? 

One simple explanation is that the church is content to sit and have lost people come listen rather than willfully going to share His message on the streets. The first word in the great commission is to go. Matt 28:19-20 Jesus is still sending people out on assignment for Him. He still invites people to live on mission for Him. To take the gospel outside the walls of the church. 

It seems like some in the church follow Jonah's example and refuse to go and tell. That is a whole other matter. Fewer people appear to go. I do not believe it is because Jesus is no longer sending people out for Him. Less people are heeding that call. Therefore, the gospel is not always getting to the ears of those who need to hear it most. 

To play any role in a person meeting Jesus as Savior is an awesome experience. It is a thrill I cannot describe. The best word I can come up with is rejoicing. Seeing people saved brings unbridled joy. It is our assignment. Our mission. There are Christians who do not do this and have never done this. They have never opened their mouths to give a gospel witness even one time. They will use excuses like they do not know enough, or that they are scared, or even that they are not gifted to do such a thing. 

I still believe the harvest is plentiful. I experience this regularly sharing the love of Jesus with hardened alcohol and drug addicts. I watch God open their eyes, soften their hearts, and win them over. Paul was right when he wrote Romans 1:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greeks. 

I hope we are not ashamed to be sent with His authority on us to do the work of evangelism. God is still doing His part. He is still saving the lost. He is looking for willing messengers. Will you be sent and go?