The Jesus Model of Evangelism in Luke 10

Over the last 50 years, and even before, believers in Jesus Christ have dared to break with church tradition more and more and return to believe in some of the audacious statements of Jesus Christ in the Bible.  When I was a boy, it was rare for people to believe that Christians could engage in divine healing ministry. Very rare. All the approved evangelical experts were saying it wasn’t for today.

Well times have changed. It has been proven the Bible was right after all – and Cessationism as wrong. Cessationism is the idea that the supernatural spiritual gifts stopped a long time ago. It is a actually practical denial of much of the New Testament and the words of our Lord Jesus himself. The Bible revealed it in the first half of John 14:12. Jesus said there, “He who believes in me, the works that I do shall he do also”. Recent experience and testimonies have confirmed that Jesus did mean “he who believes”. It doesn’t work for he who disbelieves.

Now the Lord Jesus Christ is directing believers to take a fresh look at Luke chapter 10, which is an important passage of the Bible and one of the few passages that talk about how we are actually supposed to do the mission of evangelism and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. What if this passage was taken as normative today?

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 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. Go your way; behold, 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 remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. (Luke 10:1-11, NKJV)

So let us look at this.

First up we note that this mission was given to 70 others also. Maybe 70 besides the twelve apostles. There is no way anyone can say that this mission was ONLY given to the 12 apostles. It was given to people who were not in the special sense of the word, apostles. So it could be speaking to you and me. But even if it was only to the apostles, Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 “teach them to obey ALL things I have commanded you”. So I don’t see how we can get around this, unless we think we are very clever if we can justify disobedience to the Word of Jesus our Lord. And that probably won’t work out too well anyway.

“he sent them out two by two”.

To do this kind of ministry you need one other person (of the same sex I suggest unless it is your spouse). This ministry is done in small teams.

I think this is good for our protection. One can quietly pray while the other talks. Both can encourage one another. One person is a witness that can stand up for the other if any accusations are made by evil people out there.

Jesus sent them out to places where he was about to go. Perhaps this means that small teams should go out for a while BEFORE a senior evangelist comes to the area. Its good to stir up things at the grass roots level first.

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.”

We often think there is something wrong with the harvest. But Jesus said in various places that the harvest is “great”, or “ready”. There is something wrong with the laborers. Most of them aren’t going yet – they are pursuing other things. Maybe the laborers don’t believe yet. They either don’t believe in Jesus’ commission or they aren’t saved – YET. I think a lot of the laborers are the people we are going to reach for the Lord actually.

“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest field”.

We need to be praying for that. But you don’t often hear it at the church meetings I have attended. God needs to send the laborers out. God can do it even if men won’t send the laborers. Sometimes God will send out those who pray this prayer.

But there are never enough workers. If this kind of evangelism is not happening, even God the Father, who told Jesus to say this, doesn’t think there are enough workers. So please don’t excuse all this inactivity with ideas about “the Sovereignty of God”. If it isn’t happening, its because we are not doing it, and not praying for it.

“Go your way” (vs 3). We sometimes get hung up about exactly WHERE to go. Nice if you can get a specific divine revelation about where to go, but if not, just GO YOUR WAY, and trust that God will be with you. Jesus said He would be. But you won’t know it until you actually go.

“I send you out as lambs amongst wolves” (vs 3). Sounds cruel, doesn’t it? But one thing to remember is that the Good Shepherd is also there with us and is quite capable of protecting us from wolves. He doesn’t want us to have short term fruitfulness, being devoured by wolves on our first mission or something.

People aren’t always nice, but there usually is a “man of peace” to be found, and that is where we need to concentrate our efforts.

“Carry neither money bag, knapsack or sandals”.

Don’t worry about provision along the way. This method of evangelism doesn’t need money. You can start where you are. God will help along the way. We can take money now, if we want to, since Jesus did change that instruction just before his crucifixion, but we should never let the lack of money be the excuse why we don’t do this thing.

“Greet no one along the road”. Don’t get distracted. The people we want to talk to are the ones we can find IN THEIR HOMES. Unless you get people in their homes, you are pretty much wasting your time. You can lead people to Christ out on the streets, but mostly it goes nowhere, unless you get into their homes afterwards. Best to start in people’s homes. A lot of evangelists don’t believe this, but its true.

But whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house”. We need to start by bringing the tangible blessing of heaven – the peace of God – into the equation right from the start.

We are looking for the “man of peace” or the “son of peace”.  If a “son of peace” is there, your peace will rest on the house, otherwise it will return to you.

We are supposed to have enough spiritual discernment to know if people are receptive to the spiritual blessings we are giving them.

If they are not, quickly move on – so you can find the one who is receptive.

If they are receptive, we can proceed.

Eat with People – Build Relationship

“And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.” (Luke 10:7)

The Middle Eastern culture was and is pretty hospitable. They probably welcome people into their houses more easily. Australians are more reticent. So we might have to begin at the door – with a tangible manifestation of God’s presence if there is some openness. We are looking for that receptive person – that “man of peace”.

Now, if we find that person, we should concentrate our efforts there. The Laborer is worthy of his wages – in this case, food and possibly lodging. So do your fasting before you go out. Eating together is the way to build the kind of solid relationships that can turn into something in God’s kingdom.

A lot of real kingdom ministry is supposed to take place around the meal table. Enjoy your food, but don’t overeat to the point you lose your spiritual sharpness.

We are supposed to make that home a kind of BASE. We stick with the people who welcomed us. We don’t keep looking for new people from door to door. At this stage, the gear shifts, the pace changes, and we are doing the work of bringing the kingdom to people in their homes. We want to impact as many as possible in that home – and get the whole group or household if possible.

“Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you”. Don’t be a snob, be grateful, have fellowship with these people. Be someone who is a joy to be with.

Heal the Sick

“And heal the sick there” (vs 9).

This will set us apart from Jehovah’s Witnesses, won’t it? The way Jesus is talking, there isn’t even a question of “what if they don’t get healed?”. Something is going to happen if you are spiritually prepared. You have the power of God through the Holy Spirit in you. This is the time and place to demonstrate that.

This is where we put faith into action. Just touch people and command disease to go in Jesus’ name. Something is going to happen. And as the 70 said later, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us!”

You won’t have to go far to find demons. They are everywhere. Mostly in the people, tormenting them.

Tell them the Kingdom of God has come near to you

The Kingdom of God is demonstrated in actions of power – like healing the sick and casting out demons. Its not a matter of talk. See 1 Corinthians 4:20.

Demonstrating the Kingdom opens people up to hearing the message of the Kingdom and opening their heart to the King – who is Jesus Christ.

Our aim is to get people to acknowledge Jesus and stick with Him so that they will be saved.

Concentrate on building up the Kingdom of God in that home. Keep visiting there. Establish a Bible study, or a ministry night, and see what God will build. Baptise the committed. Get them baptised in the Holy Spirit (since we are now post Pentecost). Help people to become workers by teaching them they must help others get saved.

Judgment on the Christ Rejecters

Do this ministry right, in power, but some will still reject. Their blood will be on their own heads. It will not be nice for them on judgment day if they have seen the power of God and still refused. But we are doing this ministry for God, for God’s glory and with the manifestation of God’s glory there is judgment on those who snub God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I invite you to build a faith community together with me. Join my social media channels and let’s connect, especially if you want freedom or fullness in Christ.

My Telegram has a ministry channel. On Tiktok I have many videos and new ones regularly.

Interested In Our Newsletter?
Stay in the know with news and promotions.

Email *

 

 

Full Name *

 

  • Categories

  • About Us

    Michael FackerellHi my name is Michael Fackerell, founder of this site. It is created to help you know Jesus and get a great eternal reward from God Almighty. Learn More

    Depressed? Anxious?

    Bible Games and Apps

    Bible Meditation AppVisit credtec.co for all products and games, like this RPG, Overcome the Darkness.  
    Get our Free Bible Meditate app. You can search themes, play verses repetitively, shuffle, build custom playlists. For Android and iOS. Learn more. 

    Become a Supporter

    Help us reach more people with the true and full gospel. Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you. The measure you use will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)
     

    Christian-Faith.com App

    Christian-faith appGet our Free Christian-Faith.com app. For Android and iOS. Have easy access on your phone to this content. Learn more.