The Master Plan of Evangelism

Robert E Coleman

The Master Plan of Evangelism

Robert E Coleman

7. Supervision

Do you still not see or understand? Mark 8: I 7

Jesus kept check on them

After their ministry trips Jesus listened to their reports and shared with them his ministry in doing the same thing.!This teaching rotated between instruction and assignment - when with them he helped them to understand the reason for some previous action or getting them ready for some new experience.

Jesus kept check on them

He used questions, illustrations, warnings, and admonitions to bring out those things that they needed to know in order to fulfil His work.!Mk 6:30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

This regrouping also provided them some needed rest in body and soul - the Bible does not say how long the disciples had been out, days or week? The important thing is that they were expected to share their experiences, later, with the group.!After the 70 went out, Jesus called them back to report on their work, Lk 10:17!The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”!Previously no mention is made of any aspect of their work, but on this occasion they had a rousing report of triumph. Had experienced gee rated greater faith and confidence?

This gave Jesus great joy and he said: He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18!He also said two other things, 10:21,22!However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”!At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

This gave Jesus great joy and he said: He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18!He also said two other things, 10:21,22!However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”!At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

This was what Jesus had been working for and now he was beginning to see his work show fruit. Yet he still cautioned them against pride in their accomplishments.

Jesus continually reviewed their performance

Throughout his ministry Jesus would review the disciples experiences making sure they understood and applied that knowledge.!e.g. the way he responded to the futile efforts of some of the disciples to heal an afflicted boy. Jesus was on the mount of Transfiguration, in his absence, the other disciples had tried to heal a demon-possessed boy brought to them by the father.

Jesus continually reviewed their performance

This case was too much for their faith, and when Jesus returned he found the distraught father with the sick child having a fit before the helpless disciples.!Jesus took care of the boy, but also gave the frustrated disciples a lesson on how they, through more prayer and fasting, should have laid hold upon God's faithfulness, Mark 9:17-29; Matt. 17:14-20; Luke 9:37-43.

After the 5000 had been fed he taught them again of his power to do all things while also teaching them a lesson about spiritual discernment Mark 6:30-44; 7:31-8:9; 13-21; Matt. 14:13-21; 15:29-38; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13!They were going across Galilee in a boat - Jesus had denounced those seeking signs in his day, Mark 8:10-12; Matt. 15:39-16:4!Jesus said: "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.”!The disciples were only hungry for food, and had only one loaf of bread with them - should they have bought more, where will they get some?!Jesus realised they had missed the point, Matt 16:5-12

When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”!7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”!8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Jesus taught them patience

One of Jesus’ correctional teachings was in connection with their attitude toward others in the work who were not members of the apostolic company.!At some point they found people casting out demons in Jesus' name, but they were not of the disciples group, so the disciples had rebuked them!The disciples felt they were doing the right thing, but when it was reported to Jesus he gave them a lecture on the dangers of discouraging any sincere work on His behalf, Mark 9:39-50

Jesus taught them patience

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.!Jesus then applied this more generally to all people, especially children, He went on to say, Mark 9: 42-47,

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,!Note v 44, 46 are omitted as some texts include as these verses, where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”

At another time in Samaria the response of some of the disciples to rejection is astonishing - Jesus ensures they get their thinking right! Luke 9:52ff!“…he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.”

The principle observedJesus gave constant attention to the disciples, giving them increasingly more attention as his ministry on earth came to a close.!He would not let them rest in success or in failure - there was always more to do and to learn. He rejoiced in their success, but kept pointing them to His goal / vision.!Coleman notes that, “Jesus was careful to teach them that the Holy Spirit would continue to supervise their work after He had left - you are never without personal supervision.”

The principle observed

The fact the disciples failed at times, gave them greater awareness of their deficiencies, and hence they were more open to his correction.!And by dealing with real-life situations Jesus could then pinpoint His teaching upon specific needs and to spell out what was required.

“The important thing about all this supervisory work of Jesus was that He kept the disciples going on toward the goal He had set for them. He did not expect more from His disciples than they could do, but He did expect their best, and this He expected always to be improved as they grew in knowledge and grace. His plan of teaching, by example, assignment, and constant check-up, was calculated to bring out the best that was in them.”

The principle today

We need this supervision today among those who are seeking to train others for evangelism. Just because a worker knows how to do it, and is sent out does not guarantee good results. Many things could happen to frustrate and sidetrack the work - these matters must be dealt with realistically by competent and understanding people - otherwise the worker may become discouraged and defeated.

The principle today

Successes also need to be clarified and deepened as their meaning is interpreted in the light of the total mission of Christ. !“It is crucial that those engaging in the work of evangelism have personal supervision and guidance until such time as they are matured enough to carry on alone.”

Keep the vision clearWe must always remember that our goal is world conquest. We dare not let a lesser vision capture us.!Many times in their Christian life people are asked to serve but are given no further training, explanation or inspiration. The result is excitement but no growth - potential ability is not developed, and before long a promising leader is spoiled for want of supervision.!Kingdom effort is lost and we fail because we let our little efforts become an excuse for not doing more.

Keep the vision clear

The result is that we lose by default the advantage of years of hard work and sacrifice. We must learn not to be satisfied merely with the firstfruits of those who are sent out to witness - disciples must be brought to maturity.!There can be no substitute for total victory, and our field is the world. We have not been called to hold the fort, but to storm the heights.

So this course should go on

forever…