Okbe Zemede

St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church5333 St. Bernard Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122

July 14, 2013

Today’s Gospel talks about specific guidelines for ministers, for Abounas and us, the believers.We may not preach like St. Paul, but we are called to be faithful witnesses for the kingdom of God.

1. (Luke 10:1-3) Seventy-two disciples are appointed and sent out

2. (Luke 10:4-8) Christ gave specific guidelines for their ministry

3. (Luke 10:9) Christ wanted the seventy-two to heal & to preach

4. (Luke 10:10-16) warning to those who reject the message

5. (Luke 10:17-20) The joy of the seventy-two and Jesus’ warning

He first appointed the twelve apostles (Luke 9) After Christ prepares the seventy-two for mission works,

He gave them specific instructions for their ministry. He commanded them to pray so that the Lord would

raise up active servants, for "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few" (v. 2).

Then He said, “3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves”

He educated them not to be distracted by material concerns, “Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals” (v. 4).

or not to be sidetracked by social obligations, “greet no one along the road”. (v. 4).

He instructs them to trust that God would provide for them through the generosity of others, “for the worker deserves his wages”

He instructs them to thankfully receive what was offered to them, “5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. ”

John the Baptist began his ministry with the same message  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 3.1-2. Christ began his ministry with the same message. Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Mat 4.17 The Twelve(Apostles) “2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” Luke 9:1-5

Christ wanted them to heal and to preach, “9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’“

Christ says that the cities that reject His message are in more trouble before God than the sinful cities, Sodom …Tyre and Sidon.

“12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town”

“16 Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Messenger (72)= Message (salvation)= Sender (Christ)

And the seventy came back with joy, when casted out demons in His name (Luke 10:17).

Do not be glad, however, because you have power over spirits, but because your names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20).

We should be happy because we are Children of God and not because of the earthly materials we have (Gal 3:26) 

Who do you work for?In our respective work area, we get instructions and work on them

We are coworkers in the field of God(Luke 10:1-20)

It is easier for an employee to find a job than for a company to find a reliable & trustful employee Employees has the greatest impact on a company A success of a company (house) depends heavily on its employees reliable & trustful employee are a blessing to a company Employee are ambassadors of their company

Employer & Employee relationship

Mission

God wants us to be productive employees in the field of God

Mission

“But let your first care be for his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these other things will be given to you in addition” (Matt 6.33)

God will honor and reward those servants who spend their time working continually to further His kingdom. 

The faithful servant was blessed for doing his homework (Luke 12:41-44; Matthew 24:45-47; 25:21)

The unwise servant makes mistakes by neglecting his responsibilities  and gets punished (Luke 12:39-40; Matthew 24:42-44)

St.Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was Martyred in Rome 107 A.D. (Abib , 7)

St Paul and St Peter both were martyred in Rome by Nero (Abib/Hamle , 5)

20 to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 1 Corinthians 9 : 20 – 23

You are the light of the world [people] - Mat 5:14-16 You are the salt of the earth [people] - Mat 5:13

May God grace us to be faithful servants

Glory Be To God Forever, Amen!