The Urgency of Witnessing (Mark 6:7-13, 30-32)

The Urgency of Witnessing And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; (Mark 6:7) “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matthew 10:7)

1. Share Truth They went out and preached that men should repent. (Mark 6:12)

1. Share Truth 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

1. Share Truth Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21) “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.” (Matthew 10:27)

2. Sense Urgency 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” (Mark 6:8-9) “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.” (Luke 10:4)

2. Sense Urgency …Look, the Judge is standing at the door. (James 5:9) 6 Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and let him return to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7)

2. Sense Urgency Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” look, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” (2 Corinthians 6:2; cf. Isaiah 49:8)

2. Sense Urgency

3. Surrender Independence 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” (Mark 6:8-9)

3. Surrender Independence 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?... 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:26, 31-33)

Two Responses 10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” (Mark 6:10-11)

4. Serve Contently And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. (Mark 6:10-11)

4. Serve Contently 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13)

Timeless Principles 35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.” (Luke 22:35-36)

4. Serve Contently “…Freely you received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

Anointing with Oil 12 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. (Mark 6:12-13)

5. Show Compassion And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. (Mark 6:13) “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat.” (Mark 8:2)

5. Show Compassion Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)

6. Seek Rest 30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. (Mark 6:30-32)

6. Seek Rest Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. (Psalm 105:4) “We Christians must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity. Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. The need for solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today.” – A. W. Tozer

6. Seek Rest Yet those who hope in the Lord will gain new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

The Urgency of Witnessing (Mark 6:7-13, 30-32)