Okbe Zemede St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church 5333 St. Bernard Ave. New Orleans, LA 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  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 Receive benefits (eternal salvation) Projects has rules Team work is essential Gives instructions/Order Authority/power Gives reward Punish/fire Makes decisions Work diligently to Implement mission/project Follow the order/instruction Gets compensation for his work Worker Owner /CEO Customer Project Mission

God wants us to be productive employees in the field of God Receive benefits (eternal salvation) For God is not a God of disorder (1 Cor 14:33) & has rules To preach the kingdom of God to others in our daily life/walk Team work Gives instructions Authority/power Gives reward Punish/fires Makes decisions Work diligently to Implement mission Follow the order Gets compensation – Salvation in Eternity Seventy -Two / us Christ The house /Receiver Harvest = (Project) 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!