Trinity 7 Sermon

 Mission Work Checklist 

Mark 6:1-13

Today is the seventh Sunday of the Trinity season and I would like to commence my sermon by a conversation on Traveling Checklist. As you can see the majority of us are not here because some are on vacation and have travelled outside the Island. On the other hand we also have visitors who are here with us today because they are also on vacation in the Island. Whenever we plan to travel there is a checklist that we go through for our trip to be successful. Let us say we are travelling for a vacation to an Asian holiday destination, for example, Bali in Indonesia, how will plan your trip? Which are the things needed for the trip? 

Travel Checklist: Essential Items

1. Passport and other additional IDs and Photocopies

2. Visa

3.Traveling Insurance  

4. Debit/Credit Cards/Cash

5. Clothes 

6. Toiletries 

7. Assorted Accessories 

Why are we talking about traveling checklist? In today's gospel, Jesus is sending his disciples on a mission to the surrounding villages and what is the traveling checklist he gave to his disciples on a mission trip? Unfortunately these disciples were not a vacation trip but on a mission trip. As we analyze Jesus' mission traveling checklist for his disciples, let us think of a traveling checklist for soldiers on a foreign mission. 

Soldiers’ Checklist

Helmet      

Uniform 

Boots

Armor

Weapon

Food

Compass

 first aid kit

What was Jesus’ Traveling Checklist for his disciples on a mission to the villages?

1. He gave them authority over unclean spirits

2. Staff

The rod mentioned in Psalm 23 is a symbol of the Lord’s strength and protection

The shepherd also used the staff to help him keep count of the sheep within the flock in Leviticus 27:32

3. No bread

In the Old Testament bread was the basic food that supported life. 

4. No bag 

This is a bag made of dried skin.

When he leaves home to go and tend the sheep, his mother will put into it some bread, cheese, dried fruit, and probably some olives. 

It was into this bag that David placed the five smooth stones when he went to battle with the giant Goliath (1Sam. 17:40).

5. No money

A significant portion of our life  revolves around earning, saving, giving, and spending money. 

So our relationship with money isn’t something we can just brush aside as unspiritual or unnecessary.  

6.Sandals  

Sandals symbolize humility and servanthood.

7. Tunic 

This cloak was used, not only as a jacket or overcoat during the day, but also as a covering to sleep under at night. 

So who was going to provide for their ministry needs?

The gospel does not suggest that those very things were not necessary for their mission. 

They were going to survive on the hospitality of the people in the mission field. They were to trust God for their supply. 

Supplies held in reserve for future needs would have weakened their trust in present help.

God was going to provide them through those people whom they minister to. 

Various ways of participating in the mission of the church

Today there are various ways of participating in the mission of God through His Church. We can use our talents and skills in the furtherance of God's work. We can fund mission work through various resources at our disposal. What is it that God has blessed you that can given to the mission of the church? Is it your spiritual or administrative gifts? Is is the material wealth that God has blessed you with that can be given for the growth of the Kingdom of God. Let us reflect on what God is calling us to do in his church.

Closing Prayer 

Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labours, and that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours for ever. Amen