I have talked this over with several pastors over the last couple of years, and we’ve shaken our mutual heads. I don’t know from where the next generation of pastors and missionaries are going to come. There may be lots of neo-evangelical and doctrinally compromising young men out there. There may be quite a few pseudo-intellectual, theologians in various seminaries around the country. But where are the up and coming John Ganos, Shubal Sterns, Forrest Keeners, and Ken Johnsons? Where are the replacements for our current pastors and missionaries? I used to think of myself as a young man, with lots of years to go in the service of the Lord. Sadly, I am still among the younger pastors in our Sovereign Grace, Landmark, evangelical churches. But I know for a fact that I am not as young as I was when I first became pastor of this church. And I don’t see anyone on the horizon to take my place when the Lord decides that I should graduate. In other words, humanly speaking, I am worried, for this church, and those churches like ours. And what about all those cities and towns which yearn to have churches like ours. Where is the missionary to take over the reigns in Kennewick, Washington? It should be on our regular prayer list that the Lord would “send forth labourers into His harvest.” I know that the Lord is in control, but humanly speaking, I can’t see what He is doing in this regard.
I suppose that a long list of reasons might be formed, explaining the lack of upcoming servants of God. Certainly, there are a great many modern sins, which render young people unfit for the ministry. And there are a great many vocations which offer the young man lots of money and prestige. But it seems to me that more and more of our youth don’t even have high aspirations even in the secular world. Fifty years ago, my friends wanted to become scientists, astronauts, explorers and discoverers. Maybe I’m too far removed from kids these days to hear of their dreams and goals. But again, I say, I’m concerned, because I don’t even hear of this sort of thing anymore..
As I was thinking about these forty verses, I saw a way to blend what I’ve just described, with these words. I’ve entitled this message, “The Greatest Job on Earth.” There are problems with that title, but I’m sticking with it for a reason. What Christ Jesus was doing, had nothing to do with giving these twelve men “good jobs.” This was a divine calling – they were being given an Heavenly calling. But it was the greatest and highest calling possible in this world.
I’m not going to analyze this scripture this afternoon, but let’s pursue this theme: What is the greatest job on earth? The answer is totally subjective – it all depends on the sort of person who is asking or answering the question. And in this case, I am both asking and answering.
When I was a kid, some of my friends wanted to become ASTRONAUTS.
A man had recently walked on the moon; others were zooming around high over our heads. Sometimes we could even see their tiny spacecrafts. And they were in the newspapers and in kid’s scientific and scholastic journals. They were test-piloting jets, or putting on fancy space suits, sitting on millions of pounds of high explosives and hurtling into space for a few hours or days. They were going where no man had ever gone before, being made of the right stuff. It was exotic, glamourous, and exciting back in the 50s and 60s. They were learning things, returning with things, seeing things and helping all humanity – we were told. Lot’s of people wanted to be just like those first few astronauts.
But what they were doing was no more exciting, thrilling and dangerous as what Christ was sending His disciples to do. “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.” “He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
Of course, I was an adult at the time, but I remember when the space shuttle exploded just after take-off. Yes, there weren’t any more space flights for a while, but did that disaster take away the childhood desire for the exploration of the universe? Earlier there was the Apollo 13 flight when most of America was at the edge of their seats, and with their hearts in the mouths they were waiting word of the safe arrival of those daring explorers. Those things didn’t rob people’s desire for space travel and exploration; they intensified those desires.
What those astronauts went through was no more dangerous or thrilling than what Paul endured at Lystra, when he was pushed beyond death only to return to fly again. I can’t tell you how difficult it was for Jesus’ first Apostles, but I guarantee it was no piece of cake. They were taking their lives in their hands, or perhaps I should say they were putting their lives in the Lord’s hands when they began traveling about Galilee in Jesus’ Name. They were every bit as excited and thrilled to be doing the Lord’s bidding as the first astronauts were to be doing the dangerous work of NASA.
To be a servant of God is a greater job than to be living on the International Space Station.
I was finishing high school during the days of the War in Viet Nam.
I had some friends who were deathly afraid of the war and of the potential of being drafted into the army. But I had a few others who had dreams of becoming a part of the military’s special forces. They might have spoken of Navy Seals,, Army Rangers or other special forces. Unlike the draft dodgers, these kids wanted to serve their country – they wanted the thrill and the danger. Perhaps they didn’t look at the ministry of the Lord through the same eyes, but they could have.
“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying….” “Into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” “The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” But “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”
I can’t say that it is true of every soldier, but those soldiers who are called and who willing learn to become special forces, do so with a very special attitude. They know they are risking their lives; they know that they may never see their mothers and fathers again. But they approach their assignments with a confidence which comes from extreme training, and with trust in their equipment and in the men who are ordering them into the field. It is not a great deal different than what the Lord Jesus expects of His soldiers. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” And what if that soldier should loose his life in the midst of the battle? It has happened thousands of times. But hopefully that Ranger or Seal died in hope – the hope that his sacrifice was productive. “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” That Navy Seal, may have little more than the thanks of his country, and an honored place in Arlington. But the soldier of Christ has that and so much more. He has the added promise of the resurrection, and the Lord’s medal of honour pinned to his chest while he stands before Christ in a renewed and glorified body.
I think that to be an AMBASSADOR of the United States would be a really good job.
Ambassadors go with a great deal of authority from the government of the United States. They move in the top circles of the country to which they are assigned. They meet the most important people of those countries. And they entertain some of the most important people of their own countries when those people travel the world on government business. Sometimes ambassadors live in luxury, if not in palaces and mansions abroad. They eat good food, they enjoy the best of the foreign culture and city. It is a part of their job to put their very best face on – almost every day of their assignment – smiling and enjoying. They are paid very good money to be happy. And those ambassadors are sometimes move from assignment to assignment. They enjoy the best of one country for a while, and then they may be moved to another country. They see the world from the loftiest of heights. They represent the government of their nation before the corrupt governments to which they are attached.
Those twelve apostles, and their lesser successors even today, go as ambassadors of the King of kings. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.”
Do you remember when King David sent some ambassadors into a neighboring kingdom to convey his condolences upon the death of their king? Some stupid counselors suggested to the new monarch that the ambassadors were spies. David’s ambassadors were shamefully mistreated and sent back to Israel. Do you recall what David did in return? There was war. Don’t think for a moment that the great Son of David, will do anything less. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
Obviously, not even the ambassador for Christ will be treated with the respect. But that ambassador isn’t overly concerned about it, because he knows that it isn’t himself, but his King who is hated. And it is not up to the servant to come up with the right response to the attack; he is to react according to the wishes of his government. “Beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.” He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
I could go on talking about police men, doctors and a few other noble professions, but….
I’ll conclude with one more really great job – it would be great to be a PRINCE.
I made one confession this morning, and now I’ll make another, even though most of you will not understand. When I was still small and growing up in Canada, I was vaguely aware of my Canadianism. I was aware that Canada was a part of the British Commonwealth and that Elizabeth II was Queen of Canada. I had seen plenty of pictures of the Queen, and later my family had the privilege of seeing her in person as she was slowly driven past our spot on a Calgary curb. I also knew that she had a son who was approximately my age. To make a long story short, I had a crush on my beautiful queen, and I was jealous that Charles got to be prince while I wasn’t (as I say I was young at the time). I used to think that to be the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth – to be prince of England would be a really great job. I know better today, but as a child that was one of my dreams. I know now that it is far, far better title to be a Son of God than to be a son of Queen Elizabeth.
One of the things which the Lord Jesus tells His disciples here is that He will have their backs. They are not merely His soldiers or His ambassadors. They are His special care and concern. He implies that they will have their needs met – “Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.” The Lord suggests that if His Apostles are mistreated the malefactors will be judged. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” I will explain this later, but at this point let’s just say that the Lord is coming again. And when He arrives, He will make all things right.
“Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” I can almost see the Lord smile as he says these things. Yes, we are slightly more valuable and loved than a sparrow. “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
When I was young, I wanted to become a succession of things, until I settled on becoming a SCIENTIST.
I wanted to become a biologist, and I went off to college with that in mind. But then during my first year of university, the Lord called me in much the same way as He called the twelve apostles. He sucked out of me any desire, satisfaction or fulfillment that I might have had in science. And he replaced it with a desire to preach His word.
I’m here to tell you that the greatest job in the world is to be a servant of God, in whatever capacity the Lord gives that opportunity. I have reason to believe that I could have made more money in the secular world than what I have made in the ministry. Perhaps I could have even become noted in some special field of forestry or zoology. But I have never regretted what the Lord has made me to become. Undoubtedly I could have been and I could be a better preacher and pastor than I am, but I am not sorry that God has placed me in this pulpit.
I believe that I hold the greatest job in the world, and I pray that the Lord will call dozens of others to this same opportunity. I pray that the Lord will call into the ministry some even from our own church.