What Could Be More Glorious?!

7th Sunday after Pentecost, 7/7/13
Luke 10:1-12, 16-20


What Could Be More Glorious?!
I. We’re certain of eternal victory.
II. We’re called into saving service.


With the 4th of July just behind us, we’re still seeing US flags proudly displayed in countless places in our communities. Seeing all those flags reminded me that some refer to our country’s flag as “Old Glory” and I wondered why. Do you know the story behind it?

I took a look on the internet and found several articles all offering similar explanations. The name “Old Glory” seems to go back to March 17, 1824, the 21st birthday celebration of a sea captain named William Driver of Salem, MA. His mother and a group of ladies presented him with the birthday gift of a US flag. He was so impressed with it, that he exclaimed, “I name her ‘Old Glory.’” From then on that flag accompanied him on every one of his voyages, trips that took him around the world.

Driver retired in Nashville, TN and proudly displayed that flag on a line extending from his home. During the Civil War, he hid it for safety reasons, but, after the Union won the war, he retrieved the flag from hiding and brought it to the state capitol and raised it for all to see.

Just before his death, he placed the flag into arms of his daughter and told her to cherish it as he had all those years. In 1922, the Driver family presented it to the Smithsonian Institution where it’s carefully displayed under glass for all to see.

Obviously that flag meant a great deal to William Driver. I’m sure your US flag means a great deal to you. It reminds you of all the hardships, the battles, the tragedies, the men and women who have given so much so that we can enjoy life in the great nation of ours. “Old Glory” is a fitting name.

But there will come a day when this nation will no longer stand. All nations will end. And then only one kingdom will be left—the Church, all of God’s people, risen and living with the Lord, our Savior. You talk about glory! There’s nothing more glorious!

Our text for this morning’s sermon presents that glory to us. It’s the account of Jesus sending out 72 of his followers on a short mission trip and astounding things take place. What could be more glorious?! And by faith in Jesus, you’re a member of that Church and participants in that glory. What could be more glorious?! Join me in reviewing just how glorious the Church of our Savior is.

Part I.

You don’t have to be an athlete to be involved in a contest. Each one of us faces contests every day, sometimes all day long. Whether it’s your employment situation, your parenting efforts, your education, your finances, your health—all of these are examples of contests and in each case, we’re never sure of the outcome. We may have a good idea, but we’re never sure.

There is one contest you’re involved in every day all day long in which you’re guaranteed victory. In fact, we already know the outcome and you win. It’s your life in the Church—the gathering of all believers in Jesus.

You see, Christianity isn’t simply a choice for moral living or guidance for daily life. Christianity isn’t about living according to the Golden Rule or a pathway to find success and happiness in this life.

Christianity is about a battle. It’s a battle in which the stakes could not possibly be higher—your eternal life or your eternal death. Eternal bliss or eternal punishment. Life in eternal glory or death in eternal shame. Jesus once said that whoever believes in him has eternal life; whoever does not will be condemned. The battle is on for each human being.

In our text Jesus sent out 72 of his followers into that battle for souls. He described it like this, “I am sending you as lambs among wolves.” By that Jesus meant that he was sending them out in the humility and meekness that he displayed. On the other hand, the world they are going into is vicious, despicable and cruel. But they didn’t need to be concerned, not as long as they trusted in Jesus who has overcome the world.

So the 72 fanned out and look at what happened! “They returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” We wish we had a fuller description of what occurred. From what we have, however, it sounds like their efforts in this epic battle were wildly successful. Casting out demons by the power of Jesus is an amazing thing! You talk about doing something wonderful for someone! No doubt their efforts also accomplished what Jesus had sent them out to do—to win souls for his kingdom, each one of them another victory for Jesus.

And that’s the way it has to be. Jesus always wins. He must win. He describes it like this, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Some feel Jesus was referring to the time when Satan fell away from God and was cast out of heaven. Others feel Jesus was referring to his victory over Satan’s temptations early in his ministry. Still others feel that Jesus is looking into the future, the Last Day, when Satan will be confined to hell forever. What’s clear, however, is that Satan loses and Jesus wins. And all those who trust in him as their Savior win along with him.

If victory—any victory—is glorious, imagine an eternal victory that is guaranteed! What could be more glorious?! We’re certain of eternal victory.

I’m sure you’ve heard the comments. Maybe you’ve even spoken them. Christianity is on the decline. The church is dying. We seem to lose one battle after another with the world. What’s next? We’re tired and weary. We don’t know how much more we can take. It’s a sick world out there and the majority seems to like it that way. Will the Church survive? Indeed it will. It must. Because Jesus always wins. Satan himself knows that he’s fighting a battle he can’t win. When Jesus rose from the dead Satan and his kingdom’s fate were sealed. Defeated forever. Now the battle plays out each day. Sure there are heartaches. It pains us to see what is happening in our world. So many living without Christ. Of course we wish it were easier. But we have this great consolation that through it all, we’re certain of eternal victory. “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” What could be more glorious?!

Part II.

I never get tired of learning how well-equipped our country’s armed forces are. It’s a far cry from the days of the colonial militia when our citizens literally grabbed their rifles and what ammunition they had on hand and went into battle. Today’s soldier enjoys the benefits of cutting edge technology in both weapons and protection.

Did you catch how well-equipped Jesus’ followers were as he sent them out into battle? Better…how little equipped they were? Jesus told them, “I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals.” Rather bare, isn’t it? No money. No extra clothing. No food. Nothing to sleep on. Just what they had on their backs. We would say he sent them out with virtually nothing.

Nothing…except his word. They were to enter a house and proclaim his word of peace. Not peace between nations or friends or family members. Peace between sinful people and the holy God. That’s the peace that Jesus came to win for all through his perfect life and his death on Calvary’s cross. Another way of stating the same thing was to declare, “The kingdom of God is near.” God’s kingdom is not a place. It’s not heaven. God’s kingdom is his rule of love in the hearts of sinful people through his word, the good news of Jesus our Savior. Jesus sent out his followers to proclaim that saving good news. What a glorious opportunity to share in the most important work of all—kingdom work!

But the recipients of that message also had a glorious opportunity. While Jesus instructed his followers not to take any extra food or clothing with them, he also indicated just how they should be housed and fed—by the generous offerings of the people who received their message. The people supported them in their kingdom work and, in doing so, became involved in kingdom work. Imagine that! A simple meal. A warm bed to sleep in. Blessings we make use of every day—all used in support of the most important work of all—the saving of souls. What could be more glorious?!

That glorious calling belongs to you and me. Yes, it’s mine in a slightly different way. You have given me a call into the public ministry. In other words, I conduct my ministry on your behalf for you. But Jesus has called all of us to proclaim the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. That can be as simple but as meaningful as supporting worldwide kingdom work with your offerings. That can be as simple as sharing the saving news of Jesus with a little child. It can be as difficult as confronting sin and calling for repentance. That’s not easy. I’m sure you’ve shied away from that responsibility at times just as I have. But that’s why Jesus called us and not his angels into service in his kingdom. We know what forgiveness is all about. We know how much we need it. By God’s grace we know we have it through the life and death of Jesus. And because we’re sinners who have the forgiveness of sins, Jesus calls us into saving service, to work in a kingdom that will never end. What could be more glorious?! May God richly bless your service in his kingdom! Amen.