 SERMON: I WILL GO: WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

I Will Go: Would It Make a Difference?

Introduction

Abram left his homeland and traveled to an unknown destination; The prophet Isaiah
answered, … "Here am I. Send me!" Peter, John, and James left behind their boat and
nets to become fishers of men; the former demon-possessed went to share his testimony
in 10 cities. Many have in their own time and own ways partnered with God. You, too,
have responded or are considering responding to God's appeal. But an important
question remains. Does it make a difference for us humans to partner in God's mission?
Or is it the same as a toddler who helps his father carry the heavy log of wood? I'm sure
that you have observed such a situation. A willing heart, an unforgettable boning
experience, but not really helping! How relevant is it to partner in the mission of a God
who is omnipotent (He Has All Power), omnipresent (He is Everywhere), and
omniscient (He Has All Knowledge)? And beyond that, He declares Himself to be the
Owner of everything (Psalm 24:1-2). Would “I Will Go” make a Difference?

Luke 8:1–3 can help us to understand the value of partnering in God’s mission: I invite
you to follow the reading of this Bible text “After this, Jesus traveled about from one
town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The
Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and
diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna
the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others.
These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Here, Luke
reports that Jesus associated himself with the 12 and with some women. Then he
mentions the role played by these women: “These women were helping to support
them out of their own means.” Is he saying that these women provided the resources
needed by Jesus and the disciples? This would mean that Jesus, the all-powerful God,
depended on a handful of women for the execution of His mission. What could these
women really bring to Jesus? What could we really bring to God's mission?

Prayer:

The Contributions of the Women

We read again Luke 8:3b, “These women were helping to support them out of their
own means.” There are two key expressions: “helping to support” and “own means."

The word “diekonoun” translated as "helping to support" or "ministering," can have a

double meaning. It refers to service rendered and to financial patronage. The context
can accommodate both meanings. An itinerant preacher with twelve disciples definitely
had some essential needs: the washing and mending of clothes, food preparation, and so
on. Also, Jesus left His carpentry shop. His followers left their boats and nets, and one of
them his tax collector's booth. Financial support was needed for them to survive.
According to Luke, these women provided for these needs.
The other expression, “Uparchonton” translated as "own means," can also have a double
meaning. First, it refers to one's abilities. When these women were providing services, it
was according to their abilities, both simple and complex. One was probably a great cook
(preparing the favorite dish of Jesus). Another one was good at providing care whenever
someone suffered from colic or stomachache. Another one had golden fingers to repair
patches in their clothes. Each one contributed, according to her abilities. The expression
"own means" also refers to financial means. It could have been some pocket money or
savings. It is even possible that these women sold some of their valuables to assist
Jesus.

The use of our "own means" (talents, gifts, time, and resources) in God's mission is
something designed by God himself: "He has placed in the hands of his servants the
means wherewith to carry forward his work in the home and foreign mission."[1] The
association between the divine and humans, is a striking feature of God's mission. Now
that we have talked about the nature of the partnership and how it is expected by God
Himself, we can go back to our core question: What difference does that make when
humans accept the call to partner in God's mission?

An Expansion in Mission

Our text, Luke 8:1–3, is an introduction to Jesus' mission in Galilee before he journeyed
to Jerusalem to be arrested and put to death. From what is reported in the Gospels, this
phase of His ministry, supported by these women, was notably rich in teaching,
demonstrating power, and new missionary initiatives.

During His travel in Galilee, Jesus started to use parables to make His teachings clearer
to his followers. He spoke plainly about his death and resurrection. Another peak
experience was the transfiguration, through which He gave to 3 of his disciples a
glimpse of His second coming in glory. The good news was proclaimed with great clarity.
According to Luke, all this was made possible because these women provided the
needed support.

Let's talk about the demonstration of power. During this missionary tour, He controlled
the elements by calming the storm and walking on water. He demonstrated his healing
power by healing the woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years, and his life-giving
power by resurrecting the daughter of Jairus. He fed a crowd of 5,000 men, plus women
and children. He impacted and transformed many lives because these women answered
the call of partnership.

This period was also marked by a significant expansion in new mission initiatives. Jesus
visited the Gentile regions outside the borders of Israel. He visited places such as Tyre,
Sidon, Bethsaida, and Decapolis. Outside Tyre, he repeated the miracle of the
multiplication of bread by feeding 4 000 men, presenting himself as the Bread of Life
for all nations. How did He manage to accomplish that much in such a short period?
You know the answer already. The women provided the logistics.
Dear friends, Luke leads his readers to understand the value of material and financial
supports. These so-called “mundane things” are the wheels of mission. Human's
participation in God's mission is not a mere pretense as it is the case for the toddler
carrying the heavy log. It does make a difference. Our participation and support
contribute to the progress of God's final mission: “He does not design that his work
shall be crippled for wants of means.”[2] There is a clear correlation between believers
answering, “I Will Go/I Will Give” and progress in God’s mission.

Nonetheless, in many situations, we don't see the immediate effect of our partnership
with God. As humans, we are motivated by the results of our actions, and not seeing the
result can be challenging. Some of us get discouraged. Others withdraw from partnering,
and some resolve to support only local projects rather than to support a worldwide
mission worldwide far from our eyes. Apostle Paul had a similar experience. Some
people in Corinth were questioning the pertinence of his mission. Let us listen to Paul's
conviction in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “My dear brothers and sisters, stay firmly planted—be
unshakable— do many good works in the name of God, and know that all your labor is
not for nothing when it is for God.” "your labor is not for nothing" In other words, the
value of our partnership through invisible today is a sure reality, and its significance will
be revealed. In the meantime, let us remember that God's mission is global, what we see
and what we cannot see "to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation,
tribe, language and people" (Rev. 14:7). He requires a global mindset from his chosen
partners.

There is a bonus for us. Today, we can already gain some glimpses of the outcome of our
partnership in God’s mission. Let me share one example with you. Every quarter, God’s
Church from all over the world pulls funds together to support one specific region
through what we called the 13 Sabbath Project. In 2016, a portion of our offerings was
th

invested in establishing a floating church (The Amazon of Hope) on the Amazon River in
Brazil. Do you know that after the first 12 full months of the boat church operation, 286
were baptized, and three churches were planted in 2017? Listen to the testimony of
Pastor Reno and his wife Nathalia, who served on the church boat, the Amazon of Hope:
"The boat church is God’s way of saving people who have been forgotten by political,
economic, and health systems,” “Villagers are waiting for missionaries and waiting to
know Jesus.” If you want to know more about how your support to mission is making a
difference, I invite you to visit the Adventist Mission website. You will be pleased.

The First Blessing

Before we end, let us talk about another result, probably the most important one, that
our support to mission is making. Their partnership impacts the very lives of those
participating and supporting the mission. This can be observed through the experience
of these women of Luke 8:1-3. The next occasion on which we meet these same women
from Galilee is at the foot of the cross (Luke 23: 49) and the burial of Jesus (Luke 23:
55). During this testing time, they did not deny their Jesus or ran away. Later, they
became the first witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:1-9). Faithfulness in
supporting God’s mission has prepared them for faithfulness in time of
crisis. Ultimately, they were the ones who benefited the most from partnering with
Jesus. Ellen White, in the book Desire of Ages, writes about God's foremost purpose in
enrolling us as partners: “God could have reached His object in saving sinners without
our aid; but for us to develop a character like Christ's, we must share in His work. To
enter into His joy—the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice—we must
participate in His labors for their redemption." (The Desire of Ages, 142). Developing a
Christlike character and experiencing true joy are God’s gifts to those who enter in
partnership with Him. And this is real. Brothers and sisters, our sincere involvement
today in God’s mission will help us to remain standing during the final crisis.

You remember the toddler who is helping to carry the heavy log. Through this activity,
he enjoys his dad's presence; he builds sweet memories, has fun, and bonds with his
hero. This same experience is promised to those who partner in God’s mission. At the
end of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus calls his disciples to "Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations …" (Matthew 28:19). He ends the next verse (verse 20) by mentioning the
unique experience of those who answer to this call "And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.” The blessings and the joy of His presence is given to those
who go. Is that not our daily prayer? It is fulfilled when we participate in His mission.

Conclusion

Jesus, the One who owns everything, the One has the power to multiply bread, is clearly
indicating that the Divine has chosen to associate with human partners in the work of
proclaiming the good news of His kingdom. He calls both the twelve and the women.
His invitation “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” is addressed to each one of
us today. He wants His mission to go forward, stronger, and faster. He wants you and I
to enjoy His presence here and now. How do we respond?

Prayer

Aniel Barbe

[1] Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Dec. 23, 1890

[2] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol.9, p.247