"On the Advance Team"

Presented on September 28, 2025

Main text: Luke 10:1-24

Preached by Pastor Rich Chasse

Summary

In this sermon, the pastor discusses Luke 10:1-24, where Jesus sends out 72 disciples as an advance team to prepare the villages and towns for His arrival as He journeys toward Jerusalem. The disciples were instructed to heal the sick and proclaim that the Kingdom of God was near. The sermon emphasizes that these disciples served as an advance team for Jesus, and similarly, Christians today are called to be an advance team for Christ's return. The pastor outlines three fundamental responsibilities for Christians: the Great Commandment (love God and love others), the Great Commission (make disciples worldwide), and the Great Priority (start ministry locally before expanding outward). The sermon concludes with practical lessons about ministry being a team sport, the importance of addressing both physical and spiritual needs, and focusing efforts on receptive hearts rather than endless debates.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us. Just as You sent out the 72 disciples to prepare the way for Jesus, help us understand how we can be Your advance team in our world today. Guide our conversation, challenge our thinking, and transform our lives through this discussion. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

If you could be part of an advance team preparing for the arrival of any famous person (past or present), who would you choose and what would you do to prepare for their arrival?

Key Verses

Matthew 22:37-39

Matthew 28:19-20

Acts 1:8

Luke 10:1-24

Questions

1. The sermon mentions that the 72 disciples were sent out as an 'advance team' for Jesus. In what ways are Christians today still functioning as an advance team, and what are we preparing the world for?
2. Jesus told the disciples to 'rejoice that your names are written in heaven' rather than in their spiritual power. Why do you think this distinction was important, and how might we apply this principle today?
3. The pastor described three fundamental responsibilities for Christians: the Great Commandment, Great Commission, and Great Priority. Which of these do you find most challenging to live out and why?
4. How do you balance meeting people's physical needs while also sharing the gospel message? Have you ever struggled with emphasizing one over the other?
5. Jesus instructed the disciples to move on when people rejected their message rather than staying to argue. How might this wisdom apply to our evangelism efforts today, particularly on social media?
6. The sermon states that 'ministry is a team sport.' What are some ways you've experienced the importance of community in your spiritual journey?
7. Jesus sent the disciples out with very few provisions, telling them to depend on the hospitality of others. What might this teach us about trust and dependence on God in ministry?
8. The pastor emphasized that we should 'go where the harvest is' rather than focusing solely on need. How might this perspective change your approach to sharing your faith?

Life Application

This week, identify one person in your immediate circle (family, workplace, neighborhood) who seems receptive to spiritual conversations. Make an intentional effort to both serve them in a practical way and share something about your faith with them. Remember that effective ministry addresses both physical and spiritual needs. Before engaging, pray specifically for this person and ask God to guide your words and actions. Come prepared next week to share how this experience impacted both you and the other person.

Key Takeaways

1. Ministry should address both physical needs and spiritual needs — serving without sharing Jesus has no eternal value, while sharing Jesus without serving has little credibility.
2. Christians are called to be an advance team for Christ, preparing the way through the Great Commandment (love God and others), the Great Commission (make disciples), and the Great Priority (start locally).
3. Ministry is a team sport, not meant to be done alone — we're called to live in community and active participation rather than being spectators.
4. Focus evangelistic efforts on receptive hearts rather than getting bogged down in arguments with those who reject the message.
5. Our greatest joy should be that our names are written in Heaven, not in our spiritual accomplishments or powers.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the privilege of being part of Your advance team in this world. Help us to balance meeting physical needs while boldly sharing the good news of salvation. Give us wisdom to recognize receptive hearts, courage to speak truth in love, and humility to work together as Your body. May we find our greatest joy not in what we accomplish for You, but in the fact that our names are written in Heaven because of what You accomplished for us. Send us out this week with renewed purpose to prepare the way for Your kingdom. In Your name we pray, Amen.

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"Is It More Than Admiration"

Presented on September 21, 2025

Main text: Luke 9:51, 57-62

Preached by Pastor Rich Chasse

Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Rich explores the difference between admiring Jesus and truly following Him. Using the story from Luke 9:57-62, he examines three individuals who expressed a desire to follow Jesus but had excuses that revealed their divided hearts. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus never asked for admirers but for followers who would place Him first in their lives. The pastor explains that during Jesus' earthly ministry, He preached that "the kingdom of God is at hand," and this context helps us understand His seemingly harsh responses to these would-be followers. The message concludes with the inspiring story of William Borden, heir to a family fortune who gave up everything to follow Christ with "no reserves, no retreats, no regrets."

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us. Lord, just as You called people to follow You completely during Your earthly ministry, You continue to call us to wholehearted devotion today. Help us to examine our own hearts honestly as we discuss what it truly means to follow You rather than merely admire You. May this time together draw us closer to You and to each other. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker

If you could travel anywhere in the world for one month, where would you go and why?

Key Verses

1. Luke 9:51
2. Luke 9:57-62
3. Mark 1:14-15
4. 2 Corinthians 4:4
5. 1 Timothy 5:8

Questions

1. What's the difference between admiring Jesus and following Him? How might this distinction play out in everyday life?
2. The first would-be follower seemed eager but Jesus warned about having "nowhere to lay his head." What comforts or securities might we be unwilling to give up to follow Jesus?
3. The second person wanted to "bury his father first." What legitimate responsibilities or priorities in your life might compete with your commitment to Christ?
4. The third person wanted to say goodbye to family. How might looking back or holding onto our past hinder our walk with Christ?
5. Pastor Rich mentioned that Jesus was preaching "the kingdom of God is at hand" during His ministry. How does understanding this context help us interpret Jesus' seemingly harsh responses?
6. What does it mean practically to make Jesus "first place" in your life? What areas are most challenging for you?
7. William Borden wrote "no reserves, no retreats, no regrets" in his Bible. Which of these three commitments is most challenging for you and why?
8. How would your life look different if you moved from merely admiring Jesus to fully following Him?

Life Application

This week, identify one area of your life where you've been holding back from fully following Jesus. It might be your finances, your time, a relationship, or a comfort you're unwilling to surrender. Write down this area and pray specifically about it each day, asking God to help you surrender it completely to Him. Then, take one concrete step toward obedience in this area. Share with someone in the group what you've identified and the step you plan to take, so they can pray for you and hold you accountable.

Key Takeaways

1. There's a significant difference between admiring Jesus and truly following Him as Lord.
2. Jesus doesn't want our partial commitment or excuses - He wants us to be all in, with Him as our first priority.
3. Following Jesus may require sacrificing comfort, delaying other priorities, and not looking back at our old way of life.
4. True discipleship means saying "no reserves, no retreats, no regrets" as we follow Christ wholeheartedly.
5. Jesus is not against family commitment or responsibilities, but He must be Lord over all aspects of our lives.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for challenging us today with Your call to true discipleship. We confess that too often we've been content to admire You from a distance rather than follow You wholeheartedly. Forgive us for our excuses and our divided hearts. Help us to live with no reserves - holding nothing back from You; no retreats - refusing to turn back when following You becomes difficult; and no regrets - trusting that a life surrendered to You is never wasted. Give us the courage this week to take concrete steps toward full obedience in the areas where we've been holding back. May our lives demonstrate that You are truly our Lord, not just someone we admire. We pray this in Your powerful name, Amen.