"On the Advance Team"

Presented on September 28, 2025

Main text: Luke 10:1-24

Preached by Pastor Rich Chasse

Day 1:

Called to the Harvest

Devotional

Jesus knew His time on earth was limited as He set His face toward Jerusalem. Yet in this pivotal moment, He didn't rush ahead alone—He mobilized others. He appointed 72 disciples to go before Him, preparing hearts and communities for His message. This wasn't a random decision. Jesus looked at the spiritual landscape and declared, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." These words reveal both an opportunity and a challenge that remains just as relevant today. The harvest Jesus spoke of wasn't crops but people—souls ready to receive the good news. Today, that harvest still surrounds us: neighbors, coworkers, family members, and strangers who need Jesus. The fields are also ripe, but the question remains: Where are the workers? Jesus didn't call only the professionally religious or the perfectly qualified. He called ordinary people willing to step out in faith. The 72 weren't the inner circle of disciples, yet they were entrusted with an extraordinary mission. Perhaps you've thought ministry belongs to pastors or missionaries. But Jesus is still appointing everyday believers to prepare the way for Him in their spheres of influence. The harvest hasn't diminished—only our perception of our role in it has changed.

Bible Verse

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - Luke 10:2 (Read Luke 10:1-12)

Reflection Question

What is holding you back from seeing yourself as one of the laborers Jesus is calling to His harvest field today?

Prayer

Lord of the harvest, open my eyes to see the opportunities around me. Remove any excuses or fears that keep me from joining Your work. Help me to recognize that You've called me—not because I'm perfect, but because You can use me. Give me courage to step into the harvest field today. Amen.

Day 2:

Getting in the Game

Devotional

When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples, He didn't allow them to be spectators. They couldn't simply watch from the sidelines or theorize about ministry—they had to participate. Jesus gave them specific instructions: travel light, stay in one house per town, and engage in healing and proclamation. In other words, He expected action. Many of us have become comfortable as spectators in our faith. We attend services, listen to sermons, and consume Christian content, but we remain on the sidelines of actual ministry. We've convinced ourselves that showing up is enough. But Jesus never called us to be spiritual consumers. He called us to be participants in His kingdom work. The 72 weren't sent to observe but to engage—to heal the sick and proclaim the nearness of God's kingdom. Their ministry had both practical and spiritual dimensions that worked together. The question for us today is clear: Are we in the game or merely watching from the stands? Have we convinced ourselves that our faith is a private matter between us and God, or do we recognize that we're called to a team effort that impacts others? Jesus is still looking for people willing to get off the bench and into the field. The harvest hasn't changed—it's still plentiful. The need for laborers hasn't diminished—they're still few.

Bible Verse

"Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves." - Luke 10:3 (Read Ephesians 4:11-16)

Reflection Question

What specific ministry or service opportunity has God been nudging you toward that you've been hesitant to engage with?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I've been content to sit on the sidelines. Challenge my complacency and stir within me a desire to participate in Your work. Show me where You want me to serve, and give me the courage to step out in faith. Help me move from spectator to participant in Your kingdom work. Amen.

Day 3:

Truth and Compassion: The Inseparable Pair

Devotional

When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples, He instructed them to engage in a two-pronged ministry: healing the sick and proclaiming the kingdom. This wasn't a coincidence—it was a divine strategy that balanced physical compassion with spiritual truth. Today, we often fall into one of two extremes. Some focus exclusively on meeting physical needs without mentioning Jesus. Others proclaim the gospel without demonstrating Christ's love through practical service. Both approaches fall short of Jesus' model. Compassion without Jesus addresses temporary suffering while ignoring eternal needs. It might alleviate pain today but offers no hope for tomorrow. Similarly, truth without love lacks credibility. People may question our message if they don't see it embodied in our actions. Jesus didn't separate these elements. When He healed, He also taught. When He taught, He also met needs. The miraculous healings performed by the 72 verified their divine message—their actions gave credibility to their words. As followers of Christ today, we're called to this same balanced approach. Our service should open doors for sharing Jesus, and our proclamation should be backed by genuine care for others' needs. One without the other creates an incomplete picture of the gospel.

Bible Verse

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. - Matthew 4:23 (Read Matthew 9:32-37)

Reflection Question

In what ways might you be emphasizing either compassionate service or gospel proclamation at the expense of the other in your own life and ministry?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to follow Your example of balancing truth and love, proclamation and demonstration. Guard me from emphasizing one at the expense of the other. Give me opportunities to serve others in practical ways that open doors for sharing Your truth. May my words and actions work together to present a complete picture of Your gospel. Amen.

Day 4:

Eternal Perspective in Temporary Work

Devotional

When the 72 disciples returned from their mission, they were ecstatic about their spiritual victories. "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!" they exclaimed. Their excitement was understandable—they had witnessed supernatural power flowing through them. Yet Jesus gently redirected their focus: "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In this pivotal moment, Jesus taught them to prioritize the eternal over the temporal, even in ministry success. How often do we lose sight of this perspective? We celebrate numerical growth, successful programs, or visible results while forgetting the ultimate purpose behind it all—eternal salvation. Even good ministry can become an idol if we find our identity in what we do rather than in whose we are. Jesus reminds us that our greatest joy shouldn't come from what we accomplish for Him but from what He has accomplished for us. Our names written in heaven—our eternal security in Christ—outweighs any earthly success or spiritual gift. This doesn't diminish the importance of ministry. Rather, it places it in proper perspective. We serve not to earn God's favor or to build our reputation, but because we're already secure in Christ. Our service flows from gratitude for what's already been done, not to achieve what hasn't.

Bible Verse

"For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." - Luke 10:24 (Read Luke 10:17-24)

Reflection Question

How might your ministry or service change if you focused more on your identity in Christ than on your achievements for Christ?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of serving in Your kingdom. Forgive me when I find my worth in what I do rather than in what You've done for me. Help me to rejoice first and foremost that my name is written in Heaven, and let all my service flow from that security. Give me an eternal perspective in all my temporary work. Amen.

Day 5:

Focusing on Receptive Hearts

Devotional

When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples, He gave them a surprising instruction about rejection: shake the dust off your feet and move on. He didn't tell them to argue, debate, or try to convince the unwilling. Instead, He directed them to focus their energy on receptive hearts. This wisdom challenges our natural inclination. We often pour endless energy into resistant people while neglecting those who are ready to hear. We mistake persistence for faithfulness, not realizing that strategic withdrawal can sometimes be the most faithful response. Jesus understood that time and energy are limited resources in ministry. Not everyone will be receptive to the gospel message, and that's okay. Our responsibility is to faithfully present the truth, but we cannot control how others respond to it. This doesn't mean we give up easily or avoid difficult conversations. But it does suggest that we should be discerning about where we invest our efforts. There are people in your life right now who are ready to hear about Jesus—people whose hearts God has been preparing. These are the "harvest fields" where your ministry will bear the most fruit. When we encounter resistance, we can respond with grace rather than frustration. We can pray for those who reject the message while redirecting our energy toward those who are open. This isn't giving up—it's being strategic in kingdom work.

Bible Verse

 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” - Acts 18:6 (Read Acts 18:5-11)

Reflection Question

Who are the receptive people in your life that God might be calling you to focus on, and how might you need to redirect your energy away from resistant relationships?

Prayer

Lord, give me discernment to recognize receptive hearts around me. Help me to be faithful in sharing Your truth while also being wise about where I invest my time and energy. Guard me from frustration when I face rejection, and lead me to those whose hearts You've prepared. May I be sensitive to Your Spirit's guidance as I seek to advance Your kingdom. Amen.