An Apostolic Preseason Game

Getting up to Game Speed

In order to get ready for the real games, athletes need something more than just practice. Maybe it’s a scrimmage, where you play at game speed against your teammates. But even better, are preseason games against real opponents. They may be frightfully boring for fans but incredibly necessary for the teams.

These exhibition contests may not count in the standings, but they allow you to put into practice what you’ve been working on in practice. They give coaches the chance to see what you’re doing right and what still needs work.

Jesus Coaches Them up

Did you know we get a box seats to an apostolic preseason game in Mark’s Gospel (Mk 6:7-13)? We get locker room access to see Jesus coaching up His boys and then sending them out onto the field. The team doesn’t know it yet, but the start of the regular season is right around the corner.

It’s interesting to note that this comes on the heels of Christ playing a tough home game (Mk 6:1-6). He returns to Nazareth only to have the home crowd turn on Him. They aren’t buying His claim to be God’s long promised Hero. They simply see Him as the local Carpenter. You know, Joe and Mary’s Boy.

Pregame Instructions

Actually most of what Mark describes in this next passage is actually the Lord giving His guys pregame instructions (v7-11). He assigns them each a teammate (v7), the ability to do the job (v7), the specific equipment they will need (v8-9), what to do when they get on the field (v10), and a realistic expectation of what to expect (v11).

The author only provides a brief summary of what actually happens in the game (v12-13). If you’re a sports fan, you know how difficult it can be to find details of preseason games. Sometimes you’re lucky just to find a boxscore. Same here.

A Timeless Coaching Method

After taking His boys on a teaching tour of the villages surrounding Nazareth (Mk 6:6), Jesus decides it’s time for His team to give it a try without Him. “And He called His twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits” (v7).

Mark begins by showing Jesus doing something that He’s still doing today. He calls His team in so that he can send them out. Christ’s timeless coaching method begins with bringing His followers in close.

In doing so, our Savior reveals His heart, His vision, and His strategy. Over and over, He personally demonstrates what to do. Teaching. Healing. Loving. His disciples get an up close and personal look at both the why and the how.

Jesus’ Supernatural Game Plan

Two thousand years later, He still does the same for us. After heading home to His Father in heaven, Jesus left us His playbook in the form of His Word. In it, the Lord explains His supernatural game plan. In the four Gospels, we can sit back and watch the game films of how He did it.

But the Son of God doesn’t just call His team into the locker room for an endless strategy session. Eventually He sends them out onto the field. Same with you and me. Jesus calls us in so that He can send us out.

Disciples and Apostles…What’s the Difference?

Did you know that’s the difference in referring to His crew as “disciples” and “apostles?” Jesus calls His disciples close. He sends His apostles out. We actually see that when we take a closer look at the original language in verse 7.

The word the NLT translates as “sending” is actually the Greek verb αποστελλω/apostello. Do you see it? Yup, it’s where we get the word apostle. It means to send with full authority and a particular purpose.

Capital “A” Apostles

When Christ prays for His crew the night before His crucifixion, He uses the same word when talking to His Heavenly Dad. “Just as You sent (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) me into the world, I am sending (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) them into the world” (Jn 17:18).

Just to be sure, Jesus didn’t stop sending people after sending His very first team. Oh, there aren’t any more capital “A” Apostles. Those are the guys He sent after they personally saw His resurrection. But there are lowercase “a” apostles all over the place.

He Still Sends

That’s because He’s still sending folks in His name with full authority and a particular purpose. One of those people is actually reading these words right now. Yeah, I’m talking to YOU! If you’re a follower of Jesus, He’s called you in so that He can send you out. It’s time to get on the field (Mt 28:18-20).

Our Savior gathers His people together today. For weekend worship. In small groups. In Sunday school. There’s power and encouragement when believers connect. Did you know that Jesus actually prays for this to happen. He asks His Father to make us just as close with each other as the Two of them are (Jn 17:21).

Get in the Game!

But coming together isn’t the end game. He sends each of us to get into THE Game! Jesus releases us into the world as shiners of His light and spreaders of His salt. That doesn’t happen if we never leave the holy huddle.

Teams of Two

Back inside the apostolic locker room before the exhibition game, the Lord pairs the boys in teams of two. He sends them out “two by two” (v7). Mark gives us this juicy little tidbit that we don’t see when Matt and Dr. Luke tell this same story (Mt 10:1, 5-15; Lk 9:1-6).

It’s one of the reasons why I love Mark’s Gospel. He gives you cool firsthand details we don’t see anywhere else. Where’s he getting his info? The one and only Apostle Peter. The early followers of Jesus believed the disciple Christ nicknamed Rocky actually ghostwrites the second Gospel.

It’s a Team Sport

Christ teams the boys up “two by two” (v7). What a great reminder that our faith is a team sport. Is each one of us individually accountable to God? Absolutely. But Christ places us into His Body so we won’t be alone. Remember, a sheep flying solo is an easy target for the enemy.

Working in pairs is another one of Jesus’ classic coaching methods. When the boys go out, they’re never alone. The other brother covers your backside. Teams of two provide accountability, encouragement, help, and discernment. It also meets the minimum legal requirement for testimony in court (Dt 19:15).

We’re Better Together

It’s exactly the kind of thing Solomon writes about in Ecclesiastes 4:10-12. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecc 4:10). There’s always someone there to pick you, keep you warm, and have your back. We’re better together.

Solomon reminds us that when two team up in God’s name, they’re actually like a triple-braided rope (Ecc 4:12). Who’s that Third Person? You get three guesses and the first two don’t count. Yup, none other than Jesus Himself.

Continuous Power and Authority

The Lord tells them what to do and gives them the power to do it, “giving them authority to cast out evil spirits” (v7). Matthew is a little more specific when he quotes Christ. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons” (Mt 10:8). In other words, give folks a sneak preview of God’s kingdom.

Bible experts point out that the grammar here is important. The form of the verb here tells us Jesus keeps on giving His posse continuous power and authority all through their tour. When we obey Our Savior’s instructions, He won’t leave us hanging.

ALL Authority

Jesus can give us divine authority because He’s received it straight from His Dad. “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18). Not a little. Not some. Not a big chunk. But ALL authority. A-L-L. That’s what makes Him the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

On one hand, He sends us all of us in His authority. With His full backing, “we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us” (2Cor 5:20). He sends us out to be disciple-making disciples (Mt 28:19-20).

Don’t Leave Home without It

On the other, we have absolutely no clout without Christ. Don’t believe me? Read what happens to seven brothers who get too big for their spiritual britches and try to exorcise a demon without Jesus’ authority (Acts 19:13-16). They ended up running out the front door naked and bleeding.

As Matt Chandler likes to say, anytime you start a fight wearing pants and you’re buck naked when it’s over…YOU LOST! These bros get demonically spanked because they didn’t have the Lord’s backing. Forget American Express. Jesus’ authority. Don’t leave home without it.

No Frills

For this mission, the Lord won’t let them take a lot of gear. “He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money” (v8). This is no pleasure cruise or luxury vacation. This is to be no frills, more like camping and hiking.

Jesus also limits their luggage. “He allowed them to wear sandals but not take a change of clothes” (v9). There will be no bags to check. Just a small carry on. John MacArthur points out that in the First Century a change of clothes was a status symbol. A limited wardrobe allows them to identify with the working poor.

You Are the Equipment

Take only the essentials. And the only true essentials are His authority and His message. This particular opportunity is going to be an object lesson in faith. Trust God to provide. Trust Him to provide meals. Trust Him to pay your way.

I absolutely love how the Message treats these verses. “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple” (v8-9 The Message). Alexander MacLaren puts it this way. Minimum provision calls us to maximum faith.

Pack light. Travel light. Shine the light.

Stay in Position

Jesus tells His team where to go and how long to stay there. “‘Wherever you go,’ He said, ‘stay in the same house until you leave town’” (v10). Stay in your position when you get into the game. Don’t start running randomly all over the field. Don’t go rogue. Don’t freelance.

He wants them to be smart about where they stay. Remember, there are no Comfort Inns or Radissons where they’re going. Think a bare bones AirBnB or VRBO.

Settle in and Settle down

Christ instructs them to settle in and settle down. Don’t jump from house to house. Don’t look for a better offer. It’s His way of saying true contentment comes from their relationship with Him, not their housing situation (Phil 4:12-13; 1Tim 6:6).

Staying in the same place allows them to build relationships. It’s a reminder that they’re there to serve. The Twelve are to focus on loving people well by meeting both their spiritual needs through repentance, as well as physical needs by casting out demons and healing the sick.

It Won’t Be Easy

Just before they leave the locker room, Jesus wants His boys to know that it won’t be easy. “But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate” (v11).

You don’t have to squint to see application to living on mission for Jesus today. Don’t expect to just roll your helmets onto the field and win. Expect it to be hard. Some folks don’t want anything to do with Christ or His gracious Gospel.

Making the Introduction

Remember, we’re NOT responsible for how others react to the Good News. We’re simply called to share Jesus’ offer clearly and faithfully. Our assignment is to spread the Gospel. It’s God’s job to save them. We just make the introduction. The rest is up to Him.

Does it hurt when folks you care about give you the Heisman when you offer God’s grace? You betcha. But stay cool. “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way” (v11 The Message).

Time to Take the Field

It’s time for Team Jesus to take the field for their first preseason game. “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God” (v12). They run out of the tunnel and do exactly what their Coach tells them to do.

They preach repentance. That’s a religious word that’s gotten a bad rap in recent years. At its core, repentance means turn from your sin and turn to God. Do a 180 from the broken and dysfunctional life you’ve been trying to live on your own and grab ahold of the overflowing, abundant life Jesus offers (Jn 10:10).

Stop Where You Are

The core of Christ’s message is that you and I can’t do it apart from Him. And by “it,” I mean life. He came and lived the perfect life we’ve failed to live. He came and died the death for our sin and rebellion we deserve. He came and gave us a radically new resurrection life we could never gain on our own.

God offers each of us His incredible gift of repentance. He desperately wants us to know that we can stop right where we are and turn back to Him. There’s no “getting myself cleaned up before coming back to church.” Just turn around. When you do, you’ll be surprised that Jesus has been right there waiting for this moment your entire life.

Fixing Broken Lives

The other quick highlight from this apostolic exhibition game is how Jesus uses the boys to fix broken lives, both spiritually and physically. “And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil” (v13). They stick to the Lord’s game plan He shares in back in the locker room (v7) and send Satan’s posse packing.

Medicinal Duct Tape

Our Savior also works through the disciples to restore health. Apart from the healing power of the Great Physician, their main medicine is olive oil. It’s the go-to cure-all for folks back in the First Century. Kinda like aspirin or ibuprofen for us today.

Since they clearly didn’t have carry a bottle with them when they left Jesus, they use the household oil that people have in their homes. It’s something you would find in medicine cabinet of every Palestinian home. Think of olive oil as medicinal duct tape.

Take Your Meds

In one of Jesus’ most famous parables, a guy we now call the good Samaritan provides first aid with it when helping a victim of violent crime. “The Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them” (Lk 10:34).

According to Jesus’ kid brother, church leaders are to apply olive oil meds to those who are sick as they pray for them (James 5:14). It’s a reminder of how God works through healthcare professionals. Following a physician’s orders does NOT demonstrate a lack of faith. Go to the doctor. Take your medicine.

A Sneak Preview

The application of olive oil could also be sneak preview for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. God the Father and God the Son send God the Spirit to each and every believer after Jesus heads back home to heaven (Acts 2:1-4; Rom 8:9; 1Cor 3:16; 6:19; Gal 4:6; Eph 5:18). If you follow Jesus, He’s drenched you in His Spirit.

The disciples provide healing and give us a peak behind the curtain of eternity. On the other side, God promises to put sickness and suffering in the rearview mirror once and for all (1Cor 15:42-43; Rev 21:4). No more flu shots or funerals. I, for one, can’t wait!

Hit the Road in Our Flip Flops?

So what do you and do with this passage? Do head out on assignment in Jesus’ name without a change of clothes wearing our flip flops? Do we randomly knock on doors asking if we can crash in some stranger’s guest room?

Let’s remember that the Lord still calls us in so that He can send us out. Make a point of regularly gathering with other believers. In rows at church on the weekend. In circles in small groups during the week.

But Christ doesn’t call us in so that we can stay there. He regularly sends us out into a lost and dying world. To our neighborhoods. To our jobs. Everywhere we go we’re to shine His light and spread His salt.

Pregame Jitters

Some of us probably have pregame jitters. It’s understandable to have butterflies before we leave the locker room. I’m sure Jesus’ original squad was nervous too. But He’s sending each one of us out to play our position.

Just like the Twelve did before their first preseason game, go ahead and buckle your chinstrap. It’s time to get on the field.

We're Talkin' about Practice

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1Tim 4:15).

“But we’re talkin’ about practice. What are we talkin’ about? Practice? We’re talkin’ about practice, man. We’re talkin’ about practice. We’re talkin’ about practice.” These are the infamous words of Allen Iverson back in 2001. So A.I. missed a few practices. Not a problem for him. It’s the game that matters. I mean, we’re talkin’ about practice.

Two thousand years before the Answer started breaking ankles with his killer crossover, the Apostle Paul was talkin’ about practice. He writes to Timothy, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, os that all may see your progress” (v15). Don’t just talk about the Gospel. Don’t just think about His Good News. Lace up your sneakers and live it out. Stop flapping your gums and do it. I mean, we’re talkin’ about practice.

This is a big deal for the young pastor and his fellow Ephesian followers of Jesus. A team of false teachers who’ve talked a big game but lived very little of it have distracted folks from the true message of the Gospel. They’ve been selling a spiritual snake oil that’s really nothing more than demon doctrine (1Tim 4:1-2). With Paul on divine assignment in Macedonia, he’s turned to his protege Timothy to get the church of Ephesus back on track (1Tim 1:3-7). His assignment is clear. Fill the leadership void with godly men and women of integrity (1Tim 3:1-12). Return to the message of God’s goodness and hit the gym to get CrossFit (1Tim 3:14-16; 4:3-10).

But Paul makes it clear that Tim is to get in top spiritual shape for a reason. He’s not just lifting to get ripped. He’s training himself to “practice these things, immerse yourself in them” (v15). Spiritual disciplines such as Bible study and praying are great…but ONLY when they have an impact on how you live. Otherwise it’s a total waste of time. Nobody’s impressed with your six-pack biblical abs if you’re living just like the rest of the world. You get yourself in Gospel shape to be the living Gospel to your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your coworkers. 

When the apostle tells Pastor Tim to “practice these things” (v15), he uses the Greek word meletao. It actually means a couple of different ideas. On one hand, it describes focusing with intensity or giving your full and total attention to something. But it also means to train, exercise, and rehearse carefully and precisely. In ancient Greek literature, writers use this term to paint a picture of public speakers diligently practicing their speeches in private first. I mean, we’re talkin’ about practice.

While most translators of the New Testament can’t really seem to agree on the exact words, they all agree with what meleato means. 

“Be diligent in these matters” (NIV).

“Take pains with these things” (NASB).

“Put these things into practice” (NRS).

“Give your complete attention to these matters” (NLT).

“Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties” (AMP).

“Practice these things” (GNT).

“Cultivate these things” (The Message).

Do these things with focus on detail. Go out of your way to implement them properly. Don’t just think about them but do them. Don’t just do them mindlessly, understand their meaning. Know why you do what you do. Let your actions be the outward response to the work God’s doing inwardly. 

Paul’s command to Timothy is in the present tense. What’s the big deal about that? The pastor isn’t just to do them once and move on. You can just as easily translate this as “keep on practicing these things.” Willing and worshipful obedience to God’s commands is not a one-and-done kinda thing. It’s not a checklist you accomplish and then toss in the trash. Remember, following Jesus isn’t a phase or something you knock out during at church camp when you’re thirteen. We keep on keepin’ on. We “keep on practicing these things.”

This explains we get our idea of practicing law or medicine. I’ve always been uncomfortable with putting my health in the hands of someone who’s still working things out by practicing. It’s one thing to get your hair cut at the barber college. The original meaning of our English word “practice” back in the 1400s was “to pursue or be continually engaged in a profession, skill or craft.” Do I treat my obedience to Christ like a craft? Am I honing my skills and doing everything I can to get better at doing what He tells me? I mean, we’re talkin’ about practice.

So just what exactly is Tim to practice? What are “these things” (v15)? Chances are they’re closely related his other mentions of “these things” we see here in this section of the letter. Paul is “writing these things” so folks will know how to live as members of God’s family (1Tim 3:14). If Tim will “put these things before the brothers,” he’s serving Jesus well (1Tim 4:6) The apostle encourages the young pastor to “command and teach these things” concerning the Gospel (1Tim 4:11).

Specifically, “these things” include focusing on the Mega Messiah Mystery which God revealed as our rescue in Jesus (1Tim 3:16). He saves us because we can’t save ourselves! Receive gratefully and enjoy fully God’s creation as a wonderfully good gift (1Tim 4:3-5). Pursue a godliness never goes out of style, either in this life or the one to come (1Tim 4:8). Leave it all on the field for others because Jesus gave everything He had for us (1Tim 4:10). Proclaim and explain the Gospel and apply it to my everyday life (1Tim 4:13). 

Paul tells us that the best way to devote yourself to practicing these things is to totally “immerse yourself in them” (v15). This phrase in the original Greek literally means “in these things be.” If you truly want to experience the love and grace of Jesus, get out of the kiddie pool dive into the deep end of the Gospel. It’s scary when you’re feet don’t touch the bottom. I have to put my total and complete trust in Christ when I’m up to my eyeballs. Stop splashing around where it’s shallow. Go out past the ropes. 

Remember when Jesus invited a fisherman named Simon head for deeper water (Lk 5:4)? Another time, our Savior asked this same disciple to take a stroll on the stormy Sea of Galilee (Mt 14:28-29). I love the lyrics to Hillsong United’s song “Oceans.” “Your grace abounds in deepest waters.” Do you hear Him? He’s urging you and me to get in over heads in our trust of Him. Go deep. Get in over your head. Immerse yourself. In these things be

My continual obedience and immersion in God’s ways aren’t just for me. According to the apostle, you do this “so that all may see your progress” (v15). He uses a Greek word (Gr. prokope) which describes advancement, forward movement, making headway, or improvement. It literally means a “cutting ahead” or “beating forward.” Picture an explorer busting his tail to blaze a trail. Cutting through the jungle with a machete going somewhere they’ve never been before. It’s very hard work.

In the same way, progress in our walk with Jesus can be hard. I admit that there are times when my flesh wants to turn back instead of following my Savior in obedience. I don’t want to give up my incredibly comfortable, me-centered life. But God has SO much more for me as He calls me to a life of godliness. It’s in that journey of submission to His ways that I actually find His best for me, what Jesus calls the abundant and overflowing life (Jn 10:10). He gives us His strength to accomplish what we could never do on our own (Jn 15:5). As a matter of fact, His power surges best when we admit our weakness (2Cor 12:9-10).

Seeing what God can do in your life gives those around you a front row seat to who He is and what He can do. It’s important “that all may see your progress” (v15). This reinforces Paul’s words just a couple of verses back to “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1Tim 4:12). The best leaders are the best followers. Godly leaders show what obedience to the Lord looks like. The apostle told his friends in Corinth that if they had any doubt following Jesus to follow him (1Cor 11:1). Do you have folks you can follow when you don’t know what to do? And don’t doubt your impact on the people around you. Whether you realize or not, others are watching your progress.

Paul’s talkin’ about practice. He's talking about the continual and willing devotion to Jesus and His commands. Diving into the deep end of the Gospel pool. Others are watching what God is doing in my life as I follow Christ. I mean, we’re talkin’ about practice.

Are You Experienced?

But that is not the way you learned Christ! (Eph 4:20).

Fire up the Flux Capacitor and think back to those days in high school math.  Pick a class.  Any class.  It really doesn't matter.  Do you remember wondering what's the point.  Why am I learning this stuff?  When will I ever need to solve the Quadratic Equation in the real world?  I don't need to figure out the cosign but I might need to find someone to co-sign.  That's because knowledge means nothing until you put it into practice.  You need to roll up your sleeves and use what you learn.  You need experience.  

Paul looks back on what his Ephesian friends have learned about Jesus and compared it to how unbelievers flunked God's midterm.  "But that is not the way you learned Christ!" (v20).  As opposed to the Gentile outsiders, these folks have come to truly understand what it means to trust in Jesus by putting it into practice.  This isn't like some long lost lesson from Trig that seems tangent to real life.  You learn about Jesus by doing life with Him.  You learn about Jesus by trusting in who He says He is.  You learn about Jesus by trusting in what He's done.  You learn about Jesus from using His teaching.  You learn about Jesus by obeying His commands.  You learn about Jesus from experience.  

Are you experienced?

This itty bitty verse is chocked full of history and context.  Paul reminds the Ephesian believers of what went down during his three years there (Acts 20:31).  Three wild years.  Three VERY wild years.  Dr. Luke spends an entire chapter detailing those crazy days when God used the apostle turn the big city upside down (Acts 19).  After teaching local Jews that Jesus is their long-awaited Messiah, he got booted out of the Ephesian synagogue.  Paul leveraged that to his advantage and moved his lectures down the street to Tyrannus Hall.  That opened up the doors for non-Jews to hear about Jesus.  The Gospel was changing more than just the citizens of Ephesus but people from the entire region.  Paul didn't just teach, he performed miracles.  Even his shop rags were healing people!  There was the huge bonfire of magic books when Ephesian mystics turned their back on their demonic mojo and turned to Jesus.  Paul's three-year gig in the big port city ended with a huge riot and a wild scene at the outdoor amphitheater.  

For those who came to faith in Jesus during those days, it was quite an experience.  They discovered what it means to trust Jesus in the most trying of circumstances.  That's what Paul is talking about here.  He uses the the Greek verb manthano, which means to find out, discover, ascertain, learn by experience, understand, learn by use and practice.  The apostle reminds them how they truly found out what it means to follow Jesus.  He reminds them how they discovered how He would never fail them.  He reminds them how they learned about His teaching by using it and putting it into practice.  He reminds them that they learned from experience.

Are you experienced?

This kind of practical education can be either formal or informal.  Jewish leaders couldn't figure out how Jesus could teach so well "when He has never studied (Gr. manthano)" under one of the big name rabbis (Jn 7:15).  Jesus busted the Pharisees' highly educated chops by telling giving them homework.  "Go and learn (Gr. manthano) what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice'" (Mt 9:13).  And Paul let the folks in Philippi know that experience has taught him that Jesus is all he needs no matter what's going on.  "I have learned (Gr. manthano) in whatever situation to be content" (Phil 4:11).  Learning by practical application.  Learning from experience.

What's your experience?  Have you taken what you know and believe about Jesus and put it to work in your daily life?  What do you know about Him?  Have you placed your trust in what you know?  Let's take just a moment and make sure we're talking about the Jesus that Paul's talking about.  Jesus is the one and only Son of God.  He's fully God.  100%.  He lived the perfect life of obedience to God's standard that we completely failed to live.  He died the death for our sin that we should have died.  He rose to a glorious new life that we in no way deserve.  And He's given each of His followers His Holy Spirit to empower us to live a life of obedience.  When we trust in who He is, what He's done and live in the power of His Spirit, we learn about Christ.  That's exactly what Jesus' brother James meant when he said that faith in Christ without actions isn't faith at all (James 2:17).  Put your faith to work.  Put your faith into practice.  Experience what it means to truly trust and follow Jesus.  The Ephesians did.  Why don't you?

Are you experienced?

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