The Person of Peace

THE PERSON OF PEACE

Finding aPerson of Peace

Jesus is our model for finding where God is at work. He took the time to show his disciples how to find where God is at work. In a crowd of people, or in a city or village, God has been at work in someone. We call that someone a “person of peace”When you find the personofpeace, you have found where God is at work. Usually, this personof peaceis the one that God will use to establish His church in that area.

Let’s look at how Jesus taught us to find the person of peace.

Read Luke 10:1-20:

Luke 10 is more than a story.Luke 10 is a strategy!

Luke 8Jesus was sent out (model)

Luke 9Jesus sent the 12 out(model training)

Luke 10Jesus sent the 70 out(reproduce training)

JESUS’ INSTRUCTIONS

FOR FINDING THEPERSON OF PEACE

HOLD ONE ANOTHER ACCOUNTABLE - Go Two-by-Two–Luke 10:1

"Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come."

They were appointed (set apart for the task)
They went out 2 by 2 (accountability)
They went to places where He was going to come (He is going to be there)

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,"

Matthew 28:20 "... teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

BELIEVE IN THE HARVEST– Luke 10:2

And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

What did Jesus tell them?

There is a harvest
The harvest is abundant
The harvest is already, but not yet
It doesn’t come alive until it is discovered.

NOTE:As Jesus wassendinghis disciples outto findworkers for the harvest, he told them to pray that the Lord of the harvest would raise up workers for the harvest. He was not telling them to stay home and pray for workers, but to go out and seek them, praying that the Father would lead them to those workers! Just as you are looking for a Person of Peace….. THAT person is looking for a Messenger From God.

Jesus did not ask us to pray for the harvesters…Jesus commanded us to pray for MORE harvesters!

The needs are huge…… We can’t think addition,
Must think multiplication…. Exponential growth

Canada has a population of just over 30 million.

India has a birth rate of 30 million a year!

India 1.3 billion -US .3 billion

Think and plan for multiplication, not just addition.

Addition Multiplication

Seed sowing / Harvesting
Go make something happen / Go find something that is happening
Go start a CPM / Find a person who will start a CPM
An Apple / An Orchard
Converts / Disciples

Jesus did not ask us to pray for the harvest… It is already here!
Jesus did not ask us to pray for the harvesters!
Jesus commanded us to pray for MORE harvesters! (The Person of Peace is the key to MORE HARVESTERS)

Jesus talked about HARVEST. This means a crop, not a single fruit. Do you see an apple, or an orchard? Even though we are looking for a person of peace, that person is the key to the harvest.

John 15:8"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and {so} prove to be My disciples.”

John 15:16“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and {that} your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you,”

It is not your job to make it happen Each day and night people all over the world are attacked, attracted, convicted by the Holy Spirit.Yourjob is to find these people.

Watch Out!–Luke 10:3
"Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
Sheep alone are at the mercy of wolves. But remember the shepherd stands between the sheep and the wolves.
Hostile environment:
Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Go Needy–Luke 10:4
"Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.”
You have nothing to offer (but Jesus)
With no money, bag or shoes, …You are totally dependent.
Remember your purpose.
Don’t get distracted.
MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN–Luke 10:5-6
"Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace {be} to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.”
When you enter a house say: “Peace to this house; If a many of peace is there, you will know”

Historical background note: To really understand what is happening in this passage, it helps to understand the historical setting. Typically, in Jesus’ time, there were no hotels in which strangers could stay when they came to a town or village. A common practice was for someone in the town to show hospitality to a stranger and invite him to stay in his home. God taught His people to take care of the stranger who comes to his town. (See Genesis 19:1-3; Job 31:32; Matthew 25:35; and Hebrews 13:2.) If no one invited the stranger to his home, the stranger would have to sleep out in the open. The stranger would go to the city gate or to the center of the town and wait for someone to invite him to his home. Jesus sent his disciples into the cities and towns where He was going to come later. He sent them to preach the coming of the kingdom of God. So, when they went into a city they went in proclaiming that Jesus was coming and that He was bringing in the Kingdom. So if someone invited the two disciples into his home, he knew what these disciples were going to talk to him about. His invitation, “I want to hear more about Jesus.”

Thought Question:How do we “make our presence known” when we go into a new place?

IDENTIFY THEPERSON OF PEACE– Luke10:6-8
He will desire to hear more about Jesus.
He will make “spiritual hunger” statements, like:
“As I listen, my heart is burning.”
“I like what you are saying; I want to hear more.”
Often has a reputation as a “sinner” or will readily recognize his own sin.
Eventually, this person of peace will believe in Jesus.

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What do I do once I find the Personof Peace?

Stay!–Luke 10:7
"Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.” If God gives you a person of peace He can also give you the time needed to work with him.
EAT AND HEAL–Luke 10:8-9
"Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;” God has given you an assignment – find theperson of peace.
God has also given theperson of peacean assignment – find the person of God. He will find you because you are the needy stranger who has come to town. His job is to take care of you. Do not rob him of his God-given assignment.
In Asia, everyone offers food and drink to strangers. How do I determine who is theman of peacewhen I am overwhelmed with Asian hospitality? Answer: Clearly identify the purpose for which you have come. If the offer for food, drink, or shelter remains, it is possible that you are in the presence of theperson of peace.

If the Lord can heal them, he can help you eat anything they put in front of you and survive. “Lord I will put it down, if you will keep it down!”

Luke 10:9

“…and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.'”

PRAY for the sick… ask if you can pray for health, finances, family……

Finding needs and praying for them in the name of Jesus, is often the key to further discussion about Jesus.

It diffuses tense situations
It opens the door to spiritual matters
It fosters appreciation in those you pray for

What do I do if I donotfind aperson of peace?

SHAKE THE DUST OFF– 10:10-16

Luke 10:10

"But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say…”

Luke 10:11

“'Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off {in protest} against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'”

Luke 10:12

"I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.”

Luke 10:13

"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.”

Luke 10:14

"But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.”

Luke 10:15

"And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades!”

Luke 10:16

"The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me."

What happens when you find theperson of peace?

RESULTS– See Luke 10:17-23

Luke 10:17

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."

Luke 10:18

“And He said to them, ‘I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.’”

Luke 10:19

"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.”

Luke 10:20

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

Luke 10:21

“At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, ‘I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from {the} wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.’”

Luke 10:22

"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal {Him.}"

Luke 10:23

“Turning to the disciples, He said privately, ‘Blessed {are} the eyes which see the things you see,’”

Luke 10:24

“…for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see {them,} and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear {them.}"

SUMMARY

Here are the key principles from Luke 10 for seeking and finding the person of peace.

Go in faith with one or two others in search of where God is workingand look for the person of peace. Go expecting to encounter people who have been prepared by God to hear your witness.
Depend on God to supply both your physical and spiritual needs.The more you abandon self dependence and trust in God the more likely you are to find a person of peace.
Depend on God’s guidance.He will show you where to stop and begin to make your presence known.
Begin to talk about Jesus.As you talk about Jesus, those in whom God is already at work will be drawn to you and will want to hear more about Jesus.
Offer peace in Jesus.If it is accepted, stay there. If not, move on. Sometimes you will not find the person of peace until you walk away. He will pursue you. If your peace is not accepted, move on.
When you believe you have found theperson ofpeace, stay with him.He will provide everything you need. He will open doors of opportunity for you to share with others.
Eat and drink what is placed before youwhen you are with a person of peace.
Whether you are accepted or rejected, always remember that God is with youand the kingdom of God is near. You have not failed if you have done what God has asked and talked with them about Jesus.
Your mission is to lead theperson of peaceto receive Christ and to share with his family and friends.He then will share with many more in that region.
Know that as you depend on Jesus to show you the way,you will see many signsthat God was ahead of you, planting seeds and laying a foundation.
Your purpose is to find the person of peace,not to win an argument about religion.You may not have an answer for all objections. That’s OK! Just present Jesus to them and watch and see who God draws (John 6:44).

Ephesians 3:20-21“He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

The Principle-God always doesmorethan we expect!
The Question– What do you expect God to do?
The Expectation– Expect God to do “God-size” works

EXERCISE:In the following passages, what principles that Jesus taught in Luke chapter 10, do we see Paul applying? What bridges did he use to communicate? In each case did he find a person of peace?

Acts 16:12-15

Acts 18:1-11

Acts 17:15-34