In the last post, I mentioned Luke 10:1 as the Scripture that birthed the idea for our TEAM approach to the ministry of biblical counseling. Let me encourage you to read further in that passage because this section holds important biblical principles that guide our thinking at TIL:
Luke 10:2-12: “And he said to them, “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. 3Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”
Some of the principles found here are that at TIL we expect to see RESULTS from the Lord of the Harvest! So our goal is get more laborers, train them, and send them off into this ministry of harvesting souls! (verse 3)
God sends us out with an unpopular message called “The Gospel” and we are like lambs in the midst of wolves (verse 3).
We do not concern ourselves with money and have not had one fund-raising event yet God has supplied all of our needs and we are thankful (verse 4). So we do not focus on what we bring and what we need, though we do plan as best we can, but more importantly, our focus is upon being faithful to do what God has called us to do.
We will go to any church or organization to serve and proclaim “Peace” in that house because we exist to strengthen the local church and the body of Christ (verses 5-8). That is our mission and we will stay in that one place as long as the Lord allows us to partner with that group of believers.
In verse 9, the word “heal” is the same Greek word where we get the word “therapy” from! So that is what we are all about – asking God to heal souls either through salvation or sanctification! (verse 9)
Finally, we have to leave places sometimes and shake the dust off of our feet when the Gospel is rejected. It is sad and has happened frequently but many so-called Christians are simply opposed to the message of Christ and His Gospel (verse 10-12). We cannot change that but can shake the dust off and move forward for His own glory.
-Mark (grateful to the Lord of the harvest for His fruit produced)