I am once again struck by Jesus explicit instructions on how to conduct ministry!

I am once again struck by the difference between the way Jesus explicitly told His disciples to conduct ministry and the way it is done today in much of the Christian world.

Luke 10:1-16(NKJV)

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 

Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 

Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 

Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 

But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 

And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 

Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 

And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 

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

‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 

But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 

But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 

He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Here is what I get out of this.  In much of Christianity today I see churches doing everything they can to "make the message of Christ more palatable" for the people of today.  I believe they spend way too much time watering down the message and trying to talk people into believing.  Now let's look at what Jesus told His disciples to do.

I will paraphrase here.  Jesus said spread the word.  Those who accept the word, give them My peace.  Those who reject the word, withhold My peace.

Notice that Jesus didn't say give them My peace no matter what they do?  Nope He didn't say that.  He said NEXT!  Spread the word.  Don't lose any sleep over those who reject it.  Move on and SPREAD THE WORD!!!

God respects their free will to reject Him and I think we should too!

Anyway that is my take on it!