Here Comes Trouble

Inevitable Resistance

Matthew 10:16–18 ““Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.”

“sheep in the midst of wolves”- Just like Jesus.

Chihuahua sent to a planet of St. Bernards

“beware of men”- Jesus knew what was in the heart of man John 2:23–24 “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people”

Grace in the Moment

Matthew 10:19–20 “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

When are we anxious- before the moment or in the moment?

Before the moment- 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

In the moment- Matt 10:20

Matthew 10:20 ESV

For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

The Spirit of your Father

How do we speak to our children? Years of “training” frames their thinking and affects response

ministry of the Spirit: to frame our thinking to that of God’s, and affect our response

__________________________________________________________________

off-ramp

(not so) Great Expectations

Matthew 10:21–23 “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

family bonds subverted by social movement

social/state siezure of children from families-

indoctrination

mutilation

social rebellion

Cancel culture

if you can’t refute the argument, refute the man

silencing opposition

Take the message:

where it needs to be heard

where it can be heard

Matthew 10:24–25 ““A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.”

It is not logical to think that in serving a persecuted Lord, we will not also face persecution

Being like Jesus may mean rejection

marginalization

“Take up your cross”

Fear Less