Dangerous Discipleship - Matthew 10:16-26

Introduction: We are back into our study in the Gospel of Matthew – The King and His Kingdom. Our last message dealt with Matthew 10:5-15 and we looked at the apostles being sent out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. We will pick up right where we left off, and in the next section of Matthew, chapter 10:16-26, we read that Jesus tells His apostles that when they go out to share the gospel that they will face persecution.

How many of you would be excited to go out and share the gospel if you were told that persecution was a part of the overall program?

However, most of us realize that you don’t have to be a follower of Jesus Christ for very long before you recognize that the world around us doesn’t like Him, and they don’t necessarily like those who follow Him.

· The news media today pictures Christians as wackos.

· Television shows picture Christians as murders.

· The left-wing political establishment sees Christians as the undesirables (Hillary Clinton).

· Many Americans see Christians as hypocrites.

God’s people will face persecution, so, how did Jesus expect His apostles (sent ones) to deal with persecution? Look at what He taught them.

I. You will face wolves – 10:16-20

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Someone said that the word “Behold” is like a divine highlighter (I like that analogy). It is a word designed to get our attention. We are to take note of what is being said and taught.

Next, note who is doing the sending. The “I” here is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one authorized by the Father to send out His apostles. And He, the Good Shepherd sends out His own sheep (those who have heard His voice and who have followed Him), among the wolves.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word, wolves? How many of us would want to come face-to-face with a pack of wolves out in the woods? Not this guy!

How were the apostles to conduct themselves? We are told…

A. Be gentle – 10:16

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Sheep by nature are gentle animals. Unlike most of the animal world sheep do not have anything that protects them against their enemy. No claws like cats. No teeth like dogs. No venom like snakes. Sheep are docile animals. (Most of them just want to be counted at night, or they want their picture on a Serta mattress).

Here in our text Jesus sent out His apostles to be gentle in a world that is anything but gentle. They lived in a harsh world. You and I today live in a very dangerous world. I might also add that sheep are on the diet of wolves.

We are in a world full of wolves. It shouldn’t surprise us that Christianity is attacked in this world. Persecution will follow those who preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

God’s people should expect persecution. They should also…

B. Be wise – 10:16b

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves

Because our world is full of wolves, we as Christians are to be shrewd as serpents, and at the same time harmless or innocent as doves. We are to be very wise. Serpents are very patient. Serpents wait for the opportune time. And when the time is right, they strike. God’s people can learn a lot from the animal kingdom – sheep, wolves, serpents, and doves.

The apostles were to be wise and at the same time harmless as doves. Are you aware that the Scripture symbolizes the dove as a creature of peace. In a world of war, we ought to be the peacemakers!

Paul wrote in Colossians 4:5,

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Be gentle and be wise, but also…

C. Be aware – 10:17-18

17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

As I read verse 17 the words, “But beware of men,” jumped off the page at me. It means to “pay or give attention”. Here the wolves of verse 16 are identified. They are “men”. Men are guilty of acting like wolves at times. One thing we know about wolves is that often they kill just for the sport of killing. They have been known to take down large animals, and then after the kill move on. They don’t even eat what they have killed. No wonder Jesus likens men to wolves!

Also, here in verse 17 Jesus warns His apostles that they would be delivered up to councils, and in verse 18 that they would be delivered up to governors, and kings.

It happened to Jesus Christ

Most of us know that this is what happened to Jesus Himself. He stood before the religious leaders in the synagogues as they sought to find some fault against Him. Jesus stood before Governor Pilate, and when Pilate heard that Jesus was a Galilean he called for King Herod, and, so, Jesus stood before that wicked man (the man that had John the Baptist beheaded).

Jesus told His apostles that they would be brought before councils, governors, and kings on His behalf (because they followed Him). And then Jesus makes what I believe is a very profound statement at the conclusion of verse 18. He says,

As a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

Think about this, persecution may be the only way that some people will ever hear (or see) the gospel. It is when they are persecuting a follower of Jesus Christ.

Beware of men, but also be ready to be a testimony when persecuted by men.

In the month of February, in the year 155, an 86-year-old bishop, pastor of the church of Smyrna, named Polycarp, was cruelly put to death by fire and sword because he refused to renounce Jesus Christ. The account goes like this…

It was game day in Smyrna, a holiday. Twenty-thousand bloodthirsty fans of torture and violence had turned out to see the shows. This violence was by design. Smyrna was the epicenter of the Roman spectacle. Up in Pergamum, just a few miles to the north, there was a school for training gladiators. The program of the day went like this: In the morning, the wild animals were let loose into the arena, hunted down and killed. Later in the day, the gladiators themselves would fight. But in the afternoon, with the sun high in the sky, it was time for the execution of the criminals. There were a lot of them: slaves, war captives, arsonists, murderers, and those like Polycarp who had committed sacrilege by refusing to honor the godhead of Caesar and who would not take the easy way out.

So, the proconsul said to Polycarp, “Take the oath. I will let you go. Just revile Christ.” Polycarp answered, “For eighty and six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my king who saved me?” He offered a prayer in the name of the triune God, and then he was bound. The wood was lit. Like Jesus, who was crucified naked, Polycarp entered the flames without his clothes. But when they saw that his body would not be burned by the fire, an executioner was called to stab him with a dagger. And so, he was killed by fire and sword.[1]

Finally, Jesus says to His apostles…

D. Be confident – 10:19-20

19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

See the word “when” in verse 19. This word is telling us that it is not a matter of “if”, but “when” persecution comes. Follow Jesus long enough and you will face persecution.

And when persecution comes, you don’t have to worry. No, we are assured that at that hour (at that specific moment in time) that we will be given the very words that we should speak to our persecutors? Look at what Jesus told His apostles,

Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak.

When persecution comes, we don’t have to premediate what to say, no, God will give us what we need when we need it. This is a promise. And it gets better. Look at verse 20,

for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

The world may challenge our words, but when God speaks the world is silenced!

Jesus told His apostles that when they are persecuted that the very words that they would speak would not even be their own. The Spirit of the Father would speak through them.

II. You will face persecution – 10:21-23

21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

In these verses we see the scope of persecution. We discover that persecution may happen…

A. With your own family – 10:21

21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

Can you imagine having your own family turn against you? Jesus says, expect it. It’s going to happen.

· Brother will deliver up brother to death.

· A father his child.

· Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

History tells us that this kind of thing can happen. I mean even during the COVID 19 pandemic we heard about people turning in others who were gathering in large groups, or who were not following the CDC mask mandates. And back in the days of Nazi Germany people turned in the Jews, and those who hid the Jews.

Your immediate family will not be the only avenue of persecution. We are also told that we may be…

B. Hated by all for My name’s sake – 10:22

22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Jesus told His apostles that they would “be hated by all for My name’s sake.”

The NLT reads,

And all nations will hate you because are my followers.

Just mention the name of Jesus today and people will attack you. Christians are being attacked in China, India, Africa, and in the Middle East (and that is probably just a small sampling of places where Christians are being persecuted).

Nations don’t care if you are religious – you can be religious all day, but don’t bring up the name of Jesus in the public square. They will tell you that Jesus is to narrow and to exclusive. And as a result, you will face persecution because you follow Jesus Christ.

Listen, when persecution comes STAY TRUE to Jesus Christ. Endure to the end. Our deliver is coming!

Finally, when it comes to the breath of persecution Jesus said,

C. You will be persecuted – 10:23

23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Do you see the word “When” again in verse 23. You see, persecution will come, it’s a matter of time. When persecution happens in one city Jesus told His apostles to flee to another.

One author I was reading said, “This is prophetic of the church through all generations.”

God’s people have been persecuted (Old Testament and New Testament era), are being persecuted (today in the present time) and will be persecuted in the future (End Times and during the Tribulation). Persecuted Christians have fled from city to city throughout time and memorial. Notice what Jesus says at the conclusion of this verse,

I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

What do these words mean? In The Bible Knowledge Commentary we read, “These words of the Lord probably had an application beyond His own lifetime. What was proclaimed here was more fully demonstrated in the apostles’ lives after the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) in the spread of the gospel in the church (e.g., Acts 4:1–13; 5:17–18, 40; 7:54–60). But these words will find their fullest manifestation in the days of the Tribulation when the gospel will be carried throughout the entire world before Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to establish His kingdom on the earth (Matt. 24:14).”[2]

Finally, Jesus tells them…

III. You will follow in my steps – 10:24-26

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

What do we learn about discipleship here? We learn…

A. A disciple is under his teacher – 10:24

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

The very word “disciple” means that you are under a teacher. You are a learner. Disciples are not above their teachers. Nor is a servant (a slave) above their master.

The best disciples recognize their place in learning. Be a good student of your teacher.

B. A disciple is to be like his teacher – 10:25

25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

· Disciples should become like their teacher.

· A servant should become like his master.

Here is the catch in all of this. Because Jesus’ followers become like Him, they too shall be persecuted like him. Jesus said,

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

Jesus was called, “Beelzebub”. Beelzebub means “the prince of demons”. Literally they were calling Jesus, Satan.

One author wrote, “Danger increases in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ.” If you get close to Christ, you will be persecuted. Stay out on the fringe and persecution won’t come your way.

C. A disciple does not need to fear – 10:26

26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Considering everything we have looked at, Jesus makes two wonderful statements here in verse 26,

1. Do not fear them.

The “them” are those doing the persecution. Don’t fear them. Why? Because fear is polarizing! It causes you to freeze in place. You get nothing done. Fear is a very real temptation.

If you were to ask most Christians why they do not share their faith they will answer you, FEAR. Fear of what others might think of them, or how they may view them, or the fallout they may face from sharing the gospel.

· Fear of not being liked.

· Fear of losing their job.

· Fear of facing insults.

· Fear of being hurt.

· Fear of death.

Three times here in Matthew 10 Jesus says, “Do not fear” –verses 26, 28, and 31.

And there is a good reason not to fear. Jesus says,

2. God sees everything and one day will set things right.

For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

God is JUST, RIGHTEOUS, HOLY, and He will make sure everything is set right one day. Don’t fear my friends JUSTICE is on its way.

Conclusion: Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is DANGEROUS. Proclaiming the King and His Kingdom is dangerous. Sharing the gospel is dangerous. And because you are a believer you will face persecution. It’s going to come, it’s just a matter of when. So, then, how are we to live in a world that persecutes those who are followers of Jesus Christ? Here are ten ways:

1. Live as sheep among wolves.

2. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

3. Just know that people will do you wrong.

4. Be a testimony to everyone you are called to stand before. Share Jesus Christ boldly and unashamedly.

5. Even your family may turn against you.

6. People hate that you are a follower of Jesus Christ.

7. Live under the Lordship of Christ – you are a student.

8. What your teacher faced; you will face.

9. Don’t live in fear, live in confidence.

10. One day God will make all things right.

[1] https://www.samford.edu/beeson-divinity/blog/2019/martyria-polycarp#:~:text=So%20the%20proconsul%20said%20to,and%20then%20he%20was%20bound. [2]Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 42). Victor Books.