The Decision and the Fruit

Grab your Bible and turn with me to Matthew 10.

This morning — we are continuing our journey through Matthew’s eyewitness account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Over the past several weeks — we’ve been diving into an important conversation between Jesus and His disciples—a conversation that — with God’s help — we’ll wrap up today.

Now — as we prepare to read this morning’s text — let me quickly set the stage.

At the beginning of chapter 10 — Jesus gathered His disciples and began equipping them for their mission. He gave them His authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons — and He instructed them to announce that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

He told them, “Don’t take extra money or supplies—God will provide for you.” But then He gave them a dose of reality — He said, “Not everyone is going to welcome you. Some are going to reject you, and others might even persecute you.” He warned them, “I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves, and some of those wolves may even be members of your own family.”

Yet — in the midst of this sobering truth—Jesus encouraged them— He told them — “Do not be afraid! Don’t fear those who can only harm your bodies. Instead, fear God, who holds your soul in His hands.” And He reassured them of God’s deep care — reminding them — that even the hairs on their heads are numbered.

Now — with this backdrop in mind — let’s finish up chapter 10 — beginning in verse 32 — where Jesus reveals to us what it truly means to follow Him — no matter the cost.

If you’re able — please stand for the reading of God’s Word.

Matthew 10:32–42 (CSB)

32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven. 34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to turn

a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

36 and a man’s enemies will be

the members of his household.

37 The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.

40 “The one who welcomes you welcomes me, and the one who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. 41 Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

This is the Word of the Lord

Let’s Pray

On January 8, 1956, something remarkable—and tragic—happened in the jungles of Ecuador. Jim Elliot — just 28 years old — along with four other brave missionaries — set out on a mission to share the gospel with the Waorani tribe — a people who had never heard the name of Jesus.

Now — Elliot and his team knew they were stepping into dangerous territory. The Waorani people were known for their violence — and so — there were plenty of reasons for them to fear for their lives. But deep down — these men understood something profound — they understood that losing their lives for the sake of Christ was not a loss at all. In fact — they were so consumed with the mission of Christ that they didn’t even think twice about their own safety— You see — they believed that obeying Jesus was worth any cost.

So — after months of preparation — they finally made contact with the tribe by dropping gifts from their plane — hopeful that their kindness would pave the way for sharing the gospel. But that hope quickly turned to heartbreak. You see —soon after landing their plane on a nearby sandbar — they were met them with spears — and in that tragic moment — Jim and his companions were killed—martyred for the sake of Christ.

Now — from a worldly perspective — Jim’s life was cut short — and his efforts might have seemed like a failure. But Jim grasped a truth that many overlook — You see — Jim understood that true discipleship comes at a cost — and he was ready to pay it.

Jim Elliot and his companions knew that following Jesus wasn’t about seeking comfort or safety — they knew that if they were going to truly follow Jesus they had to be willing to lose everything—even their own lives—for the sake of the gospel. And Jim’s understanding of the cost of discipleship is clearly seen in his journals where he wrote this powerful statement —

He said,

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” — Jim Elliot

Now— to many— Jim’s level of devotion to Jesus seems foolish— But — I stand before you this morning on authority of God’s Word to tell you that this is exactly the level of devotion Jesus calls us to! Friends — Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat the cost of discipleship. Rather — He confronts us with the reality — that following Him often means prioritizing Him over everything else — our comfort, our relationships, and even our own lives.

Let’s be honest. We live in a world that tells us to prioritize our own well-being and happiness. Not to mention our deep seated fear of rejection and— our fear of other people’s opinions — which — often hold us back from faithfully following the Lord. We cling to our attachments to family — we hold on to our desires for comfort, security, and social status. And — well — it’s so easy to allow these things to dictate our choices, determine our calendar, and keep us from fully embracing the call of Christ.

But friends — Jesus is inviting us into something so much deeper — He is calling us to make a complete commitment to Him— which — will cause us to be uncomfortable. And so the question is — How do we follow Jesus with this kind of single-minded devotion — especially when we’re tempted to put our own safety and comfort first? What does it really look like to live for Christ when the stakes feel so high?

Well — our text today is incredibly helpful. Because it lays out for us Three Key Characteristics Of A Disciple. And we will see — that — true discipleship demands our total allegiance to Christ — and that we must be willing to embrace the cost of following Him — knowing that the rewards will far outweigh the sacrifice.

Let’s begin with the first

1. Unashamed Confession

In addition to pursuing a life that loves Jesus, lives like Jesus, and leads others to Jesus — a true disciple openly and fearlessly confesses Christ before the world no matter the cost. Look at verse 32-33

Matthew 10:32–33 (CSB)

32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.

Take note or underline this word “everyone” — this is an all-encompassing term that provides both a sober warning and a call to careful self-examination for every believer.

First, let’s not downplay the seriousness of this. Jesus is telling us that our willingness to publicly confess Him—our boldness in identifying with Him in front of others—directly impacts how He will respond to us on judgment day.

Can you imagine that moment? Jesus, standing before His Father, deciding whether or not to speak your name. This is weighty stuff.

Friends — right now — in this moment— Jesus is asking you to count the cost. What matters more to you: your fear of people or your reverence for God? Because there’s a day coming when Jesus — in all His glory and surrounded by the angels — will pronounce the final verdict over each one of us.

But before we go any further — let’s be clear about what it means to confess and acknowledge Christ. Many people hear this warning and don’t grasp its full weight. Understand — there will be some on judgment day who will be shocked when Jesus doesn’t acknowledge them — and they’ll say, “But wait! I believed in you. I knew you were God. What happened?!”

And that reminds me of James 2:19 in which James writes,

James 2:19 (CSB)

19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

Understand— simple acknowledgment that Jesus is God is not enough. Even the demons do that! To confess Christ isn’t just recognizing a fact — it’s about personally identifying with that truth. You see — we don’t just confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior — we must acknowledge and receive Him as OUR Lord and Savior.

Romans 10:9–10 (CSB)

9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

Brothers and sisters — your outward confession is a reflection of the genuineness of your faith. The truth is — a true disciple will willingly and openly identify with Christ — whether that is before a group of fellow believers or in the face of hostile unbelievers. And — for those whose lives are marked by acknowledging Christ — both in word and in obedience — they can be confident and assured that Jesus will acknowledge them before His Father in heaven.

What an amazing thought! What glorious news! Imagine for a moment that you are standing in heaven. The books are open, the trial is about to begin, and as you stand there — let’s be honest—your knees are shaking and your heart is pounding. You’re full of fear because everything you’ve ever done in secret is about to be exposed. And you know your record— you know that it will condemn you. But then — suddenly — Jesus gently places His hand on your shoulder and says, 'Father, this one is mine.' Can you imagine that? Can you imagine Jesus acknowledging you before His Father!

And friends — this is exactly what Jesus promises to do for everyone who is not too embarrassed or afraid to identify with Him today.

But — for those who are too embarrassed — the negative side of this warning is overwhelming - look back at verse 33

Matthew 10:33 (CSB)

33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.

Now — this warning isn't just for those who blatantly reject Christ — it's for anyone who claims to follow Jesus but pulls back when things get tough. Think about it—there are so many ways we can deny Christ without even saying a word. Maybe it’s by staying quiet when you should speak up, or blending in with the crowd so well that your friends, neighbors, or even your family have no clue that you follow Jesus. Or maybe it’s through your actions—living just like everyone else, with no real difference in the way you live, the choices you make, or the values you hold.

In these subtle but powerful ways, denial can sneak in. You might not be publicly renouncing Jesus — but you’re still keeping Him at arm’s length. And that’s just as dangerous. And so—here’s the pressing question: When that moment comes, will Jesus acknowledge you before His Father? Or will He remain silent?

(PAUSE)

Friends — A true disciple lives with an unashamed confession of Christ — and #2 — A true disciple will pursue an undivided devotion

2. Undivided Devotion

Matthew 10:34 (CSB)

34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Now — when Jesus says, “I have come into the world” and “I did not come into the world” — understand — these are not just casual statements. Rather — they point us to the preexistence of Jesus — they point us to who Jesus is — that Jesus is the eternally begotten son of God. That He is the Word of God, the eternal Logos, the second person of the Trinity. You see — these phrases signify that Jesus came into the word from somewhere else—specifically— a place of perfect peace and glory. In other words — Jesus intentionally left heaven and chose to step into our world full of brokenness and misery in order to redeem sinful humanity.

And so — to hear Jesus say that He didn’t come to bring peace but a sword— well —that’s pretty shocking! Think about it— perhaps you also assumed that Jesus came to bring peace —and you know what!?!?! That feels like a pretty safe assumption— especially considering the joyful announcement of His birth. Do you remember when the angels appeared to the shepherds? Remember what they sang?

Luke 2:14 (CSB)

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

No to mention the fact that the Old Testament prophet Isaiah called Jesus the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) and describes a reign of perfect justice and peace (Isa. 2:4).

And so —with verses like these— it makes sense that we would think that one of the main reasons Jesus came into the world was to bring peace. But here’s the twist — when Jesus came into the world — the peace that He brought initiated spiritual warfare. You see — the peace Jesus offers us goes far beyond merely eliminating conflict — for — the gospel of peace confronts our enemy directly and works to break down the strongholds of our sin.

Yes — the gospel is indeed a message of peace because it provides a way for sinful humanity to be reconciled with a holy God. However — because the world is steeped in evil and our fallen nature resists righteousness — God’s offer of peace and reconciliation is offensive to a world who is blinded by their sin— and the result is hostility, conflict, and a resistance that can arise even from our own families. Look at what Jesus says in verses 35-36

Matthew 10:35–36 (CSB)

35 For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

Jesus is quoting from Micah 7:6 — where the prophet Micah foresaw the turmoil and the division that would come when the Messiah arrived. Micah warned that even family relationships would be strained — and here — Jesus is essentially saying, “That time is now!”

What Jesus is telling us — is that the world’s hatred for Him is so intense that it can tear apart even the closest of relationships. And — for some of you — this verse is a heartbreaking reality. You know all too well what it feels like to be hated or rejected by those who are supposed to be the closest to you—those who are supposed to love you and stand by you. The truth is — Your devotion to Christ has caused tension between you and your family members who don’t accept the gospel— and — the truth is— this can be one of the most painful aspects of the Christian life.

This is especially true for those of you who grew up in a different religious background. Maybe you left the Latter Day Saints— maybe you left the Roman Catholic Church or even Judaism. The moment you turned away from trusting in a false religious system or from trusting in your self and your morality for salvation — as soon as you turned to Jesus — trusting in Him alone for your salvation — everything changed.

That moment when you publicly declared your faith through baptism — suddenly— you were disowned. Mocked. Treated like an outsider. And so — you know the deep pain of losing family relationships because of your commitment to Christ. You have felt the sting of being labeled a traitor to your upbringing, your heritage, or your family. You’ve felt the pain of being at odds with those who should be your biggest supporters—all because of your devotion to Jesus.

And it’s hard, isn’t it? The home, our family, is the last place we’d expect to find strife. But the reality is, — we never know how someone is going to respond to the gospel. And — when we share the truth about sin and salvation - there’s always the chance that even our own family might reject— not only Christ and His gospel — but also us. They might even become hostile because of the way we live out our faith.

I’ve experienced this myself — and I can tell you — it’s incredibly tough. And its when you’re in the middle of that kind of conflict — that the temptation to compromise your faith or water down your convictions so that you might keep the peace — become overwhelming. And the great danger that lies below the surface of our family strains — is that the natural affection for our family members will win out over our affection and devotion to Jesus — and that’s why Jesus warns us— look at verse 37

Matthew 10:37 (CSB)

37 The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Let’s be honest—this is one of those verses that can make your stomach turn. Jesus says, “Anyone who loves their father…their mother…or even their own kids more than they love me is not worthy of me.” That’s a bold, even shocking statement. It feels uncomfortable because we value our families so much. And if we don’t understand who Jesus is — well — then this statement sounds outrageous.

Think about it—if anyone else said something like this — we would call them crazy or arrogant. But Jesus isn’t just anyone. He’s the Son of God—the Creator of the universe, the Savior who died for you and me. And because He’s God — this isn’t some unreasonable demand — it’s actually a call to recognize His rightful place in our lives.

And so — when Jesus says, “you are not worthy of me,” — He’s making it clear — if we’re not willing to put Him above every other relationship — even our closest and most intimate relationships — we haven’t truly understood who He is. You see — following Jesus isn’t just about adding Him to our list of priorities—it’s about making Him our main priority. He’s calling for a level of loyalty that says, “If it ever came down to choosing between Jesus and the people I love most, I would choose Jesus.”

Now — I know that this is a hard truth. It can feel unsettling because of how deeply we love our families. But Jesus isn’t asking us to love them less—He’s asking us to love Him more. There’s a difference.

This also isn’t about turning our backs on our families. We’re still called to love our families with a self-sacrificing love. Husbands and wives are to love each other with unreserved devotion, and children are to love, respect, and care for their parents as unto the Lord. But here’s the key—even those beautiful, God-given relationships should not come before our commitment to Jesus

Let’s be clear—becoming a Christian isn’t just about raising a hand, signing a card, or walking down an aisle and declaring our love for Jesus. It’s about affirming the Lordship of Christ over our lives to the point where we’re willing to forsake everything else for Him. Yes— Salvation is by faith alone— there’s no work or act that can save us. But—real faith — genuine faith — is shown in an unwavering commitment to Christ — a commitment that can’t be swayed by anything—not even family.

And yeah — that’s a tough pill to swallow! The truth is — following Jesus can come at the cost of strained relationships, uncomfortable conversations, or even conflict. But it’s important to remember why He’s asking this of us. Understand — Jesus isn’t just a good teacher or a moral example. Jesus is the Lord of everything. He left heaven, took on human flesh, and gave His life on the cross for you and me. So, when He asks for our loyalty, He’s asking for something He’s already demonstrated—a love that sacrifices everything.

Friend — Jesus gave everything for you. And in return, He is calling you — right now — to give Him your whole heart and complete devotion — even if it costs you something. Why? Well — because at the end of the day — Jesus is worth it. He’s the only one who can save us, and He’s worthy of our undivided devotion — even if that means losing our own life. Which leads us to our third Key characteristic of a disciple.

3. Upside- Down Gain

Friends — let’s get real for a moment. One of the biggest hurdles — one of the biggest roadblocks that prevent people from fully committing their lives to Jesus — is our love for our own lives. We all want comfort, safety, and control — but all these desires do— is hold us back from complete devotion to Jesus. That’s why Jesus calls us to total self-denial. And when He says to “take up your cross,” He’s not just asking us to give up a few little things here and there. He’s asking for our everything — even our very lives if it comes to that. Look at verse 38

Matthew 10:38 (CSB)

38 And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Now — this verse has often been misunderstood and misapplied. When Jesus tells us to "take up our cross," He’s not talking about the general hardships or difficulties that we might face simply because we live in a broken world. As painful and heartbreaking as things like natural disasters, chronic illness, rebellious children, or the loss of a job can be, those are not crosses.

The cross that Jesus is calling us to take up is something so much deeper. You see — the cross isn’t just a metaphor for life’s difficulties — No !! Taking up our cross is about self-sacrifice, complete obedience, and radical commitment to Jesus— It’s a deliberate and a personal decision to follow and to submit to Him, knowing that our decision may lead to suffering, rejection, and even to death because of our faith.

Remember — the cross —in Jesus’ time — symbolized a painful and shameful execution. So — when Jesus says, "take up your cross," He’s asking us to embrace whatever cost may come from being fully devoted to Him, even if that means facing opposition — even if that means facing persecution for His sake. It’s about being willing to lay down our rights, our comforts, and even our lives in order to follow Jesus wherever He might lead us.

Brothers and sisters — Jesus is to be so precious to you that there is no amount of suffering or shame that should ever repel you from Him. We must be ready to do as Martin Luther encouraged us in His great Hymn

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still. His Kingdom is forever.

From the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Martin Luther, 1529.

Friend — it is only by being willing to lose your life that you will actually find true life in Christ. This is the upside down gain of the Kingdom of God. look at verse 39

Matthew 10:39 (CSB)

39 Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.

Here is the beautiful truth—there is no sacrifice you will ever make for Jesus that can compare to the amazing benefits you will receive from Him. Whatever you may give up, whatever hardship you endure for His sake, it pales in comparison to knowing God and the eternal joy and peace that comes with being reconciled to God and filled with His Spirit.

Friends — this life that we are living is a vapor — its a mist — James 4:14 tells us

James 4:14 (CSB)

14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

Moses reminds us that we are like grass in a field that springs up quickly and just as quickly disappears: He says in Psalm 90:6.

Psalm 90:6 (CSB)

6 in the morning it sprouts and grows; by evening it withers and dries up.

We aren’t here very long — in fact — we are not even promised tomorrow — and so we need to keep the perspective that this Earthly life is temporary — and if we cling to this life above Christ — we are holding on to something we can never keep— and — in the process of holding this life so tightly we will forfeit an eternal life we can never lose.

On the other hand — Jesus promises that the person who loses their life for His sake will find it — In other words —being willing to forsake everything for Christ’s sake is the mark of a true disciple. And this is the heart of someone who is destined for heaven, for eternal life in God’s presence.

So — yes — following Jesus might mean giving up certain comforts, relationships, or even our very lives. But the rewards—both now and for eternity—are far greater than anything we could ever lose. Friends — In the end, our willingness to lose our lives for His sake leads us to true fulfillment.

I am reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s powerful statement

When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Brothers and sisters — Let’s embrace this call, knowing that the temporary comfort and pleasures that we give up pale in comparison to the eternal life we gain in Christ.

Now —

— as Jesus concludes this conversation with His disciples and prepares to send them out on their first solo mission, He offers them—and us—words of comfort and encouragement. Let’s look at 40

Matthew 10:40–42 (CSB)

40 “The one who welcomes you welcomes me, and the one who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. 41 Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

Mission Church — as we journey together in following Jesus — we are called to encourage and care for one another. Jesus makes it clear: when you receive another brother or sister in Christ — it doesn't matter how prominent they are. They might be a denominational leader, a pastor, or even the youngest or weakest believer — regardless of their prominence — receiving and caring for them is equivalent to receiving and caring for Jesus Himself.

In other words — your love and care for one another carries a great eternal significance. When you extend kindness—whether it’s welcoming someone into your home, offering support during a difficult time, or simply sharing a cup of cold water on a hot day — you are participating in the very mission of Jesus!

Isn’t that amazing!!! Friends — Jesus truly is flipping everything on its head — especially as He emphasizes the rewards for those who receive the righteous. You see — when you welcome and care for a righteous person — no matter their status— you will share in their reward. Now — this is radical — because it speaks to the truth that its not just the mighty and their mighty acts that are valued in God’s Kingdom — But the humble acts of kindness extended to the seemingly insignificant carry the exact same eternal significance!

Brothers and sisters, this should be a great encouragement to us. Because it means that there is no act of service or kindness that is too small in the Kingdom of God. Which means— every time we show love to one another we are reflecting the heart of Christ and we are furthering His mission here on earth. In other words — even your smallest act of obedience to Jesus — even the smallest contribution you make to the mission of Jesus — even your most modest acts of kindness and support to other believers will be rewarded.

Why? Because every act of kindness reflects our allegiance to Christ. When we bless one another, we show that we are united in this mission. As His disciples, we are part of a beautiful community that extends grace and love to one another, encouraging each other as we boldly acknowledge Jesus before others, caring for each other like family when our family reject us, and equipping each other as we labor alongside one another for the sake of the gospel.

Mission Church — let's do this together — let’s be united in this mission, reflecting Christ’s love and grace as we boldly acknowledge Him before others, caring for each other like family, and working together to see God’s Kingdom come here in Centennial Hills as it is in Heaven.

Lets Pray