Freely Pt 1

Kingdom in Men

By way of introduction, I wanted to talk about chapters and veses for a second. Chapter verse is not scripture. Useful sometimes, but not authoritative. Chapter Divisions: Stephen Langton, a professor at the University of Paris and later Archbishop of Canterbury, is credited with devising the chapter system for the Bible in the early 13th century. His chapter divisions were incorporated into the Latin Vulgate, a widely used translation of the Bible during the Middle Ages. The Wycliffe English Bible from 1382 used Langton’s chapter divisions.

Verse Divisions: Robert Estienne (also known as Robert Stephanus), a French printer, introduced a verse numbering system for the New Testament in 1551. He built on the work of Rabbi Mordecai Nathan, who had divided the Old Testament into verses. Estienne’s verse divisions were first published in a Greek and Latin edition of the New Testament in 1551.

The Geneva Bible, published in 1560, was the first Bible to feature both chapter and verse divisions as we know them today. Some include Jesus’ prayer for harvesters as Part of the Sending of the Apostles we look at today.

Matthew 9:37–38 “ Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.””

He began this sending by having his disciples pray. If he says pray the Lord sends laborers into his harvest then sends them, who is he referring to?

Now the sending involves us in 10:1-11:1 we’ll see how far we get today. I wrestled with how much to cover on these first 4 verses so lets see where we are in it.

Matthew 10:1 “ And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.”

Now, he calls his 12. they are not his only “disciples: mathetes: learners” but they are the 12. they will be honored by being named in a moment, (even the betrayer)

these 12 were chosen to bring the message of Christ to the nation of Israel, “specifically” which we’ll examine in 5/6. The miracles testify to their authority as Jesus’ does for Him.

though they would do so, (12 apostles, 12 tribes)

later God would use them to bring gentiles into faith so the exclusion wasn't permanent.

HE GAVE THEM “POWER: exousian: authority, power”. Its agreed in Mark and Luke that Jesus himself gives them this power. With what we know about the gifts and the covering and enabling of the Holy Spirit, its simply commanded by Jesus and it is so. He gives specifically 3 facets to this power

Authority over unclean spirits (demons), seems to indicate like Jesus they cannot harm or flee but must submit - ( Unheard of for “normal” folks Seven sons of sceva Acts 19:13–16) see how little we can effect without Christ. Also cant inhabit the 12

to cast them out - these spirits which no doubt existed and were present but there was no battle with them in earlier texts, as we see with Christ. There are instances as we said before, the influence of Satan in the garden, the spirit in Saul that david calmed, etc.

To heal all kinds of sickness and disease. obviously this doesn't mean all but some insanely cool miracles. We read in Matthew 17:14–16 that the disciples were unable to heal/cast out a strange “sickness” in an epileptic boy.

So its a powerful appointment these guys, and I want you to see and say it. Q: Who did he call here? A: Twelve Disciples. Who does this apply to? Twelve disciples.

Then he names them.

Matthew 10:2–4 “ Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: (these are the pairs) first, 1 Simon, who is called Peter, and 1 Andrew his brother; 2 James the son of Zebedee, and 2 John his brother; 3 3 Philip and Bartholomew; 4 Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; 5 James the son of Alphaeus, and 5 Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 6 Simon the Cananite, and 6 Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”

This is the first and only time in Matthew that the twelve are called apostles. “apostle” transliterated in most texts means “one sent forth to represent an official” not like a town cryer, but more like an ambassador. Which is how the Lord uses them here.

Notice its in pairs. Mark 6:7 says two by two, here he just leaves that detail to the text in how the names are given.

these are the men that God chose from those who believed in Israel. Those whom chose to follow Yahweh with all their heart. God would fill them with His Spirit so that they would die and give their lives to testify of a risen savior.

We don’t have a great number of details about them, but by the end of the Gospels we see fer instance, Pete has foot-shaped mouth. Andrew’s the evangelist, James and John sons of thunder because they wanted to call down lightning on folks who rejected, and so on. We have some more details from extrabiblical accounts but we still have such an affinity for them when we come to the end of the telling - Because they were with Him.

Even Judas is mentioned, and he does the same the others do. Good works gifted by the holy Spirit, even. But works, don’t save.

Matthew 10:5–10 “ These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide (obtain) neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”

These 12. This is not a prescription for how we should evangelize. But a description for what Jesus is doing here. Yet we can learn from it.

Commanded: parangeilas: a military word, literally give orders, command. Not a suggestion or recommendation.

No Gentiles (non-jews), no Samaritans (half-breeds). Why Just Jews? Because they were given the texts, the Words. Romans 1:16 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 2:8–11 “ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 3:1–4 “ What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.””

Israel was the instrument that God was using to evangelize the world. The jews spread over the world and God is truly using them and us today. Gen. 12:3; Isaiah 60:3 “ The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.”

This word, His word, is alive, power sharper than any sword and we need to trust that it can accomplish its task and calling.

v7 As you go, the same verbiage used where? Matthew 28.

preach: declare Here it is a message of the kingdom, of repentance and submission to Jesus as Messiah.

as stated before, but with more , heal sick, cleanse lepers (were unclean), raise the dead! Cast out demons.

Freely you have received, Freely give. Amazing. Though they had committed their lives to Him, what price could one pay for such a gift?

for men to use anything of the Lord to enrich themselves and live in luxury, is horrendous. I would say anyone who would is pretending at those gifts.

How easy to trust in provision when one is walking such a path with the Holy Spirit. They have seen provision, healing, freedom in Christ - and now they are walking an incredible adventure! Like Jesus, God confirms their Apostleship through the signs of casting out demons, healing, etc.

Why no gold/silver/copper/bag journey/xtra tunics, xtra sandals, xtra staves. Dont raise money or stuff. God now. Much like with the passover, eat while standing up, because its time for deliverance in Christ!

Them (and us) obeying the command is what is required. Any results are His to ensure.

Instant obedience is what is called for. And we are the results of said obedience and work of the Holy Spirit.

App: We live in a world of more. We strive for the big-screen. I get it. I like ‘em to. But is that what he calls us to live for? Whats our command? The ongoing command for them and us? Matthew 28:18–20 “ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

The food Jesus provides first is always spiritual and thats the main source of nourishment. Him, the word, and it is all sufficient.

Note thought there is always a time he can and does provide the physical.

We thank Him for everything, always.