The Power of Our King to Delegate Authority
Notes
Transcript
Mt 9:35-11:1
Scene 1: It’s easy to get focussed on the problems of our time.
In recent times I found myself really concerned about the future.
I was looking at the state of the nation and the decline of Christianity in this country.
I was looking at the many legal threats that Christianity is under in places like Britain, the USA and even Australia.
So called Christian nations where more and more restrictions are being placed on Christians.
I was looking at the rise of secular humanism, the belief that there is no god, that religion is dangerous and that human kind can solve all of the world’s problems, especially if they can get rid of religion.
I was looking at the threat that these beliefs pose to Chaplaincy and the church in Australia today.
I was looking at the political situation and thinking that despite respectful words from our new prime minister that Christianity would be further marginalised.
I was asking myself, is it really worth it?
Can we actually achieve anything, or would it be easier to just give up.
I was looking at the rise of Islam and how it appears that in many places Christians are being killed and driven out of areas where they were once in the majority.
In village after village, city after city, militant Islam is on the march.
Even in the west, large areas of major cities are becoming majority Muslim.
In fact some believe that Europe will become a majority Muslim area by the turn of the century.
As one Muslim leader put it, we will conquer Europe hopefully without having to resort to the sword.
And every time that Islam gains strength in an area, Christians are put under pressure to leave, convert or die.
I was getting focussed on the problems of our time.
It is something that we can all do.
Scene 2: When we do we lose a correct focus on what really matters, Christ and his kingdom. (Mt 9:35-38)
Rather than focussing on Christ and his Kingdom and on a sure victory.
We get depressed, or distracted.
We lose focus and momentum.
We may even find ourselves focussed on fighting battles which we didn’t need to fight, because we are scared about what might be.
Jesus didn’t call us to a life of worry and concern about the problems of this world.
He called us to get on with the job.
Let’s have a look at Jesus’ focus.
Turn to Matthew 9: 35 -36
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
As we read these verses, ask yourself what was Jesus focussed on?
Question: What where the crowds like?
Harassed and Helpless, Lost, Aimless.
Question: What were the people in need of?
Purpose, Direction, Salvation, Meaning, A Relationship with God, A Shepherd
Question: What was Jesus’ focus?
The people and their need,
Question: What were they in need of?
A shepherd.
So Jesus turns to his disciples and gives them a command.
Verse 37 The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest fields.
Ask God for workers to go and bring in the harvest.
To take hold of all these lost people who are looking for purpose.
People who are looking for meaning and direction.
People who need a shepherd
Ask God to send workers out amongst these people to bring them into a relationship with Him.
Now what happens when we ask God to do something?
Who does he usually give the job to?
The one asking him to act?
I really think that Jesus here was seeking to shape the disciples perspective on things.
Rather than, God here is a need do something!
Jesus was seeking to change their focus.
God here is a need help me to do what is needed?
If we focus on the problems of our time we will lose the reward of representing Christ and his Kingdom.
But if we focus on Christ and his kingdom, we will see the opportunity rather than the problem.
No matter what the current situation.
Scene 3: If the current times are times of great persecution (Mt 10:16-23) Jesus’ concern is for the Kingdom and our reward (10:22)
Look at Matthew 10:16-23
Now this passage has caused some difficulty for commentators, because it doesn’t fit well with the instructions that precede it.
On the one hand Jesus has told the disciples that on this trip they are to just go to the cities of Judah, yet in verse 23 Jesus speaks of all the cities of Israel.
We also know that all records of the disciples after this particular mission trip are positive.
It would appear that they did not meet the significant opposition that verses 16 to 23 speak of.
So why did Jesus say these words to the disciples at this time, it doesn’t add up.
It doesn’t add up because we always see things in chronological order.
In ancient times people more thought in theme.
So Jesus in verses 5 to 15 is giving the disciples instruction on the particular mission they are to undertake at that time, but then following on with the theme of difficulty and rejection in verse 14 he jumps forward to a future time of great persecution and difficulty.
The time immediately before his return as judge and king.
Partly fulfilled in the time of the apostle Paul but yet to be fully fulfilled this passage speaks to us of the focus that Christians should have in times of terrible persecution.
Times of great tribulation when we could reasonably conclude that the end is near.
So one day if we face such terrible times of persecution.
What should be our concern?
Verses 17 to 18 tell of needing to be on guard.
That is be watchful, there are those looking for any excuse to attack.
Verses 19 to 20 however tell us to not consume unnecessary time preparing a defence.
You simply won’t have time, but you are to be reliant on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Quite simply you need a dynamic relationship with God every day in order to be prepared for the day when you don’t have opportunity to prepare a response.
Yes there will be persecution and betrayal, betrayal of the worst kind where family turns against family.
We saw that in the early church, we saw it in the reformation, we saw it in communist times and we will see it again.
The most painful betrayal of all.
But in all of this what is the concern of Jesus.
Even in the midst of the greatest persecution and betrayal, even when it appears that the end of the world is upon you.
Jesus’ concern is for the kingdom and our reward.
Look at verse 18.
The very persecution and interrogation itself is so that you can be witnesses to those who persecute you.
Look at verse 22.
Being hated by every person around is scary.
But persevering to the end means that you have your salvation.
Ultimate victory is for those who are in Christ.
Polycarp (2nd Century)
Can you imagine what it was like for the church in Smyrna as they watched their beloved and aged pastor burn at the stake? Polycarp was his name. he was a disciple of Jesus’ disciple, the Apostle John. One could tell it immediately because he possessed the same tenderness and compassion as his mentor.
Polycarp was Bishop of the church at Smyrna (present day Turkey). Persecution broke out in Smyrna and many Christians were fed to the wild beasts in the arena. The godless and bloodthirsty crowd called for the carcass of the leader – Polycarp.
The authorities sent a search party to find him. He had been taken into hiding by some Christians but the Romans tortured two young believers until they finally disclosed his location. When the authorities arrival was announced there was still time to whisk Polycarp away but he refused to go saying, “God’s will be done.”
In one of the most touching instances of Christian grace imaginable Polycarp welcomed his captors as if they were friends. He talked with them and insisted they eat a meal. Ha made only one request before being taken away – he asked for one hour to pray. The Roman soldiers listened to his prayer. Their hearts melted and they gave him 2 hours to pray. They had second thoughts as well and were overheard asking each other why they were sent to arrest him?
Other authorities also experienced a warmed heart when Polycarp arrived. The Proconsul tried to find a way to release him too. “curse God and I will let you go!” he pleaded.
Polycarp’s reply was: “For eighty-six years I have served him. He has never done me wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King was has saved me?”
The Proconsul again looked for a way out. “The do this old man, just swear by the spirit of the emperor and that will be sufficient.’
Polycarp’s reply was: “If you imagine for a moment that I would do that, then I think you pretend that you don’t know who I am. Hear it plainly. I am a Christian.”
More entreaties by the Proconsul
Polycarp stood firm.
The proconsul threatened with the wild beasts.
Polycarp’s reply was: “Bring them forth. I would change my mind if it meant going from worst to best, but not to change from right to wrong.”
The Proconsul threatened, “I will burn you alive!”
Polycarp’s reply was: “You threaten with fire that burns for an hour and is over but the judgment on the ungodly is forever.”
The fires engulfed him. The witnesses noticed his faith and joy. He was finished off with a dagger. He was buried for the cause of Christ on February 22, 155 A.D.
It was as much a day of victory as it was a day of tragedy.
Polycarp illustrated the power of knowing Jesus intimately. Intimately enough to follow Him into the flames. As Jesus said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”
We do not yet face such difficulties.
Although Christians in many other places do.
So we must ask ourselves the question, for us in normal times what is Jesus’ concern?
Scene 4: In normal times (Matthew 10:24-42) Jesus’ concern is for the Kingdom and our reward (Matthew 10:32-33, 37-39)
He wants us to focus on these things, not on the problems.
Look at verses 24 to 25.
Some claimed Jesus was a devil.
Today some claim that Christianity is a great evil.
As verse 24 says; Be like Jesus anyway.
People can point to the faults of the church.
They can identify the many failings of those who claim to represent Christ.
But they cannot ignore Jesus.
So be Jesus to them.
Look at verse 26 to 31.
We can be afraid of men.
We can guard our words and not speak up because we are afraid of offending someone.
We can be all politically correct and never speak of the role that our faith plays in directing our lives.
We could never mention church, or God or that we pray.
Or we can speak the truth in love in all things.
Firmly, accurately always telling the truth about all things.
And what will happen.
The truth of our actions will eventually be seen.
It may be denied and misrepresented.
But for those to whom it will be a witness it will shine forth.
And in eternity it will be plainly revealed for all to see.
So do not fear.
God knows exactly what is going on.
Every little detail of your life, every hair on your head.
And beside which, the worse they can do is destroy your body.
Only God can destroy your soul.
And he is on your side so what is there to worry about.
Scene 5:
Dieter Zander, the pastor of the first GenX church in America spoke at a conference about reaching people in the age of relativism. He cited a Barna study that asked people to use single words to describe Jesus. They responded, "wise, accepting, compassionate, gracious, humble." Then he asked them to use single words to describe Christians, they said, "critical, exclusive, self righteous, narrow and repressive."
"There is a difference between knowing the good news and being the good news," Zander said. "We are the evidence! How we live our lives are the evidence. Everything counts--all the time."
"With previous generations, a strong preacher could give a good message, even if the church was hypocritical and critical and people would still get saved," Zander continued, "but not any more. I’m seeing a change in what seekers are looking for. Not something they can relate to. They are looking for a transcendent God. They don’t want to be entertained they want to be transformed."
So remember this, there is a great harvest to be bought in, focus on being Christ and his message to all around you (Matthew 10:24-27) and you will see the kingdom advance and you will know the reward of serving Christ.
