Examples In Life
Foundation For Legacy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.
3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Introduction:
Paul gave in the New Testament a great answer for a problem the church at Corinth was having.
There were many who were stating their faith in Jesus as more potent because Paul had led them to the Lord.
They were using this “spiritual” hierarchy against other believers to Lord over them.
To which Paul set them straight about the matter.
“It doesn’t matter who baptizes you or who leads you to the Lord; whether it is Paul or Apollos”.
It only matters whether or not you have been saved, because it is between you and God.
To further the point though, Paul instructs them about their life that God is building.
He states that a life begins at the foundation and that foundation needs a corner stone.
The stone that directs the whole building, a point of reference.
He states what types of materials some choose to build from:
Wood, Hay, Stubble.
Gold, Silver, Precious Stones.
These structures will have to endure fire on the day it comes.
The only thing left behind of the one building with wood, hay and stubble is just the man himself.
The whole building is left behind for the one who built his house from gold, silver, precious stones.
The thing being highlighted by Paul is that each person, when they die the only thing they leave behind is their legacy.
We choose how to build our legacy.
Whether it is from common, inexpensive materials that take sacrifice and time to acquire.
Or if we choose to build from precious and valued materials that require much sacrifice and much time to acquire.
This is our direction as we break from Exodus, a little 3 part series.
We will focus on a “Foundation For Legacy”.
Our text will be Matthew 10 and it will be separated into 3 parts.
This week and the next 2 we will dig into this a little.
We can find many examples of peoples lives for how to live or how not to live; but in Matthew 10 we see from:
12 Different lives called (1-4)
12 Different lives called (1-4)
Each person named was called into a position.
The position hired grants rights for getting the job done:
Authority
Power
Responsibility, etc...
In our world every job has this type of framework for the hired position.
The Chief Executive Officer of any corporation has almost total dictatorship over a company.
A person, when being considered for a CEO position, will have an extensive understanding and work history in the desired field. Why? So they know what they are talking about and can make difficult decisions for the profitable outcome.
The CEO possess the power of the position and has direction over, employees, and the company vision.
A CEO bears the responsibility for how productive the company is, or isn’t.
The 12 men called into the position of Apostleship also had similar rights for their job.
1 And He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Each apostle is given specific rights:
Authority over fallen angels, unclean spirits.
What are these?
Demons an example we have for these demons can be found in many locations throughout the New Testament.
24 And from there He arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet He could not be hidden.
25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of Him and came and fell down at His feet.
A demon recognizes Jesus’ authority and this isn’t the first demon we hear of that has taken up residence in a person.
Demons bowed to the authority of Jesus.
This authority is what Jesus gave to the 12 Apostles as they go out.
The demons will respect and submit to their rights as Jesus’ called.
The demons will also cower to the power of Jesus’ authority being used by His ambassadors.
The Apostles will take on whole heartedly the responsibility that Jesus asked them to command.
This brings us to a point that I mentioned earlier and we need to revisit.
All CEO’s have history and proof to be able to perform the duties expected of them.
What about the Apostles Jesus called, who were they and what did they do?
2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
The history to most of the Apostles isn’t really provided in scripture.
Simon/Peter (Cephas) and Andrew
Before Jesus he was a fisherman and was brought to Jesus because his brother Andrew heard John speak with Jesus.
41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
Philip:
Before Christ there wasn’t much known of him, with exception to where he was from and who he brought to Jesus.
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Christ told him to follow him.
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
Nathanael:
Before Christ it is supposed that he was a serious student of scripture.
The proof for this is where the bible describes he is found by Philip.
Under a fig tree.
Why is this prominent?
It’s a societal scenario that we don’t understand.
Fig trees were, in rabbinic tradition, frequently an appropriate spot for teachers to discuss the meanings of scriptures with their students.
Also holding the surname: Bartholomew.
Thomas:
Known as “doubting Thomas” because he didn’t believe the testimony of the other apostles about Jesus’ resurrection.
He had to “see it to believe it”.
One dictionary says: He recognized Jesus’ death, but not His glory.
Jesus satisfied the proof he needed to believe and Thomas confessed: “My Lord and my God.”
Matthew:
Before Christ we know him as a tax collector.
Not a popular guy; more infamous for his wages taken over the actual taxes.
James:
Before Christ James Alphaeus nothing is known and referred to as James the son of Alphaeus.
Known as a lesser James compared to James Zebedee.
Thaddaeus:
Before Christ not much is mentioned; but could also be named Judas, not Iscariot.
Simon the Zealot:
Before Christ he was part of the zealots who focused on the second temple and those were dedicated to a revolution against Rome.
Judas Iscariot:
Not much is mentioned with exception of his family.
James and John (sons of Zebedee)
Before Christ they were fisherman with their father’s company.
Probably a little more well off than others.
What is the significance to their backgrounds?
Which one of these would have been hired for a job description to represent perfection, holy living, and a powerful saving gospel of Jesus Christ?
Not one!!
This should be an encouragement.
There isn’t one person who is named in the Lamb’s book of life that deserves to be there.
More than that there is not one person who is “good enough” or had enough experience to represent the Lord and share the Gospel to any person in this world.
Every one of us, to fulfill the calling of Sons and Daughters of the Lord can only do it through the dependance on the Lord.
POINT:
Each and every one of us has grown up in different ways, are qualified to do different things.
We aren’t made from a mold that replicates the same thing over and over.
The person He created us to be was on purpose to fulfill His will.
All of the disciples were entirely different in their upbringing; but God qualified them through His grace to be the ones with His authority, and power.
Every person that receives His grace is made new and is called into a position of responsibility to fulfill His calling.
That is what the Apostles were to do and:
Transition:
Those called are sent (5-7)
Those called are sent (5-7)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
There is something that we all may miss at this point in history, or maybe have a misconception about.
Who are they being sent to?
The Jews!
Not the Gentiles. (That was Paul’s calling)
They are to cast out demons and could because they had authority over them.
They had a healing power over diseases and afflictions.
Both great and small, severe and not so severe.
Ranging from blindness, and lame legs to the common cold.
Along with the healing ministry they are to proclaim the truth!
What was the truth?
7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Haven’t we heard this message before?
Yup...That was John’s proclamation, along with the Messiah is Coming.
Why would these men bringing the same message be any different than when John brought it?
If I were born blind and a man came along who said the kingdom of heaven is at hand and he restored my blindness.
I would have a little more reason to hear what he had to say and accept the message.
I bet the conversations might have the question about how were you able to heal me?
The man would explain what God called him to do and where He told him to go.
There would be more reason to believe in the one who commissioned him to the job.
And accept it!!
This lost sheep that was physically healed would hopefully recall the God of his or her fathers.
The one who claimed them as His own when He brought them from slavery with a mighty hand.
This passage reveals that the Israelites were lost.
They didn’t know what it was like to be part of the sheepfold any longer under the Great Shepherd.
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
This agrees with what Jesus said about the importance of His sheep and what He was willing to do.
12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
The Lord will rejoice, not at their physical healing; but their being found and brought back into the safety and care of the Shepherd.
POINT:
All apostle’s purpose was the same; but each one they encountered were different from the last.
I believe that each time an apostle came in contact with a sheep, he was the perfect one to be there at that moment.
God appointed the moments in time.
He prepared the hearts for the meeting on both sides, even down to the smallest details of what they were thinking about to priming the pump of salvation.
No different than you and I.
We have “God Appointments” every day with people who’s hearts, minds, and situations have culminated to the moment you are around them.
That moment to fulfill your calling and if were not careful we can miss them.
We might be distracted by our schedules, selfish desires all of which can cloud our spiritual man to not see clearly the appointment He has created for us to utilize His authority, fulfill our responsibility, and reconcile a soul back into a relationship with the Lord that gave His life as a ransom for them.
Live out the calling you have been sent to the world for:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Don’t be afraid to share your faith, you have something that the apostles didn’t have when they were sent out here:
The Holy Spirit.
You can go into the book of acts and read of the supernatural courage and words Peter and other apostles had in the face of worldly power, where they cowered before.
He lives in you....that same power!
Have faith and speak boldly and courageously.
Transition:
Use the most powerful thing that you have to reach people with the life transforming Gospel.
Be The Living Testimony (8-15)
Be The Living Testimony (8-15)
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts,
10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
What God does through you leaves a wake behind you to testify of your intentions, duty, and dedication.
Heal the physically sick and the spiritually sick.
Raise the spiritually dead to respond to the voice of the Lord.
Wash the minds of those who believe they are outcasts in this world and have no purpose.
Show them through the washing of God’s word, their minds can be renewed and transformed in the Lord.
Break the chains of those stuck in their lives and believe there is no way out of that specific lifestyle.
Show them the freedom they can have in salvation.
Jesus makes a statement of reminder to keep the Apostles humble and sober!
“...You received without paying; give without pay.”
Not one of them earned, paid for, deserved, or could academically achieve authority and power they were given by Christ!
This should resonate with each and every one of us.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
We are blessed because of the grace we received because Jesus forgave us and dwells in us, and loves us.
Walk in your blessing maintaining no pride or disillusionment about what you have and why.
Jesus loved you, came to earth and died to pay your penalty, and is now sending you out with a life changing testimony to show salvation is possible.
Your salvation testimony, aside from the Lord’s working, is your most powerful tool when witnessing.
You express the truth that if God can change you, He can and will change them too.
You exemplify the fact that the impossible is possible.
Jesus instructs them how to handle problems they will encounter, similar to all of us too.
13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
For this section we could very much miss the point.
It speaks of the choice of an Apostle to categorize an whole town based on 1 person’s actions.
Do you see how that can be dangerous?
But there is a sticking point we miss.
Context right?
Who were the Apostles supposed to go to?
The Israelites.
Their brethren.
Not the Gentiles.
Every Israelite should receive all other Israelites with the best hospitality not begrudgingly or boldly saying no.
When they were to come into a town where the Israelites weren’t hospitable or well receiving of those sent, it meant they were rejecting the Lord and His messengers.
How could an Israelites sit at their door and tell the Apostle:
“Look I know you healed that demon possessed person over there and that person can walk again; but I just don’t believe you.”
You get one night, then on you go in the morning.
Why wouldn’t they rejoice with the Apostle at the working of the Lord and fellowship together?
Let’s bring ourselves into this point here:
We get to gather Sunday and we could gather other days, like this last Friday and celebrate the things the Lord is doing; but instead Sunday is .....Fill in the blank.
We have other priorities, and it isn’t fellowship or meeting together to pray.
As the Apostles left in the morning: they were to shake the dust from their sandals against that town...
Then to the next one they go.
Conclusion:
There were 12 different individuals called to a purpose for the Lord.
There isn’t one person in here that is exactly the same as the person next to them or anyone else in the world.
Your unique and you are called to the purpose to be a living testimony.
The Apostles were sent out into the world with authority, and bearing the weight of a responsibility.
When you and I walk out those doors we bear the responsibility to reconcile souls back to the Lord and disciple them to grow in their relationship with God.
The power of the Holy Spirit being your guide and teacher and our local body of believers for support and prayer for one another.
You have purpose for your calling and responsibility in being sent by God!
Every believer has been given a measure of grace, this means you understand being given something you don’t deserve.
You received mercy by Jesus taking away what you deserve and instead adopting you because He loves you.
He knows the potential you have and desires for you to reach it!
You are a living testimony, a trophy of the Lord’s handiwork.
Reflect this week on how your measuring up to your calling; whether or not you recognize that you have been sent to the world.
Especially pay attention to whether or not you are being a good ambassador or poor one for our Lord.
Let your life be an example, even in how you handle your failures.
-Pray!
