GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - SENT WITH AUTHORITY

Matthew 10:1-15

Last week Dr John Craft preached for me and covered taught on Finding Peace in Psalm 131:1-3 and how peace is focused on the things of God and not of this world but if we are not careful we can strive for equality with God when we want things our way and lean towards judging others.  The week before we closed out chapter 9 with looking at blind eyes being opened through faith, hearts being moved and people set free from bondage and hands being sent as He calls all of us into the harvest, and we are to go with His compassion and today we look at Him sending with authority.  Let us pray!

Sermon Outline: “Sent With Authority”

Text: Matthew 10:1–15 – 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. 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; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 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. 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.

Big Idea

When Jesus sends us out, He equips us with His authority, calls us to depend on His provision, and charges us to proclaim His Kingdom with urgency.

Point 1: Jesus Equips Us With His Authority (vv 1-4)

Counter-Cultural Illustration:  In our culture, authority often looks like a CEO sitting at the top of a skyscraper, making decisions for profit and personal gain. But Jesus flips this. Imagine instead a nurse quietly serving in an overcrowded hospital. She doesn’t command armies or run companies, but she has the authority to bring healing, comfort, and even save lives through her care. Christ’s authority works the same way—it empowers us to serve, not dominate.  But now - think of a police officer. Their authority doesn’t come from their own strength, but from the badge and government backing them. In the same way, believers don’t act on personal strength but carry the authority of King Jesus.

Key Idea: We are not sent in our own power, but in the authority of Christ and not alone – (church is important, bible study)

Sent them in two’s and Matthew tells you the pairs – the one who could empower and encourage the other

Early in ministry – the first sending out – not perfected, not fully trained –Judas would still betray, Peter would still deny, Thomas would still doubt, James and John would still request to be on His right and left when He was in His kingdom.

Jesus will use you where you are – He will empower and equip

Supporting Scriptures:

Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Open-Ended Questions:

1. How does knowing you have Christ’s authority change the way you approach spiritual opposition?

2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to remember that His authority is greater than your weakness?

3. How can you encourage others in your community to walk confidently in Christ’s authority?

Point 2: Jesus Sends Us With Urgency to Proclaim His Kingdom (vv 5-8)

Counter-Cultural Illustration: Our world tells us the goal is to “settle down,” chase security, and build a life of ease. But think of firefighters rushing into burning buildings when everyone else is running out. They go toward the danger, not away from it, because lives are at stake. Likewise, Jesus sends us into places of need, not to escape risk but to bring His hope and life where it’s most needed. Imagine a doctor who has the cure for a deadly disease but delays giving it to patients. That would be unthinkable. In the same way, we carry the cure for sin and death—why wait? 

Key Idea: The mission is not optional or casual—Jesus calls us to urgently share the message of His Kingdom.

As you go – proclaim – As you go preach – we are always on the Go so as you God

Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are

bound;

Go where He wants to Go – not where we want to go (Not gentiles not Samaria)

Proclaim His Word and Will not our own (God’s Kingdom – His Word – His Will)

Isaiah 6:8 - And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Heal, raise, cast out, cleanse, now also preach and teach – same with us – medical missions should help the sick, pray against spiritual domination and the preaching the freedom that comes from Christ

2 Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Now is the day to Go

Open-Ended Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples not to take extra supplies with them?

2. What does dependence on God look like in your daily life right now?

3. How might God be calling you to step into deeper trust in His provision?

Point 3: Jesus Authority Calls Us to Depend on His Provision (vv 9-15)

Counter-Cultural Illustration: Culture says success is measured by what you own: the bigger house, the newer car, the fuller bank account. But think of long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail who can only carry what fits in their backpacks. The less they cling to, the freer and lighter they travel. In the same way, Jesus tells His disciples not to stockpile but to trust His daily provision—because freedom comes not from what we hold on to, but from whom we depend on.  Missionaries often step out without knowing how their needs will be met. Stories of Hudson Taylor or Harry Olsen remind us that when God sends, He supplies.

Key Idea: Following Christ requires trust that He will provide what we need for the mission.

Proclaim His Word and Will not our own (God’s Kingdom – His Word – His Will)

Go where He wants to Go – not where we want to go (Not gentiles not Samaria)

Know that He will provide (Do not take money or extra bags)

Greet & Stay – Peace be with you – (Stay until time to depart – until the Holy Spirit moves you on)

Don’t waste time or energy – if they reject shake the dust off your feet – utilize your time and energy for those willing to hear and do

Don’t judge – Let God judge (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 – God Will)

For those that reject the Gospel it is more bearable to be in Sodom and Gomorrah than for those who reject the Gospel – S & G were evil, wicked and refused hospitality and were destroyed with Fire and Brimstone

Here we see that Jesus says and in many other places – we will face opposition to the message of the Kingdom of God – the Gospel Message

Supporting Scriptures:

Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 10:14-15 – “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Open-Ended Questions:

1. How can urgency in the gospel change the way you interact with your family, neighbors, or coworkers?

2. What distractions or fears keep you from living with urgency in sharing Christ?

3. How does understanding the shortness of time help you value gospel conversations more?

This is not a works-based salvation – there are 2 works-based theologies

1. Works get you into heaven

2. Faith in Christ drives us to do works – not for salvation or entrance into Heaven but as James said Faith without works is Dead

We cannot ignore the call to GO because some pastors and religions have taught worked-based salvation

Closing Idea

Jesus still sends His people today. He gives us His authority, provides for our needs, and calls us to proclaim His Kingdom with urgency. The question is not whether we are sent, but whether we will go.

Final Summary

Matthew 10:1–15 reminds us that the mission of God is carried forward by ordinary disciples who are empowered by extraordinary authority.

We don’t go empty-handed—Jesus equips us.

We don’t go alone—He provides for us.

We don’t go aimlessly—we proclaim His Kingdom with urgency and clarity.

As His followers today, we are called to embrace this same mission, trusting that the One who sends us goes before us.

Let us pray!