"Grace is the Way" (Matthew 10:5-15)

Message of Grace (v.5-7)

Grace for the Jews

The “lost sheep of the House of Israel”

These are God’s chosen people, through whom He decided to make Himself known to the world.

They had deviated from their mission to be a light unto all the nations. (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 60:3)

They wore their calling from God in arrogance rather than humility. (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)

Even in their arrogance and deviation, Christ still showing grace to them by giving them the first opportunity to respond to God through Him and His message of the Kingdom.

He made sure they would hear it first, honoring His promise to their fathers long ago He gave them the chance to redeem themselves by becoming the light they were called to be.

Gracious Warning

“The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

The message that John the Baptist prepared the way for; Matthew 3:2 ““Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””

This is a warning to the people of Israel that the time has come and there is no more time to waste.

The Kingdom that they have been praying for and preparing themselves for is here and they are not spiritually ready for it.

There is a need for repentance from the people. (They have missed the mark)

The Lord had come with a spiritual diagnosis, an admonition of what was to come so that they may repent and prepare.

Gracious Revelation

There is still hope.

The fact that He comes with a message/ a warning and not judgement implies that there is still hope.

Luke 19:10 ““For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.””

John 3:17 ““For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

Judgement is coming but not quite yet.

Matthew 25:31-46

All revelation by God is an act of grace.

He chose to make Himself known.

Mission of Grace (v.8-10)

Grace in Power

They were given power to heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead.

The power was to show the grace that God has for His people.

That God is not indifferent to their suffering but compassionate towards them.

He was concerned about their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.

Matthew 9:36 “And seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.”

This brought an expansion to the ministry and message as well as a testimony to the validity and authority of Christ.

Expansion through the sense of “divide and conquer”

Testimony through God’s approval on Christ’s ministry and message.

Gracious Giving

Told not to receive anything for their ministering to the people.

Gold, Silver or Copper (Precious Metals) (v.9)

Freely you have received so freely you give (v.8)

This was to teach the Apostles to trust in God to provide what they needed through the generosity of the people.

They could bring only what was on their backs; not extra. (Mark 6 implies as well they could take one but not two)

They could have no doubt made a fortune on the works that they were performing

People would have paid very handsomely for the miracles they did.

This would have hindered the mission and message of grace that Christ sent them to preach in the first place.

So Christ forbade them from turning their mission and His message into a way to make a profit.

Gracious Gratitude

Christ did not forbid them from accepting any support for their basic needs.

“a worker is worthy of his support.” (v.10)

1 Timothy 5:18 “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.””

Quoting Deuteronomy 25:4 & Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The people who receive the message of grace from the messengers of God are called by God to support the messenger in his needs.

The messenger is called by God not to abuse the support but take only what is necessary to provide for his needs.

The focus is to make the entire transaction to be one of grace and gratitude between both parties.

Management of Grace (v.11-15)

Gracious Greeting

Enter each city or home ready to, in an act of grace, bestow your blessings of peace upon that city or home.

"Shalom” meaning “prosperity” or “well-being” or “blessing”

Common Hebrew greeting would be a prayer of peace to be upon that house and those who dwell in it.

Inquire who is worthy — Who greet you with grace in return.

Grace is always to be the first choice.

We enter every situation and every conversation ready to show grace in all things.

We do not come to any situation quick to show effrontery or impertinent behavior.

Always make room for grace in the beginning, and maintain it until the end whenever possible.

Grace Rejected

If it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. (v.13)

Christ is not playing around with those who would not show grace to those who He has sent.

To have your peace return to you would be to reverse and take back the prayer of Shalom upon ones house and household.

Shake the dust off of your feet (v.14) Symbolic to the disdain felt, the despising attitude toward and an expression of derision to that city or house. (Very harsh reaction)

Those who do not receive you or heed your words (v.14)

The words spoken, the message shared was the main objective of the Apostles, the miracles and signs were adjacent for the purpose of authenticating their words.

These words were from Christ and to reject them, ultimately was to reject Him

Luke 10:16 ““The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me. And he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.””

John 12:49 ““For I did not speak from Myself, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”

They reject the grace that God has shown them in His Son.

Grace Denied

They refuse to show grace, therefore grace will not be shown to them.

Sodom and Gomorrah

Evil cities known for their sinful condition and rejection toward things holy.

Their condemnation will be less severe.

Matthew 11:24 ““Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.””

Grace given is a prerequisite for grace received.