Matthew 10
Notes
Transcript
Empowered for Mission: The True Cost of Discipleship
Empowered for Mission: The True Cost of Discipleship
Empowered for Kingdom Work Matthew 10: 1-15
Empowered for Kingdom Work Matthew 10: 1-15
1 Summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
Last CH Jesus instructed disciples to pray for laborers
These were HIS leaders
Previous chosen, now called to special evangelical mission to nation of Israel
None had ever given power to another person
Unclean Spirits were demons
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: 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 also betrayed him.
Judas listed last is probably intentional
Probably in 20’s
Varied walks of life
Nothing special except following Jesus
5 Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. 6 Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Special instructions to ministering to Israel. Not the sending out of the 70 or the great commission
Temporary mission w/ a specific purpose of announcing that the Kingdom of Heaven is near
Some of the principles are lasting and some were removed since they were not intended to be permanent
1st the route was given. not to gentiles or the the Samaritans a mixed race detested by jews. ministry was for house of Israel!
Jews eventual rejection leads to the Gentile mission
Lost sheep=hopeless and leaderless people
7 As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
Same message as John the Baptist and Jesus
If Israel refused then they had no excuse!
Kingdom had drawn near in the person of Jesus!
Will Israel accept or reject?
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9 Don’t acquire gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts. 10 Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.
Disciples were GIVEN credentials to confirm their message. Jews demanded sign so GOD graciously gave them signs
No charge for this
No cost for this blessing
Needs would be supplied daily
11 When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave.
Looking for PPL that were ready to receive the Lord’s message and as such be hosts for the mission at hand
12 Greet a household when you enter it, 13 and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it; but if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.
Accept the hospitality if offered and reciprocate and if rejected then reciprocate that as well
Shake dust off feet is was indicative of a severed relationship
If they rejected the disciples, they rejected HIM
15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
This proves will be different degrees punishment in hell. Why wool would it say more tolerable for some than others?
Prepared for Persecution
Prepared for Persecution
16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.
Behavior in face of persecution
Avoid needless offense or being tricked
wise/ clever and innocent
17 Beware of them, because they will hand you over to local courts and flog you in their synagogues. 18 You will even be brought before governors and kings because of me, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.
attack against would be civil and religious
19 But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you are to speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, 20 because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.
God will give you the words to say
2 extremes to avoid: Christians should never prepare & to not overly prepare or worry in intense times.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
PPL close to you will betray you
22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Not everyone but all types of PPL
By itself might seem like salvation can be earned by endurance. We know that is NOT what this means since scripture tells us salvation in a free gift. Simplest....endurance is a hallmark trait.
Seems to look ahead to final judgement...Jesus probably means that at his 2nd coming there will be PPL left in the towns that have not accepted him.
24 A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household!
As followers we wonder why we have to endure. Jesus answers reminding of our relationship to him. He is God. We are followers. He is Master and we are servant. Discipleship means follow the teacher not be superior to him. We should not expect to be treated better. Men call the master “Beelzebub” (Lord of Flies) name used by Jews for Satan.
Fearless in Faith
Fearless in Faith
26 “Therefore, don’t be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered and nothing hidden that won’t be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.
Do not fear.
Persecutors sins will be revealed at the coming judgement
28 Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Do not fear.
Worse men can do is kill.
Physical death is not supreme tradegy for the Christian. To die is to be with Christ. It is gain.
We should revere HIM. Heaven or Hell.
29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. 30 But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
God has ALL things under control
Courageous Confession
Courageous Confession
32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.
Either you know him or you do not. your actions and thoughts will be evident
34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Conflict. context may indicate persecution and suffering but interpersonal discord results.
The sword is merely a symbol for conflict and division
35 For I came to turn
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man’s enemies will be
the members of his household.
37 The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
PPL would oppose each other due to Jesus. Jesus must take precedence.
37 The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Must be willing to die to ourselves & in some cases literally.
Compassionate Commission
Compassionate Commission
40 “The one who welcomes you welcomes me, and the one who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. 41 Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
Receive or reject one of us is like him...regardless of status
BIG IDEA
BIG IDEA
Discipleship calls us to boldly engage in God’s mission, knowing that our willingness to face challenges is a testament to our faith and commitment to Christ's calling on our lives
