Matthew 10:24-33

24 “A student is not better than his teacher. Nor is a slave better than his owner.

25 It is enough for a student to become like his teacher and a slave like his owner. If they have called the owner of the house Beelzebul, they will certainly call the family members the same name.

26 So don’t be afraid of them. Nothing has been covered that will not be exposed. Whatever is secret will be made known.

27 Tell in the daylight what I say to you in the dark. Shout from the housetops what you hear whispered.

28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission.

30 Every hair on your head has been counted.

31 Don’t be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows.

32 “So I will acknowledge in front of my Father in heaven that person who acknowledges me in front of others.

33 But I will tell my Father in heaven that I don’t know the person who tells others that he doesn’t know me.[1]

Intro

We put value (important) or price on many things. ?How much is your house worth? ?How much is your car worth? ?How much do you get paid an hour? We place $$ on everything. Insurance Companies have tables (schedule) for the value of a finger or suppose your hand is cut-off, they have a price attached (join) to that cost too (same). The 3 men killed as they were building the Brewer Stadium; there families received money for their “lost” potential (possible) income. It seems (mirror) everything comes down to cost (money) in this sinful world.

?What does God’s ECONOMY tell us is important? Jesus makes a comparison (mirror-mirror) in our reading. Jesus tells us the student is not better than his master. The economy (relation) between a master and his student has a certain (exact) order. The master is above his student. The master teaches and the student listens. We are students of Jesus. We don’t tell Jesus to do something. We don’t demand or order Jesus around like a servant. No! Many TV preachers and many Christians think they can command Jesus or tell Jesus what (things) to do. TV preachers say, “If you obey Jesus, then Jesus must do the things you want. If you give 10% of your money, Jesus must reward you. If you believe in Jesus, you won’t get sick and if you get sick Jesus will heal you.” This is a lie! ?Is a student able to teach or tell his master? No! ?Can a student control his master? No!

In God’s Economy, Jesus is the master. Jesus has the power and control. We are the students. Jesus is the teacher. We listen (attention) to the words of Jesus in the Bible. We don’t listen to other words from other teachers. We don’t listen to other words from other books. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). We don’t listen to the Palm-readers, the Jehovah Witnesses (JW), or to the Mormons, or Muslims. We don’t listen to their writings or books! We listen to the Gospel in John 3:16. We listen to the voice of the only and best teacher, Jesus! We listen to the teachings in the Bible…ONLY!

Jesus is not only the best master and teacher. Jesus is the owner of everything. In our CREED we say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth.” However we could also say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty the maker and OWNER of heaven and earth.” Jesus is owner. The 1st chapter of the Book of John says Jesus was the Word and Jesus made everything. Nothing was made without the help of Jesus. Jesus owns us. God created man (people) in the beginning and owns man (people). God made male and female. God gave ADAM his name. An owner can do as he/she pleases with his/her property. God can do with us as He pleases. The slave is not better than his owner. God owns us and that OWNERSHIP makes us His slave.

Many people don’t like to be under someone’s authority. Children often rebel against parents. Husbands and wives often rebel against one another. Students often rebel against their teachers. Employees (workers) often rebel against their employers (boss). Since sin came into the world, the whole world has been in rebellion against its Creator, God. This is NOT God’s Economy (way)!

Jesus teaches us about God’s way. Jesus says in verse 25 that a student is to become like his teacher. A slave is to become like his owner. We are to become like Jesus our teacher and owner. Jesus did the will of His Father. We are to do the will of His Father. This is God’s Way! However, Jesus warns us there is a price. The price of following God’s Way is very high. People will make fun of you. People will call you bad names. People will hate you. People may also kill you! ?Why? Because we are joined to Jesus, we have become like Jesus. We will suffer like Jesus! Jesus says verse 25, “If they have called the owner of the house BEELZEBUL (Devil, Lord of the Flies), people will certainly call the family members [you & me] the same name.” ?If people called Jesus bad names and killed Jesus, can we expect different? No! We will get the same as Jesus. Romans 8:36 says, “As Scripture says:

“We are being killed all day long because of you.

We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered.”[2] Wow! Sounds like a hard job for Jesus’ followers. ?Are you a follower Jesus?

Jesus tells His students, slaves, and followers not to be afraid of the people the call you bad name, or punish you, or even kill you. Verse 28, “Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” ?Who is the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell? Jesus is the one who has the power to destroy both body and soul in hell. Revelation 1:17-18 says, “When I [John] saw Him [Jesus], I fell at His [Jesus] feet like a dead man. And He [Jesus] placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.’”[3] Yes! Jesus our teacher…our owner…our God has the keys to life forever! We don’t have to worry in God’s Economy (way). We have been bought a 2nd time. God owned us from the beginning when (happen) He made us. And God has bought (buy) us back from sin. God didn’t buy us with gold or sliver. God didn’t buy us with diamonds or any other precious (valuable) material. No! Although (no matter) God owned us, He bought (buy) us with a double price. God bought with His own blood…with the blood of His dear innocent Son, Jesus. 1 Peter 1:18-19, “Realize that you weren’t set free from the worthless life handed down to you from your ancestors by a payment of silver or gold which can be destroyed. Rather, the payment that freed you was the precious blood of Christ, the lamb with no defects or imperfections.”[4]

Jesus knows everything. Jesus says all creatures (animals) are important to God. Jesus says in verse 29, “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission.” The Father knows when (happen) a sparrow falls to the ground. Sparrows are many and not important to most people. However, sparrows are important to the Father. Every living animal is important to Him.

Jesus knows when (happen) we are in trouble. Jesus knows our heartaches and frustrations. Jesus says we are much more valuable than any bird. If birds are important to God, surely humans (people) made in God’s image (copy) are much more important. People are bought (buy) with a huge price. The blood of Jesus is God the Father’s highest price. Jesus says in verse 30, “Every hair on your head has been counted.” Wow! Imagine God counts every one’s hairs every minute of the day. God loves us very very much!

Jesus tells us not to worry! “Don’t be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows.” When (happen) we tell others about Jesus. Jesus is in heaven reminds the Father about His love for us. The Father can see the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and the hole in Jesus’ side. The Father loves us because Jesus has covered us in His holy blood. Jesus has bought (buy) us back (again). God’s Economy (way) is the way of Jesus’ Cross. Gold and silver were not enough to pay for us. We are valuable to God! The Cross is the high price! There is not enough money in the world to buy us. Only the blood of Jesus can win us! Jesus serves us with his life, death, and resurrection. Now we can serve in the power of His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls us to serve with Him. Jesus calls us to service and true success in Him! Amen!

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[1]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Mt 10:24-33). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[2]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Ro 8:36). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[3]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Re 1:17-18). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[4]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (1 Pe 1:18-19). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

5th Sunday Pentecost A

Matthew 10:24-33

Intro