Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves
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How do we as Christians live on mission for God?
What does that Even mean? Christ understood His purpose, Dispciples knew there purpose, early church knew there purpose.
Ignorant to what is at stake and What the Cost.
The difficulty of the task - Wanting all the benefits of this life and the next
How Can I Live on Mission with God?
How Can I Live on Mission with God?
1. By Understanding You have been Called
1. By Understanding You have been Called
1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
math 10.1
1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now 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 Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.
2. By paying attention to Jesus Example
2. By paying attention to Jesus Example
Read between the lines a bit - Jesus didn't call them and Immediately send them.
He Equipped them, He was intentionally preparing them.
3. By Obeying His Instructions
3. By Obeying His Instructions
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. 11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. 11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
A. He gave them direction (Vs 5)
“Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
B. He Gave them the Message (Vs 7)
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
C. He Gave them Power (vs 8)
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
d. He Gave them a Promise (vs 9-14)
I will provide all your needs, if you depend on me.
That was their Commission, Here is our commission.
They Were Equiped
They Were Instructed
matt 10.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
4. By Understanding the Warning vs 16-23
4. By Understanding the Warning vs 16-23
This is where Most Christians get derailed...
One of the things I love about Jesus - He doesn't Sugar Coat anything.
He Lays it all out and tells us to Count the Cost
Eternal Perspective or Earthly Perspective
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Persecution
PERSECUTION Harassment and suffering which people and institutions inflict upon others for being different in their faith, world-view, culture, or race. Persecution seeks to intimidate, silence, punish, or even to kill people.
For Fear
Image of Sheep Among Wolves vs 16
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Image of Persecution vs 18-20
The New King James Version Chapter 10
18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Image of Divided Families vs 21
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
Image of Hostility vs 22
mat 10.18-20
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
5. By Understanding The Cause of Persecution. vs 24-25
5. By Understanding The Cause of Persecution. vs 24-25
We take everything Personal
Conflict of Desire of Acceptance
We all long to be liked & We all Long to be Obedient
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
We can’t please the world
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18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
6. By Having appropriate Fear (vs 28-31)
6. By Having appropriate Fear (vs 28-31)
Right motivation and Proper Perspective changes everything.
matt10.
Jesus knew the difficulty and the fear that the disciples would have.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
By having Fear
matt 10.
7. By letting God define SUCCESS (vs 32-33)
7. By letting God define SUCCESS (vs 32-33)
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Success is Obedience Not Results
matt 10.
As you are going, As you are Preaching, As you
8. By Not Forgetting The Reason Jesus Came vs 34-36
8. By Not Forgetting The Reason Jesus Came vs 34-36
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
matt 10.34-36
matt 10.28-
Jesus did not Come to bring peace on Earth - Jesus Came to bring Peace with God
Gospel if Visitors
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9. By having unwavering Loyalty to Christ (vs 37-39)
9. By having unwavering Loyalty to Christ (vs 37-39)
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
matt
This verse has caused much confusion and difference of opinion among different christian groups.
Idiom- Meant to contrast
Contextually - Choosing Jesus over family that is persecuting you.
Jesus > ME HIS DESIRE NOT MY DESIRE
Truly Find Meaning, Purpose, Joy
Die to self & Live to Christ in You
10. By Understanding You are never alone (vs 40-42)
10. By Understanding You are never alone (vs 40-42)
40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
There are times we feel like we are all alone, we are not making a difference, we should just toss in the towel and coast & and God will put someone in your path as a reminder.
- Application -
Living For God will Put you at Odds With the World.
Living For God will Put you at Odds With the World.
You cannot live on mission for God without devotion and loyalty to Him.
Living For God will Put you at Odds With the World.
Living For God will Put you at Odds With the World.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Persecution
PERSECUTION Harassment and suffering which people and institutions inflict upon others for being different in their faith, world-view, culture, or race. Persecution seeks to intimidate, silence, punish, or even to kill people.
matt 5.10-
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
How should we live then?
How should we live then?
a. Wise as Serpents
Understand the Root of Persecution
Understand the Root of Persecution
Some Context
When Persecution Comes
When Persecution Comes
b. Harmless as Dove
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Wise as serpents - Snakes are hated creatures
Do not seek out confrontation
Stay out of the way of Danger
Do not draw attention to themselves - blend in
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Harmless as Doves - Doves are know for Peace
Not seeking to retaliate
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Harmless could be translated as Innocent
Purity & Integrity
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
When you understand this… Follow These Steps… You will walk on mission with our Lord and Savior.
Close with these verses - I,m not here to talk you out of Following Jesus… Im here to encourage to double down and start living for Gods kingdom.
1 peter
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,