SF060 - THE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE - PART ONE (Matthew 10 24-33)
Matthew 10:24-33
Introduction
Jesus’ most crucial and definitive teaching about discipleship, setting forth its true nature and its real demands, is presented in the remainder of this chapter. The call of the Great Commission is the call to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19).
Disciple-making is the central work of the people of Christ’s church, the work of bringing men and women to a saving relationship to Jesus Christ and of helping them grow in His knowledge and likeness. It is what Paul calls “the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).
When Jesus called the twelve to Himself, He carefully instructed them about what they would be expected to do and to endure. In so doing, He excluded the half-hearted people who wanted the benefits of the kingdom but not its commitments. He elected to Himself only those who were willing to enter the narrow gate and walk the narrow road.
In Matthew 10:24-42 Jesus sets forth the essence of this Christian dedication and consecration. Jesus identifies a comprehensive definition of discipleship, in which He lists some six marks.
The true disciple of Jesus Christ emulates His Master; he fears God rather than the world; he confesses the Lord; he forsakes family; he follows his call; and he receives a reward.
1A. A Disciple Emulates His Master (10:24-25)
1B. A disciple submits to his master (10:24)
2B. A disciple seeks to be like his master (10:25a)
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
3B. A disciple will receive the same treatment as his master. (10:25b)
They accused Jesus of being Satan.
“Beelzebul” was originally the name of a pagan Canaanite deity. The name Baalzebub probably meant “lord of the flies,” and it was later changed to Baalzebul, “lord of the dwelling.”
They hated Jesus
John 15:18-19 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.
The call to discipleship is the call to be like Christ, including being treated like Christ.
Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
2A. A Disciple Fears God Rather than the World (10:26-31)
1B. Because God’s truth will triumph (10:26-27)
Men may deceive themselves and other men but they will never deceive God.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways…
Every good and evil deed will be exposed in the Judgment.
1 Corinthians 4:5 … wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.
Therefore we proclaim the truth of the gospel boldly. (10:27)
Ø First, we must listen to the Lord speak.
Ø Second, we must speak only what we have heard.
Jewish rabbis would often train their students to speak by standing beside them and whispering in their ears. What the student heard whispered he would then speak aloud.
Ø Third, we must speak the Lord’s truth no matter the consequences.
In Jesus’ day a person shouting from housetops could be heard for a great distance.
2B. Because the soul matters more than the body (10:28)
Do not let the threat of bodily harm terrorize you.
Ø Fear, phobeo; imperative verb; to be afraid, to terrify
Fear the one who can destroy body and soul.
Ø Destroy, appolumi; does not convey the notion of extinction but of great loss or ruin.
Ø Paul uses the same word in…
2 Thessalonians 1:9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
3B. Because God cares for His own (10:29-31)
He knows us (10:29-30)
Ø Sparrows were insignificant, copper coin = 1/16 of a denarius (a day’s wages). Two copper coins would purchase 5 sparrows.
Ø God’s knowledge of us is so detailed and keen the very hairs on our head are all numbered (~140,000).
He values us (10:31)
Matthew 6:30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
3A. A Disciple Confesses His Lord (10:32-33)
1B. The witness that is required (10:32)
Who is required to confess Christ?
Ø Whoever all believers are required to openly confess Christ.
What if means to confess Christ.
Ø “Confess,” homologeo; from a basic meaning say the same thing; as binding a speaker to his word (solemnly) promise, assure; in judicial matters make a binding statement,
Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
To whom is confession to be made?
Ø “Men,” includes all kinds of men.
2B. The warning that is given (10:33)
How we deny Christ.
Ø Deny, arneomai; to deny, disown, renounce.
Ø We deny Christ when we remain silent.
Ø We deny Christ when we live like the world.
Ø We deny Christ when our language reflects the world and not Christ
What happens to those who deny Christ?
Ø The future tenses in verses 32-33 tell us that Jesus is speaking of future judgment.
Ø He will deny them in the Day of Judgment.
Matthew 25:41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels”
Application
Are you a true disciple of Christ?
Are you seeking to emulate Him?
Do you fear God more than the world?
Are you openly confessing and identifying yourself with Him?
Matthew 10:24-33
1A. A Disciple Emulates His Master (10:24-25)
1B. A disciple ____________ to his master (10:24)
2B. A disciple seeks to be ___________ his master (10:25a; 1 John 2:6)
3B. A disciple will receive the _____________ treatment as his master. (10:25b)
They accused Jesus of being Satan.
They _______________ Jesus (John 15:18-19)
The call to discipleship is the call to be like Christ, including being treated like Christ. (Philippians 3:10)
2A. A Disciple Fears ____________ Rather than the World (10:26-31)
1B. Because God’s _______________ will triumph (10:26-27)
Men may deceive themselves and other men but they will never deceive God. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Every good and evil deed will be ______________ in the Judgment. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
Therefore we proclaim the truth of the gospel _____________________. (10:27)
Ø First, we must listen to the Lord speak.
Ø Second, we must speak only what we have heard.
Ø Third, we must speak the Lord’s truth no matter the consequences.
2B. Because the ________________ matters more than the body (10:28)
Do not let the threat of bodily _____________ terrorize you.
Fear the one who can _______ body and soul. (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
3B. Because God ________ for His own (10:29-31)
He ________________ us (10:29-30)
He _________________ us (10:31; Matthew 6:30; Romans 5:8)
3A. A Disciple ___________ His Lord (Matthew 10:32-33)
1B. The _______________ that is required (10:32)
Who is required to confess Christ? – “_____________”
What if means to confess Christ. (Romans 10:9-10)
To whom is confession to be made? – “Men”
2B. The __________________ that is given (10:33)
How we deny Christ.
Ø We deny Christ when we remain silent.
Ø We deny Christ when we live like the world.
Ø We deny Christ when our language reflects the world and not Christ
What happens to those who deny Christ? (Matthew 25:41)