Sermon Tone Analysis

*Bothwell & Clachan, June 29, 2008 *

Matthew’s Memories of Jesus - No. 05.

Part C: "Well Deserved Reward"

*Scripture - Matthew 10:39-42*

June 29, 2008 

*Who’ll Feed the Preacher?*[1]*

*

It was 1972.

In the Fall of that year would come the historic Hockey Series between Canada and Russia; the one for which Paul Henderson would be forever remembered as he managed to score the desperately needed winning goal in each of the last three games.

But back in the Spring, a call went out to those who attended a large Baptist Church in a fairly small community.

Was there anyone in their group who could help the young Music Director?

He would be needing transportation to and from the nearby City’s Railway Station for the next four weekends.

In addition he needed a place to stay on those Saturday nights, plus his meals on the Sunday.

And as they still had a Sunday Evening Service he would also need a spot to lie down on Sunday afternoon.

You see, during the previous month he had serious abdominal surgery and still tired very easily.

The Chrysler’s responded.

Now they were not up-front, “in your face,” type of people.

You never saw them lead anything.

They were certainly not the chairs of any committees.

In fact, as far as I know, they were not on any committees, period.

But these grandparents did have loving hearts, and now that there were no kids at home, they also a spare room.

And so it was decided.

Each Saturday, that April, they would leave their small town and drive the half hour into the city, to the Train Station, where they would meet the young fellow and then take him back home.

The Chryslers also provided the young man with home cooked meals and pleasant conversation throughout each weekend.

Each Sunday morning the routine was the same: after an early Sunday morning breakfast they took him to the Church.

The Choir had their weekly practice before the Morning Worship Service.

After the services were over the Chrysler’s took him home for a full Sunday Dinner.

Then he would go and lie down.

He needed to regain enough energy to participate in the Musical part of the Sunday evening Service.

It was always quite a rush afterwards to get back to the train station each of those Sunday evenings, but somehow they always made it in time.

April ended, and as agreed, so did the contract position at the Church and the short term arrangement with the Chryslers.

From the big church in the small town the young man would be leaving to become interim pastor at a church in the nearby city.

So they all thanked each other and then the young man was gone.

This time it was the City Church making the appeal.

Could someone provide the new interim pastor with transportation to and from the railway station each Sunday morning and evening?

In addition he would need a couple of Sunday meals and, oh yes, a place to lie down.

It seems he was still recovering from Surgery he had endured earlier that Spring.

This time it took two couples in order to fill the bill.

Ray, the very active and very busy church treasurer, arranged to be the driver, while Marvin’s in-laws provided the quiet home.

The young man had known Marvin from high school, so was quite happy to spend the Sunday’s with Marvin’s wife’s parents.

Like the Chrysler’s, they too were lovely, quiet, supportive, background-type people.

You probably would not notice them in a crowd.

But they were more than happy to share their Sunday meals and to make a Sunday afternoon bed available to the new, young, interim pastor.

They did that for the next two months.

Each Sunday morning and evening, Ray, the treasurer would make the trip across town to the train Station.

And each afternoon Marvin’s in-laws would open their home and hearts, and refrigerator to the interim pastor.

Eventually at the end of June the Church was able to hire their next full-time Senior pastor.

There was no more need for the young guest speaker to make those weekend visits.

So they said goodbye.

Now why even mention the Chrysler’s and Marvin’s in-laws or Ray, this morning?

What is it, if anything, that they have in common?

* *

*Bible Background - Matthew 10:39-42*

Yes, I knew that you would spot the connection.

They all gave loving service to someone who was trying to serve God.

It all has to do with today’s verses that we read earlier from Matthew 10:39-42.

These are very important verses, as important as those other, more troubling ones that we have looked at over the last couple of weeks.

Unfortunately these verses, as well as others in the Bible, are often taken out of their context so let’s make sure this morning that we really know to what they are referring.

*He Was a Stranger and I Took Him In*

As an example of misused Bible verses, the story is told of a man from Kansas who owned a general store.

He was a well-intending man who made a habit of offering a verse of Scripture whenever anyone purchased something from him.

The group of people who sat around the store in this rural area enjoyed the exchanges, because some of the purchases challenged the imagination.

One winter day a Texan stopped in, wanting to buy a blanket for his horse.

The locals knew that the store stocked two types of blankets.

One sold for $60, and the expensive one cost $89.95.

He showed him the first.

"No, that's not good enough.

I need something warmer for my horse."

He showed him the second blanket for $89.95.

"That's not good enough, either.

Don't you understand?

This is for my horse, and nothing's too good for my horse.

Now show me your most expensive blanket!"

The store became very quiet as the storekeeper reached under the counter to the $89.95 stock, pulled out a plaid one, and spread it on the counter with great finesse.

"This is our finest and the only one I have; Colorfast, 100 percent wool, with a very tight weave.

It sells for $250."

"Now you are talking.

I'll take it."

He counted out the money, folded the blanket, and left with a big grin on his face.

As the shopkeeper opened the cash drawer and carefully counted the money, he said, "Matthew 25:35, He was a stranger and I took him in."

Like you, I don’t think that is what that verse is really about.

* *

*Jesus Directed these Words to Us*

So first of all, please note that these familiar teachings are not to the crowds but to the followers of Jesus (Matthew 11:1).[2]

Therefore I believe that these verses are important because if you are a follower of Jesus they have something to do with you, no matter whether you are a “giver” or a “receiver.”

Jesus has been speaking to his disciples about their role in the missionary expansion of the gospel.

During the events of Matthew 9, Jesus had been doing the ministry and the disciples have been watching.

A hinge passage appears at the end of chapter 9 as Jesus says, basically, "I need some more help if the job is going to get done.

Ask God to send more labourers into the field."

Over these last couple of weeks we have looked at Chapter 10 where Jesus further instructs his disciples with some dire words about what awaits them as they go out on these mission trips.

He knew that they would be rejected by some and embraced by others.

He warns them that Satan will not be happy with their faithfulness.

Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the claims He was making on His followers.

Those claims would take precedence over the closest family ties.

Discipleship may mean separation from family members, but by losing their life they would save it.

Jesus paints such a bleak picture that perhaps the disciples were wondering if anyone would hear them.[3]

Can’t you just hear them asking: “What's in it for me, other than a cross?”

 

*Motive is Important if There Are to be Rewards*

But according to Jesus, the good news is that not everyone will reject our witness.

After all, we are the King's ambassadors!

Some will welcome us and they receive a blessing.

Our King will see to it that they are rewarded for what they do.

When people receive us, they are welcoming the King, for we are His representatives.[4]