The Disciple's Courage

Introduction

Thus far we have explored the Disciple’s Call, Priorities, Faith, and Heart. Today we will look into Matthew 10:24-37 as Jesus speaks to His disciples regarding what they shall face as they serve Him.

Jesus has selected the twelve which would then be sent out on His behalf to continue the ministry which He had begun. In this conversation He shares with them what they are to expect to encounter and how they are to respond to it.

Many in our world today would have you to believe that the path of the disciple is an easy road filled with blessings and free of difficulty. This is in direct contradiction to what the scriptures have to say about those who will embrace the life of a disciple.

It is often a difficult and a dangerous path which the disciples tread, but the disciple knows that he does not walk this road alone and that it is in the end the most rewarding path.

Let us now look into this conversation between Jesus and His disciples and see the truths which are here revealed to us that we might have the courage which is necessary to be a disciple.

We find that the disciple of Christ...

Shall Face Opposition (Vs. 24-25)

There are many who undertake the disciples call with the expectation that it will be a life of ease, free from danger or difficulty.

This is the reason that so many have ultimately fallen away from the faith, because they have been sold a lie.

American Gospel Film- lady who had been told that following Christ meant health, wealth, and happiness who then struggled financially and became disillusioned and nearly gave up on Christianity. Felt that she must be doing something wrong to be facing hardship and difficulty

The truth is that the disciple should expect hardship and difficulty and especially opposition. When you commit to following Christ, you must be prepared to face the same troubles and trials which Jesus faced.

Matthew 10:16-18- Jesus’s warning to His disciples prior to sending them out to fulfill the work He had called them to do.

If you are seeking a life of ease, the life of the disciple of Christ is not for you. You may be saved and live in relative peace with the world as a carnal worldly believer, but you will not be able to do so if you will become a true disciple.

The disciple of Christ carries is not ashamed of the truth and is willing to take a bold stand even if it means conflict.

Luke 6:26 KJV 1900

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

John 15:19 KJV 1900

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

You shall only be able to live at peace with a lost world by refusing to confront it with the truth.

We ought not to be surprised to find that the world is opposed to those who are determined to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, persecuted, and rejected and those who would be His disciples should expect nothing less.

We may be called hateful, bigoted, close-minded, simple and many other names, but we should expect as much when we take a stand for Christ.

The real question is “How shall we respond to opposition?”

Must Not Fear Men (Vs. 26-28a)

Jesus encourages His disciples not to fear those who oppose the truth and who would fight against them as they carry out the work that God has called them to do.

Jesus reminds them that the enemies of the gospel may seem to escape justice, but their deeds will ultimately be revealed and it is not as though God does not see.

Far too many believer have cowered in fear and compromised the truth of the Word of God to appease the enemies of God. Jesus instructed His disciples to continue to boldly declare the truth in spite of the threats against them.

Now is not the time to shrink in fear, but rather it is time to press forward in faith!

Jesus reminded His disciples that the power which their enemies had was limited to the physical and not the spiritual realm. They may kill the body, but ultimately they could do nothing to that which is eternal, the soul of man.

Luke 12:4–5 KJV 1900

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Luke captures the sentiment of Jesus well as he recalls Jesus words that those who may kill the body “…have no more that they can do.”

We need not fear those who may harm our physical bodies for we answer instead to a higher power and authority, that of Almighty God!

When we allow the fear of men to hinder us from doing what God has called us to do we are surrendering to the lower authority and neglecting to recognize that God’s power is far above that of any man which would oppose us.

We must continue to boldly take a stand for the truth, even as it seems the enemies of Christ are gaining strength and are more determined than ever to silence those who oppose them.

The true disciple does not fear man because he instead has chosen to fear God!

Must Fear God Alone (Vs. 28b-33)

The disciple of Christ is not fearless, but has chosen to fear the power of God rather than the power of men.

The disciple recognizes that all that man can do is only temporal in its effect while God has the power to affect eternal consequences.

The disciple realizes that he is of great value to God and that he can trust his fate to God’s almighty power.

Jesus illustrates this fact by reminding His disciples that their heavenly father takes is responsible for the lives of every sparrow and that their value being much greater, He surely will not forget them and will care for them.

God’s care is such that He notes even the hairs upon our head, nothing shall affect the disciple of Christ without God’s awareness.

When we recognize both God’s care and His power why should we fear what man can do to us? Is not God able to protect us from their attacks according to His will?

Hebrews 13:5–6 KJV 1900

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Romans 8:31 KJV 1900

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

The disciple is courageous not because he has no fear but because he rightly fears God alone and as such has no fear of man which would hinder him from carrying out the will and work of God.

Jesus closes the conversation with two important contrasting statements. If we confess Him, He will confess us before the Father. If we deny Him, He shall deny us before the Father.

Our response toward Jesus Christ in this life shall determine His response toward us in the life to come.

If we receive Him acknowledging Him as Lord and savior in this life we shall find ourselves received into the presence of the Father, but if we reject Him and deny His offer of salvation in this life, we shall be denied entrance into the presence of God in the life to come.

The first statement was to encourage a public profession and identification with Jesus by the disciples, while the second was a strong warning to those (like Judas Iscariot) who would ultimately and finally deny Him among men.

Conclusion

It takes courage to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The disciple will face strong opposition and often danger and difficulty at the hands of men.

Yet the disciple need not fear the power of men for their worst attacks can only affect our physical body.

The true disciple fears God alone, recognizing that all others are subject to His mighty power and that He alone is responsible for our eternal destiny.

There is a reward for the faithful disciple who will suffer shame for the name of Jesus and remain faithful to follow Him.

Matthew 5:10-12- great is your reward in heaven