Kingdom Mindset

God’s first words to human beings, recorded in Genesis 1:28 read like this: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”” (Genesis 1:28, HCSB)

God has always intended His reign and rule to extend to the entire earth. Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch theologian of another century noted: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!

”https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/99035-there-is-not-a-square-inch-in-the-whole-domain accessed on 7/29/21

Of course the world in which we live seems to lie more under the authority of our adversary, the devil, than under the rule of God.

Immediately after asking His followers to see the opportunity for harvest and to ask God to send workers, Jesus identifies 12 of His followers and commissions them - in answer to the prayer recorded in Matt 9:38

Before we dig into the instructions and cautions Jesus gave these 12 a couple of notes:

a). most of the 12 are never again mentioned in the NT

Instead of being discouraged by that we are to be encouraged: God most often works through those we’ve never heard of, through faithful believers who remain nameless, or as Jeff Iorg identifies them as ‘Shadow Christians’

Jeff Iorg, Shadow Christians: Making an Impact When No One Knows Your Name (Nashville, TN.: B&H Publishing, 2020)

b). the choice of 12 reflect backwards - God called a family of twelve sons to be His foundation for inhabiting the Promised Land AND the number 12 looks forward to the final fulfillment of all God’s promises (See Revelation 7, 12, 21-22)

Kingdom Identity

So far in Matthew’s gospel he has described ‘large crowds’ following Jesus several times (Matt 4:25; 5:1; 7:28; 8:1; 9:8, 33)

From the crowd Jesus calls 12 men - by name. Some of these have already been introduced: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew. The call of Philip and Nathaniel (who may also have been called Bartholomew) is recorded in John’s gospel.

How they were called to follow Jesus is not as important as the fact that Jesus spoke their name, identifying them as one who has chosen to follow Jesus.

Recognizing that God has named every star in every galaxy in our massive universe, we are to be awed by the truth: HE knows us by name! One Bible Dictionary reminds us:

The biblical concept of naming was rooted in the ancient world’s understanding that a name expressed essence. To know the name of a person was to know that person’s total character and nature. Revealing character and destiny, personal names might express hopes for the child’s future. Changing of name could occur at divine or human initiative, revealing a transformation in character or destiny (Gen. 17:5, 15; 32:28; Matt. 16:17–18).

Kingdom Assignment

This assignment was limited in scope. Can you imagine the anxiety and fear that would have overwhelmed the 12 if they had been commissioned to go into all the world at this point in their development of disciples.

The assignment to go to Jewish villages and communities first was a practice followed even by Paul and his companions.

The important issue for us is twofold:

a). the message is focused on the Kingdom. Just as Jesus has been teaching all along so those He sent were to proclaim the same message.

b). The message would be accompanied by miracles - clear evidence of God’s power

As the kingdom of God expanded in those early years, the physical manifestations of God’s power often accompanied the proclamation of the Gospel.

We need to remember that even though people in Jesus’ day demanded signs such as Jesus did, the signs more often than not did not result in people coming to faith in Jesus.

The message itself is the power - as Paul would write:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16, HCSB)

KINGDOM PROVISION

Jesus’ instructions to the twelve sound harsh. No provisions? How were these men supposed to live? Jesus expected them to live as He did: fully and completely dependent on the provision of God.

Matthew uses an unusual Greek word translated ‘worthy’ in vs 10, 11, The word suggests one who is ready to hear and respond to what God is doing. Matthew has written previously of that exact attitude in Matthew 2. The Wise Men, or Magi, were ‘worthy’ because even with their pagan background they were open to what God was doing.

As the twelve travelled from village to village they were to seek out others - in many ways like - people who were sensitive to the presence and promise of God.

KINGDOM PROTECTION

The last section of Jesus’ instructions we will look at today (vs 16-20) are probably aimed not just at the current assignment but at the future assignment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

Yet, the counsel is worth hearing:

a). like sheep among wolves

One writer offers this summary:

The New Bible Commentary (9:35–10:42 Second Discourse: The Disciples’ Mission)

Disciples in a hostile society are as vulnerable as sheep among wolves. To survive and to fulfil their mission they need to be shrewd without being harmful; innocent without being gullible.

b). The Spirit of Your Father will speak through you

All who are seeking to expand God’s kingdom will find themselves in hostile territory. This world, under the influence and power of the Adversary, is not a friendly place to the expansion of God’s Kingdom.

Yet, we are not powerless against the enemy. God has provided His presence via the indwelling Holy Spirit through whom we are equipped to stand firm, to proclaim truth!

CONCLUSION

Your birth parents gave you a name at birth. When and if you married you may have changed your name. But when you came to Jesus Christ and invited Him to be your Savior and Lord, your name was spoken by God - and in the name of Jesus, whom you share as a brother or sister - is power beyond our ability to describe - above and beyond all that we think or imagine!

Bearing this name and making the name of Jesus known from your home, to your neighbors, to your community and to your world is now an assignment we cannot avoid. In Acts 1:8 Jesus reminded His followers: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8, HCSB)

There is no need beyond God’s ability to meet, there is no challenge greater than God’s capacity to overcome, There is no hindrance too great for God to empower you to face…What you need, He provides -

Today:

You can have a new identity - by right now claiming the death and resurrection of Jesus as all that is necessary to forgive all your sin, to completely obliterate all that you thought kept you from God - remember: Jesus was dead, sealed inside a tomb by a rock, guarded by Roman soldiers: and God rolled back the stone and Jesus walked out - ALIVE

With this new name comes a common assignment - to make the name of Jesus known to the world, to extend the boundaries of the kingdom of God to every corner of the globe

God will not be mocked. His provision is more than sufficient - for every need.

30 years ago this week I stood before a group of believers gathered in this building. I don’t remember all that I said and certainly cannot recount all that we have done together.

Much has changed in 30 years. But one constant remains:

“Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:44–48, HCSB)