It's My Turn

Matthew 10:1-8

ETS: Jesus delegated the ministry of the Kingdom to the disciples.

ESS: Each of us should do our part to fulfill the ministry of the Kingdom delegated to us.

OSS: [MO: Consecrative] {SO: I want the hearers to commit to fulfilling the Kingdom Ministry delegated to them.}

PQ: What aspects of the Kingdom ministry did Jesus delegate to the apostles?

UW: Aspects

Intro.: Don Wildmon, founder of American Family Association, hosts a radio broadcast called, “It’s My Turn,” which consists of several stories collected over the years pertaining to ministry. The reason I entitled this message as “It’s My Turn” rather than “It’s Your Turn” is because I have responsibility just as well as you.

As you find Matthew 10 in your Bible, I want to share a brief story. There was a soldier in the Vietnam War who was a part of the Green Berets, a special forces group of the U.S. Military. This particular soldier was preparing to come home within a few months when a special situation required a change of leadership at one of the base stations affiliated with this special group. The individual was called in by the commanding officer of his group and informed that he was being transitioned to take command of that group. The soldier shared that it was an intimidating yet humbling appointment. Yet, he was prepared because he has observed strong leadership and because his commanding officer had confidence in him. While the circumstances are totally different, this is the same basis of today’s passage: responsibility being delegated and passed on to others to fulfill a common task.

TS: Let us examine together now the aspects of the Kingdom ministry that Jesus delegated to the disciples.

Jesus delegated Kingdom authority. (v. 1a)

Jesus decisively gave to the disciples the authority necessary to carry out the tasks He was commissioning them to. He gives us the authority we need, too. We go not depending on our own authority or wisdom, but depending upon the Lord’s authority and wisdom.

1 John 4:4 [John stated that those of God have the authority or power to conquer the evil spirits of the world because we have a greater authority living within us.]

1 Cor. 1:26-2:5 [Paul claimed to rely upon the Spirit’s power, wisdom, and ability rather than His own. We must do so, as well.]

APPLICATION: Jesus has given us, through the Holy Spirit’s power and authority, everything necessary to carry out the tasks delegated to us.

Jesus delegated Kingdom ministry. (vv. 1b, 7-8)

Two of the three aspects of Jesus’ earthly ministry are mentioned here as being passed on and delegated to the disciples: Proclaiming (preaching) and Healing.

Proclaim: the message was the very message that Jesus proclaimed: The Kingdom has come near.

Heal: “every disease and sickness” (v. 1b repeated from 9:35 as an extension of Jesus’ ministry); “the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons” (yet again, extension of Jesus’ ministry as is recorded- He did these same things)

The healing aspect of ministry had a twofold meaning both of the physical and spiritual senses: (1) heal the sick meant to literally strengthen the weak which Christ does; (2) raise the dead is obviously a spiritual referring to our spiritual death being brought to life in Jesus’ resurrection power; (3) cleanse the lepers, per OT significance (Lev. 13:46; 2 Kings 7:3-4, 2 Kings 15:5), referred to cleansing that which was polluted- in a spiritual sense, cleansing our hearts, minds, and lives which are so marred and polluted with sin; (4) drive out demons refers to the spiritual breakthrough and freedom found in Jesus when our sin debt and bondage are broken in the power of His name, not only cancelled, but broken. (Barclay, 421-423)

APPLICATION: Jesus has delegated to us the ministry of the Kingdom, to proclaim the message of Jesus: The kingdom has come near- repent (Mt. 4:17); to heal in both a physical and spiritual sense through an extension of His ministry- strengthening the weak, resurrecting the dead, cleansing the polluted, and freeing the captive.

Conclusion:

Today, we need to notice something about the sending out of Jesus: He delegated Kingdom ministry to the disciples in order to spread the Gospel message through the few who had devoted themselves to following Him. Today, believer, the Kingdom ministry is yours. You have a part of you. You are commissioned to go out into the harvest.

HFD Jacket and story of joining when 15 y.o.

What hinders you, today, from receiving the responsibility delegated to you by Jesus upon becoming a believer? He has given Kingdom authority and Kingdom ministry- what will you do with it?