Matthew 10:1-15 (18/6/2017)
- Jesus gave His disciples authority over (v1)
- to cast out unclean spirits
- heal every kind of disease and sickness
- Jesus instructions to disciples (v5-15)
- Don’t go to the Gentiles or Samaritans but the lost sheep of Israel
- Jesus goes after Israel, just like God has in the past
- Do what? (v8)
- Heal the sick (the infirmities)
- Raise the dead (the impossible)
- Cleanse the lepers (the untouchables)
- Cast out demons (the supernatural)
- Freely you received, freely give
- Preparation for mission (v9-10)
- Do not acquire
- gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts
- bag for your journey
- even two coats, or sandals, or a staff;
- Why?
- the worker is worthy of his support
- whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city
- give it your greeting (peace be to this house)
- If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace (let peace come upon this house)
- if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace
- Do not acquire
- Warning
- Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city,
- shake the dust off your feet.
- Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
- God saves, not us. We don’t need to convince anyone or have solid arguments to “win converts”
- Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city,
- Don’t go to the Gentiles or Samaritans but the lost sheep of Israel
Questions to consider
- Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?
- Are you led by the Spirit of Jesus Christ?
- Are you ready and willing to share the Good News?
- Do you know who saves people?
- Do you trust the LORD to provide?
Matthew 10:16-42 (25/6/2017)
- Jesus sends us out (v16-20)
- Where?
- Sheep amongst wolves
- In the world
- In the church
- Sheep amongst wolves
- How are we to be?
- Shrewd as snakes
- The devil is shrewd.
- Innocent as doves
- Burnt offering in Leviticus to make atonement (Leviticus 1:14)
- We can be shrewd and be innocent (of sinning against the LORD)
- Shrewd as snakes
- What could happen to us?
- Handed over to authorities for Jesus sake
- To witness about Jesus
- What will we say?
- Don’t worry
- Trust the LORD
- Humble yourself
- Listen to the Spirit
- Be obedient
- Where?
- Jesus warns us about persecution (v21-23)
- Why?
- Because of Jesus (living the way He wants us to, not calling ourselves a Christian but living in an ungodly manner)
- Who?
- From family
- From everyone
- What should we do?
- It’s OK to flee persecution
- v22
- “the one who stands firm to the end will be saved”
- Don’t turn on Christ when the world turns against you.
- Why?
- Not greater than Jesus, not less than Him (v24-25)
- Jesus was called Beelzebul/Beelzebub (winged demon, Baal, the Devil)
- We’ll be called that or worse!
- Don’t be afraid (v26-31)
- Be bold in proclaiming Jesus and His Word
- People can take your life but they can’t touch your soul, God can destroy both!
- You’re precious to God!
- Sparrows are cheap but they don’t die unless God allows it.
- The hairs on our head are numbered!
- Acknowledging Jesus (v32-33)
- Do you hide your Christianity?
- Jesus will treat us the way we treat Him before God the Father
- What following Jesus looks like practically (v34-39)
- Not peace on earth but peace to us, peace between us and God
- v35 (Micah 7:6)
- Following Jesus means our families may turn on us, not that Jesus wants us to turn on them!
- Loving Jesus more than everyone else (v37)
- More than parents
- More than children
- Our cross (v38)
- Whatever struggles/challenges/persecution we face as a result of becoming a follower of Jesus
- Our life (v39)
- Earthly life
- Living for and serving the King
- Actions towards others (v40-42)
- How we treat other followers of Jesus is equivalent to how we treat Christ and the Father
- Prophets
- Truly sent by God vs false prophets
- Rewarded by God (Spirit speaking to the prophet)
- Righteous person
- Led by the Spirit, walking in a manner worthy of Jesus
- Serving the least in Christ is like serving Jesus Himself
Questions to consider
- Are you truly following Jesus, listening to the Holy Spirit when He tells you to share the Good News with others?
- Are you open about your Christian faith OR afraid of offending others or being persecuted for being a Christian?
- Do you know what it means to love Jesus more than your family, your children and others?
- Are you building your life on earth OR are you serving Jesus, “losing” your life on earth as a result?
- Following Jesus is more than just a verbal commitment. What would God say if He were to examine your words, thoughts, actions and attitude?