Matthew 10

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
  • 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”

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
  • 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)
  • 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
• 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.
• 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?