Reading Matthew 10:16-31
1.Propelled V16
The word propelled can mean to launch, to send, set in motion or to start.
This is the first time that the Lord sends His disciples into the work. Read v5-6
He will later on give them the great commission. Reading Mark 16:15 – Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
They had come through a short time of training and now they were being propelled into the work. They had been called to follow Christ and to be His disciples.
Where are you at today?
Are you member of the local church?
Are you active in the church? You cannot continue to take but you must begin to give.
You should be attending church on a regular basis. You be attending times of prayer where possible. You should be involved in the activities of the church.
This church needs people in music, Sunday schools, out-reach (Open airs/Old folks), Children's meetings.
We are called to something. Maybe God is calling you into full time service.
We are all called to serve. Maybe you new sphere of service is university. You have been propelled into it.
2.Persecution V17
He reminds them that they are sheep being sent into the midst of wolves
Sheep are defenceless against wolves.
The wolves will maim, destroy and kill a sheep if it is given a chance. The wolves are enemies of the gospel and of Christians. This is a worry in itself except we can take comfort that it is the Lord who sends us forth.
Expect it, Prepare for it from men v17, professing men v18, great men (authority) v18, all men v22 and even from your own kindred v21
People are being continually persecuted in foreign lands for their faith. Even Christians in the UK are being imprisoned for preaching the gospel in the open air.
We are not as yet living in fear of our lives for being a Christian in NI.
We are living in times where the wolf causes fear and seeks to maim our testimony
It wants us to conform to the world. It wants us to fit in. It wants us to talk like, dress like and go to the places they go.
We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves
The serpent will avoid danger - wise
The Dove loves cleanliness. They keep their body and nest clean. They love pure grain and pure water. Harmless – living peaceably with all, sociable creature – special affection for each other.
3.Position V24
We are to be the follower of Christ. We are to take that second place. In different times in the scriptures the disciples argued over who would be the greatest.
Turn to Luke 22:24-27
Homes, Churches and businesses are destroyed due to lack of strong leadership
It is terrible to see homes that are controlled and run by the children. They are allowed to watch and do what ever they want.
There should always be a structure. They should always be strong leadership.
If we have weak:
Fathers we will have weak homes
Bosses we will have a weak businesses
Elders we will have a weak church
It is hard to play second fiddle.
We need to encourage those in leadership especially when they need to make tough decisions.
Your job is not to usurp or rebel against authority
4.Peace V26
Fear Not – look at verse 28 & 31
There is enough FEAR NOTS in the Bible to cover every day of the week.
Christ is propelling you into the work but He cries out FEAR NOT!
In all our difficulties in life we must always remember that Christ is watching over us and we don't even realise.
Read Mark 6:45-51
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson, 1936
5.Preach V27
We are to preach the Gospel – The Good News
We preach it through our -
Testimony
Words
Actions
The only Bible that the world may read will be YOUR life. Is it worth reading (example)
How can we get this Good News out there?
Speak it – Personal work, open airs, church
Live It
Wear it
Put up a sign
Pass out a tract
E-mail it
Facebook it – Share it button
Start a blog or promote someone else's
Organise something - Home/School/Restaurant
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