video on sermon current link

MOTIVATE

I wasn’t always a preacher….

Every job a person has requires some form of training and learning. We learn by watching others, sometimes writing notes to study and remember, and ultimately by learning by doing. There are some things you can’t do just by listening to a teacher or studying books, but you actually have to practice with trial and error.

In the Gospels, Jesus has called disciples as an apprentice. They were to follow the dust of the Rabbi. And there came moments when Jesus said, enough watching – now do. This brings us to Mt 10.

EXAMINE        Matthew 10
¹ And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. ⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶ but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.

Every Christian is a missionary.
The early chapters of Matthew’s Gospel reflect an informal following of Jesus. The first disciples were Peter & Andrew with James & John; and later there was Matthew. There were other disciples, both men and women. And there were also some who were interested in Jesus but were not ready for an intentional commitment.

• “Teacher, I will follow you wherever.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Another claimed “I will follow later, after  my parents pass.” But Jesus replied, “Follow me and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Mt 8:19-22)

Matthew also notes a moment in Jesus’ ministry where individuals move from casual interest to committed discipleship. Jesus called 12 disciples (Mk 3:14-19; Lk 6:14-16; Ac 1:13), of which there are a few observations:

• 12 represents fullness to the nation of Israel.
• 12 created natural pairs or groupings; sometimes 2 (6), 3 (4), or 4 (3). Such groupings meant no disciple had to be alone, and the emphasis on faith learned through community.
• Rivals were called.  Zealots against Rome and tax collectors for Rome created diversity of thought for the disciples to exercise humility, practice patience, and learn how to love one another.
• Families were called. As God created family in the beginning, so the deepest relational joy is family that shares faith. Yet, the contrast is true of deep hurt for families who do not share faith.
  • Departing parents and prodigal children occur in Christian families too. Jesus said:
    ^{Mt 10:34} “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. ³⁷ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
  • I want to warn unmarried against missionary dating. It’s not just unwise but potentially disruptive and painful for your family.  
  • Warn parents who treat faith casually and prioritize alternate commitments. This is potentially divisive to family boundaries and dynamics, not to mention the likelihood of a child’s salvation never being fulfilled.
• Peter is always first. Much could be said about this observation with Peter’s impetuousness, failures, along with his boldness and leadership. Suffice to say, Peter’s first on each list represents a reality that every team needs initiative, and God can use crooked sticks to draw straight lines.
• Judas is always last. Again, many observations, but the key is that betrayal severs relationships, and is the worst of sin; true in faith but also marriage, or any other relationship. Yet, if Judas had genuinely repented, he would have been forgiven just like the other disciples.
• Overall, these 12 disciples were not professional theologians but ordinary servants. They didn’t have academic degrees, affluent sponsorship, or an active social media following. Instead, they were simply apprentices. They spent time with Jesus and then practiced His example (Mk 3:14; Ac 4:13). And this is encouraging news for all of us today. You do not have to be someone or something else, you just have to be honest with your weaknesses and rely on God to work through you.

The 12 disciples were not professional theologians but ordinary servants. They didn’t have academic degrees, affluent sponsorship, or an active social media following. Instead, they were simply apprentices, spending time with Jesus and practicing His example. And this is encouraging news for all of us today. You do not have to be someone or something else, you just have to be honest with your weaknesses and rely on God to work through you.

dave_dwb

The disciples were sent to impact at least 3 target groups:

• 1) Spiritual lostness. Jesus’ mission started with the Jews but included Gentiles along the way. Today, Christians are to seek to save the lost among all nations/peoples (Lk 19:10; Mt 28:19-20; Rev 5:9). When salvations and baptisms are absent or minimal in a church, there should be great concern and evaluation, since this was Jesus’ primary command.
• 2) Spiritually oppressed. Jesus’ ministry encountered significant spiritual warfare. Satan attacks those who are advancing God’s kingdom. The poltergeist spectacle is actually Satan’s junior varsity work; whereas his greater varsity league focuses on attacking and oppressing convictional Christianity. Today, the Christian is equipped against the spiritually oppressed with the “belt of truth [Jesus]… the breastplate of righteousness [gospel]… footwear of peace [testimony; Rev 12:11]… a helmet of salvation, a shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:12-17)

• There’s no such thing as an unsent Christian. You’re either a missionary or a mission field.
• Share your Park Story.
• Sundays 9:30am starting summer & beyond will have an evangelistic emphasis. 

• 3) Physical suffering. Jesus’ ministry focused on the weak and hurting. This included the sick, the diseased, the disabled, the hungry, and many others afflicted by a world of sin and tragedy.
  • Mt 25:40 “Whatever you did to [help and extend hope to those physically suffering], you did to me.”
• SPAN is an important partner, but SPBC could use mimic a food pantry & micro-span for drop-in community members in need.

You received without paying; give without pay. ⁹ Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. ¹¹ And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. ¹² As you enter the house, greet it. ¹³ And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”

Every Christian relies upon grace.

As Jesus sends out the disciples, He instructs them to proclaim the kingdom of God, extend compassion, and be content. He challenges them not to take extra – money, bags, coats, shoes, staff, etc. The idea is to take only what you need, and trust that God will provide the rest.

– How many remember during the Pandemic, for one of the few times in US, grocery shelves were missing key items, and sometimes empty? And if we weren’t already hoarders, we now stock up on TP and other items. Why only take a pack of 10 when you could get a pack of 48?
– Or, – no pointing on this one – but when you go on trips there are certain family members that take extra bags bc they have extra clothes for “just in case” scenarios. And if those scenarios never happen, you remember and bring it up for the 3 weeks, but in the event a scenario rose and you needed said item… and they had it… oh boy, you’ll have memories that last 30 years!
– Mission trips require minimal personal baggage since you’re also taking ministry items. But our humanity is tempted to take extra… to fear… to doubt and not trust.

Jesus wanted the disciples to see the resources they would need are in the harvest. We cannot eat if we don’t plant seed, water the ground, tend the crop, and then labor in the harvest. But notice Jesus also says, the laborer deserves his food. The NT affirms this elsewhere where Paul quotes Jesus and adds, “Let elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1Ti 5:17). In other words, Christians are to work hard, operate with integrity, and trust God for your provision; rely on grace.

¹⁶ “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, ¹⁸ and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. ¹⁹ When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. ²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ²¹ Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, ²² and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ²³ When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. ²⁴ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” ²⁶ “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Every Christian will endure persecution.

Jesus warns the disciples of the troubles and dangers ahead of their journey.

• ¹⁶ sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves

Wolves don’t always wander outside the church; sometimes they work their way inside. Jesus desires His disciples not to resort to wolf or worldly tactics, but to be shrewd and single-minded.^[1] Christians protect themselves from wolves with their predetermined convictions. But so many Christians don’t know what/why they believe and the persecution they face is the winds & storms that overwhelm their faith.

Jesus desires His disciples not to resort to wolf or worldly tactics, but to be shrewd and single-minded.

• ¹⁷ deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues… dragged before governors and kings

While Christians in America are not broadly standing trial or tortured for their faith, we do see evidence of unfair treatment and selective persecution. And our Christian family across the globe undoubtedly is mistreated and sometimes murdered for their faith in Jesus.  

Movie: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
“Canon events are chapters part of every Spider-Person’s story every time [like getting bit by a radioactive spider and obtaining superpowers / losing a loved one / falling in love]. Some good. Some bad. Some, very bad… Canon events are the connections that bind our lives together”… they are essential to the formation of an individual’s identity and character.[2]

Likewise, the canon of every Christian is
2 Tim 3:12  “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
A Christian doesn’t aim to be attacked or plan to be persecuted, but it’s the byproduct of an obedient life to the Lordship of Jesus. A disciple will be like his teacher – Jesus was maligned and they claimed He followed Beelzebul which was a term the Pharisees used to mock the heathen god Baal; it meant “lord of flies” or “lord of dung,”and so to apply this name to Jesus meant not only rejection but identifying you as an enemy in the most insulting manner.^[3] We cannot make Christianity easy or popular, because following Jesus is the path of suffering and cross-bearing.  

We cannot make Christianity easy or popular, because following Jesus is the path of suffering and cross-bearing.  

³⁸ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

In other words, if we prize people more than God and magnify earthly movements more than God’s kingdom, these will be big to us but God will be small. And the bible says, “the fear of man is a snare,” (Pr 29:25). It’s a trap. Jesus tells us that reverence and fear of God is to have bigness in our life. And we must acknowledge Jesus before others, or Jesus will not acknowledge us before His Father who is in Heaven. Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Josh 24).

APPLY/THINK

This chapter we see Jesus sending the disciples on mission with people and experiencing persecution. And this is what many people in the church observe and think, “I want to stay comfortable. I don’t want to be sent out. If people want Jesus, they should come to church… I want to stay near the presence of Jesus and my church family.” This response is most  evident with small groups.

But one of the key takeaways is that when Jesus sends us out, He’s not sending us away. ^[4] Jesus promises to be with us. We are never more close to Jesus and connected to His mission than when we are making room for others to join the Christian family.

When Jesus sends us out, He’s not sending us away.

• ¹⁹ When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. ²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
• ³¹ your Father in heaven care for you more than sparrows.
• ³² “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
• ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
• ^Mt28:20 As you go making disciples and teaching my commands… I am with you always, to the end of the age.

So, here’s some action steps.

•  We may not see the crowds, but we can see 1. #WhosYour1
•  Join a group. If you’re in a group, discuss who you will invite; everyone invites someone.
• Multiply a ministry. Get involved…
•  Acknowledge Jesus today…

---

^[1] Innocent (ἀχέραιος) means “unmixed” and points to single-mindedness in doing right. See Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992).

[2] https://intothespiderverse.fandom.com/wiki/Canon_Events

^[3] Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 260.

^[4] Charles R. Swindoll, Matthew 1–15, vol. 1A, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2020), 200.