Audio/Video podcast covering Matthew 10: Part 1
Audio Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/walking-as-christ/matthew-10-pt-1-the-body
Audio Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/walking-as-christ/matthew-10-pt-2-the-body
Audio Part 3: https://soundcloud.com/walking-as-christ/matthew-10-pt-3-the-body
Video Part 1: https://youtu.be/uRN7hORPLTQ
Video Part 2: https://youtu.be/mMeIurAo5Tc
Video Part 3: https://youtu.be/UZ9kWYijaDY
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Jesus’s 12 disciples were given power/authority against Unclean Spirits, with the ability to cast them out and to heal every kind of disease and sickness. Before they accepted the call of the Lord they did not have these powers, these powers were given unto them by the Lord Himself.
As the twelve disciples had willingly accepted the call of the Lord in their life, learned the teachings of the Lord, lived in obedience to the Lord by Faith, and witnessed the miracles done by Him, they were then given these powers that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself also had.
As we Grow in the Lord, follow Him with all our hearts, obeying His teachings, and have a willing heart to be used by Him not on our terms but on His terms, He can then increase us in the Spiritual things as He determines we can handle them. The 12 disciples were not given ALL the virtues of the Lord in one day, but as they showed Faithfulness unto the Lord and all willingness of Heart, the Lord increased their spiritual powers as they could handle.
Notice in this verse, all the disciples were given the same powers. As we continue to learn through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John we see how the Lord gave some greater responsibility than others, likely based on what He knew they could handle and their devotion to Him and His work.
If we desire an increase in the spiritual things and to grow in the way of the Lord, let us have this obedient and willing heart that the disciples had in the beginning. Ready to follow Him as He leads, learning His teachings, living in obedience to His teachings, being Full of Faith, and ready and willing to be used by Him and He will provide the increase in His time according to His will. Be ready to accept the assignment and powers that He gives.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Notice the Word of God refers to the 12 disciples of Jesus, now as “Apostles”. The term apostle is to say they were the “sent one’s” or “messengers” of the Lord. Notice also that Peter is mentioned first and Judas Iscariot is mentioned last, this will occur also in the book of Mark, Luke, and Acts. Bartholomew was also known as Nathanael and Matthew was also known as Levi.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
These 12 disciples/apostles were sent forth and commanded of the Lord to go the Lost sheep of the House of Israel and NOT to the gentiles or any city of the Samaritans. Remember Matthew 9 verses 36 and 37; “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;”
Here Jesus is commanding His disciple/apostles to labour in the harvest.
He is sending them out to reach the house of Israel/the Jews. The plan of salvation is for all people, but first to the Jew. The Jews refuse the gospel, opening the door for the gentile. Jesus was intenful about reaching the house of Israel and not the gentiles/samaritans at this time. The plan of the Lord is perfect and when we follow it according to his direction all will be well. Let us be careful not to take things into our own hands thinking we know better than the Lord. The apostles could have taken compassion on some gentiles/samaritans in their mission, but that would not be living in obedience to their Lord. Let us live in obedience to our Lord fulfilling what He directs us to, circumspectly, knowing that He has the greater ultimate plan that we likely do not understand fully today. The house of Israel were the “sheep having no shepherd” they were the lost sheep, the Lord is now sending His Apostles to address that problem by now spreading the Gospel all over the land so that the Lost sheep in every corner may be sought out and found.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
What was the first preaching to the people recorded here in the book of Matthew by the Lord Jesus Christ?
“Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.
What was the first preaching to the people recorded here in the book of Matthew by John the Baptist? “Repent ye: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus here is commanding His disciples to go preach essentially the same thing; “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is a continued message and sense of urgency to the people to be prepared. The time they had so long awaited for, has come.
By the Apostles going among the Lost sheep of the house of Israel and healing the sick and cleansing the lepers, without; anointing oil, medicines, laying hands, etc. they were proving that the mission they were on was divine. The Apostles were commanded to raise the dead, which had never been done before the times of Jesus Christ, since the days of Elijah and Elisha. The Apostles were also commanded to cast out devils, which was to overcome the enemies of mankind that had taken possession over the bodies of people. These were all profound works of God.
The apostles of the Lord did not pay for the ability to do these marvelous works, or to have the gift of preaching His Word. The Lord gave them these powers/gifts freely and they are also to go about giving them freely to the Lost sheep of Israel. There need not be any cost associated with giving to others what we have received of God freely. Let us keep this in our hearts. We did not need to pay receive the Gospel of the Lord and the wonderful works He has done in our lives, we received them freely. Let us take what we have received freely and give it unto others. We were blessed with the Gift of the Son of God, Jesus Christ of Nazareth dying on the cross for our sins, let us be excited and ready to share that same opportunity at reconciliation with God to others that we have received freely. All have the opportunity at eternal life, some just do not know about it. Let us give this free gift to as many as desire it, free of charge.
*Note: This scripture is not to saying it is wrong to give to the church, the work of God, preachers, etc. but this is to say that there shall be no required payment for the disciples of God to give to people what they have received free of charge.
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
The disciples of Jesus Christ were commanded not to take any; Gold, Silver, or Brass/Copper coins. They were told not to bring any travelers bag, nor 2 coats, no extra sandals/shoes, nor staff. Jesus told them not to bring these provisions for themselves because they are working for the Lord. Just like a boss provides for the needs of his workers, the Lord will provide for the needs of those working for Him.
These provisions were normal for people to take on long trips in this area and time. Jesus is teaching His disciples to TRUST that God will provide for their needs, just as He did when He provided manna for Israel in the Old Testament. This life we now live for the Lord is a Faith walk. Jesus is helping us to understand that we do not need to prepare our own provisions when we work for the Kingdom, instead when we are working for the Kingdom our provisions will come from above.
Brethren; let us find our rest in the Lord. Let us Focus our lives on kingdom business and Trust that the Lord will sustain us as we continue to work for Him. Let us not be as the world, spending all our hours laboring to sustain ourselves, instead let us be as followers of Jesus Christ, spending the hours of our days in work for the Kingdom and Trusting God to provide our needs.
Many of us lack Faith on this point. Many of us spend so much time trying to prepare our own provisions by working so much or pursuing degree after degree to provide the provisions for ourselves, and then we end up with a life for the Lord that lacks fruit.
A life with Faith in God, but very little works, very little labor for our Lord. Let us Remember that we are Disciples of Jesus Christ over every other pursuit in this life. Let us not spend our days attempting to heap up treasures in this life and die without any treasures stored up in the Kingdom of Heaven.
#KeepWorkingForTheLord
#HeAlwaysHasProvidedForHisPeople
#HeAlwaysWillProvideForHisPeople
As we labor for the Lord, let us not attempt to sustain our own selves, but let us exercise our Faith, just as the children of Israel did and Trust that the Lord will provide our needs. As we keep laboring for the Lord, He will keep providing for us.
Do not fear when the Lord allows you to get to very little resources. Just commit your heart to serving Him with all your heart in full obendiance to wherever He directs you and He will provide your needs.
Let us also be careful not to overlook the provisions of the Lord. Before we became disciples of Jesus Christ we may have been eating the best foods, wearing the best clothes, living in the best house, ect., but when we were living that life we were likely not producing much fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Now that we are pursuing living lives fruitful for God’s Kingdom we may eat soup instead of steak, but our bread is coming from Heaven and we are storing up much treasure that will last eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven. Take the provisions that the Lord provides with Joy. Our best life is not today, our best life is to come in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. While we are here let us Labor for the Lord trusting Him to provide all our needs.
#KnowThatHeWill
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it.
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
The Lord here is directing His Disciples; When they enter into a new city or town to enquire or seek for a hospitable man; one that was very open minded, one who is open to consider views/opinions other than his own; who was willing and ready to entertain strangers. This is exactly the type of person they needed to find because they were sent with no money nor food, and preaching the “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”(not a common message of the time).
The disciples were directed to find such a “worthy” man that was beneficent to the poor and kind to strangers. Wherever they came; and having found such a person, they were to continue with him for the duration of their time in that city/town.
The life of a disciple of Jesus Christ is the pilgrim life. As we learn throughout the Word of God, those that produced much fruit for God’s Kingdom were often traveling from time to time establishing their homes not permanently but only for brief periods. As the disciples of Christ were sojourning with people who took them in, Jesus commanded them to stay with those who took them in. The disciples were not to go from house to house in the same city or town.
The disciples of Christ were to greet the home that welcomes them in with “Peace be to this house” which could be understood as;
“all kind of happiness, and prosperity, temporal, spiritual, and eternal to this house and the inhabitants of it.”
If the family living in the house they come to is worthy(welcomes the disciples in a friendly/hospitable way, ready to embrace and provide for them) the disciples were to give their blessing of Peace(well-being, prosperity, and the favor of God) to them. The Blessing of the disciples was reward from the Lord for the family showing the disciples generosity, hospitality, and taking them in.
If the family is not worthy meaning they prove to be inhospitable host, the disciples of Jesus are to take back their blessing of peace. The blessing the family was to receive from the Lord becomes void.
The Lord has blessing for those that receive His people with gladness of heart and good hospitality. The Lord will make provisions for His people according to His will.
Notice how valuable the blessing of the disciples is. If a family were to receive the disciples and do well by them, they would be inheriting a blessing from God for doing so. Let us keep this in our heart.
As we go forward doing the work of God, the Lord will likely prepare people along the way to help/do well by us. Let us give them the blessing of peace from the Lord, knowing that He will provide for them according to His will. Favor surrounds the workmen and women of the Lord. Those that do for us as we do God’s will, receive blessing.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
The disciples were coming to do the will of the Lord. If any person would not welcome them or listen to what they were coming to share with them, the disciples were to “shake off the dust of their feet” once departed from them or the city. This was a sign of contempt toward the people or city that did not receive them.
To shake off the dust from ones body and even their feet would signify that the person is cutting all ties with the person or city they were doing it in reference to. The disciples by doing this were showing that they wanted nothing else at all to do with these people or city who refused to receive them and hear the words from God they came to share.
People refusing the messengers of the Lord were essentially refusing the Words of God, refusing to repent and turn from their sinful ways just as the land of Sodom and Gomorrah did in the past time. Sodom & Gomorrha was destroyed by God because of their wickedness. We can understand the judgement of all its inhabitants will be harsh on judgement day. Jesus here teaches that the judgment of sodom & gomorrah will be more tolerable than for the city that refuses the disciples of Christ.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Just as a wolf stalks and destroys sheep, so are the persecutors to the disciples of Christ. Jesus sent His disciples out unarmed and defenseless. Jesus taught His disciples to be meek and have a humble in spirit. The wolves/persecutors are fierce, ravenous, cruel and hurtful especially to sheep. The way for the disciples to overcome their circumstance is to be Wise as a snake and harmless as a dove. Jesus is teaching His disciples to prove wise/prudent as serpents, being able to notice their exposure to danger and to escape from it. To be harmless as a dove is to be free of any evil/wicked and cunning craftiness, the disciples were to be free of malice, violence, and wrath not seeking revenge for any evil done towards them.
Jesus alerts His disciples to beware of these men that are comparable to wolves because they will hand them over to the courts and severely punish/chastise them in their synagogues. Jewish persecutors of these disciples of Christ would appeal to governors and kings because only roman officials had authority over executions. Persecutions by the highest levels of the government gave the disciples of Christ the opportunity to bear testimony before the gentiles. (not by their own intent, but by the design of the Lord)
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
If the disciples of Jesus Christ never followed Him, they likely would have never come into communication with governors and kings. Being men of low estate they likely would be very nervous going before these men of high station in the goverments. The Lord here counsels His disciples not to be trying to come up with the right thing to say before these high government officials, but instead to let the Lord speak through them. They do not need to rehearse their plea before going before the courts. The Lord is going to use their mouths to say exactly what He wants the governments/courts to hear.
We do not need to prepare an explanation about why we follow the Lord. All we need to do is be willing vessels for the Holy Spirit of the Lord to use. We may not know the correct words to use, we may not speak the language the right way, we may not have our argument well organized, but it does not matter. All we need to do is let the Holy Spirit of the Lord work through us and He will deliver the message to these courts and governments the way He wants them to know, exactly how He wants them to receive it.
Notice that Jesus did not tell His disciples; “when the governments and courts repent and believe the Gospel with open hearts, you will know you have done well”. Many times throughout the Word of God, the people of God would go deliver the Word of the Lord to the government’s or courts and the people would not receive the Word and they proceeded to harm the messengers of the Lord. How many people receive what we say from the Lord is not evidence of how well we did. How many people that attend a local church, is not indicative of how many people in that church are going to heaven. The ways of the Lord are far beyond our understanding. So, if the Lord ever uses us to testify before the governments and/or courts, but they do not receive what the Holy Spirit gave us to say, do not worry. The Lord’s will is done whenever we allow Him to use us instead of us trying to do the work ourselves.
#TheLordHasAMessageForThePeople
#LetHimSpeakThroughYou
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
The disciples of Christ will face not only persecutions from the people they are going to preach to, but also the government’s/courts, and even their own families. Jesus is forewarning His disciples that; because of the testimony they bear of Him, they may be delivered up to be killed by their own brothers. The Dads of the disciples may give their own children up to be killed because for the testimony of Jesus Christ that they stand for and proclaim. Children will rebel against their Disciple of Christ parents and cause them to be put to death all because the testimony of Jesus Christ they hold.
Jesus makes it very plain, letting His disciples know; they will be Hated of ALL men/all people for His name’s sake(their association with Jesus). Though it will be challenging for the disciples of Christ to withstand the persecutions from the people, governments, and their own families, Jesus assures them that whoever of His disciples that endures to the end, will be saved. We must stay firm in these tribulations for the sake of Christ until the very end. Until Jesus comes back or our physical body dies. Let us stay patient through these persecutions. Let us endure all that the Lord allows to come our way for His sake and the Gospel. Let us hold firm to the Word of the Lord that; “he that endureth to the end shall be saved”. Let us not compromise our eternal life because of un-willingness to endure all of what comes with being a disciple of Jesus.
We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood for our sins. We are made clean in His sight through our Repentance(confessing our sinful ways and turning from them) and baptism(washing all the sins of our before putting our Faith in Christ life away). Once we make; God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit the Lord over our life, we are to then take on new objective for living. We are to begin NEW LIFE for the Lord and fulfilling His will. Being a disciple of Christ is the will of the Lord. For us to fulfill this duty as disciples of Christ, we MUST endure until the end. We must stay Faithful unto the Lord through all that He allows in our lives and we then, once the end comes will be saved(received into eternal life with our maker).
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
The disciples of Jesus Christ are on mission from the Lord. Once the persecution comes because of the testimony of Christ that they hold, they are to hurry to the next city to continue the Work of the Lord. The disciples are not commanded to flee to the next city once persecution comes to preserve their own lives, but more importantly to preserve the Word of the Lord they are bringing to the people. It is better that they leave once things turn violent to go reach more people instead of staying still in one place once things get violent. Spending time on people who resist the truth instead of continuing to go reach more people for the Lord is NOT God’s plan.
Jesus then assures His disciples that they will not have run out of jewish cities to escape to and do the work of God before the Messiah comes.
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Jesus helps His disciples to know that they are to be following in His footsteps. He is the teacher and they are the students. The disciple is inferior to his teacher/master/Lord. Jesus is the Son of God and teaches His students His ways. The disciples of Christ are to go do His will(the will of the Father in Heaven) among the world. The disciples are to do as Christ Himself would wherever they go. They will do the work of Jesus wherever they go and will be treated how Jesus Himself would be treated wherever they go. The Lord has chosen and called His people to be disciples upon this earth. He has called His disciples to be the imitators/exemplifiers of Him wherever they go. Today the disciples of Christ have the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God within us. Christ is in us, so as He would do, we should be doing, as He would suffer, we shall suffer as well.
Jesus is the Master of the House. He is the High Priest over the House of God. He takes care of, provides for, and protects all that are of God’s household. The resisting Jews called the head of the house Beelzebub(satan) the absolute worst thing they could ever refer to the Son of God as, we His followers shall also expect to be called such evil names. The Lord forewarns us of the ridicule to come for those that will be His disciples. We have fellowship with Him in doing works that He did and also suffering persecutions in ways that He also did.
Do not be afraid of men, and of their reproaches and revilings. Men can do no more hurt to us than they did to Christ Himself. In short time the wickedness and malicious intent of men will be uncovered/exposed and the integrity of the disciples of Christ will be made known.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Jesus Christ had His 12 disciples with Him on a regular basis. Jesus spoke to them often in private(the dark) revealing unto them the things that should be revealed unto all men(in light). Jesus told His disciples what was to be made known to the world, and His disciples were the ones to carry out that message to the world. The disciples of Christ were to go to the synagogues, temples, high places in the cities, streets, fields, wherever there were people and to hide/conceal nothing.
Jesus wanted what He has taught His disciples to now be taught to the people, the Jew people.
Today the Lord gives us His Disciples a similar charge/command. The Lord wants us, His disciples to bring His Word now to all people, in all parts of the World. We have been enlightened brethren. We have been redeemed through the sacrifice of God’s Son on the cross. Let us now be passionate about getting that same message that reconciled us with our creator in Heaven to the people of this world. The Love of the Lord is so great that He wants all of the people in the world to come to Repentance, but if the people who already received repentance are not sharing the message, the people of the world who also need repentance may never get the message. Let us fulfill our duty as disciples of Christ and proclaim His Word to all that will hear. Let us take what we learn here, and share it among the world.
The Lord has given us a portion of understanding, we should now take that portion and give it freely to all that have an ear to hear it. Let us not suppress this portion and keep it only for ourselves, but let us take this portion and give, give, give.
We have the Good news of Jesus Christ, we have the Good news of the Gospel! When people receive good news, often times they are excited and want to go and tell everyone. Let us have a similar perspective about what we are learning here. This is our private meeting, this is our message from the Lord in our ear, let us now take this Word of God that we receive and share it in the Light, let us take the small portion that we have received and preach it upon the housetops! Let all who desire to know, hear this Good News of the Gospel!
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Fear God brethren!
Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
We are spiritual beings brethren. We are not to live as those of the world who have only hope in THIS life. We as the called of God, are to have our hope in the life to come! We are not to be holding on to this life, but we are to be willing to let THIS life go for the Glory of God because our BEST life is to come in the eternal kingdom of Heaven. Do not fear man brethren. The worst thing man can do to us is to kill our fleshly body, but they can never take away our soul. Man can not take away our Faith in the Lord. Man can not blot out our name from the book of life.
Never let what man can do to you compromise your greater fear of God.
We as God’s people must have a fear of Him. We know what He is capable of and we know that He is sovereign over all. We know that He is our Father. We know that He hates evil and will chasten those who He loves in this life so that they may make it to the eternal life in Heaven.
The Lord can blot out our name from the book of life. The Lord can permit that we go through terrible trials on earth like Lot did AND the Lord can allow us to go to hell and burn eternally with all the evil people in the world and satan himself.
Let us keep it on our heart and mind continually never to fear man, never to fear losing this life, never fear the persecution we face in this life because we are friends of Jesus Christ, doing His will on this earth. Opposition will come when we are standing firm for Christ and proclaiming His Word, but do not fear. Cast out all fear brethren. Rebuke fear when it comes to your mind Brothers and Sisters. Fear of man and things upon this earth is not from God. Fear only the Lord. Live in obedience to Him. Keep the commandments of your Father!
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Nothing happens that is not allowed by the Lord. Two sparrows or 2 birds are sold for 1 farthing, the least of coins at this time/the lowest amount of currency/one penny(in U.S. currency).
Not even a bird with so little worth in the eyes of men as half of 1 penny will fall to the ground/die without it being the will of our Father in Heaven. The Lord has everything in order and all going according to His will, even the amount of hairs we have on our heads.
The Lord is awaking us to know that even a bird with such a low value will not perish unless it is His will. The Lord values us, His people with a greater value than MANY birds. If we are living this life here on earth to fulfill His will, He will not allow us to perish unless it be according to His will. Any persecutions we may face for doing His will, only occurs by His consent.
A bird is not hunted unless God ordains it to happen, a bird does not perish unless the Lord allows it to happen. Our Heavenly Father will not allow any harm to come unless He ordains it to happen, and if it be His will, it should also be our will. Let us Have full Faith and confidence in the Lord, knowing that our lives are in His hands and that we need not to be overly concerned about the number of our days or the persecutions that may come.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Disciples of Christ are to be here on earth getting the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ out to people. This does not come without ridicule and persecution, BUT as we go confessing Jesus Christ as the savior of all men, the mediator between God and men, the Messiah, Jesus will also confess us before the Father in Heaven.
Let us go forth with Boldness in our proclamation of the Gospel to this lost world. Let us consider that with the same boldness, excitement, and zeal we have for the Word of God that we proclaim among the world, Jesus will also have the same boldness, excitement, and zeal when confessing us before the Heavenly Father, welcoming us into His eternal kingdom. Confess Christ as your Lord as saviour upon this earth in the presence of people and He will confess you before God the Father. When this life is over, Jesus will introduce you into the presence of God, recommending you to Him, to be honored, blessed, and glorified by Him.
Those who deny Jesus in this life, deny that He is their Lord and saviour, deny that their Faith is in Him and He is who they represent, will be denied by Jesus before the Heavenly Father. Do not try to save your reputation in this life by denying Christ. Don’t try to save your life in this world by denying Christ. Hold fast to the Lord and your proclamation of Faith in Him. Do not throw away your christian life because you were afraid of the persecutions that come with being a follower of Christ. Do not throw away your opportunity at eternal life because of what men may do to you for holding firm to the Lord and never denying Him. If Christ denies you before the Father in Heaven you will likely be banished to hell for all eternity, burning forever with all the evil doers of this world.
#DoNotThrowItAllAway
#NeverDenyHim
#ConfessChristBeforeMenUntilTheEnd
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
Jesus has come to bring a sword of division between belief and unbelief on earth. Jesus did not come to promote peace and agreement with believers and unbelievers. Outward ease and quiet, and worldly tranquillity is not what Jesus came to bring on earth.
Jesus came to bring separation between those that will receive the Gospel and follow Him and the ways of God and those that will refuse the gospel and continue in the ways of the world. When we as the disciples of Christ stand firm for the Lord and His Holy ways, it brings division. Families may be against each other all for Christ sake. If there are some members of your family that are against you because of the testimony of Christ that you bare, do not be troubled, do not give in, you are doing it right. Light and darkness will never agree. Stay firm on the ways of the Lord. Do not compromise what you know is right by God, do not compromise your Faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth the Son of God just to have “peace” with people. We are here to serve our Lord, not to have peace and agreement with those that oppose God. Friends may become enemies because of Faith in Jesus Christ and standing Firm for Him.
The most loving thing we as the disciples of Jesus Christ can do, is to proclaim the gospel and stand firm for the ways of the Lord. When warning people that their sinful ways are leading to hell and that they have a chance to be redeemed from their sin through Faith in Jesus Christ, we are being used by God to bring the opportunity at eternal life to people who are on their way to be burned eternally in hell. If we refuse to give this message to people, just to “keep peace” we are not loving the people around us at all. If someone is walking towards a burning house that we just escaped, it would be as if we hated the person if we did not warn them that the home is burning and to turn around and not go into the home. We Love a person truly when we urge them not to continue in the way that leads to being burned up.
John the baptist was beheaded for doing a similar thing. He warned a man that what he was doing was against the way of God/unlawful. He was helping a man realize his error and to turn away from it, but was later beheaded/killed because the Truth he was saying offended those living in the way he said was wrong.
Do not shut up brethren, do not stop proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, do not stop standing for what is right by God and living it. Do not stop going forward in Christ and doing His will. Many that were your friends may quickly turn to foes because you are doing the will of the Lord, but do not be troubled, you are doing the will of your Father in Heaven. If you close your mouth or stop standing firm for the Lord you may prevent someone you Love from learning the truth of the Lord, you may be denying someone the Gospel of Christ that was supposed to be proclaimed to them by you. Do not deny those around you the truth from the Lord. Be used by God and if you lose everyone you once loved in the past for the sake of Christ and the Gospels, so be it…God’s will was done.
***The peace that Jesus brought is; Peace between God and those living in sins. His shed blood on the cross brings eternal peace to all that receive Him. The message of the Gospel brings this eternal peace to all that receive it. For those that refuse the Gospel and the ways of the Lord, the message of the Gospel and standing firm for the Lord brings a sword of division.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
How Righteous and Holy is the Lord!?!
Right after He just told His disciples that a man’s foes/enemies will be those of his own home, He now makes it very clear, that anyone who Loves their family more than Him is NOT worthy of Him. Jesus Christ is clear that those who do the will of the Father in Heaven are our family. We must never put the relationships of the family that we were born into over Jesus Christ. Our commitment to Jesus Christ MUST take precedence over ALL. Christ is infinitely above all creatures, He is to be Loved above the nearest and dearest relations and friends. The person that prefers dad or mom, son or daughter over to the truths and ordinances of Christ is not worthy of Him. The person that does not Love Jesus more than the family He was born into is not fit to be apart of the church of Christ on earth nor to enter into the eternal Kingdom in Heaven.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
In the past time, those who had committed a crime worthy of death were to be crucified like Jesus was. They were to carry their own cross to site where they would be nailed or bound to a crossbeam and suffer great agony until they died. Jesus is letting us know that we are to take up our cross similarly, we are to preach/profess the Gospel, submit to the ways of the Lord, and cheerfully suffer for the sake of God’s will however and whenever the Lord ordains.
Any person not willing to take up their cross and follow christ is not worthy/fit for the calling.
Disciples of Christ must die to themselves and be prepared to die literally if the Lord so decrees.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Whoever seeks to preserve his life, and the temporal enjoyments of it, by a sinful compliance with his friends, family, and the world, and by a denial of Christ, or non-confession of Christ, is sure to lose the eternal life of his soul and body, in the world to come.
Those who are willing to forego the present advantages of life, to suffer and be persecuted, and lay down their life for the sake of Christ and the Gospel shall find their soul reaping an eternal benifit in the presence of God in the Kingdom of Heaven.
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
To welcome in and receive a disciple of Jesus Christ, is to welcome in and receive Jesus Himself. To receive Jesus is to receive the Father who sent Jesus. It is not all doom and gloom as a disciple of Jesus Christ. There are some that will receive the Gospel. There are some that will welcome in and be hospitable to the disciples of Christ as they go forth doing the will of the Father.
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
A prophet here is referring to one that is a preacher of the Gospel. Whoever receives a prophet shall also receive a reward from the prophet himself or a reward from the Lord that the prophet himself will also receive. The prophet and the person receiving the prophet with all hospitality are both serving God and shall both be rewarded.
The person that receives a Righteous man, whether he be a minister of the Gospel or not but he comes in the name of Jesus bearing the testimony of the Lord shall be rewarded either from the Righteous man or from the Lord. Both are serving God and both shall receive reward.
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Whoever will give a cup of cold water(the least of favors) to one of the least esteemed followers of Jesus Christ because the person is a disciple of the Lord, the giver of the cup of water will be rewarded as if he gave the water unto Christ Himself.
Let us not let this Word depart from our hearts. Let us remember the Word in Hebrews 13: “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Our hospitality key for this life in Christ. Let us never neglect it. Be ready to receive and do for all that come in the name of the Lord.