THE APOSTLES OF THE KING
Our Text: Matthew 10:1-42
The work of salvation was accomplished by Jesus "alone", at the Cross. The witness of His testimony and His resurrection can only be done by God's Word and by His "disciples". To be a disciple of Jesus Christ one must first accept and trust Him as Lord and as Savior.
The King needed ambassadors to carry His message and He still needs them.
An "ambassador" is: As an ambassador is sent to a foreign court to declare the will of the king, so every Christian, is Christ's ambassador sent to wherever He may send to declare the will of his King.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
We will now learn how our Lord, who is truly the Lord of the Harvest, sends forth His laborers. He does it here as the King, who came to offer the Kingdom to Israel.
These first ones sent forth, the Apostles, would announce the same message Jesus had just preached, the sermon on the mount and the same message of repentance of John the Baptist. This message was altogether in connection to the Kingdom and ended with the full rejection of the Kingdom by the nation of Israel:
The Apostle John says it best:
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and [his own received him not].
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Jesus Christ was a Jew, of Judea. People could tell just by looking at Him that He was a Jew and He was rejected by His people the Jews.
Joh 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, [How is it that thou, being a Jew], askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
After the "Rapture of the Church" this same message will be preached again by 144,000 Jews during the great tribulation.
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, [till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads].
We cannot ignore any of the Word of God, but this Chapter 10 of the book of Matthew is not the same commandment given to the Christian disciple which is:
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This chapter 10 is devoted to the twelve apostles:
1.) We will see their names.
2.) We will see their "first" commission.
3.) We will see their provisions.
4,) We will see their opposition.
5.) We will see their assistant.
6.) We will see some reaction to their ministry.
7.) We will see some rewards of their ministry.
*****Our Text:
Mat 10:1 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.
Mat 10:2 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;
Mat 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Mat 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Mat 10:5 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:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Mat 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
Mat 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
***What is an "Apostle"?
The term "apostle" comes from the Greek word "apostolosos" and it basically [means one who is sent]. In a sense it is the same as the Latin word "missionary" or one who is sent forth for a specific purpose.
These chosen disciples, "Apostles", were empowered (not brute force but by authority from God) with many abilities, among those were the power to heal all disease and cleanse all manner evilness.
Notice:
1.) They received a personal calling.
2.) They were discipled by the Lord Jesus Himself.
3.) They were sent out as "ambassadors" to the King, (King Jesus).
These things are similar to the calling to those of the Church:
A.) It will always be personal calling from Our Lord.
B.) The Church is discipled by the Word Of God, which are the Words of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
C.) The Church is sent out to Witness to all we come in contact with.
Each one showed a love and loyalty to Christ at this time.
D.) Each Christian must be loyal Christ Jesus also. (faith)
Each Apostle had to meet certain requirements:
E.) Each Christian must meet certain requirements:
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
*****To be an Apostle:
1.) They had to have seen Jesus:
1Co 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? [have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord]? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2.) They would have had to fellowship with Jesus:
Act 1:21 Wherefore of these men [which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection].
3.) They had to be chosen by Jesus:
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
4.) It is these Apostles that laid the foundation, which is of Christ Jesus Our Lord, of the Church:
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 [And are built upon the foundation of the apostles] and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The names of the Apostles:
1.) Simon Peter *****[who hears and obeys, the "rock"]
2.) Andrew*****(brother of Simon Peter)[a strong man, manly]
3.) James***** (The son of Zebedee)[supplanter, with an abundant portion)
4.) John*****(Brother of James and son of Zebedee)[Jehovah is gracious]
5.) Philip***** [lover of horses, warlike]
6.) Bartholomew***** [son that suspends the waters]
7.) Thomas***** [a twin]
8.) Matthew***** [gift of Jehovah, a reward]
9.) James*****(the son of Alphaeus) [supplanter that changes]
10.) Lebbaeus Thaddaeus***** [man of heart, large hearted, courageous]
11.) Simon***** (the Canaanite, Simon Zelotes) [the zealous rock]
12.) Judas Iscariot***** (the betrayer)[man of murder, a hireling]
Judas Iscariot was replaced with Matthias, by the Word of God.
Matthias means [a gift of God]
These twelve apostles have a definite relation with Israel:
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, [ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel].
The New Jerusalem:
Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, [and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel]:
Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
We can be sure that it is Matthias and not Paul that will judge the nation of Israel, and his name will be on one of those gates.
The Holy Spirit, guided this selection of Matthias by the Word of God.
The Scriptures had said:
Psa 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Act 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Act 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Act 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
We can see that the Apostle Paul recognized Mathias as an apostle:
1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, [then of the twelve]:
Paul goes on to say:
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, [as of one born out of due time].
Paul separates himself from them as being different from these twelve:
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Paul said he was specially chosen by the Lord for a specific purpose.
It is through Paul who had no earthly connections but chosen by the God of Glory after His resurrection, that the Gospel of Grace and the mystery that was formally hidden might be made known. To the Church, Jesus Christ is not King as such, but He is the Lord of Glory. It is from His Glory as the Head of the Body of Christ that He gives His gifts to the Church.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THERE CAN BE NO APOSTLES TODAY!
1Pe 1:8 [Whom having not seen], ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
We have yet to see Him but we will see Him one day and one day soon:
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, [when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is].
*****In verse 6 we can see the first commission of these Apostles. They were to go only to the lost sheep of Israel. Not to the Gentiles, nor to any mixed race of the Jews.
It would be after the resurrection of Christ that these things would change:
The second commission of the Apostles:
Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and [remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem].
In this commandment of the Lord, these Apostles were to preach that the promised Kingdom for Israel, and through Israel to all the nations, was about to come. This is not the message of the Church but this will be the message preached again after the Rapture of the Church.
If not for the God of the second chance how many of us could be saved! I would burn in Hell if not for the God of mercy and grace and the God of the second and even third chance.
There are at least two principles that we can observe that do not change in the Church age:
1.) The Gospel is to be free!
The Church is not a business to make money.
2.) The Lord will provide for those He chooses!
We must have faith in God's providing power before we take it on our own to step out. Mankind will let the missionary down, and the preacher down, and the Church down. It is our faith in the providing power of God that will keep us going.
Jesus ask later:
Luk 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
These Apostles depended on the hospitality of others as they ministered the Word given to them by Jesus. They could only stay with believers!
The Apostles were not to compromise the message given to them of Christ Jesus. There is no compromising the Gospel. God says what He means and God means what He says.
*****Our Text:
Mat 10:14 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.
Mat 10:15 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.
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
In this time of Jesus, the refusal to show hospitality was equal to a refusal to hear one's message. If you shook the dust off your feet that would tell those around you that you considered their place to be unclean. This was a sign that they had rejected the kingdom of heaven while Jesus was still on this earth in the flesh!
The Bible says:
Act 13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Act 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
Act 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
When we study our Bible we know that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was a complete destruction and their location never found, yet Jesus says:
"It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city".
Of course the judgment mentioned here is the "Great White Throne Judgment" of the Book of Revelation:
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And [whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire].
Are there different degrees of judgment? This verse could indicate that this is true but there is no doubt that they all will be cast into that burning lake of fire.
*****Verse 16 gives another principle that we know to be true in all ages:
The instructions of Jesus at this point are instructions to all that are sent forth in the name of Jesus but these instruction will meet there fulfillment at the time of the great tribulation:
1.) Notice most of the opposition will come from organized religion:
Vs 17) "for they will deliver you up to the councils"
2.) And from governments:
Vs 18.) "ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake"
3.) And "All" must be saved to deliver this message:
Vs. 20) "For it is not ye that speak, [but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you]"
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
4.) There will be "Worldwide" persecution:
Vs 22.) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake"
5.) Then, The Second coming of the Lord;
Vs 23.) "Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come"
We know that some of these things took place in the Book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles. We know that some of these things take place in the day we live but we can see that the fulfillment of all these things will be in the time of the Great Tribulation. (Matthew 24-25)
The tribulation period will be a time of great opposition. Remember the Church will already be in Heaven.
The opposition will come from:
1.) Organized religion.
2.) Organized governments
3.) From ones own family.
All these things happen to some extent in our day but we will see this greatly increase as time goes by. At the time of tribulation these things will be worldwide, even in our own families.
God's people will need to be tough, tough-minded and still tender hearted.
At some point during the tribulation period Religion and Government will join hands: Rev 13.
The Antichrist will force the world to worship him and his false prophets.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
There will be no natural affection:
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
As Christians we must trust the Spirit of God to help us remember what the Lord has taught us. We must study to show ourselves worthy of His leadership:
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Bible we have been given "is" the "Word that Christ Jesus has said to us"!
We should not flee when persecution comes upon us!
*****Our Text:
Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25 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?
Mat 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
The emphasis on this section of scripture is Vs 26, "Fear Not".
When we have a fear of confessing Christ openly, and many of us do, we are not fulfilling our obligation of confession to the Lord!
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and [with the mouth confession is made unto salvation].
The world has it's CIA, FBI, Massad, Interpol and others BUT:
God does not have a Secret Service!
Christ was persecuted, we will also be persecuted. However:
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and [be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear]:
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Why?
1.) God will bring everything to the light (Vs 26-27).
2.) We are to fear only God Himself (Vs 28).
For God will not condemn His children:
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
3.) God cares for His children (Vs 29-31).
A farthing would be about a half a penny in our money. You could get two sparrows for a half cent. To humans a sparrow was worthless but to God, He kept up with every life of this worthless bird. If God does that for this birds then He will do even more for His chosen children.
More and more in our age [the human life becomes more and more worthless to the societies we live in] but God will always be there for us:
Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: [how much more are ye better than the fowls?]
4.) God honor's those that confess Him (Vs 32-33)
a.) Jesus is our High Priest in Heaven.
b.) Jesus is our Advocate in Heaven.
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
5.) A Christian will always have conflict around them (Vs 34-39)
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
If you put on armor you are preparing for war.
2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND IN THIS WAR!
6.) We can be a blessing to others (Vs 40-42)
When we become the children of God through faith in Christ:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
We become disciples when we follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus:
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
This is a daily walk and not a part time walk.
Let's Pray!
Our Text: Matthew 10:1-42
The work of salvation was accomplished by Jesus "alone", at the Cross. The witness of His testimony and His resurrection can only be done by God's Word and by His "disciples". To be a disciple of Jesus Christ one must first accept and trust Him as Lord and as Savior.
The King needed ambassadors to carry His message and He still needs them.
An "ambassador" is: As an ambassador is sent to a foreign court to declare the will of the king, so every Christian, is Christ's ambassador sent to wherever He may send to declare the will of his King.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
We will now learn how our Lord, who is truly the Lord of the Harvest, sends forth His laborers. He does it here as the King, who came to offer the Kingdom to Israel.
These first ones sent forth, the Apostles, would announce the same message Jesus had just preached, the sermon on the mount and the same message of repentance of John the Baptist. This message was altogether in connection to the Kingdom and ended with the full rejection of the Kingdom by the nation of Israel:
The Apostle John says it best:
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and [his own received him not].
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Jesus Christ was a Jew, of Judea. People could tell just by looking at Him that He was a Jew and He was rejected by His people the Jews.
Joh 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, [How is it that thou, being a Jew], askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
After the "Rapture of the Church" this same message will be preached again by 144,000 Jews during the great tribulation.
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, [till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads].
We cannot ignore any of the Word of God, but this Chapter 10 of the book of Matthew is not the same commandment given to the Christian disciple which is:
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This chapter 10 is devoted to the twelve apostles:
1.) We will see their names.
2.) We will see their "first" commission.
3.) We will see their provisions.
4,) We will see their opposition.
5.) We will see their assistant.
6.) We will see some reaction to their ministry.
7.) We will see some rewards of their ministry.
*****Our Text:
Mat 10:1 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.
Mat 10:2 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;
Mat 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Mat 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Mat 10:5 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:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Mat 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
Mat 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
***What is an "Apostle"?
The term "apostle" comes from the Greek word "apostolosos" and it basically [means one who is sent]. In a sense it is the same as the Latin word "missionary" or one who is sent forth for a specific purpose.
These chosen disciples, "Apostles", were empowered (not brute force but by authority from God) with many abilities, among those were the power to heal all disease and cleanse all manner evilness.
Notice:
1.) They received a personal calling.
2.) They were discipled by the Lord Jesus Himself.
3.) They were sent out as "ambassadors" to the King, (King Jesus).
These things are similar to the calling to those of the Church:
A.) It will always be personal calling from Our Lord.
B.) The Church is discipled by the Word Of God, which are the Words of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
C.) The Church is sent out to Witness to all we come in contact with.
Each one showed a love and loyalty to Christ at this time.
D.) Each Christian must be loyal Christ Jesus also. (faith)
Each Apostle had to meet certain requirements:
E.) Each Christian must meet certain requirements:
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
*****To be an Apostle:
1.) They had to have seen Jesus:
1Co 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? [have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord]? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2.) They would have had to fellowship with Jesus:
Act 1:21 Wherefore of these men [which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection].
3.) They had to be chosen by Jesus:
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
4.) It is these Apostles that laid the foundation, which is of Christ Jesus Our Lord, of the Church:
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 [And are built upon the foundation of the apostles] and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The names of the Apostles:
1.) Simon Peter *****[who hears and obeys, the "rock"]
2.) Andrew*****(brother of Simon Peter)[a strong man, manly]
3.) James***** (The son of Zebedee)[supplanter, with an abundant portion)
4.) John*****(Brother of James and son of Zebedee)[Jehovah is gracious]
5.) Philip***** [lover of horses, warlike]
6.) Bartholomew***** [son that suspends the waters]
7.) Thomas***** [a twin]
8.) Matthew***** [gift of Jehovah, a reward]
9.) James*****(the son of Alphaeus) [supplanter that changes]
10.) Lebbaeus Thaddaeus***** [man of heart, large hearted, courageous]
11.) Simon***** (the Canaanite, Simon Zelotes) [the zealous rock]
12.) Judas Iscariot***** (the betrayer)[man of murder, a hireling]
Judas Iscariot was replaced with Matthias, by the Word of God.
Matthias means [a gift of God]
These twelve apostles have a definite relation with Israel:
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, [ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel].
The New Jerusalem:
Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, [and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel]:
Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
We can be sure that it is Matthias and not Paul that will judge the nation of Israel, and his name will be on one of those gates.
The Holy Spirit, guided this selection of Matthias by the Word of God.
The Scriptures had said:
Psa 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Act 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Act 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Act 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
We can see that the Apostle Paul recognized Mathias as an apostle:
1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, [then of the twelve]:
Paul goes on to say:
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, [as of one born out of due time].
Paul separates himself from them as being different from these twelve:
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Paul said he was specially chosen by the Lord for a specific purpose.
It is through Paul who had no earthly connections but chosen by the God of Glory after His resurrection, that the Gospel of Grace and the mystery that was formally hidden might be made known. To the Church, Jesus Christ is not King as such, but He is the Lord of Glory. It is from His Glory as the Head of the Body of Christ that He gives His gifts to the Church.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THERE CAN BE NO APOSTLES TODAY!
1Pe 1:8 [Whom having not seen], ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
We have yet to see Him but we will see Him one day and one day soon:
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, [when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is].
*****In verse 6 we can see the first commission of these Apostles. They were to go only to the lost sheep of Israel. Not to the Gentiles, nor to any mixed race of the Jews.
It would be after the resurrection of Christ that these things would change:
The second commission of the Apostles:
Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and [remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem].
In this commandment of the Lord, these Apostles were to preach that the promised Kingdom for Israel, and through Israel to all the nations, was about to come. This is not the message of the Church but this will be the message preached again after the Rapture of the Church.
If not for the God of the second chance how many of us could be saved! I would burn in Hell if not for the God of mercy and grace and the God of the second and even third chance.
There are at least two principles that we can observe that do not change in the Church age:
1.) The Gospel is to be free!
The Church is not a business to make money.
2.) The Lord will provide for those He chooses!
We must have faith in God's providing power before we take it on our own to step out. Mankind will let the missionary down, and the preacher down, and the Church down. It is our faith in the providing power of God that will keep us going.
Jesus ask later:
Luk 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
These Apostles depended on the hospitality of others as they ministered the Word given to them by Jesus. They could only stay with believers!
The Apostles were not to compromise the message given to them of Christ Jesus. There is no compromising the Gospel. God says what He means and God means what He says.
*****Our Text:
Mat 10:14 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.
Mat 10:15 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.
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
In this time of Jesus, the refusal to show hospitality was equal to a refusal to hear one's message. If you shook the dust off your feet that would tell those around you that you considered their place to be unclean. This was a sign that they had rejected the kingdom of heaven while Jesus was still on this earth in the flesh!
The Bible says:
Act 13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Act 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
Act 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
When we study our Bible we know that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was a complete destruction and their location never found, yet Jesus says:
"It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city".
Of course the judgment mentioned here is the "Great White Throne Judgment" of the Book of Revelation:
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And [whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire].
Are there different degrees of judgment? This verse could indicate that this is true but there is no doubt that they all will be cast into that burning lake of fire.
*****Verse 16 gives another principle that we know to be true in all ages:
The instructions of Jesus at this point are instructions to all that are sent forth in the name of Jesus but these instruction will meet there fulfillment at the time of the great tribulation:
1.) Notice most of the opposition will come from organized religion:
Vs 17) "for they will deliver you up to the councils"
2.) And from governments:
Vs 18.) "ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake"
3.) And "All" must be saved to deliver this message:
Vs. 20) "For it is not ye that speak, [but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you]"
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
4.) There will be "Worldwide" persecution:
Vs 22.) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake"
5.) Then, The Second coming of the Lord;
Vs 23.) "Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come"
We know that some of these things took place in the Book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles. We know that some of these things take place in the day we live but we can see that the fulfillment of all these things will be in the time of the Great Tribulation. (Matthew 24-25)
The tribulation period will be a time of great opposition. Remember the Church will already be in Heaven.
The opposition will come from:
1.) Organized religion.
2.) Organized governments
3.) From ones own family.
All these things happen to some extent in our day but we will see this greatly increase as time goes by. At the time of tribulation these things will be worldwide, even in our own families.
God's people will need to be tough, tough-minded and still tender hearted.
At some point during the tribulation period Religion and Government will join hands: Rev 13.
The Antichrist will force the world to worship him and his false prophets.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
There will be no natural affection:
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
As Christians we must trust the Spirit of God to help us remember what the Lord has taught us. We must study to show ourselves worthy of His leadership:
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Bible we have been given "is" the "Word that Christ Jesus has said to us"!
We should not flee when persecution comes upon us!
*****Our Text:
Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25 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?
Mat 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
The emphasis on this section of scripture is Vs 26, "Fear Not".
When we have a fear of confessing Christ openly, and many of us do, we are not fulfilling our obligation of confession to the Lord!
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and [with the mouth confession is made unto salvation].
The world has it's CIA, FBI, Massad, Interpol and others BUT:
God does not have a Secret Service!
Christ was persecuted, we will also be persecuted. However:
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and [be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear]:
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Why?
1.) God will bring everything to the light (Vs 26-27).
2.) We are to fear only God Himself (Vs 28).
For God will not condemn His children:
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
3.) God cares for His children (Vs 29-31).
A farthing would be about a half a penny in our money. You could get two sparrows for a half cent. To humans a sparrow was worthless but to God, He kept up with every life of this worthless bird. If God does that for this birds then He will do even more for His chosen children.
More and more in our age [the human life becomes more and more worthless to the societies we live in] but God will always be there for us:
Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: [how much more are ye better than the fowls?]
4.) God honor's those that confess Him (Vs 32-33)
a.) Jesus is our High Priest in Heaven.
b.) Jesus is our Advocate in Heaven.
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
5.) A Christian will always have conflict around them (Vs 34-39)
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
If you put on armor you are preparing for war.
2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND IN THIS WAR!
6.) We can be a blessing to others (Vs 40-42)
When we become the children of God through faith in Christ:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
We become disciples when we follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus:
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
This is a daily walk and not a part time walk.
Let's Pray!
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