(Matthew 10:1-15) Verses in KNJV
– In Matthew Chapter 9, we see Jesus going from town to town, doing miracles and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. Healing sickness and disease, casting out demons, raising the dead, and teaching in the synagogues.
– Jesus came for the Jews first, to show them that he is the Messiah that they have been waiting for. He did things only the Messiah could do. Miracles, healings, and his deep knowledge of God.
– His message was: the Kingdom of God, God’s power and authority, has arrived. Get your life right!
– Mark 1:14-15, Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
– Mark 1:38-39, But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
– Matthew 9:36-37, But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
– There are a lot of lost people out there that need to hear the gospel. Jesus needed to multiply his efforts by empowering the Disciples with his authority, to do the work of the ministry.
– Read Matthew 10:1-4. These are the 12 disciples/apostles:
1. Simon Peter: Peter means “rock”. He was a fisherman from Galilee. He was outspoken and aggressive, and considered the leader of the apostles. He became the Apostle to the Jews.
2. Andrew, brother of Peter, also a fisherman, and one of the early disciples of John the Baptist.
3. James the son of Zebedee, (the older brother of John. Not James the brother of Jesus, writer of the book of James). A fisherman, and one of the inner circle of Jesus, along with Peter and John.
4. John, “the one that Jesus Loved”, writer of the Gospel of John, and several other books of the Bible. One of Jesus’ closest and trusted friends. He died in exile on the Island of Patmos.
5 & 6. Philip (not the same one from Acts), who brought his friend Bartholomew. Philip was stoned and crucified, and Bart was beaten, crucified, and beheaded. Both martyred for Christ.
7. Matthew, a tax collector, and writer of this Gospel. Tax collectors were hated, and his presence here is a great testimony of the redeeming power of Jesus Christ.
8 & 9. James, the son of Alphaeus (also not Jesus’ brother), and Thomas, known as “doubting Thomas”. Not present when Jesus rose from the grave, he couldn’t believe it until he saw the risen Savior with his own eyes.
10. Simon the Canaanite, AKA the Zealot. Zealots were Jewish political activists wanting to overthrow the Roman govt. (The fact that Matthew, a roman tax collector, and Simon, an anti-govt activist, could become brothers in Christ shows God’s power of unification over the world’s politics.)
11. Thaddaeus, AKA Judas son of James (son of Alphaeus), AKA Jude, as in St. Jude Children Research Hospital. He is the patron saint of lost causes. (Not Jude the half-brother of Jesus, the author of the book of Jude in the NT.)
12. Judas Iscariot, the betrayer. Keeper of the money bag. He was the one who turned Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified. He was one of the original 12, he was given the same authority by Jesus, he walked with Jesus as his teacher for 3 years, yet still betrayed Jesus for money.
– Example: Judas didn’t just commit “one big sin”, it was likely the culmination of a lifestyle of sin, loving money more than Jesus. Did he mean for this to happen?
– It’s not about your circumstances or position. You must have heart change. Judas didn’t.
– Jesus chose a mixed bag of ordinary people. Some brash, some quiet, working men and soft-hands. Ones who failed out-load, and ones who did it privately. Each was chosen for a reason.
– We can learn from them that is doesn’t matter how you started, it matters how you finish.
– Jesus sends out the 12 to do the same thing that he had been doing. Healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching the Good News. The harvest is great, but the workers are few!
– Read Matthew 10:5-15. Jesus sends them out with 3 specific instructions.
1. Jesus told them to go to the Jews, the lost sheep of Israel, not to the Gentiles. They were to preach that God’s power and authority (the Kingdom) has come, and repentance (returning to God.)
– The Jews were God’s chosen people from the very beginning, entrusted with the truth, and given every opportunity to accept the promise of the coming Messiah. They were supposed to be an example to all people of God’s glory and righteousness.
– Matthew 15:24, (Jesus told a gentile woman who wanted his attention), But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
– The Jews ultimately rejected Jesus, and salvation became available the everyone else. (Entire sermons could be written on the life application of this moment.)
2. They were to preach the good news, heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons.
– They became an extension of Jesus, showing His authority and status as the Messiah.
3. They were instructed not to bring any supplies with them. They were to trust the Lord for his provision through the generosity of those they ministered to.
– Bless those who receive the message about the Kingdom.
– If they reject your message, “shake the dust from your feet.” Basically like saying, “I wash my hands of them.” You did everything you could, and you are no longer responsible.
– Luke 10:16, (Jesus said) He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
– Those who have heard the truth and rejected it will be judged more harshly than the most wicked of those who have never heard it. (Sodom and Gomorrah)
– Example: High school art teacher, Mr. Washington, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him sit there and do his work… mumble, mumble…”. Which means that you can do everything you possibly can, but it is on them to take the action needed to receive it.
*The main point of these scriptures is “force multiplication”.
– Force multiplication involves using tools and strategies to amplify and increase your output.
– Jesus needed to multiply the workforce in the fields, because the harvest is great, and the workers are few. He chose the 12, then immediately put them to work!
– Jesus gave them an action plan so they could help him accomplish the current mission. The right mission at the right time. They are preparing the way for him, not trying to get ahead of his plans.
– Example: Ropes and mechanical advantage. Pulling in opposite direction doubles the load, same direction cuts load by half, more pullies and anchor points can make 5 to 1, or 600lbs into 120lbs… now add 3 people pulling on the line…
– They would have been ineffective if they were not unified in their efforts. What if they decided, “Why not the gentiles now?” or spent all their time trying to win over the stubborn-hearted Jews who didn’t want to listen. What would it hurt to pack just one bag… a carry-on maybe?
– They must trust in Jesus, that he knows what he is doing right now.
– 1 Cor. 1:10, Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
– Romans 15:5-6, Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Apply this truth to your life!
1. God doesn’t always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.
– What if they said, “but I’m only a fisherman…” or “but I’m only a tax collector…” ?
– The disciples didn’t have it all together, but they all trusted the Lord, that he would give them everything they needed to fulfill their mission.
– 1 Cor 1:26-27, For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
– Trust that the Lord will provide you with everything you need for the assignment he has given you.
– 2 Peter 1:3, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
2. Be a disciple who makes disciples.
– Discipleship comes through relationship. This means that it takes time and effort to train them up.
– FVC has been focusing more on growing deeper in our faith, rather than growing bigger in number.
– There is a new discipleship program rolling out soon. (It’s being Beta tested as we speak.)
– Example: Learn it, Do it, Teach it. According to the National Training Laboratories Institute, we only retain a portion of what we have learned:
– Learn it: 5% of a lecture, 30% if a demonstration is included.
– Do it: 75% of what we learned if we practice it.
– Teach it: 90% retention if you immediately teach the info to someone else.
– FACT: Learned skills will diminish quickly if not regularly practiced/used.
– Jesus taught the disciples, then sent them out to teach others, because the people were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus establishes leaders over up to equip us to do the work of the ministry.
– Eph 4:11-12, And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
– You learn it and become a disciple, then you teach someone else so they can become a disciple.
3. You have been called and given a mission from the Lord. Start walking in your calling!
– Pray and seek God. Read His word. Prepare your heart to help Jesus bring in the harvest.
– Psalms 9:10, And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
– Repent of your sins and cleanse your hearts, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!
– James 4:8, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
– Be a force of multiplication in your church, and for the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior.
– Hebrews 13:20-21, Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
– prayer –
Pastor Jay Alexander preaches on Force Multiplication. Please share online for others to see.
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