Textual Sermons                                                                                                                   

Power Point Show      MP3 audio

Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10: The Messiah's Apostles

 

Intro.

1.  Jesus had impressed his disciples with the importance of compassion for lost and being laborers in the Lord's harvest.

2.  Matt. 10: Apostles commissioned to go to Jews (10:5-6; 28:19).

3.  The apostles of Christ fulfill a significant role in the Messiah's kingdom (Matt. 19:27-28; Acts 1:8; Eph. 4:11-12).

4.  Matthew 10 gives insight into their work and its effect on us.

 

I.  THE APOSTLES ACTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST,   10:1-10.  Because…

  A.  Jesus Selected them, cf. Mk. 3:14-15.

    1.  “Whom he also named apostles" (Lk. 6:13) "Ones sent." Sent to:

      a.  Preach (kingdom), 10:7 (gospel, Lk. 9:6).

      b.  Heal, 10:1, 8.

    2.  Sent with urgency, haste, 10:9-10 (Lk. 22:35-38: Trust in the Lord's provisions).

    3.  Christians are a chosen generation, 1 Pet. 2:9.

  B.  Jesus Empowered them, Matt. 10:1, 8; cf. Lk. 9:1.

    1.  They acted with divine power, Acts 4:8-10.

    2.  Their teaching and its effect (forgiveness) was based upon heavenly authority, Matt. 16:19; Jno. 20:22-23.

    3.  Our strength comes from Christ, Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:10.

  C.  Jesus Charged them, 10:5-8.

    1.  “Command" (KJV): “To pass on an announcement...to give the word, order...” (Vine).

      a.  Go to lost sheep of Israel, Matt. 10:5-6.

      b.  Later, to the whole world (Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8).

    2.  We are under the commands of Christ, Col. 3:17.

 

II.  RECEIVING THE APOSTLES – RECEIVING CHRIST, 10:11-15; 40-42.

  A.  Those who Receive the Apostles are Described as “Worthy”, 10:11-13.

    1.  “Worthy” – “Befitting, congruous, corresponding...to a thing” (Thayer, 52).

      a.  Worthy in heart, Lk. 8:15.

      b.  Worthy in deeds, 10:9-11 (cf. willing to support preachers of gospel, 1 Cor. 9:4-14).

    2.  Worthy because they received the apostles' teaching, Matt. 10:14; Acts 2:41-42.

    3.  Peace upon those who did (and do), Matt. 10:13.

  B.  Receiving the Apostles is Equivalent to Receiving Christ, Matt. 10:40; cf. Jno. 13:20; Gal. 1:8.

    1.  Reject the apostles -- Reject Christ and the Father, 10:14-15.

      a.  10:14 – Relieved of responsibility, (Acts 18:6; 20:26-27).

      b.  10:15 – Judgment of God, 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

  C.  A Secure Reward for those who Receive the Apostles, 10:41-42 (1 Jno. 1:3-4).

        -Recognize their relation to God, receive them and their work – Rewarded (2 Tim. 4:8).

 

III.  THE APOSTLES’ FAITH IN CHRIST, Matt. 10:16-39.

        -(cf. Our faith, Heb. 13:7).

  A.  The Character of their Faith, 10:16-23.

    1.  Wisdom, 10:16; Jas. 3:13-18.

    2.  Courage, 10:17-18; cf. 2 Pet. 1:5.

    3.  Trust/confidence in word of God, 10:19-21; Rom.10:17.

    4.  Endurance, 10:22-23; cf. Col. 2:6-7.

  B.  The Object of their Faith: Their Master (Christ/God), 10:24-31 (Heb. 11:6).

    1.  Humility, 10:24-25.

    2.  Overriding reverence for God, 10:26-28.

  C.  The Action of their Faith: Confession, 10:32-33; 1 Tim. 6:12.

  D.  The Effect of their Faith: Conflict and Sacrifice, 10:34-39; cf. 1 Cor. 4:9-14.

      -What effect is your faith having on you?

 

Conclusion

1.  Thank God for the apostles and what their work accomplished.

2.  Receive Christ by receiving their teach­ing.

3.  Imitate their faith and be rewarded.