Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15 Introduction Jesus has called his apostles, empowered them, and now He expects them to serve. There comes a time in the Christians life when immaturity gives way to maturity; that getting gives way to sacrifice, and selfishness gives way to selflessness. In every Christian’s life, there is a time to serve rather than be served. Clearly service was never intended as a substitute for a godly life. But in the end—the Christian —the believer’s talents are not to be laid up for self but laid out in service. There seems to be three types of Christians who respond to the call to service: 1. Rowboat Christians—have to be pushed. 2. Sailboat Christians—always go with the wind. 3. Steamboat Christians—make up their minds where they ought to go and go there regardless of wind and weather. This section of Matthew’s gospel gives broad principles and specific instructions. The specific instructions applied to the apostles as they began to reach out to the nation Israel. But the broad principles apply to all disciples in all periods of time. In the next 10 verses Jesus gives us the basic ingredients for effective service in ministry. In verses 16-23 Matthew records reactions to service and in verses 24-42 the cost of service. Jesus sends His disciples out for their first short term mission. God will often send us to our own backyard before He sends us overseas. Jesus had a plan and purpose for this short-term mission. God cares about the lost. But He also cares about you. We serve Jesus when we serve others. The lost hear the gospel and the saved grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. The twelve were getting needed experience in proclaiming the gospel; and the gospel was being proclaimed! Jesus: Our Source For Service (v.5a) Matthew 10:5a (NKJV) 5These twelve Jesus sent out You will recall that Jesus chose from among His disciples 12 apostles. These are not volunteers —they are men with a divine mandate from Jesus Himself. Jesus chose them according to His own sovereign will. These men were under divine orders. Jeremiah 1:5 says; “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” What was said of Jeremiah can be said of the 12; and what was said of the 12 can in some ways be said of each and every one us. Are you a prophet to the nations? Perhaps— perhaps not. Are you an Apostle? In the sense of being sent on a mission—perhaps—but God has saved the Saint for service! One of the great tragedies of our time is that many people want to claim Christ—but refuse service or enter service half-heartedly; inconsistently or selfishly.

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Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15 Mark’s gospel tells us Jesus sent them out in pairs (Mark 6:7) to ward off loneliness and isolation. God will often give us like minded people who share our vision and our dream of service to Him. God may have given you a burden for the lost; for the young, for the old, for the homeless; for the helpless; for the shut-in. Loneliness in ministry is fertile ground for depression and disappointment. We are often tempted; or Satan takes advantage of through discouragement or self-pity. But when God gives you like-minded companions; you can encourage one another and hold each other accountable in real ministry. Have you wondered what Jesus has called you to do? I have discovered that God by His Holy Spirit gives us clues to help us discover our place in service. Where is your heart? Do you have a burning desire to minister to the lost, to people overseas, to the vulnerable, to the helpless or hopeless? Do you have a burden for older people or younger people? God’s Word tells us that God can place passions in our heart that come from Him! I doubt seriously that Satan motivates us to care for the lost or the homeless or the vulnerable or the unborn or the poor! Satan isn’t interested in discernment ministries or binding up the broken hearted or setting the captives free! In Psalm 37:4 we read; “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Confirmation by the church will sometimes provide an additional clue. Do people in the church recognize your gift? When a person has a strong desire to pray, preach, teach, but mature and godly people in the church who know you well do not confirm those feelings perhaps you should reevaluate your call. Qualifications for ministry are given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and have been used for centuries by the church to confirm callings in the church. Another clue might be found in opportunity. When a person has a strong desire, confirmation by the church and an open door for service—it might be God’s calling! 1 Corinthians 16:9 says “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries”. Opposition may indicate God has called you! Jesus is our source of service and will assign a specific task. Service: Our Specific Task (vv.5b-6) and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. The word commanded or instructed (ASB) is interesting. The Greek word is parangello which has a number of different applications in the NT (depending on context). In the military it was used by a commanding officer to issue a command. It was an order—and that meat unquestioning obedience. As a legal term in means the order of a court officer—like a summons or supeona. You cannot disregard the court’s order. Failure meant punishment. In an ethical sense it meant a moral obligation. If a Doctor orders complete bed rest or take time to allow something to heal or take your medicine you must obey. When you realize it is Jesus who has called, who has gifted you and empowered you, who has sent you and instructed you—you have no other choice but to obey.

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Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15 The Apostles were told; “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles” or those areas possessed by the Samaritans. They were not at that time to proclaim the way of salvation to non-Jews. This does not mean that Jesus was a racist or a xenophobe (fear of strangers). Jesus had healed a Samaritan woman of Sychar and healed a Gentile Centurion’s servant. But the proclamation would begin with Jews. God revealed His promise to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. God’s chosen people— like God’s chosen Servant were to be lights to a dark world. The Lord Jesus is the source—He sets the standard and issues the commands. You are His minister and servant. Jesus has not called you to prepare the meal—but to serve the meal! Jesus has already prepared the meal! All you have to do is offer bread to a starving world. Are all believers commanded to preach? No. But all are commanded to serve. Your job is simply God’s way of providing the means for you to serve Jesus. The pastor of the church does not call you to serve; Jesus calls you to serve. 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The decree is followed by instructions concerning the destination: Go only to the Jews. They were not to go to the Gentiles (ethnos) or even the Samaritans. The time was still future for the others. The Gospel message will eventually get to the Samaritans and the Gentiles. But this was a necessary arrangement; “to the Jew first and then the Gentile”. The people of Israel must be given every opportunity to fulfill their destiny. The phrase “lost sheep of the house of Israel” is powerful in its simplicity and brevity (see W.H. Griffith Thomas p.142). The Lord Jesus in effect is saying; “begin at the beginning.” Later the Lord will make them witnesses to the whole world (See Matt. 28:19). “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (ethnos). Begin with your people. The second principle is be specific. Someone has rightly said, “if you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing”. Service should be specific. When a ministry is not focused or specific it is often doomed to mediocrity. Doctors often specialize is a specific field of medicine because the human body is complex. God will often give people in the body of Christ a burden for specific service. You may have a mighty burden for discernment, education, discipleship or evangelism. God gives different objectives to different people. But God never asks any person to do everything, no matter how gifted they are. The Lord has not called you do everything for everyone; but He has called you to something for someone. Ministry begins with someone—not everyone.

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Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15 The Gospel: Our Defined Message (v.7) 7And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Jesus gives them a specific message; “. . .go (don’t stay) preach (don’t remain silent). “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”. This is the same message Jesus has been preaching. The first thing you should note—you are always safe—if you say what Jesus says! Both the church and the world are becoming increasingly confused about Christ’s message—the gospel message! The gospel is simple. God is holy. Man is sinful. Sin is the great thing that keeps us from God. Jesus lived, died on a cross and rose from the dead for our salvation and justification. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 Paul wrote; “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose agains the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.” “Satan’s surest way of making the gospel impotent is simply to keep it from being understood. When the gospel is clouded with political, cultural, social, economic, environmental, ecclesiastical, and other such causes, its message is muddled and its power diluted” (John MacArthur p. 189). Did the Apostles simply say; “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand?” I suspect they elaborated on that theme—the central message is that the Messiah is the King. Jesus is the King. The kingdom is the place where God rules and Christ is enthroned. All of Jesus’ instructions both private and public were the truths and principles of life, sin, death and resurrection. There are social and political and personal benefits from the gospel, but the gospel remains clear—mankind needs a Savior from sin. Jesus is the Savior. The gospel transforms people. People transform families, families transform communities, and communities transform nations.

Confirmation: Our Divine Substantiation (v.8) 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Remember these things that Jesus asks—are impossible to do—unless Jesus empowers you and gifts you to accomplish these tasks. I have never healed a single person—but Jesus has. I have never raised a dead person; but I have seen the spiritually dead given life in Christ! I have never cleansed a leper, but I have seen people labor in love to alleviate their suffering. I have never cast out a demon, but Jesus has used me to cast demons out of people suffering from occult bondage. The whole point—when Jesus calls you, and gives you a task, he will confirm the task and substantiate it. Doctors, lawyers, pastors display their diplomas and documents to certify their qualifications and authority to practice. Those who represent Jesus and His message 4

Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15 must have divine credentials to confirm their divine mission and message. Jesus exercised power and authority and confirmed that power and authority with real miracles. Jesus imparted that same power and authority to these men to exercise these signs to confirm this message. The twelve had little training; they did not graduate from an accredited seminary. They were not a part of the religious establishment. The signs of a true apostle according to Paul (see 2 Corinthians 12:12) “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds”. Let me say a few things about those credentials. Healing the sick and cleansing the leper and raising the dead were not simply to demonstrate God’s power but to help people. The miracles pointed to God’s mercy and compassion. The miracles communicated the tender heart of God. God cares about the sick, the suffering, the desperate, the poor, the needy. He is near to the brokenhearted. He is close to those who are crushed in spirit. The fallen world has little compassion. The godless often oppress the poor and the needy. The godless persecute the poor (Ps.10:2); place heavy burdens on them and defraud them (Amos 5:11). False prophets prey on the sheep rather than pray for the sheep. False prophets abuse the sheep and use them for their own selfish agenda. Raising the dead and casting out demons demonstrated God’s power over the invisible realms of darkness. What better divine credentials? The faithful witness of the least gifted Christian should be able to unleash spiritual power and shatter the works of demons and Satan himself! The third confirming credential was obedience to Christ’s command. Jesus gave them power! They were not to use that power for selfish reasons or personal gain. People in ministry should not use their gifts for personal fame, power or advantage. The faithful servant of Jesus should be marked by selflessness. The Lord Jesus said; “freely you have received, freely give.” Do we charge for the gospel? Charlatans and frauds are capable of preaching the gospel. Is it possible for a charlatan or a fraud to preach the gospel and people get saved? The answer is yes. It is not the charlatan or the fraud that saves us—it is the gospel. The gospel can be preached from selfish motives by complete frauds. In the days of Jesus professional healers and exorcists would travel and treat the sick and cast out demons for a price! The Talmud required the Rabbi’s to teach the commands of Moses for free. Moses received the Law freely from God and the rabbi’s were not to charge for teaching it. The only exception was when parents were shirking their duty, and they hired a tutor to teach small children. Well then how will you fund the ministry? Confidence: Our Divine Provision (vv.9-11) 9Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. 11“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 5

Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15 Where God guides He provides. Someone once said to me; “Show me that passage in the Bible.” The saying is not in the Bible—but the principle is in the Bible. Why does Jesus give these instructions—if not to trust God for the provision. The apostles were to trust God for whatever was needed in their ministry. And so we are to trust God for whatever we need for ministry. The apostles were not to demand payment, neither were they to amass a fortune. They were not to take gold, silver or cooper but leave their money belts empty. The bag (v.10) refers to a food sack or knapsack that was used in long journeys to carry food supplies. Inns were few and far between and expensive! But the apostles were not even to pack a lunch! The tunic was like a coat or cloak or outer garment that served as both an overcoat and a blanket. Sandals were necessary to keep your feet from being chewed up on the road. A staff was often used as self-protection against thieves, bullies or even wild animals. The apostles left with the absolute basics. God Himself established the principle that the worker is worthy of support. There are very few ministers today who never demand anything, who never put a price on their work and who trust the Lord to meet all their needs (v.11). “enter the town. . .inquire who is worthy”—“Worthy does not mean wealthy or influential but refers to moral and spiritual character of the host” (ibid p.194). They were to stay with people who were known for their godliness. They were to stay until the mission was complete. In other words—they were not to be looking around for better or more luxurious accommodations. The apostles were to humble, content, satisfied! Results: Our Focus On The Responsive (vv.12-13a) 12And when you go into a household, greet it. 13If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. The apostles were to focus on people who were receptive to the gospel. the house does not simply refer to the place where the apostles stayed—but rather the various houses where they would minister. A worthy house was one where their witness and were word were appreciated and accepted as being from God. The greeting is the standard “shalom” still common in Israel today. It means peace and carries with it the greater meaning of peace and well being in your mind, in your spirit and in your body. The peace was to be extended to the entire household (family and slaves). The implication is that open hearts earn the richest blessing. “He who receives a prophet, in the name of a prophet, receives a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, receives a righteous man’s reward” (Matt. 10:41). Sometimes God will call people to minister in very difficult circumstances. Certain people and cultures are utterly hostile to the gospel. Our focus is to concentrate on those most open to the 6

Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15 gospel. Jesus promises satisfaction for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. God’s mandate is that the gospel should be preached first to those who want it most! Divine Indifference: Our Rejection Of The Unresponsive (vv.13b-15) But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! Sometimes we waste enormous amounts of energy and resources on those who persist in rejecting the gospel (atheists, scientists, skeptics). The statement “not worthy”, let your peace return to you” is an oriental expression which means to lose favor or withdraw blessing. This is not so much losing a blessing, but refusing a blessing, refusing peace, refusing the gospel. God can offer and extend blessing, peace, forgiveness, reconciliation, but it is all for nought should the person refuse. If I offered you a $20.00 Gold piece (nearly an ounce of pure gold) you could refuse it—but the gold still remains valuable. The gospel has the power to save the world—but it cannot save a single soul unless that soul is willing to receive the free gift. In ancient days, Jewish traveler’s would literally shake the dust or the soil of the pagan country off their clothes. They did not want to bring pagan soil into the land of Israel. To shake the dust off the feet, was an idiomatic expression to treat them the same way you would treat pagans, who most Jews considered beyond the reach of God’s love—favor—Word. Have you ever had a Jehovah’s Witness come to your door? Sometimes after speaking, they will shake the dust off their feet, and into the gutter. They think they are pronouncing judgment on you! But God reserves judgment for Himself. The passage does not invite us to write people off or refuse friendship if they reject the Bible or the gospel twice—or thrice—or even a number of times. Some people sit in church for a long time before they get saved. Paul exhorted the unbelieving Corinthians to be reconciled to God. God is loving and patient and kind. If He were not—judgment would have taken place long ago. I believe Jesus is speaking about people who hear a clear testimony of the gospel, and see dramatic confirmation and irrefutable signs, and still resist and oppose the gospel. When a person has firmly made up their mind to resist and reject the gospel we should direct our attention elsewhere. God destroyed Sodom an Gomorrah with fire from heaven. Only recently have scholars claimed to have found any of its remains. Jesus is saying in effect, those who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ face a far greater punishment on the Day of Judgment.

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Time To Serve Matthew 10:5-15

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