Kingdom Power: Courage & Compassion | Week 5 | Jesus Sends | Matthew 9:35-10:15

Week 5 | Jesus Sends 

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Matthew 9:36-38

Matthew 9:35-10:15  

While on earth, the physical scope of Jesus ministry was limited to where he was. Jesus knows his mission is bigger. There are many hurting and lost people who need the message and healing of the kingdom. As Jesus was sent from Heaven to earth on mission, Jesus sends those who are citizens of the kingdom to be on the same mission.

Motivation for Mission (9:35-38) – Every important mission needs a significant “why.” Jesus’ mission included Teaching, Preaching, and Healing. This is the same ministry and mission he gives his disciples and gives us. This mission is difficult and requires a deep level of selfless motivation. Compassion is to be our primary motivation. Genuine compassion motivates to action and knows the only true answer to every disease, sin, and affliction can only come from God.

Men for the Mission (10:1-4) - Jesus had many disciples but set aside 12 specific men as apostles. Apostle is a disciple who has been given authority. The authority of who sent them has been delegated to them meaning as they speak and act, they are doing so on behalf of the one who sent them. We do not get a report of how effective their ministry was, but we know who they represented, and we know they went when and where they were called. Who they were was not as important as what their mission was. They, like us, were called to be ambassadors of King Jesus and commissioned to make disciples of all nations.

Method of Mission (10:5-14) - Matthew gives us Jesus’ instructions for mission rather than the outcome of mission. The principals were timely for the apostles and timeless for us. Mission starts with religious people first who desire to be in communion with God and need good news. Mission includes preaching repentance and the kingdom of God with the clarity that God is the ultimate remedy to all that truly ails us. The mission requires trusting God’s provision and being wise on when to release and regroup when facing opposition and rejection. We endure in mission with a deep urgency to share and proclaim the gospel. Our motivation is a deep sense of compassion for people knowing their eternal souls are at stake. God is just AND God is compassionate. He loves people and through Jesus provides the way, the truth, and the life.

QUESTIONS:

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new Jesus, the apostles, and His mission?
2. Why is Jesus’ compassion for His people the driving motivation for our mission? What does that teach us about how we should see and engage with those who are far from God?
3. Which of the apostles do you find most intriguing? How does the eclectic make up of Jesus’ first team inform how we partner together for the Gospel?
4. Why does Jesus start mission with the religious people? What is the key difference between religion and the Gospel? Why is this essential to understanding our relationship with God and His mission to the world?

PRAY – Praise God the Father for sending His Son Jesus on mission to seek and save the lost including us! Thank Jesus for his great compassion leading to life giving mission. Ask the Holy Spirit’s to equip and empower you and your church for the mission God has for us.

Watch or Listen to the Sermon HERE