Kingdom Power: Courage & Compassion | Week 6 | Jesus Warns | Matthew 10:16-25

Week 6 | Jesus Warns 

“When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” - Matthew 10:19-20

Matthew 10:16-25  

Before sending disciples on mission Jesus gives clear instructions like a general giving orders to officers who will be out in the field conducting individual operations. Previously, Jesus said to not take any provisions and expect to receive some favorable treatment. This will not always be the case, sometimes mission is not met with hospitality but hostility.

Jesus Sends (10:16) - Jesus send his people out on mission to the world to proclaim and live out His kingdom. Disciples of Jesus are sent, but not to safety. Jesus knowingly sends his followers on mission into harm’s way. This is not an accident, but part of Jesus plan from the start. If we are to seek and save the lost and the hurting, people of God on mission must be willing to dive into the difficult places they find themselves stuck in.

Expectations for Mission (10:17-20) – In a world marked by sin and opposition to God, when you are faithfully living on mission for King Jesus you should readily expect two things to happen in response:

• Expect Hostility - Spreading the Gospel is not perpetually easy. From the many who reject Jesus as Lord over their lives, we should expect opposition. Jesus does not say if we as messengers are rejected by men who hate the message, he says when. Hostility is a certainty.
• Expect the Spirit - While we expect hostility, we are not to fear it. When we are met with opposition we do not need to be anxious. The Holy Spirit will guide our speech and our conduct as we rely on Him. Jesus tells us to be faithful in the going and He will speak through us in His Spirit.

Purpose in Persecution (10:21-23) – Daily, Christians face trials and persecution of various kinds. While seemingly random and chaotic, it is never meaningless; there is always a purpose in persecution. Jesus’ name will be spread. Often when we settle down or slow down the mission for our own comfort, we find the opposite. In Christ, our pain is never in vain.

For information on the persecution experienced by Christians around the world visit OpenDoors.org

Jesus Endures, We are saved (10:24-24) - Jesus suffering on the cross saves, so we can be saved in our suffering. Because Jesus was silent, we can be bold to speak. Because Jesus was lead as a lamb to slaughter, we can be sent by Jesus as sheep knowing we have a shepherd who has laid His life down for us.

QUESTIONS:

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about Jesus and persecution?
2. Why is it helpful to know we should expect suffering, hostility, or opposition? How do we rely on the Holy Spirit during those times?
3. When have you either experienced persecution or opposition because of the Gospel? What are some examples of persecution experienced by the global church?
4. When has a pursuit of comfort lead to complacency? When has a time of suffering or challenge produced reliance and growth?

PRAY – Praise God the Father who sends us on mission to the world for the Gospel. Thank Jesus for enduring the pain and suffering on the cross on our behalf. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your speech and actions as you live out Jesus’ mission.

Watch or Listen to this Sermon or other from this series HERE