A Lesson From Buffalo Bill Series

A LESSON FROM BUFFALO BILL

Matthew 10:1-15

Sermon Objective: To show the “commonness” of these men & to suggests that we too are therefore candidates for service.

Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Revelation 1:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 61:6, Matthew 28:18-20

SUMMARY:

We start a new series today from Matthew chapter 10. It is called, “Lessons from the Wild West.” We will take a look at the days when the range was untamed and see if there are any similarities between that and our Christian heritage as well as our current spiritual journey.

• Today will focus on “A Look at Buffalo Bill Cody” (10:1-15)

• Week #2 is titled “Remember the Alamo!” (10:16-33)

• Week #3 is “The Gunfight at OK Corral” (10:24-25)

• Our final sermon is “Lessons from Sheriff Pat Garret” (10:34-42)

We won’t be glamorizing of deifying these men and events. Most were profane, some more than others. But we will be taking a look at history and finding transfer and illustration which we can identify with.

INTRODUCTION

Many people have heard the name Buffalo Bill Cody. Some have even been around long enough to have actually visited one of His traveling shows. These were his means of survival in this latter days but the reputation was made years earlier.

William Frederick Cody was one of many of the trade. A Scout. Born in Iowa and raised in Kansas he found the open plains and ranges to his liking and held many jobs which prepared him for his most notable career. He first carried messages between wagon trains and then rode for the Pony Express; logging a record 300 miles by horseback in one day.

He became a scout not long afterward for General Custer and then for the Kansas-Pacific Railroad. It was during these days that he secured his most noted claim to fame. He killed a record 69 buffalo in one day. Beating the old record by 23. From then on the name “Buffalo Bill Cody” stuck -- regardless of his employment.

For the most part William Frederick Cody was an average man who had his 15 minutes of fame. He vacillated between wealth and poverty and, if not for a few lucky breaks, would never have been heard of since he really did not do anything heroic or infamous -- except maybe take the scalp of a leading Indian marauder from Custer’s last stand.

He joins the list of others of his profession as scout. With the exception of Kit Carson you’ve probably heard of few others.

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Have you noticed the men which Jesus adopted? They too were simple, common men. Much like Cody who was raised in an impoverished home by a father who ran a sawmill; so these men came from common stock with very common jobs. Fishermen, government employees, and the like.

But that is good news for you and me -- if men like William Frederick Cody and Simon the Zealot can find a place in this world we know we can too. Hopefully our place will be next to the immortal list in Matthew 10. They were not known for their exploits in the Wild West but for their experiences with the Savior.

Let’s read about them from Matthew 10:1-15.

THE TEXT:

1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;

10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

11 “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.

12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.

13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.

14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.