Sermon: The Kingdom Calling - What We Do For Christ will Last!
Scripture: Mt 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
Mt 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Matthew 10:40-42 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
Introduction: The kingdom calling is a divine designation, designation meaning: The choosing and naming of someone to be the holder of an official position or representative of the kingdom of God. Everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be called by the King into His kingdom enterprise. Jesus is sending out his 12 disciples to advance the kingdom of God to share the good news of the gospel and he gives them some instruction on what to look for, what to watch out for and how they will be sustained and encouraged. Jesus positioned His disciples for success. He gave them power to against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. They would be advancing the kingdom of God in a sick world. Then Jesus described their disposition for ministry, Jesus sent you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Not only they to advance the kingdom of God in a sick world, but advance the kingdom of God in a dangerous environment. Their protection would be the wisdom of God and a meek and quiet spirit.
Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that some will receive them and support them. Those who receive them are really receiving Him. The Jews already believed to receive a person’s envoy (messenger) was the same as receiving the person himself. The Jews felt that to honor a person’s representative was the same as to honor that person whose representative he was. This is a principle more Christians need to understand. That is, when I honor God’s delegated authority, we are honoring God because He is the one who has established every authority. So, when I dishonor them who am I dishonoring? God.
The word “receive” in the original language means to take up, to grant access, give ear to, to sustain with an attitude of love and support for Jesus’ sake, God’s sake and His Mission’s sake in the world in that way we honor God. Think of it this way, when I receive a person or when I honor that person, I receive the same kind of blessing in my own life. Jesus speaks for a prophet’s reward, a righteous man’s reward, and the reward of His least disciples without position or rank. Anyone who receives and honor a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.
This teaches us a couple of things. Even though I am sending you to advance the kingdom in a sick, hostile world you will have good success and secondly, whatever you do for Christ and His kingdom will be rewarded. I don’t have to be prophet to receive a prophet’s reward, all I have to do is receive (honor) him. When you honor others you put their needs, wants, and cares above your own, There is a promised reward that cannot be lost. I believe Jesus makes this promise because He understood the difficulties of Ministry in a fallen world. He realized the need for faithful supporters along the way. There are numerous New Testament passages about blessing the work of God. It is good, and right and needed.
Galatians 6:6-10 “Now let him, who is instructed in the word, communicate of all good things to the instructor. Do not deceive yourselves; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that also he shall reap. 8 Therefore, he who sows to his flesh, shall from the flesh reap corruption: but he who sows to his spirit, shall from the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 Wherefore, let us not flag in well doing; for in the proper season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 Well, then, while we have opportunity let us do good to all: but especially to them, who are of the household of faith.
1Timothy 5:17-18 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; 18 for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
1Thess. 5:12-13 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 12 But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
All those passages instruct believers to receive and honor those who are working to advance the kingdom of God in a sick, a hostile environment for their work’s sake. What is their work? They proclaim the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. They are sent admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and to be patient with all. They are worthy of double honor. Single honor should be given because of the position they hold, who they are and whose name they represent. Double honor should be given when they carry out their assignment faithfully and fruitfully.
What is a reward? The word reward carries the idea of wages, payment, and treasure. When honor true servants of God, we honor God who sent them. When we honor servants of God, we show appreciation their value and worth in providing direction and wisdom for our future. How we need a clear word from God during these troubled times. Jesus knew his faithful followers would need assistance, encouragement, and hope along their journey. He wanted to assure them that what they do him, the sake of the gospel and the benefit of mankind will last and be rewarded. During the hard seasons of ministry, they may start to wonder if they have what it takes? Does my work even matter? Is my living in vain? The famous Clark Sisters recorded a song entitled, “Is My Living In Vain?” In the song they asked several pressing questions:
“Is my living in vain? Is my giving in vain? Is my praying in vain? Is my fasting in vain? Am I wasting my time? Can the clock be rewind? Have I let my light shine? Have I made ninety-nine? No, of course not; It's not all in vain, 'Cause up the road is eternal gain.
Is my praying in vain? Is my labor in vain? Is my singing in vain? Is my speaking, is it in vain? Is my playing the organ in vain? Is my praying in vain? Is my, is my, is my labor in vain? Is my singing, singing, singing, in vain? No, of course not, It's not all in vain, Up the road is eternal gain!”
Kingdom building is a great work with eternal rewards yet must fight against discouragement and doubt.
1. Understand Believers are Fully Equipped to Fulfil the Assignment. Mt 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
It is easy for believers to feel overwhelmed by the troubles of this world. There is so much pain and misery all around us. We must understand that God did not make a mistake. When he called us, he qualified us and equipped us for every task ahead. We must fight doubt. Doubting God, doubting our call, and doubting ourselves. His Holy Spirit lives within every born-again believer. We have His unchanging word with give us security and fortifies our faith. Jesus knew that their fight against discouragement and doubt would come. He assures them, “I have called you and equipped you for this assignment. Jesus fought that battle in the wilderness when Satan said, If you are the son of God, why are you hungry, lonely and miserable? Is God your father or not? Jesus was confident in his identity and content with the provisions of the father. Believers are fully equipped.
2. Understand Believers must work on themselves more than their assignment. Mt 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Believers are fully equipped with what they need, but they must develop a proper attitude and gain the needed wisdom for the assignment. Jesus described this hostile environment as sheep being sent among wolves. The temptation will be to harm yourself, protect yourself and try to eliminate the threat. The assignment is not to destroy the wolves, but to transform the wolves. Jesus describe the wisdom needed as the cunningness of a serpents whose instinct are so sharp they can find a way of escape. They know when to hide, flee and fight. Then Jesus describes the methodology of the disciples as harmless as a dove. The disciples must work on themselves more than on their assignment. To operate successfully in a hostile environment requires believers to learn additional skills, different approaches and to develop a meek and quiet spirit. Jesus knows his disciples, among them is bold Peter, doubting Thomas, ambitious James and John, faithful Andrew, and Roman empathizing Matthew. Their first assignment must be to work on themselves, their attitude and behavior to advance the kingdom in a hostile environment. Believers are fully equipped with the power and authority they need, but they must develop a proper attitude and gain the needed wisdom for the assignment.
3. Understand the Believer’s Kingdom Labor will be Rewarded.
Matthew 10:40-42 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
Doubt and discouragement are real. Believers struggled when they doubt their calling or get confused about their identity. Others struggle when they see the prosperity of the wicked who seem to be doing well in this world. Jesus understood that his disciples may not receive great rewards in this world. Their earthly sojourn maybe hard with few creature comforts. They must understand and so must we, that our faithful labor in kingdom of God will be rewarded. In my own life, I have seen some who seem to have an easier journey than mine. They have people who always seem to celebrate them and support them. There has being times when I have wondered with The Clark Sisters, Is my living in vain? Jesus wanted them to know that would always be under the watchful care of God.
God sees your kingdom efforts and will one day reward you openly. Satan would love to cause to doubt our calling or our identity. He would love to discourage us to quit or give up. Every believer will face doubt and discouragement. Every believer will be tempted to blame others or themselves for their present difficulties. Should I leave the ministry? Should I give up on Church? Did I do something wrong that cause my child to get on drugs, or be in prison? Did I cause my marriage to fail? Is my sickness my punishment? Do I even qualify to help when I can’t help myself? Questions like this are sent by Satan to create doubt and unbelief. Satan knows the life’s problems are the results of sin’s entrance into the world. When sin entered the world, it was accompanied by death and Satan alone was the source.
Jesus assured the disciples and us, that every believers has been called by God, fully equipped with all the power and authority they need for kingdom building. God called them because He knew them, all that they faced and been through. He did not make a mistake. Others may receive their reward now, but make no mistake about this, you have a reward that cannot be lost. Spent time developing a proper attitude and gaining the needed wisdom for the assignment. Even though you may feel small and of little value to the world and its system, God sees your value and celebrates you. We are always under the watchful eye of the Father. All of us have fail at one time or another: in one way or another. You are not failure. All of us have faced rejection and criticism, but we are not rejects. God sees your faithful labor. God sees your value and God has your reward.
In Matthew 10, Jesus assures his disciples that they are called and equipped for their assignment even though their assignment must be carried out among sick and suffering people in a hostile environment. Their first assignment must be to work on themselves, their attitude and behavior to advance the kingdom in a hostile environment. Every believer is fully equipped with the power and authority of God they need to fulfill their calling. They must gain the needed wisdom and then develop a proper attitude and demeanor for the assignment. We are not sent to conquer the world; we are sent to proclaim the ministry of reconciliation. Our work is the work of transformation. So cast off your doubt and discouragement, and continue on with courage, your reward is sure. The Hymnwriter asks,
“Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heaven, heaven and home, When, when Jesus is my portion, My constant Friend is He; Oh, oh-oh, his eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watched, watched it over me.
I sing because I’m happy (happy) I sing because I’m free (free free free)For His eye, his eye is on the sparrow, And I know, I know He watches over me.” We have a kingdom calling, Let’s take courage and journey on! Amen
