Mt. 28:19-20, we know Jesus ordained the ‘Great Commission’. He said, ‘19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ Mark also wrote of this same discourse, saying, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.’ Mark 16:15-16.
Much has been said about this ‘Great Commission.’ We are told many times over, we are to go and preach/teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but has anyone warned you of the possible situations you might be caught in trying to preach Christ and his crucifixion to a heathen world?
Often people want to know the perils they might encounter before setting off to conquer ‘so great a task’. We recognize there are many differing opinions about the Christian religion to encounter as well as differing religions all together.
On one occasion, scripture tells of Jesus having sent out the disciples by twos to preach to the ‘lost house of Israel’. Mark and Luke also give an account of this commission. However, Matthew gives a discourse by Jesus to the disciples before he sends them. In this teaching, good advice is given along with warnings of the reception they will receive.
We as Christians, today, need to be given a pep talk along with warnings of the reception we, also, can expect to receive. Let us look at this teaching by our Lord to his disciples.
Open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 10. This will be our main text today.
Nature of righteous missionaries before a sin-sick world
Mt. 10:16a. “Like sheep among wolves”
Jesus describes these workers for the Kingdom, as sheep.
Characteristics of a sheep
Gentle, meek, calm natured
Perhaps humans, as sheep, are gullible, easy prey to Satan
Helpless in the flight of danger, defenseless
Need guidance and direction to meet their needs
Verses characteristics of wolves
Aggressive
Intentional about the harm they inflict
Mt. 10:16b. Jesus tells them to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”.
How is a snake shrewd?
Knows how to avoid danger—wise
Usually runs from danger.
Stands and fights if necessary
Subtle or crafty—Gen. 3:1. Deceptive.
Thinks on its own to make decisions concerning its welfare
Harmless as a dove
Doves represent purity, peace or a peaceful being
Are innocent
Therefore, be on your guard against wicked men.
Forewarnings of trouble
Mt. 10:17. Expect to be apprehended and arraigned as malefactors.
they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake,
Mt. 10:21. They must expect to be put to death
… the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mt. 10:25. Expect to be branded with the most disgusting and humiliating names and characters.
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Beelzebub is the prince of devils.
Thus, the followers of the Prince of this world are called Beelzebub. after their master
They represent the interest of the kingdom of darkness.
Mt. 10:34-35. Expect not peace but a sword. (division)
I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
People will turn against their own family on religious matters.
Many families are divided over religious understanding.
The faith of those that believe condemns those that believe not, and, therefore, they have an enmity against them that believe.
Enmity is a condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity, toward God and righteousness. (or righteous believers)
James 4:4. … know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Foretells of whom these sufferings will come
Mt. 10:17. Beware of men.
Men of similar nature as we, crafty and politic, but cruel and barbarous as beasts.
From professing men, men that have a form of godliness, and make a show of religion.
They will scourge you in their synagogues, Paul was scourged five times in the synagogues.
2 Cor. 11:24-25. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned
From men of authority.
Jews would have fellow Jews who professed Christianity, to be brought up against Roman rulers claiming insurrections, etc.
Saul of Tarsus brought Christians before Roman rulers to be put to death.
Mt. 10:18. Before Governors and Kings
All men
Mt. 10:22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake;
However, Jesus does not leave us without prescriptions of counsels and comforts for a time of trial
Be wise as serpents
Because you are exposed, as sheep among wolves; be ye wise as serpents; not wise as foxes, whose cunning is to deceive others; but as serpents, whose policy is only to defend themselves, and to shift for their own safety.
Be harmless as doves
Be mild, be meek, and be dispassionate; not only do no one harm, but bear no one any ill will; be without gall, as doves.
Do not wrong anyone.
Be innocent and inoffensive in word and deed
Take no thought how or what ye shall speak, Matt. 10:19
Conduct yourselves decently, but afflict not yourselves with care how you shall come off.
Do not study to make fine speeches
When they persecute you in this city, flee to another, Matt. 10:23.
When persecuted, the persecutor has already made up his mind against God; not you.
Therefore, do not feel bad to exit and wipe off the dust from your feet.
Perhaps at a later date, someone else will get the attention of this persecutor and persuade them to become a Christian.
Fear them not, Matt. 10:26
They who truly fear God, need not fear man.
If God be for you, who can be against you? Romans 8:31
Man may kill the body, Mt. 10:28, but look where you will be if God allows—Heaven. The greatest place of Glory with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
As we approach someone about the Gospel of Christ, know that we are not alone. God is with us telling us what to say and how to do. We are more valuable in the eyes of God than sparrows. (Mt. 10:31) Therefore, if you are a child of God, be aware of the snares of Satan yet be meek and humble before all men showing the grace God bestows upon His people to a wild and wicked world.
Do you love Christ? More than father, mother, son or daughter? If you love this world and all in it—father, mother, son or daughter; lust of the flesh, pride of life—you are therefore not worthy of Christ and all his blessings. (Mt. 10:37)
This morning, take up your cross and follow after Jesus Christ; telling his good news to all the world.
