2025.03.30. Sermon Notes. READY FOR ANYTHING. MATTHEW 10.1-23
CALLED, PREPARED and SENT
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: JESUS Calls and Empowers HIS disciples and sends them out as HIS Apostles with HIS Power and Authority. Called, Chosen, Commissioned and Preparation for Rejection, Opposition and Persecution.
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 10:1-26, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Matthew 19:28, Revelation 21:14, Romans 1:16, Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 50:6, Matthew 4:17, Exodus 4:10-12, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 1:3-6, Philippians 1:9-11
Matthew 10:1-26
1-4 THE TWELVE CALLED AND EMPOWERED.
1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
When He had called His twelve disciples to Him:
Jesus chose His disciples from a diversity of backgrounds and life experiences.
Common ground was that none were of high status or privilege. These were common people.
POINT: GOD uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease
Jesus not only called the 12, HE gave them POWER to accomplish what HE called them to do.
POINT: Whom GOD calls, GOD equips.
ILLUS: BGEA TVTM workers receive calls from individuals facing life issues that the worker has already been through, so the worker is equipped to help the caller.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these
These 12 apostles (not Judas) have an important place in God’s plan of redemption.
Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
NOTE: This is Matthew’s only time referring to the 12 as “apostles”.
Apostles means “One who is sent out”. Similar to Ambassador.
They are called disciples in Matthew 10:1 Disciples = followers, students;
and apostles in Matthew 10:2. Apostles = sent under/with authority.
(CLARKE) “It is worthy of notice, that those who were Christ’s apostles were first his disciples; to intimate, that men must be first taught of God, before they be sent of God.”
POINT: Called; Taught (Prepared & Equipped); Sent
5-6 WHERE TO GO
Sending Out the Twelve to the Jews of Israel Only (Mark 6:7–13; Luke 9:1–6)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
These twelve Jesus sent out:
Jesus was working the region of Galilee teaching, preaching, and helping people in need.
Sending the 12 expanded that work.
Now the work of Jesus was being done by many more than Jesus alone.
And commanded them…Do not go into the way of the Gentiles
Romans 1:16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Later, the gospel would go to both the Samaritans and the Gentiles, but it had to begin with the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The JEWS first
Who were the lost sheep of Israel?
In a sense, all of them were.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way.
But there were also lost sheep who were neglected by their spiritual shepherds, the religious leaders, priests and Pharisees.
Jeremiah 50:6 My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray.
7-8A WHAT TO DO – PREACH AND HEAL
7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8a Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
As you go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”
Jesus sends the disciples to carry his ministry message to a greater crowd.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons
Preach and heal. The disciples were given the Power of CHRIST in them to accomplish His purpose in drawing all people unto HIM.
THOUGHT: Do you believe in GOD’s power to do such miracles through His people today?
PROVISIONING
8B-15 HOW THEY WERE TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES.
8bFreely you have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
Freely you have received, freely give
JESUS expected his disciples to minister to others without charge.
This is the foundational principle for the commands that follow.
Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts
They were to expect GOD to meet their needs, without being concerned of their own needs. GOD would provide by the inspired hospitality of others.
For a worker is worthy of his food
When they encountered others, they were to work among them.
This is both spiritual and physical work. For the soul, and as unto others as yourself.
Preaching GOD’s Word. Praying for the people, and helping them with the work.
The 12 were to expect their needs to be met, but never require their needs to be met as payment.
PRINCIPLE: Freely you have received, freely give.
If the household is worthy… if it is not worthy
Those who received the disciples could expect to be blessed. (let your peace come upon it);
Those who refused the disciples would be treated as refusing the Gentile cities. (Shake off the dust from your feet) as these will face judgment if they continue to refuse CHRIST.
JESUS PREPARES THE DISCIPLES FOR PERSECUTION.
16-18 PERSECUTION WILL COME. (Mark 13:9–13; Luke 21:12–17)
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves
Jesus warns His disciples that they would face persecution.
He sent them as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves
They were vulnerable, but JESUS’ followers were not to go out with power to war or defend, they were to remain harmless as doves, though wise as serpents.
Harmless as doves. Doves are vulnerable and without defense.
Wise as serpents. Serpents are attacked by everyone, but know how to survive.
ILLUS: The best thing for a snake is a shovel right behind its head.
Serpents have learned to adapt and survive life’s perils. This is Wisdom.
(SPURGEON) “The Christian missionary will need to be wary, to avoid receiving harm; but he must be of a guileless mind, that he do no harm.”
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up
Jesus warns that men may persecute them openly in public or religious assemblies.
You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake
They would be recognized for the great influence of the Gospel.
Governors and kings would notice them – and arrest them, bringing them to trial.
For My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles
To be persecuted for Jesus’ sake, would give them a testimony (a message to tell) to their persecutors.
WHAT TO SAY
19-20 WHEN JESUS’ DISCIPLES ARE BROUGHT BEFORE RULERS, GOD WILL DEFEND AND SPEAK FOR THEM.
19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
REMEMBER: Moses and his fear of speaking?
Exodus 4:10-12 10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
11 So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
REFLECTION – Moses worried about his ability to speak and it angered the LORD, and GOD used Aaron in place of Moses. GOD still used Moses, but he definitely missed out on the full blessing that the LORD wanted for him.
POINT: How many opportunities do you miss because of fear or feeling inadequate?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
POINT: Remember. YOU CAN DO IT…through CHRIST!
But when they deliver you up.
WHEN, NOT IF. This will happen.
Do not worry about how or what you should speak
The disciples were to trust GOD to speak through them. Prepared or not.
ILLUS: “Ready or not, here I come!”
For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak
Jesus encourages them to be confident that the Spirit of the Father would give them the words to speak.
It is not you…but the SPIRIT of your FATHER who speaks IN you.
Not you, but HIS SPIRIT who speaks IN you.
POINT: Do you quiet yourself, your fears, your concerns, to listen to the VOICE of HOLY SPIRIT WHO speaks IN you? That still small voice.
And when prompted, do you allow HIS SPIRIT to manage your words when speaking with others who may have need of hearing GOD’s Voice?
POINT: People need to hear from GOD, and you may just be the mouthpiece that GOD will use to meet someone’s need or encourage them in the right direction.
21-23 THE EXTENT OF PERSECUTION.
BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND CITIES.
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Now brother will deliver up brother to death
The gospel would divide family members.
And cause them to be put to death
Jesus points out that persecution can result in death.
POINT: We see it in our world today as millions have given their lives to be found faithful to JESUS.
You will be hated by all for My name’s sake
POINT: Even today, there is hatred in our world for Christians, followers of CHRIST.
But there are also times that people have turned against Christians, and the church due to a false gospel message.
Example: Prosperity Gospel – If you do this, you’ll get that, and then THAT never happens.
But he who endures to the end will be saved
REQUIRED: COMMIT to endure to the end. Those who endure will overcome.
I’m reminded of my prior SERMON TITLE “You Can’t Overcome Unless You Endure.”
As we encounter the difficult things in life, we must stand firm in CHRIST to endure, and eventually will overcome. The Victory comes IN CHRIST JESUS.
When they persecute you in this city, flee to another
Jesus told His disciples that it was wrong for them to entertain martyrdom.
They were NOT to run Towards the Persecution.
If they could flee to another place, they were to do it.
You will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes
This is a difficult statement to understand.
MY TAKE: JESUS, the Son of Man has arrived. The disciples had not yet gone to the cities of Israel without JESUS coming first.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
What is the HOLY SPIRIT showing you in this Passage?
How does that apply to your life?
CLOSING PRAYER
Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Pastor Bill
