Go! And Be Filled With the Father’s Spirit - Matthew 10:20
INTRODUCTION — GRIPPED BY A PROMISE IN A HOSTILE WORLD
Have you ever found yourself in a moment where you simply did not have the words? You stood there — in a hospital corridor, in a workplace confrontation, at a family tension point — and your heart said, “Lord, I have nothing.”
Jesus looks at His disciples in Matthew 10, a chapter full of warnings about persecution, hostility, betrayal, and suffering… and He gives them one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture.
Before the world threatens, Jesus assures. Before the opposition rises, Jesus supplies.
And the promise is this:
MATTHEW 10:20 (NLT): “For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Jesus sends His disciples out with a commission — Go! And… speak with the Father’s authority.
This promise was spoken to ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances — and it is still true for disciples of Jesus today.
Let us walk through this glorious verse, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through the Scriptures, to strengthen us, equip us, and send us.
I. THE CONTEXT — PERSECUTION, PRESSURE, AND PROVIDENCE
Matthew 10 is Jesus’ missionary discourse — His training manual for disciples.
The Setting
Jesus has just called the Twelve (Matt. 10:1–4) and now sends them into an environment filled with wolves (v. 16), courts (v. 17), hatred (v. 22), betrayal (v. 21), slander (v. 25), and fear (v. 26–31).
The Theology
Jesus is telling His disciples: “You will be opposed. But you will not be abandoned.”
They are to go in weakness so that the Father’s Spirit will be clearly seen in them.
The Word Study — ‘Spirit’
The Greek word used here is p?e?µa (pneuma) — spirit, breath, wind.
It is the same root used in Genesis 2:7 (Hebrew: ruach, “breath of God”), when God breathes life into Adam.
The same God who breathed physical life into humanity now breathes spiritual boldness into His children.
God does not send you where the Spirit will not empower you.
II. MAIN POINT 1 — GO! AND… TRUST THE FATHER’S SPIRIT TO SPEAK THROUGH YOU
Jesus says: “not you…. the Spirit of your Father.”
This is relational. Tender. Intimate.
Jesus could have said “God’s Spirit” — and that would be glorious —
but He says: “the Spirit of your Father.”
Acts 4:13 (NLT): “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures.”
Context: The apostles have just faced threats.
Theology: Ordinary men, extraordinary Spirit.
Application: God delights in using the unimpressive — so that the impressive power belongs only to Him.
Charles Stanley: “Obedience always brings divine empowerment.”
Stanley reminds us that God never calls without equipping, never commands without supplying. When we obey Jesus and go, the Spirit fills the gap between our weakness and God’s purpose.
III. MAIN POINT 2 — GO! AND… SPEAK WHAT THE SPIRIT GIVES, NOT WHAT FEAR DEMANDS
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT): “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Word Study — “Fear” (de???a?, deilias)
This refers to cowardice, shrinking back, abandoning conviction under pressure.
The Spirit does not produce cowardice — He produces courage anchored in Christ.
Timothy served in Ephesus, a city filled with occultism, idolatry, emperor worship, and hostility toward Christianity. Timothy was timid — Paul tells him the source of his courage is not personality but the Spirit.
When the secular workplace pressures you…
When society mocks Christian convictions…
When family members misunderstand your faith…
You can still stand and speak — because the Spirit speaks through you.
John Piper: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
Fear grows when we are more concerned with outcomes than obedience. Piper reminds us that the Spirit gives courage when Christ is our treasure. When Jesus is enough, fear loses its grip.
IV. MAIN POINT 3 — GO! AND… EXPECT THE SPIRIT TO GIVE YOU WORDS OF LIFE
Luke 12:11–12 (NLT): “And when you are brought to trial… don’t worry… For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
Theological Insight
The Spirit not only strengthens —
He teaches.
He guides.
He forms the words that point to Jesus.
John 14:26 (NLT): “…the Holy Spirit… will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Word Study — “Teach” (d?d??e?, didaxei)
Means to instruct, enlighten, shape understanding.
The Spirit shapes your speech so your words reflect Jesus’ heart.
You may feel unprepared…
You may feel inadequate…
But the Spirit is never unprepared.
And the Spirit is never inadequate.
Max Lucado: “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”
Lucado points our attention back to the heart of grace. Our calling relies not on our competence but on Christ’s sufficiency. God equips those who step out in obedience.
V. ILLUSTRATIONS TO DEEPEN THE HEART CONNECTION
The Wind and the Sail
A sailboat cannot move by effort alone. The sailors may adjust the ropes, check the mast, prepare the vessel — but without wind, they remain still.
The Holy Spirit is the wind.
You are the sail.
Obedience lifts the sail.
The Spirit provides the movement.
The Courtroom Witness
Imagine a witness on the stand, terrified. Suddenly, the defence attorney quietly approaches and says:
“Just speak what I whisper to you — I’ll guide every word.”
That is exactly what Jesus promises in Matthew 10:20.
You are not alone on the stand of life — the Spirit is whispering the Father’s words into your heart.
VI. THE GOSPEL — WHY THE SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH US
Church, this promise — “the Spirit will speak through you” — is possible only because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Because Jesus died, we are forgiven.
Because Jesus was buried, our past is buried.
Because Jesus rose again, we are filled with resurrection life.
The Spirit speaks through us because:
Jesus washed us clean by His blood.
Jesus reconciled us to the Father.
Jesus gives the Spirit to those who belong to Him.
You cannot have the Spirit of the Father without being a child of the Father.
And you cannot become a child of the Father without trusting in Jesus the Son.
VII. CALL TO ACTION — GO! AND… SPEAK BY THE SPIRIT
What does this mean for us today?
1. Step into obedience
Don’t wait until you “feel ready.”
Lift the sail — the Spirit will move.
2. Open your mouth for Christ
At work, at home, with friends, with strangers — speak the hope you have in Jesus.
3. Reject fear
Fear is not from the Spirit — courage is.
4. Stay filled with the Spirit
Daily prayer, daily Scripture, daily surrender.
VIII. INVITATION TO SALVATION
Perhaps today you realise: “I don’t have this Spirit… because I don’t yet truly belong to Jesus.”
Friend, today can be your day of salvation.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins.
He took your punishment.
He rose again, conquering death.
He offers forgiveness, eternal life, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
If you will repent — turn from sin — and trust in Jesus as Saviour and Lord,
the Spirit of the Father will come to live in you.
Pray today:
“Lord Jesus, forgive me. Save me. Make me Yours. Fill me with Your Spirit.”
He will not turn you away.
BENEDICTION / EXHORTATION:
May the Spirit of your Father fill you, strengthen you, embolden you, and speak through you as you go into this week.
Go — in the power of the Spirit.
Go — in the authority of Jesus.
Go — and speak the Father’s words.
Amen.
