IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES FOR THOSE WHO MINISTER
THE NEED
Matthew 9:35-38 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.38 “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
1. The need for INSIGHT
2. The need for INTERCESSION
3. The need for INVOLVEMENT
THE QUALIFICATIONS
Matthew 10:1-4 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 Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.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.
The Twelve
1. Peter - a reed (easily swayed)
2. Andrew - a believer
3. James - judgmental abused
4. John - judgmental abused
5. Philip - a seeker
6. Bartholomew(Nathaniel)- religious
7. Thomas - doubter
8. Matthew - tax collector
9. James son of Alphaeus - changeable
10. Thaddaeus - an outsider
11. Simon the Canaanite - a rebel (Zealot)
12. Judas Iscariot - a traitor
Twelve different people. Twelve histories. Each person with his or her own issues and problems in life. Each with their own negative character points.
Despite their past they followed Jesus.
Their qualifications
1. Called
2. Given authority
3. Sent
THE INSTRUCTIONS
Matthew 10:5-42
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:
1. Be Dependant Upon God (16a) Sheep among wolves need a Shepherd
2. Be aware of your weaknesses and face them with innocence (16b) Give no foothold for the enemy
3. Be calm (19-20) It is God speaking through you
4. Be persistent (22-23) Persistence wins not perfection
5. Be like Jesus (24-25) Do what Jesus did – you are in it for Jesus
6. Be fearless (26-31) Of attacks, conflicts, warfare, failure
7. Be spiritually minded (32) When we confess Him He confesses us
8. Be willing to put God first (37-39) Value our relationship with God
Matthew 10:40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
