Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we are going to take a few minutes to talk about the privilege we have in receiving Jesus, the responsibility we carry in representing Him, and the reward we can anticipate in serving Him.

Let's read our passage together. Matthew 10:40-42 says:

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.

Receiving Jesus

Receiving Jesus into our lives means we accept His teachings and His way of life. It also means welcoming the very presence of God Himself. This is a privilege that is beyond measure, and one that should never be taken lightly.

One of the most significant aspects of this privilege is the fact that we are granted access to a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. In the Old Testament, the presence of God was often experienced in a limited and distant way. The Israelites could only approach God through the high priest, who would enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. However, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have been given direct access to the Father. As the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:18, "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." This is an incredible privilege that we should never take for granted.

Another privilege in receiving Jesus is the transformation that takes place in our lives. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are not only forgiven of our sins but also given a new nature. The apostle Paul describes this transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:17, saying, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This new nature is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we will see these qualities increasingly manifest in our lives, reflecting the character of Christ Himself.

The privilege of receiving Jesus also extends to the gifts and abilities that He bestows upon us through His Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul writes about the various spiritual gifts that are given to believers for the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. These gifts, which include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, are not given for our own personal gain but rather for the benefit of others and the glory of God. As we receive Jesus and grow in our relationship with Him, we should be mindful of the gifts He has given us and seek to use them in service to His kingdom.

In addition to the personal transformation and spiritual gifts that come with receiving Jesus, we are also granted the privilege of being part of a global community of believers. The church, which is the body of Christ, is made up of individuals from every nation, tribe, and language, united by their faith in Jesus. As members of this community, we are called to support, encourage, and edify one another in our walk with Christ. This privilege of fellowship with other believers is a precious gift. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we are exhorted to "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Representing Jesus

As believers, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, reflecting His character and love to the world around us ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO