Matthew 10:16–31 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Review…
- FIRST – The Presentation of the King – Matthew 1-7
- SECOND – The Ministry of the King – Matthew 8-18
- Twelve Men…
  - Jesus had just finished saying – PRAY the Lord send workers into His HARVEST…
  - And the very next thing He did – was PRAY who to send to reach the LOST…
  - He chose TWELVE men – the APOSTLES – and SENT them out to preach the Gospel!
- Sending the Apostles…
  - Jesus sent them to the Lost sheep of Israel – into their neighborhood…
  - There were NOT to charge for their message – FREELY they had received – FREELY give…
  - But they were also NOT to bring anything with them – no MONEY – extra CLOTHES…
  - Because God was the one who SENT them – and He would provide for ALL their needs!
- Sowing Seed…
  - When they came into a CITY – they were to inquire who was WORTHY [open to the Gospel]
  - Those who were HUNGRY – they were to stay and DISCIPLE…
  - If they were REJECTED – they were to KICK off the DUST – and move on!
1^st – Persecution is coming… vs. 16-23
- 1^st – Behold… vs. 16
  - Wolves…
    - Behold – I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves!
    - Having given instructions to the TWELVE as He sent them out into the Harvest…
    - Jesus turns to a hard truth – they will be PERSECUTED for the Gospel…
    - LOOK [imperative] – they needed to KNOW who they were being sent [ἀποστέλλω] into…
    - They were SHEEP – going out to share the LOVE of God – with WOLVES…
    - They were PREY being sent by God into the midst of PREDATORS!
    - I heard a missionary once share how he was excited to go onto the mission field…
    - He thought of the world as LOST sheep – that just needed to meet the Good Shepherd…
    - Assuming once he gave them the Gospel – they would gratefully receive Jesus…
    - But when he arrived – what he found was CALLOUS sinners – who did NOT want the truth…
    - He was not going to reach SHEEP – he had been sent into a pack of hungry WOLVES!
  - Serpents…
    - Therefore be wise as serpents!
    - Therefore – knowing WHO they were being sent to share the Gospel with [wolves]
    - They had to [imperative] be as SMART [wise] as the [ὁ] SERPENTS…
    - SERPENT [ὄφις] – referring back to the GARDEN of Eden [satan] – I Corinthians 11:3
    - There are not that many LIES the SERPENT uses to deceive…
    - He tries to get people to live for this life [bread] – rather than for God – Matthew 4:3
    - He tries to get people to QUESTION the WORD of God – Matthew 4:6
    - He tries to convince people that his way is better – Matthew 4:9
    - We need to KNOW how our enemy works – we need to be as WISE as he is…
    - Because the world has been DECEIVED – they are BLINDED by the god of this world…
    - But they are NOT our enemy – they are deceived by the ENEMY…
    - We have been sent to set them FREE from his POWER!
  - Doves…
    - Harmless as doves!
    - HARMLESS [ἀκέραιος] – to be PURE – not compromised by this world…
    - DOVE – referring back to the Baptism of Jesus – the Holy Spirit – Matthew 3:16
    - If SHEEP went out in their own STRENGTH – to reach WOLVES – it would not end well…
    - But the TWELVE were being SENT out in the POWER of the HOLY Spirit!
    - If we have 1000 watt light bulb – it has the potential to LIGHT up a dark room…
    - But unless we plug it into the wall – give it POWER – it does NOT give off light!
    - When was the last time we shared Jesus with someone – told them the Good News…
    - We may NEVER have told anyone – because we have no POWER!
    - We are called to be a light in a dark world – Matthew 5:14
    - But we need the Holy Spirit to LIGHT us up – give us the POWER to shine for Jesus!
  - Rhinoceros…
    - I had a pastor once tell me he likes to add one more ANIMAL to this list…
    - We are SHEEP who are SENT to free the WOLVES from the SNAKE by the power of the DOVE…
    - But we need the skin of a RHINOCEROS – because we are going to get HIT!
- 2^nd – Beware… vs. 17-20 [also Mark 13:9-13 – Luke 21:12-17]
  - Scourged… vs. 17
    - Beware of men – for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues!
    - Jesus continued by telling the TWELVE what the WOLVES would do to them…
    - BEWARE [imperative] – because men would have them ARRESTED [deliver]
    - They would turn them over to the SANHEDRIN [counsel] – highest court of the Jews…
    - They would SCOURGE [beat] them in their SYNAGOGUES!
    - When Peter and John were arrested by the SANHEDRIN [for a second time]
    - They were BEATEN [flayed] and told to NOT speak in the name of Jesus – Acts 5:40
    - But the APOSTLES rejoiced – because this is exactly what Jesus said would happen!
    - Acts 5:42 – “[And] they did not stop teaching and preaching Jesus!”
  - Judged… vs. 18
    - You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake.
    - As a testimony to them and to the Gentiles!
    - It would not be limited to just the JEWS – they would stand before GENTILES [ἔθνος]
    - They were to use it as the opportunity to give their TESTIMONY…
    - TESTIMONY [μαρτύριον] – where we get the word MARTYR [die for our faith]!
    - This is the progression we see in the life of the Apostle Paul…
    - When he was FIRST arrested – he was first taken before the SANHEDRIN – Acts 23:1
    - THEN he was taken before GOVERNORS [Felix and Festus] – Acts 24-25
    - FINALLY he was taken before KINGS [Agrippa and Caesar Nero] – Acts 26-28
    - But every time he used it as an opportunity to PREACH Jesus to the NATIONS…
    - Even though it ultimately costs him his life [Nero] – II Timothy 4:6
  - Do not worry… vs. 19-20
    - 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.
    - For it is not you who speak – but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you!
    - When they were ARRESTED [passive] – they were NOT to THINK about what to SAY…
    - Because in the HOUR they needed it – God would give [indicative] them the WORDS…
    - The HOLY Spirit [of the Father] – would be the one who would SPEAK through them!
    - The FIRST time Peter and John were ARRESTED [healing lame man]
    - Peter – FULL of the HOLY Spirit – stood up before the SANHEDRIN [counsel]
    - And BOLDLY told them – Jesus whom they CRUCIFIED – was the ONLY way to be SAVED!
    - Acts 4:13 – “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John – and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men – they marveled. They realized that they had been with Jesus.”
    - When the WOLVES attack – we do NOT need to worry…
    - Because we already KNOW how they will RESPOND – they will try and SILENCE us…
    - But we are instead to use the opportunity to be share our TESTIMONY with them…
    - And we do NOT need to prepare our message – or THINK about what to SAY…
    - Because it will NOT come from us – in that moment the SPIRIT will speak through us!
- 3^rd – Endure… vs. 21-22
  - Family feud… vs. 21
    - Now brother will deliver up brother to death – and a father his child.
    - Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death!
    - It will NOT just be POLITICIANS who will ATTACK…
    - BROTHERS would turn on each other – have them ARRESTED and sentenced to DEATH…
    - FATHERS would turn on their CHILDREN – CHILDREN on their PARENTS!
    - Matthew 10:36 – “A mans enemies will be those of his own household.”
    - If a stranger tells me to STOP talking about Jesus – I can easily IGNORE him…
    - I may NEVER see that person again – I do not have to LIVE with them…
    - But one of the hardest places to stand for Jesus is with FAMILY!
  - Hated by all… vs. 22
    - You will be hated by all for My names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved!
    - Jesus then make the broad statement – EVERYONE [πᾶς] would hate [passive] them…
    - NOT because of WHO they were – but because of the NAME of Jesus…
    - Yet those who ABIDE [ὑπομένω] to the END will be [indicative] SAVED!
    - Knowing what is coming – being SENT out into the HARVEST might seem like a bad idea…
    - We are NOT going to reach people who want the TRUTH…
    - We are being SENT into a world that HATES Jesus – and will HATE us because of Him…
    - But we can be a LIGHT to the world – as we CLING [abide] to Jesus – John 15:5
    - Knowing we are giving people the ONLY answer – the ONE way to be SAVED!
    - Acts 4:12 – “There is no other name under heaven… by which we must be saved.”
- 4^th – Flee… vs. 23
  - Persecution…
    - When they persecute you in this city – flee to another.
    - The TWELVE were NOT to stick around if there was PERSECUTION…
    - The had to [imperative] FLEE to a different [ἄλλος] city…
    - Because PERSECUTION was a proof people were NOT open to the GOSPEL…
    - Therefore – they were to kick the DUST off their FEET – Matthew 10:14
  - Jesus is coming…
    - Assuredly I say – will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes!
    - But Jesus gave them an incredible PROMISE – they would NOT go alone…
    - AMEN [ἀμήν] – the TWELVE would NEVER [οὐ μὴ subjunctive] get to EVERY city in Israel…
    - Before Jesus had come to JOIN them in sharing the Gospel!
    - Matthew 11:1 – “When Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples – HE departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.”
    - Jesus calls us to go out and to SHARE the Gospel – KNOWING it will be hard…
    - But He does NOT ask us to go alone – He is ALWAYS there with us…
    - Meaning – the safest place we can be – is out sharing the LOVE of God along with Him!
    - Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always – even to the end of the age.”
2^nd – Do not Fear… vs. 24-31
- 1^st – Name calling… vs. 24-25
  - Not greater… vs. 24-25
    - A disciple is not above his teacher – nor a servant above his master.
    - It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher – and a servant like his master!
    - Having told the TWELVE what would happen as they were SENT into the HARVEST…
    - Jesus went on to tell them WHY everyone would HATE them…
    - A DISCIPLE – SERVANT [them] was NOT greater than the TEACHER – MASTER [Jesus]
    - They should EXPECT people to treat them – the same way they treated Jesus!
  - The Lord…
    - If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub.
    - Jesus is the MASTER of the house – He is the creator of all Heaven and Earth – John 1:3
    - But the Jews had already called the MASTER – the LORD of the FLIES [בַּעַל זְבוּב]
    - Two thoughts behind the meaning of the name Beelzebub…
    - FIRST – Beelzebub was worshiped by the Philistines as a god of healing – II Kings 1:2
    - People who had open sores and wounds – would attract FLIES…
    - Beelzebub could command the FLIES to leave – taking away the sickness!
    - SECOND – God gave the name Beelzebub to the gods of the Philistines as an insult ….
    - FLIES are synonymous with manure – they hang around piles of it…
    - Beelzebub was a pile of a manure – and his worshipers the FLIES that stuck to him!
  - The Servants…
    - How much more will they call those of his household!
    - If the world is willing to call the MASTER Beelzebub – what will they call His SERVANTS!
    - If a THIEF is trying to break into a house to STEAL…
    - And someone SHINES a flashlight on the THIEF – he is not just angry at the LIGHT…
    - He also gets upset at the person HOLDING the LIGHT that is revealing his SIN!
    - The world hates Jesus because He convicts the world of their SIN…
    - Because men LOVE [ἀγαπάω] sin – they hate the LIGHT – John 3:19-20
    - And since we are carrying the LIGHT that they HATE – they also HATE us…
    - Being the FRIEND of Jesus – means being an ENEMY of this world!
    - John 15:18-19 – “If the world hates you – know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world – the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world – but I chose you out of the world – therefore the world hates you.”
- 2^nd – Preach the Truth… vs. 26-27 [also Luke 12:3-7]
  - Nothing hidden… vs. 26
    - Therefore do not fear them.
    - For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed – and hidden that will not be known!
    - Therefore – since they KNEW why the WORLD would hate them [hate the LIGHT]
    - They were NOT [imperative] to fear men – they were to FEAR for them…
    - Because there is NO secret – nothing HIDDEN [no sin] – that will not be REVEALED…
    - REVEALED [ἀποκαλύπτω] – where we get the word APOCALYPSE!
    - One day ALL will stand before the throne of God to be judged – Revelation 20:11-12
    - There will be TWO sets of books opened – the BOOKS and the book of LIFE…
    - If our name is found written in the book of LIFE – then we are saved…
    - If not then the BOOKS are opened – and we are judged according to what God KNOWS!
    - Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
- Into the Light… vs. 27
  - - Whatever I tell you in the dark – speak in the light.
    - And what you hear in the ear – preach on the housetops!
    - Rather than being AFRAID – the TWELVE were to PREACH [imperative]
    - Whatever Jesus had said to them in SECRET [dark] – they must speak in the OPEN [light]
    - Whatever was WHISPERED in their ear – they must PREACH on the rooftops!
    - There is only one way to be SAVED – faith comes by HEARING the WORD – Romans 10:17
    - We come to CHURCH – and we HEAR the WORD of God…
    - But people who do NOT come to church – do NOT know what the Bible says…
    - Therefore – when we leave CHURCH – we need to PROCLAIM what we have HEARD!
- 3^rd – Who to Fear… vs. 28
  - Not men…
    - Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
    - The TWELVE were NOT [imperative] FEAR those who could kill their BODY…
    - Because men do NOT have the POWER [δύναμαι] to kill the SOUL!
    - When STEVEN was being stoned to death – he was NOT afraid…
    - Instead he prayed for those who MURDERED him…
    - Because he knew where he was going [heaven] – and he wanted them to come too!
    - Acts 7:60 – “Lord – do not hold this sin against them!” [NIV]
    - The WORST thing someone could do to us – is send us to HEAVEN…
    - And that is NOT something we should be AFRAID of!
  - Fear God…
    - But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell!
    - Who they should FEAR was God – He has the POWER [δύναμαι] to DESTROY [ἀπόλλυμι]
    - He can kill the BODY – and send the SOUL to hell [γέεννα]
    - [γέεννα] – or the Valley of Hinnom – the southern valley of Jerusalem…
    - Where King Manasseh sacrificed children to the God Molech – II Kings 23:10
    - The valley was turned into a dump – where trash was cast out and burned…
    - Jesus uses the Valley as a picture for the Lake of Fire – final destination of who reject God!
    - The world today IGNORES the Bible – because they do not FEAR the Lord…
    - They do not FEAR the judgment seat – they do not FEAR the Lake of fire [eternal separation]
    - But there are only TWO kinds of people when it comes to God…
    - Those who FEAR the Lord and come to Jesus – and those who do NOT…
    - For those who REJECT Jesus – all that awaits them is certain and terrifying judgment!
    - Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…”
- 4^th – More valuable… vs. 29-31
  - Two sparrows… vs. 29
    - Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?
    - And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Fathers will!
    - Sparrows [small birds] were used by the POOR as a sacrifice – Leviticus 5:11
    - The reason is because they were CHEAP to buy – TWO for peso [οστάσιον]
    - Yet not ONE sparrow DIES [falls] – apart from the WILL of the FATHER!
  - Hairs on your head… vs. 30
    - The very hairs of your head are all numbered!
    - The Father also COUNTED every hair on their heads…
    - Admittedly – that is an easier job for some of us than others!
  - Do not fear… vs. 31
    - Do not fear therefore! You are of more value than many sparrows!
    - But SINCE God watches over SPARROW – and counts HAIRS…
    - How much more would He take care of the TWELVE!
    - Being called out into the HARVEST is not EASY…
    - We are SENT out into a world that HATES the LIGHT [sheep among wolves]
    - But people need to HEAR the TRUTH – they need to KNOW the LOVE of God…
    - And as much as we might SUFFER for sharing the GOSPEL…
    - We have NOTHING to FEAR – because Jesus is with us…
    - And the God who watches over SPARROWS and HAIRS – will take care of us!