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!