Matthew 10
Jesus gives authority to HIS disciples verse 1
And when HE had CALLED unto HIM HIS twelve disciples
HE gave them POWER against unclean spirits – to cast them out
and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease
Jesus lists HIS disciples verse 2- 4
NOW the names of the twelve apostles are these:
The first – Simon – who is called Peter – and Andrew his brother
James the son of Zebedee – and John his brother
Philip – Bartholomew – Thomas – Matthew – the publican
James – son of Alphaeus – Lebbeus- whose surname was Thaddeus
Simon – the Canaanite
Judas Iscariot – who also betrayed HIM
Instructions for outreach: Only Jews verse 5- 8
THESE twelve Jesus sent forth – and commanded them – saying
Go not into the way of the Gentiles – and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not
BUT go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel
And as you go – preach saying
The kingdom of heaven is at hand
heal the sick – cleanse the lepers – raise the dead – cast out devils
freely you have received – freely give
Instructions for outreach: No extras verse 9- 10
Provide neither gold – nor silver – nor brass in your purses
nor script for your journey – neither two coats – neither shoes – nor yet staves
for the workman is worthy of his meat
Instructions for outreach: No money for lodging verse 11- 13
AND into whatsoever city or town you shall enter – inquire who in it is worthy
and there abide till you go thence
AND when you come into a house – salute it
and IF the house be worthy – let your peace come upon it
BUT IF it be not worthy – let your peace return to you
Instructions for outreach: Message received or rejected verse 14- 15
AND whosoever shall not receive you – nor hear your words
WHEN you depart out of that house or city – shake off the dust of your feet
Verily I say unto you
It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the
day of judgment – than for that city
Instructions for outreach: Warning about reception verse 16- 20
BEHOLD I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves
be you therefore wise as serpents – and harmless as doves
BUT beware of men – FOR they will deliver you up to the councils
and they will scourge you in their synagogues
and you shall be brought before governors and kings
for MY sake for a testimony against them and the Gentiles
BUT WHEN they deliver you up – take no thought how or what you shall speak
for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak
FOR it is not you that speak
BUT the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you
Instructions for outreach: Warning about family verse 21- 23
AND the brother shall deliver up the brother to death – and the
father the child and the children shall rise up against their parents
and cause them to be put to death
AND you shall be hated of all men for MY name’s sake
but he that endures to the end shall be saved
BUT when they persecute you in this city – flee you into another
for verily I say unto you
You shall not have gone over the cities of Israel
till the Son of man be come
Instructions for outreach: Warning about name calling verse 24- 25
The disciple is not above his master – nor the servant above his lord
it is enough for the disciple that he be as his master – and the
servant as his lord
IF they have called the MASTER of the house Beelzebub
HOW much more shall they call them of HIS household?
Instructions for outreach: Message will be given by Jesus verse 26- 27
FEAR them not therefore – FOR there is nothing covered – that shall
not be revealed and hid – that shall not be known
WHAT I tell you in darkness – that speak ye in light
and WHAT you hear in the ear – that preach you upon the housetops
Instructions for outreach: Don’t worry about death verse 28- 31
AND FEAR not them which kill the body – but are not able to kill the
soul BUT rather FEAR HIM – which is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell
Are not two sparrow sold for a farthing?
and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father
BUT the very hairs of your head are all numbered
FEAR you not therefore – YOU are of more value than many sparrows
Instructions for outreach: Confession of Christ necessary verse 32- 33
WHOSOEVER therefore shall CONFESS ME before men
him will I CONFESS also before MY Father which is in heaven
BUT WHOSOEVER shall DENY ME before men
him will I also DENY before MY Father which is in heaven
Christ is sending us with a sword: The Word of God verse 34
THINK not that I am come to send peace on earth
I came not to send peace – BUT a sword
Priorities defined verse 35- 39
FOR I am come to set a man at variance against his father
and the daughter against her mother
and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law
AND a man’s foes shall be they of his own household
he that loves father or mother more than ME is not worthy of
ME and he that loves son or daughter more than ME is not worthy of ME
And he that takes not his cross – and follows after ME – is not worthy of ME
he that finds his life shall lose it and he that loses his life for MY sake shall find it
Rewards coming for faithful verse 40- 42
He that receives you receives ME
and he that receives ME receives HIM that sent ME
He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a
prophet’s reward and he that receives a righteous man
in the name of a righteous man shall
receive a righteous man’s reward
AND whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a
cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple
VERILY I say unto you – he shall in no wise lose his reward
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And when HE had called to HIM HIS twelve disciples, HE gave them power
against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease. (1849 “power” [exousia] means authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength, the ability or strength with which one is endued, of authority
to manage domestic affairs, or supernatural power.)
DEVOTION: Jesus gave HIS disciple’s power over those angels that had fallen with the devil when pride took hold of him before the creation of the world. We are told that one-third of the angels fell with the devil. The devil was one of the Cherubim that protected the honor of the LORD. Two good Cherubim were set at the entrance of the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve fell, so that, they would not enter the Garden again and eat of the tree of life.
Now we find that the devil has been removed from heaven and is in control of an army of angels who want to disrupt those who would preach the kingdom of heaven. The disciples were going to be sent out to preach the message of salvation to the children of Israel. Jesus wanted them to know that the Messiah was come. HE wanted them to know the truth concerning HIS purpose for coming.
One of the challenges the disciples were going to run into is people who were possessed with evil spirits or angels. They would have power to cast out the evil spirits. They would have the same power that Christ manifested while they watched HIM do the same thing.
They would also have power to heal those who were sick.
Why did Christ give them this power? The people understood that Christ had this power and if HIS disciples had the same power they knew that they were true followers of HIM. People understood power.
Today we have more power available to us than even the twelve disciples. Our authority comes from the Word of God. We have more revelation than the disciples had when they were with Christ. We have more instructions than they had. The Holy Spirit has been given to give us the authority to be more than conquerors.
Can every Christian cast out demons today? Is it advisable? The power is available but must not be used for personal gain. The church is the instrument that the LORD uses today to face these issues. The elders of the church are to be the ones who are called to deal with these issues.
CHALLENGE: Follow the instruction of the book of James in this area.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed HIM. (3860 “betrayed”
[paradidomi] means to deliver up, be arrested, to hand over, to surrender someone or something to another, or with notion of treachery.)
DEVOTION: Here we are introduced to a man who will spend a little over three years with Jesus. He will listen to HIM preach. HE will witness HIS power of the demons. HE will witness HIS confronting the Pharisees and Sadducees about their teaching the traditions of men over the commands of the LORD. He will have control over the money that people gave to Jesus to support HIS ministry.
Yet we find that he is the one who betrayed Jesus. He turned HIM over to the false religious leaders because he became disillusioned with some of the statements Jesus made about HIS death and resurrection. He thought he was following someone who was going to be a king right away. He thought that he was going to have control over all the money of the nation.
So we can have someone who followed Jesus for three and a half years who really wasn’t a believer but was in it for the money and fame. This can happen even today. There are people attending church to see what they can get out of it rather than what they can give to the LORD. They are not followers of the LORD but just people who attend a church to see what they can get out of the church. When the going gets tough they just disappear from the scene.
Many in the pews of the churches of all nations are in them to not listen and learn but to see what they can personally gain from attending. They are not servants but one of the wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are causing more problems in the church sometimes by spreading discontent. Make sure you are not just someone in church looking to just get what you can from the church or the church people but one who will give your all to see the work of Christ move forward in your community.
CHALLENGE: Don’t be one who gives the world cause to laugh at the church.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (2040 “workman” [ergates] means doer, or laborer who is paid.)
DEVOTION: Who was the first worker? It was the Godhead in creation. First they created the angels. Second they created the world. Third they created mankind.
After they created man/woman they told them their responsibility was to take care of the Garden of Eden. They were responsible for the care. After the fall they were going to have to work harder to produce the food they were going to eat.
The responsibility of mankind since the fall is to work for a living. They had nothing given to them. They either worked or they didn’t eat. That was the way the LORD wanted it to be for humans.
Here we find the LORD Jesus Christ sending out HIS disciples on a missions trip to preach the message HE had given them. They were not to take anything extra with them. They were to have their needs provided by those they preached to in the city they were in. Their lodging was going to be provided by people who were willing to listen to their message. If they didn’t listen they were to wipe their feet as a symbol of the city receiving a curse from God.
Now this is how the LORD wanted it to be so that they learned that everything they received was from the LORD. They were learning to trust the LORD for each meal and each night of lodging. It was a lesson we are to learn today.
We are commanded to serve the LORD first. Our income comes from our avocation rather than our occupation. Our occupation is being a servant of the LORD. Our avocation is the gift or talent HE has given us to earn an income to support our family. Ultimately HE wants us to know that HE is the one providing the job for us. If we lose our job HE will continue to provide for us if we are working for HIM.
There are many lazy people in our churches who expect to do nothing and the LORD will bless them. They are wrong. God does not bless laziness. HE blesses those who are first serving HIM and then going to work at the job HE provides to earn the money HE knows they need. HE will keep HIM promise of provision, if we keep our promise to serve HIM first.
Those who are called to full time ministry will receive the wages HE provides to them through their local ministry. If they do not work, they should not expect to be paid. If they are not preaching the right message HE will judge them for leading HIS people astray.
CHALLENGE: Trust in the LORD to provide your every need as you work to advance HIS kingdom. If HIS kingdom is not growing right it is because HIS laborers are not doing it right.
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: 38 And he that taketh not up his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. (514 “worthy” [axios] means valuable, weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, befitting, or due reward.
DEVOTION: Jesus is selecting HIS disciples. HE is sending them out on a mission. HE is giving them instructions regarding what to take and who to stay with and what they are to do regarding the people they meet. This is their first trial by fire.
HE also mentions that there is a responsibility of taking up a cross. The Jews did not use crucifixion to deal with their prisoners who deserved death. The Romans used this method. Here HE was instructing them in the fact that when they were followers of HIM it was to the death. They were going to be walking to their death as HIS servants.
This Greek word is mentioned seven times in this chapter. It is mentioned first in relation to a workmen being valuable because of his work and therefore deserves to eat food. Secondly, it is concerned about a city being valuable regarding its acceptance of the message the disciples were to preach. Thirdly, it is concerned about a house being valuable because one of the disciples would be able to stay there while he preached the message to the city. Fourthly, a disciple was considered valuable if he loved the LORD more than his parents. Fifthly, a disciple was considered valuable if he loved the LORD more than his children. Finally, a disciple was considered valuable if he was willing to take up his cross or burden and follow the LORD.
The LORD does seem to lead HIS disciples through some strange paths in his lifetime. Some of the paths we are led to follow seem to be going in the wrong direction from our perspective but we need to remember that if the LORD is leading – it is the right direction for our lives. When we follow, love and work for the LORD we are considered of great value to HIM.
How valuable do we feel today? Are we more valuable than the sparrows? My wife likes this comparison. She feels the LORD is telling us that we are more valuable and therefore HE is going to walk with us through any trial HE sends our way. Trust in the LORD with all our hearts!!!
If it comes to the point in this country where we have to stand up and be counted as followers of HIM, HE will be by our side and give us just the right words to say to those who are against us and HIM.
CHALLENGE: Remember just how valuable we are in the work of the LORD. We are more valuable than the birds of the field. HE provides us with all our needs to represent HIM.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Synagogues verse 17
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead) verse 20, 29, 32, 33
Fear HIM which is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell verse 28
Father in heaven verse 33
Father sent the Son verse 40
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesus verse 5
I send you (disciples) as sheep in midst of wolves verse 16
Come to set a man at variance against
His father and daughter against her
Mother and daughter in law against
Her mother in law verse 17
Son of man returns verse 23
Master of the house verse 25
I will confess those who confess me
before MY Father which is in heaven verse 32
Those that deny ME before men – I will deny
before MY Father verse 33
Not peace but sword verse 34
He that receives ME receives HIM that sent
ME verse 40
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spirit verse 20
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Beelzebub (evil angel) verse 25
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Gentiles verse 5, 18
Samaritans – their cities disciples were not
to enter verse 5
Sodom verse 15
Gomorrha verse 15
Governors verse 18
Kings verse 18
Disciple verse 25
Servant verse 25
Lord verse 25
Hairs of your head are all numbered verse 30
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Unclean spirits verse 1
Publican verse 3
Betrayed verse 4
Not worthy verse 13
Not receive disciples verse 14
Not receive message verse 14
Deliver you up to the councils verse 17
Scourged disciples in synagogues verse 17
Not take up cross of Christ verse 18
Brother will deliver up brother verse 21
Father will deliver up children verse 21
Children will deliver up parents verse 21
Hate verse 22
Deny Christ verse 33
Loves father or mother more than Jesus verse 37, 38
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Called verse 1
Power verse 1
Heal verse 1, 8
From unclean spirits
Cleanse the lepers
Raise the dead
Cast out devils
Heal all manner of sickness
Heal all manner of disease
Sheep verse 6
Preach: kingdom of heaven verse 7, 19, 27
Workman verse 10
Peace verse 13
Wise as serpents verse 16
Harmless as doves verse 16
Given what to speak verse 19, 27
Saved verse 22
Hated of all men for Christ’s sake verse 22
Persecuted verse 23
Disciple verse 24
Fear not verse 26, 28, 31
What I tell you (disciple) in darkness
that speak in light verse 27
What you hear in the ear
that preach upon the housetops verse 27
More valuable verse 31
Confess verse 32
Love Christ more verse 37
Take up cross verse 38
Lose life for Christ’s sake verse 39
He that receives you received ME verse 40
Prophet verse 41
Righteous man verse 41
Reward verse 41, 42
Righteous man verse 41
Give a drink to little ones in the name
of a disciple verse 42
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Twelve disciples verse 1
Twelve apostles verse 2
Simon called Peter verse 2
Andrew – brother of Peter verse 2
James the son of Zebedee verse 2
John – son of Zebedee verse 2
Philip verse 3
Bartholomew verse 3
Thomas verse 3
Matthew the publican verse 3
James the son of Alphaeus verse 3
Lebbaeus – Thaddaeus verse 3
Simon the Canaanite verse 4
Judas Iscariot – betrayed Jesus verse 4
Twelve sent forth by Jesus verse 5
Lost sheep of the house of Israel verse 6
Instructions regarding witnessing verse 6- 42
Inquire who is worthy
Let your peace come on them
Be as wise as serpents and
harmless as doves
Take no thought when delivered
up for I will give you
message
Freely the twelve had received so they
were to freely give verse 8
Cities of Israel verse 23
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Kingdom of heaven verse 7, 32, 33
Day of judgment verse 15
Death verse 21
Endure to the end will be saved verse 22
Son of man be come verse 23
Hell verse 28
Heaven verse 32, 33
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QUOTES regarding passage
21–22 It is not enough for Jesus’ disciples to be opposed by Jewish and Gentile officialdom; they will be hounded and betrayed by their own family members (v. 21; see further vv. 34–39). The theme of division between persons as a sign of the End is not unknown in Jewish apocalyptic literature (4Ezra 5:9; Jub 23:19; 2 Baruch 70:3—though none of these refers explicitly to family divisions). Here the allusion is to Micah 7:6, quoted in Matthew 10:35–36. “All men” (v. 22) does not mean “all men without exception,” for then there would be no converts, but “all men without distinction”—all men irrespective of race, color, or creed. That the good news of the kingdom of God and his righteousness should elicit such intense and widespread hostility is a sad commentary on “all men.” The hatred erupts, Jesus says, dia to onoma mou (lit., “on account of my name”)—either because one bears the name “Christian” (cf. 1 Peter 4:14) or, less anachronistically and more likely, “on account of me” (see on 5:10–12).
The one who “stands firm”—the verb hypomenō does not signify active resistance so much as patient endurance (cf. LXX Dan 12:12; Mark 13:13; Rom 12:12; 1 Peter 2:20) will be saved; but he must stand firm eis telos (“to the end”). Though this anarthrous expression could be taken adverbially to mean “without breaking down,” it is far more likely purposely ambiguous to mean either “to the end of one’s life” or, because of the frequent association of telos (“end”) and cognates with the eschatological end, “to the end of the age.” This is not to say that only martyrs will be saved; but if the opposition one of Jesus’ disciples faces calls for the sacrifice of life itself, commitment to him must be so strong that the sacrifice is willingly made. Otherwise there is no salvation. Thus from earliest times Christians have been crucified, burned, impaled, drowned, starved, racked—for no other reason than that they belonged to him. As with martyrs among God’s people before the coming of Christ, so now: the world was not worthy of them (Heb 11:38). (Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, pp. 249–250). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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10:21–22. Some disciples would even die for their loyalty to Christ. Their complete loyalty to Christ might compete with the closest of family relationships (8:21–22; 10:34–37). Jesus was raising the stakes for the Twelve. If the thought of being betrayed by a brother, child, or parent was too much for them, they could turn back now. None of the Twelve did.
Jesus’ sweeping warning of 10:17. Be on your guard against men, is further underscored in 10:22: All men will hate you because of me. This statement is hyperbolic, because some people would respond to the gospel and love the Lord and his disciples. But the statement is more than accurate in that people of all categories would hate the Lord and his disciples. The meaning is, “You [plural] will be continually being hated.” The persecution and hatred would not end quickly; Jesus’ followers must buckle down for a long ordeal. Thus the exhortation to he who stands firm. But there will be an end, and the person who remains loyal to the end will be saved. Saved from what? This is not spiritual salvation but physical salvation. Endurance is never a condition of spiritual deliverance. Because of me means, “because of your association with me.” (Weber, S. K. (2000). Matthew (Vol. 1, pp. 145–146). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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10:16–23. The Lord’s words to the apostles concerning the response to their ministry were not encouraging. Their task would be difficult for they would be like sheep among wolves (cf. 7:15, where false prophets are spoken of as “ferocious wolves”). It would be essential for them to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves, that is, wise in avoiding danger but harmless in not forcibly opposing the enemy. “Innocent” translates akeraioi (lit., “unmixed, pure”). It is used only twice elsewhere in the New Testament: Romans 16:19 and Philippians 2:15. In carrying out their ministries the apostles would be taken before their own Jewish leaders and flogged (cf. Acts 5:40) and be brought before Roman governors and Herodian kings. But the messengers need not worry, for the Holy Spirit, called here the Spirit of your Father, would give them words to say that would free them from arrest.
Even if the persecutions went to the point of betrayal of family members (Matt. 10:21) and extreme hatred (v. 22), Jesus promised them ultimate deliverance. The apostles were to continue their ministries, moving from place to place. But even though they moved out for the Lord, they would not be able to reach all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man would come.
These words of the Lord probably had an application beyond His own lifetime. What was proclaimed here was more fully demonstrated in the apostles’ lives after the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) in the spread of the gospel in the church (e.g., Acts 4:1–13; 5:17–18, 40; 7:54–60). But these words will find their fullest manifestation in the days of the Tribulation when the gospel will be carried throughout the entire world before Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to establish His kingdom on the earth (Matt. 24:14). (Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 42). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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10:21–23 These verses clearly have an eschatological significance that goes beyond the disciples’ immediate mission. The persecutions He describes seem to belong to the tribulation period that precedes Christ’s second coming, alluded to in v. 23. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Mt 10:21–23). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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10:21 A brother will betray his brother to death. In this most poignant verse of the discourse, it is predicted that even one’s own family members will further this persecution (cf. 10:35–37), to the point of Jesus’ disciples being killed because of the betrayal of their own siblings, parents, and children (cf. Mic 7:6, to which this verse alludes). Such betrayal is extremely distressing, but it is mollified somewhat by the existence of a new Kingdom family of disciples, with God as the father (10:20; 12:46–50; 23:8–9). It is a difficult teaching, but the primary allegiance of disciples must be to Jesus and to their new family of Kingdom disciples, not to their natural families (10:34–39). See the commentary on 10:24–33 for additional discussion.
10:22 everyone who endures to the end will be saved. During such a horrible scenario, in which disciples are universally despised, endurance is the mark of the true disciple (cf. 7:21, 24; 13:21). When disciples face persecution, only those whose perseverance demonstrates the authenticity of their faith will be saved. (Turner, D., & Bock, D. L. (2005). Cornerstone biblical commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark (pp. 151–152). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)
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Ver. 22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake, &c.] This is more particularly directed to the apostles themselves, as what is said before regards the followers of Christ in general; for this was to be the lot of the apostles, that they should not only be ill treated in common with others, by their near friends and relations, whose love would be turned into hatred to them, but should be the butt and mark of the malice and wrath of all men; that is, of most men, or of the far greater part of the Jews, even of all wicked men who disbelieved and rejected the Messiah: for that the words are not to be understood in the utmost latitude, without any restriction, is certain; since there would be some who would be converted, and believe in Christ through their ministry, and consequently would love, esteem, and honour them as their spiritual fathers and guides, and as the disciples and apostles of Christ. This hatred they should be exposed to, would not be on account of any ill will to their persons; or because of any evil or immorality committed by them; but purely, and alone, for the name of Christ, in whom they believed, by which they were called, of which they made a profession, and zealously preached: which consideration, as it must needs secure peace and tranquility in their breasts; so for their further encouragement, ’tis added, but he that endureth to the end, shall be saved; which words suggest, that the tribulations and persecutions of the disciples of Christ, through the hatred of wicked men against them, shall not last always; there will be an end to them; respecting either the end of time and life, or the destruction of Jerusalem, when these their enemies would be cut off, or removed, and be capable of giving them no further trouble; and that such persons are happy, who patiently endure the hatred of men, and all manner of persecution, for Christ’s sake; who are not moved by the afflictions they suffer, but stand fast in the faith, hold fast the profession of it, go on in their Christian course, and hold out to the end; for such shall be saved, not only with a temporal salvation, as the Christians were at the destruction of Jerusalem, but with an eternal one. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 108–109). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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c. Endurance (10:21–23)
The apostles could expect terrible betrayals, even by family members. All men would hate the Lord’s ambassadors for their witness to His name. There is indeed no more hated name among the Jews than the name of Jesus.
Betrayals have been common in the persecution of Christians in the church age. For instance in China in the days of Mao Tse-tung a nation of nearly a billion people was systematically brainwashed by a ruthless regime, and a diabolical attempt was made to stamp out Christianity through a policy of betrayal. The fact remains, however, that the prophecy of 10:21 focuses on the last days.
The Lord advocated that the persecuted flee from city to city. There will be a special sense of urgency during the great tribulation. When the beast signs his treaty with the state of Israel there will only be seven years left before the end. When he seizes the rebuilt temple and installs his image in the holy place, there will be only three and a half years left before the coming of the Son of man. The call of God’s ambassador during this period will be to resist the beast, refuse his mark, and get ready for the coming kingdom. “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” (10:22). The word translated “end” is telos, which refers to the very end of the great tribulation. The word translated “shall be saved” can also be translated “shall escape” or “shall be delivered.”
There was of course the possibility that the Jews of Jesus’ day would accept the mission of the twelve. Otherwise their offer of the kingdom would not have been bona fide. If the Jews had accepted Christ, their leaders would doubtless have closed ranks against Christ, and both synagogue and Sanhedrin would have persecuted the believers. The dispensation would have come to an end, the kingdom would have been set up, and there would have been no church age. (Phillips, J. (2014). Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary (Mt 10:21–23). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch.)
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FROM MY READING:
Christianity will seem to have betrayed those who turned to the church (made up of individual Christians) to receive a healing touch and found no help, no one to offer comfort. To the person who faces a dark night alone, feeling that Jesus has let him down and has not met him in the time of struggle, let me ask: Is it the Jesus of the gospels that had failed you or is it the church that bears his name that has failed you? (p. 90, Has Christianity Failed You by Ravi Zacharias)
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Romans 4
Justification by faith is illustrated in the Old Testament through the lives of Abraham and David.
INSIGHT
To impute something means “to apply something to your account.” The Bible teaches that no one can earn salvation. However, God will give it to us freely if we have faith in Him. God honors the attitude of our hearts and imputes righteousness to our accounts. To be able to impute righteousness to those living during Old Testament times, God looked ahead to the work of Christ on the cross. Now He looks back to the Cross. But in both cases, God´s people have been saved by grace through faith. (Quiet Walk)
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WHAT DOES FELLOWSHIP MEAN?
…and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3
What does fellowship mean? To be in a state of fellowship means that we share in things. We are partakers or, if you like, partners–that idea is there intrinsically in the word. That means something like this: The Christian is one who has become a sharer in the life of God. Now that is staggering and astounding language, but the Bible teaches us that; the New Testament offers us that, and nothing less than that.
Peter writes, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). That is it, and there are many other similar statements. Indeed, the whole doctrine of regeneration and rebirth leads to this; born again, born from above, born of the Spirit”all carry exactly the same idea. This, then, is what John is so anxious to impress upon the minds of his readers”that Christians are not merely people who are a little bit better than they once were and who have just added certain things to their lives. Rather, they are men and women who have received the divine life.
In some amazing and astounding manner we know that we are partakers of the divine nature, that the being of God has somehow entered into us. I cannot tell you how”I cannot find it in the dissecting room. It is no use dissecting the body”you will not find it, any more than you will find the soul by dissecting the body; but it is in us, and we are aware of it. There is a being in us””I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20); how, I do not know. We will understand in glory, but somehow we know now that we are sharers in the life of God.
A Thought to Ponder: The Christian is one who has become a sharer in the life of God. (From Fellowship with God, pp. 80-82, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Ready and Able
“That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:17)
The word “perfect” in this verse is artios, and it is used only this one time in the Bible. Its basic meaning seems to be “fitted,” or “fresh.” Then, the words “thoroughly furnished” are one word, exartizo, in the original, which—interestingly enough—is essentially this same rare word (artios) with the prefix ex (meaning “out of”) added. It is only used one other time, where it is translated “accomplished” (Acts 21:5).
Putting these concepts together, Paul seems to be saying that the “man of God” is not necessarily a man who is sinlessly perfect but one who is both fresh (ready to meet present needs) and fully equipped (able to meet present needs).
And, of course, it is significant that this splendid testimony to what a man of God can be—and should be—follows immediately upon Paul’s grand testimony to the inspiration and power of the Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures, first of all, “are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Then, they are “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (v. 16).
“Doctrine,” more specifically, is teaching. “Reproof” is evidence or conviction. “Correction” is a word used only this one time, and it means setting straight. “Instruction” is chastening. Then, the end result of the perfect teachings, the convicting evidences, the correcting influences, and the chastening cleansing of the Holy Scriptures is to produce men and women of God who are both ready and able to meet the critical needs of the times in which they live.
By the same token, the large numbers of nominal Christians who do not diligently study, obey, and apply the Holy Scriptures in their lives are not either ready or able to face the awful challenges (vv. 1-14) of these last days. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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This “so great salvation: (Heb. 2:3) not only shows the greatness of God, not only the justice of God, not only the perfection of God’s plan and God’s ways, but supremely it shows the love of God. Until we believe in all that Jesus has done for us, our idea of the love of God is a flabby sentiment that is not worthy of the name love. …..
The real measure of the love of God is the distance from the eternity of glory to the depth of Calvary, and until you have measured it like that, don’t talk about the love of God – you do not know anything about it. (p. 111, A Merciful and Faithful High Priest by Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture Ecclesiastes 7:1-10
This past weekend was an eventful weekend with many activities and special times. in a short two-day period, I was able to visit with family and to express sorrow as well as celebrate. There was a time of reflection upon my sister’s life in a memorial service and the celebration was for my mother’s 90th birthday. It is times like these that help us appreciate the basic teachings Solomon presents here in Ecclesiastes.
Solomon is using a style of contrast in these verses as he seeks to assist the reader in understanding the things of life. The comparisons are between birth and death (v. 1), mourning and feasting (v.2). The word “better” is used in these verses eight times and it may shock people to consider that better things occur during difficulties and not in celebrations.
These comparisons are tied to the opening statement that Solomon makes concerning the name you have received. As Solomon looks at life and the ways of man, he would have agreed to the saying, “Every man has three names, one his father and mother gave him, one others call him and one he acquires himself.” The practical wisdom Solomon offers, is to continue to pursue life until its conclusion when our name or reputation will then be affirmed.
The balance of life Solomon presents here, is to number our days and remember that our lives contain both joys and sorrows. We are wise to reflect upon the reality of both the good and difficult experiences of life and value the lessons that are offered. We do not know the future or even the results of the present, but
can trust in the Lord who does know all things. Isaiah 30:21 states, “This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” As the day unfolds, know that we are to walk by faith and trust that the Lord is in control and guiding our steps, whether right or left, good or bad or in joy or sorrow!
With an Expectant hope, Pastor Miller
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We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.
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