By Rev. Dave Kemp Pastor of Eternal Hope Anglican Church Church |
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Welcome to Good News In the Morning, a program of words and music bringing a Christian message of hope and encouragement to those who are looking for an intelligent, meaningful and spirited approach to faith and to life.
Matthew 10: 38 –
42, I am sending you out like sheep
among the wolves!
Jesus is teaching the
apostles in preparation for their stepping out into their mission
field. Their mission is now clear—share the gospel. Jesus charged
them to go to the ‘lost sheep of Israel’, God’s chosen people, who were
in servitude to the Roman occupation of the holy land. Preach this
message to the downtrodden, and disadvantaged,
Jesus instructed: The Kingdom
of heaven is near, heal the sick, the lepers, raise the dead
and drive out demons. Give them comfort knowing they are God’s
children.
There were six humble
fishermen, one tax collector, political activist and four
others whose occupations are not identified and they are all
following a carpenter from Nazareth and they were charged with some
highly unusual instructions.
Can you imagine telling
your parents or wife or children that you are going to drive
out demons and heal the sick? But this is Jesus asking, this man has
a divine calling, he is doing these supernatural things and they
are convinced that following his example they would accomplish his
Kingdom on earth.
You and I have
instructions to lead people to the Kingdom of heaven also and we must
be aware of Jesus' next statement in vs 16,“Look, I am sending you out as
sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves”. Hey
guys, be “intelligent, wise, prudent, aware of the people you are
surrounded by and their interests.” Don’t be naive or immature among
the wolves.
The world, then as now,
was hostile to believers—not incidentally hostile, but purposefully hostile.
Wolves are intentional about the harm they inflict
upon sheep. Jesus taught His followers that, to be Christ-like in a
godless world, they must combine the wisdom of the serpent with
the harmlessness of the dove. The dove is thought of as innocent and
harmless.
Charles Simeon, a
powerful 19thevangelical Anglican priest, in
Cambridge England, writes about the snake and dove, simile Jesus
used, “the wisdom of the one and the harmlessness of the other are
very desirable to be combined in the Christian character; because the
Christian will be enabled to cope successfully with his more powerful
enemies”.
I agree with his
statement. It takes wisdom and humility and it takes courage to be
a recipient of God’s grace and forgiveness, by Jesus death on the
crossand be willing to share it with those you love.
But know, as Jesus
states, that people will hate
you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end
will be saved.
When we are sharing the
good news of salvation, we should strive to be gentle without
being pushovers, and we must be generous without being taken
advantage of. We must take the high road, be compassionate in
sharing with unbelievers what Jesus can do for them.
Jesus, God’s son, can
deliver you and me from our fear of sharing. Jesus declares You are a
child of God, Jesus is your brother and the Holy Spirit is in you, so take
heart.
This mostly mild
mannered carpenter is not being ambiguous when he declares, If
you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not
worthy of being mine. If you cling to your worldly life,
focusing only on your self-interest and money and possessions, well, there
are consequences—you will lose your life.
But if you give up your focus on the worldly life by following Jesus teachings, be loving, kind, generous, peaceful, then—you will find what really matters—shalom, the peace and confidence that can only come from God.
Jesus assures us with this promise, “Anyone who receives you, as a believer, (Melvin, Mary, Dolly, Ivan or anyone watching this day,) they will receive me, Jesus also.
And anyone who receives me, Jesus in their heart, receives my Father who sent me and receives the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us. Makes it worth sharing as friend, wouldn’t you say?
My friends, during times of persecution of Christians, and it has been going on for centuries, 20 so far, hospitality was always a mandate. Warmth, welcome and kindness and generosity was and is our identifier. But Jesus also knows and it can be, and is, dangerous, even now to stand for with him in our communities.
You may see objectors torch your churches, protest your beliefs, denigrate and scorn your God-inspired Bible teachings. You may be mocked, belittled and treated poorly by others who want to undermine your stand as you live in an increasingly belligerent, confrontational, godless community.
So when other people raise their voice against your message, lower yours—. That’s called strength under control.
The Bible says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”(Proverbs 15:1 NIV).
Jesus reminds us, don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered by deception—their profane, ungodly lifestyles will be revealed for what they are. And there are serious eternal consequences.
We are not to give in and turn tail before these challenges, but we are not to act as they do either.
Don’t give up trying to offer salvation to your loved ones or others despite what receive. Because Jesus states, if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” That means you! You will be blessed, not only on this planet but also in heaven. That is the good news brothers and sisters. Stand strong, you are on the right side of history and heaven. Amen.
Reference
Scriptures: Matthew 10: 38 – 42
38 And whoever does
not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever
finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find
it.
Rewards
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
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To listen to the broadcast, click on the following link:
http://accm.ncf.ca/images/21.05.09.mp3
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Now be sure to
worship in a church where the gospel is soundly proclaimed and lived out with
compassion integrity and resolve.
I do pray that the
Lord will hold your heart and you would know Jesus personally and profoundly.
May the Holy Spirit reside deep within your heart, may the heavenly Father
surround you with his constant and abiding and accompanying love.
Good News In The Morning is produced by Good News
Christian Ministries
- Rev. Dave Kemp
Eternal Hope
Anglican Church, Carleton Place, Ontario
http://www.eternalhopechurch.org/
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To listen to the
above broadcast, click on the following link:
http://accm.ncf.ca/images/21.05.09.mp3
