Matthew 10: The Dangers and Duty of Discipleship
Attention
1. Matthew focuses on the fulfillment of Old
Testament, Messianic prophecies in the person and work of Jesus.
2. Matthew also emphasizes Jesus’ preaching, with
five complete sermons in the book. (5-7, 10, 13, 18, 23-25)
3. Chapter ten is a private discourse given to the
apostles; it discusses discipleship, duty, and dangers.
[Proposition] Disciples of Jesus Christ are courageous
and committed in the face of duty and dangers.
I.
The Commission of the Disciples (1-15)
A.
The Apostles are Selected (1-4)
1.
Luke tells us that Jesus prayed all night prior to appointing the twelve
apostles. (Lk. 6:12-16)
a)
These men were ambassadors of Christ, carrying the gospel of the kingdom
to the world.
b)
In a sense all Christians represent Christ, but these men did so in a
special way. (1Co. 14:37)
2.
The twelve apostles had a special relationship to Christ and special
powers from Him.
a)
John 14-16 describes the Spirit’s empowerment of the apostles. (14:26;
15:26-27; 16:13)
b)
These promises and gifts cannot rightly be claimed by men today; they
were for the apostles.
B.
The Apostles are Sent Out (5-15)
1.
Matthew 10 is Jesus’ words to the apostles before sending them out with a
limited commission.
a)
It was a limited commission, not even the apostles were forever
bound by all these restraints.
(1)
This mission was to the Jews; later the apostles would go to the
Gentiles. (Ac. 13:46)
(2)
No supplies were taken, but Jesus would later command them to do so.
Lk 22:35-28
b)
It was an apostolic commission, not all of the statements can be
claimed by us today.
(1)
No preacher can rightly claim the power and authority to work miracles
today. (8)
(2)
No man can rightly claim to be inspired by the Holy Spirit today. (20)
2.
These men were sent out to do the work of God: to preach and to heal; to
save and to bless.
a)
They had received these things without cost, and they were to share them
without cost.
b)
Truth is a two-edged sword; accepting truth saves; therefore, rejecting
truth condemns.
II.
The Castigation of the Disciples (16-23)
A.
The Prediction of Persecution
1.
It was inevitable that the disciples of Jesus would be persecuted, just
as He was.
2.
The apostles would be arrested, tried, condemned, beaten, and even put to
death.
3.
Jesus warned them before, as He foretold His own death, so they would be
ready.
B.
The Plan for Persecution
1.
The Lord gave His disciples a plan for dealing with persecution.
a)
Be wise, but be innocent and sincere; don’t be naïve; don’t give
occasions for accusation. 16
b)
Be-aware, men will oppose you; you will be persecuted if you serve
Christ. 17
c)
Be confident in your defense; the Spirit will guide you; today, we
have the Bible. 19-20
d)
Be ready to flee when persecution arises; it is not cowardly or
uncommitted to do so. 23
2.
Each point of this plan contains a principle we need to learn to prepare
ourselves for persecution.
III.
The Courage of Disciples (24-31)
A.
Persecution Should Not Surprise the Disciple (24-25)
1.
We said persecution is inevitable for the Christian, but why must it be
inevitable? 24-25
a)
The world hates that which exposes it; light dispels the dark, so
darkness resists the light.
b)
If we are striving to be like Jesus, we will experience the hostility of
sinners, just as He did.
2.
The goal of discipleship is: become like the Master; a disciple imitates
his master in everything.
a)
We should not expect or even hope that we can serve Christ without
suffering for Him.
b)
He suffered so much for us; we should embrace the opportunity to return
the same.
3.
The early saints considered it a privilege to be persecuted; they
rejoiced to be worthy. (Ac 5:41)
a)
We should not be surprised by opposition, but we should rejoice in it.
1Pe. 4:12-16
b)
Persecution is not pleasant, but it is an occasion to follow our Savior’s
footsteps. 1Pe. 2:21
B.
Persecution Should Not Silence the Disciple (26-27)
1.
It is not cowardly to flee persecution or hide from a persecutor; it is
cowardly to hide conviction.
a)
Disciples are permitted to flee their tormentors, but they are never to
remain silent.
b)
Flight from one city to another facilitates further preaching of the word
which never stops.
2.
The mysteries of the gospel were to be openly and unashamedly declared,
no matter the cost.
C.
Persecution Should Not Scare the Disciple (28-31)
1.
Three times in verses twenty-six thru thirty-one Jesus says it: “Do not
fear!” 26, 28, 31
a)
Some brethren suggest verse twenty-eight is a reference to Satan; not so,
it refers to God!
b)
Satan has no power over hell; God will send him to hell; he is the
punished, not punisher.
2.
God knows every bird that dies, He knows the hairs on our heads, and He
can take care of you.
a)
Do not fear men; do not fear pain; do not fear death; fear God and you
can fear nothing else.
b)
We place too much value in this life; it is unpleasant to suffer, but it
is temporary.
IV.
The Commitment of Disciples (32-39)
A.
The Charge of Confession (32-33)
1.
We must confess Christ openly and without shame, reservation, or fear.
But how do we do so?
a)
By confessing faith in Him as God’s crucified and resurrected Son 1Co.
15:3-4; Ac. 4:9-12
b)
By confessing our loyalty to Him in the face of temptation and sin
1Pe. 4:4; Ge. 39:9
c)
By confessing the blessings and power in our lives come from Him Php.
4:13; Ac. 3:12
d)
By confessing His teachings and unapologetically honoring His law Mk.
8:38; Ac. 24:14
2.
Confessing Christ is more than words spoken before baptism; it is a way
of living our lives!
B.
The Cost of Confession (34-37)
1.
What a contrast between the world’s idea of Christ’s purpose and the
statement in verse 34!
a)
Jesus came to save men, not to win political or carnal peace.
b)
Only the truth can save souls, but as we have seen, the truth will also
inevitably divide.
2.
The gospel of Christ creates division as well as unity; it divides
believers and unbelievers.
a)
This is not holy war; it is the absence of any commonality on issues of
true importance.
b)
Christians strive to be at peace with all, but when choices must be made,
the choice is clear.
3.
We cannot honor men as we honor Christ; we must love Him more; we must
love Him uniquely.
C.
The Cause of Confession (38-39)
1.
How does one develop the strength, courage, and commitment of a true
disciple? He has to die.
a)
The cross was not a religious symbol in the first century; it was a
symbol of death.
b)
Take up the cross isn’t eloquence for bearing burdens; disciples must die
to follow Christ.
2.
The NASB translates verse thirty-nine: “He who has found…he who has
lost….”
a)
The martyrdom Jesus refers to is mandatory; we must die to self, to sin,
and to this world.
b)
Only by dying to self can we live for God; those who live no longer can
fully live for Him.
V.
The Consequence of Accepting a Disciple (40-42)
A.
He Who Receives a Disciple, Receives the Lord (40)
1.
Disciples represent their master; their message comes from and belongs to
their master.
2.
To receive a messenger of Christ is to receive Christ; to receive Christ
is to receive the Father.
3.
There is life and death in the message we bring to the world; it is an
awesome, humbling duty.
B.
He Who Receives a Disciple, is Rewarded by the Lord (41-42)
1.
God sees and will reward the things that are done for His servants.
2.
Not every one of us may be able to go to all the world and preach, but we
can help those who do.
3.
God will not forget what we do for His work, even the simple things; we
need to do what we can.
Action
1. What does real, New Testament discipleship look like?
What does it demand? How does it respond to life?
2. The words of Jesus contained in the gospels give us a
clear picture of the committed life our Lord deserves.
3. Disciples of Christ are courageous in duty and danger.
Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Mk. 8:34; 16:16
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