Prepared For Persecution – Part 1 | Matthew 10:16-25

Scripture

• Matthew 10:16–25

About this sermon

Introduction: Our Lord gave instructions for a ministry mission. This was part of the training of the twelve. But to be faithful in ministry more is required than simply knowing what to do. It’s more than a set of instructions. The truth of the matter is that many people struggle in the Christian life, and in Christian ministry, who know what to do. Our Lord’s preparation of these men does not stop with where to go, what to say, what to do, how to prepare, where to stay, when to leave. No, He now takes it a step further. HE DEALS WITH THEIR EXPECTATIONS. HE DEALS WITH WHAT THEY MUST EXPECT IN RESPONSE TO THEIR MISSION. HE DEALS WITH WHAT THEY MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO UNDERESTIMATE IN FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS WHO DO NOT SHARE THEIR FAITH. ARE WE PREPARED — NOT JUST FOR OPPOSITION — FOR VICIOUS OPPOSITION? This is one of the great challenges to our walk with Christ — can we allow our God to instruct our expectations? Are our expectations rightly informed? Have we, in fact, surrendered our expectations to God? Do we recognize that the Christian life, and that Christian ministry, were never promised to be easy? So that after instructions, Jesus deals with what they must PREPARE FOR IN THE WAY OF DIFFICULTY. He hinted at this in His earlier words. There will be houses and cities that do not receive them or their words. But now, He expands on this because they dare not underestimate it. “Beware of men” (vs.17a). This is no passing matter. This is not something to be taken lightly. PREPARE YOURSELVES, ARM YOURSELVES, FOR SUFFERING. ESV 1 Peter 4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. What our Lord gives to His men, and to us, are six necessary preparations for persecution. We’ll mention each one as we come to them. • BE PREPARED BY UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF YOUR MISSION FIELD (vs.16) Our Lord calls for His men to take note of something. “Behold” “Listen up” “Don’t miss this.” “I am sending you out” … and it’s going to be like this. YOU ARE SHEEP YOU ARE IN A WORLD FULL OF WOLVES Now, right away that should wake us up because sheep don’t fare well with wolves. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE THESE WORDS TO HEART. I fear that many believers are naïve about the world into which they have been sent. Christ is giving us a true and accurate view of the theatre for our operations. An army needs to understand its battlefield. They understand the enemy. They understand the topography of the theatre in which they will engage in the conflict. Well, our Lord is telling us that we carry out ministry in a very dangerous context. NOW — WE ARE NOT SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD. The believer is in a vulnerable position. The believer is defenseless if depending upon his or her own strength. But the believer is not alone. These men are being told to pay attention by the very one WHO SENDS THEM OUT. He loves them. He cares for them. He is training them. He would not do this, unless He knew it to be wise, to be necessary — and unless He Himself was providing for them and preparing them in a way equal to the task. But a part of that preparation is a SOBER view of the assignment. • WHAT THIS UNDERSTANDING DOES In view of this reality, the Lord Jesus gives a command. This knowledge requires WISDOM on the part of these servants. The Lord commands it of them. The knowledge of the predators requires shrewdness. WHY DOES HE ASSOCIATE THIS WISDOM WITH SERPENTS? Is Genesis 3:1 meant to enter our minds? ESV Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" I think what He might be indicating is that a part of the wisdom we need is to be aware of the mindset of those who would do us harm. We sort of have to climb into the scales of the snakes!

Topics

• Suffering & Trials