Six Elements of A Successful Mission Part 1 | Matthew 10:5-15

Scripture

• Matthew 10:5–15

About this sermon

Introduction: As we have encountered Matthew chapter 10, we have been thinking about disciple-making. The Bible tells us what our Lord did — but why? WHY ARE WE TOLD OF WHAT JESUS DID WHEN HE SELECTED HIS APOSTLES AND INSTRUCTED THEM AND SENT THEM OUT? One reason, of course, is to simply tell us how these men came to be apostles. We are told in order that the church might acknowledge the POSITION that these men were ordained for in the life of the church. But that doesn’t explain this account of an early ministry mission. You could tell us that they were chosen without telling us how they were prepared. Another reason why is because we see Christ’s glory on display in what He did. We are told that we might SEE JESUS — that we might see THE GREAT SHEPHERD preparing men to take care of HIS CHURCH. We are pointed to Christ to be worshippers of Christ. But as we are told the facts, and as we are told of His glory, we are also told of a specific aspect of that glory — HIS WISDOM. Our Lord did all that He did with perfect wisdom. We are meant to admire Jesus and to worship Jesus, but we are also meant — as His disciples — to learn from Jesus. I believe that a part of what we learn here is how disciples are developed. There are applications we can make wherever disciples are being developed — in the home, in the church, or in any other setting. So, as we see our Savior commissioning the twelve apostles, and sending them out on this developmental experience in ministry, what do we learn? IN OUR VERSES TODAY, AS WE SEE CHRIST’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR HIS DISCIPLES, WE RECOGNIZE six elements of this particular ministry mission that they were given. Six elements that address both a God-glorifying mindset for ministry and godly practices for ministry. These six elements still speak TO US. This morning we will look at four of them, tonight we will return to see the other two. Some of these elements are especially helpful when we think about establishing NEW WORK. When we think about missions. But there are applications for established work also. (1) Where to go (2) What to declare (3) What to do (4) How to prepare (5) Where to stay (6) When to leave. • WHERE THEY ARE TO GO (vs.5-6) Now we must recognize the unique time in salvation history in which these men were operating. The limited mission reflected in these instructions represents something important and unique for God’s dealings with the nation Israel. The gospel has always been for the whole world. But for a great portion of salvation history, the God ordained primary instrument for the advancement of the knowledge of Yahweh was the nation, Israel. He intended for them to be a light for the nations. God made a covenant with that people. God gave unique privileges to that people. God gave unique responsibilities to that people. The good news that their promised King had arrived — the Messiah has come — was to be declared to them FIRST. They people uniquely blessed to be looking for the King of the Jews, who is also the King of the World, would be the first to be told that He had arrived. This is what God planned. This is what He ordained. And their response to this good news would demonstrate their spiritual condition. And, sadly, how they responded confirmed the spiritual judgment that they would soon meet with. THAT JUDGMENT WAS LATER MADE MANIFEST. Paul, a Jew himself, gave voice to that judgment in Acts 13 when preaching in Antioch of Pisidia. As Paul was preaching in a synagogue there, we hear the connection between the preaching of Christ and God’s dealings with the nation Israel. ESV Acts 13:32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, "'You are my Son, today I have begotten you.' 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, "'You will not let your Holy One see corruption.' 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: 41 "'Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'