KING JESUS: A JOURNEY THROUGH MATTHEW'S GOSPEL (PT 10)

Today, we embark on a journey into the heart of discipleship, exploring the potential excuses that could have deterred the disciples of Jesus from answering His call. Despite the difficult obstacles they faced, we will witness their unwavering commitment and remarkable transformation as they embraced the higher calling set before them. As your pastor, I am honored to guide us through this exploration as we delve deep into what discipleship truly entails and offer insights into how we can respond to Jesus' call in our own lives. Let us open our hearts and minds to the deep truths awaiting us in our passage, and may our time together inspire us to walk more closely in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior.  
 
My goal for today is twofold. First, it is to help you better understand the scripture text we are using so that you understand you are all called to discipleship. Second, it is to assist you in discovering how this passage in Matthew 10 gives a practical look at what discipleship looks like for you today. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can leave this place knowing, understanding, and owning our call to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
 
Not too long before this passage, Jesus finished preaching his Sermon on the Mount, and then He went out and ministered to the people.  He ministers by serving people, he cleanses a leper, heals a paralytic, restores sight to a blind man, heals a woman with a bleeding disorder, heals Peter’s mother-in-law, calms the storm, casts out demons and evil spirits, and brings a young girl back to life.  He spent much of his time teaching, healing, and ministering to those around him.  It is during this time Jesus models discipleship to His followers.  
 
Chapter 9 concludes with Jesus’ famous call to discipleship where he says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”  He is saying, there is plenty to do and there are not enough workers to accomplish the task, so pray the Lord would send you to the harvest.
 
In chapter 10 Jesus calls his disciples and gives them authority to go out to the lost sheep of Israel and proclaim the Kingdom of God is at hand. As they go out and proclaim the Kingdom, they are also called to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons.  Jesus commissions them to go out and do what He did.  Jesus does what all good leaders do…He models discipleship and then commissions them to go and do as he does.  This model is called “The Law of Replication”. 
 
One of the more frequent questions I am asked in either becoming or developing disciples is, “What are some good programs or models for discipleship?”  I could easily point them to the thousands of resources online, in churches, and in bookstores, but instead, I point them to Jesus and His Word.  Jesus showed us how to be disciples, and I firmly believe that discipleship is caught and not taught.  This means the best way to learn how to be a disciple is to be around other disciples following their calling as disciples of Jesus. 
 
Matthew 10:16 – 25
Proclaiming the kingdom, healing, and casting out demons sounds big.  This commissioning would undoubtedly bring much attention to the cause of Jesus Christ and His disciples, right?  Why wouldn’t people come in droves to see this new phenomenon?  But Jesus sets the record straight by saying this will not be easy; He says, “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves!  You are going to face opposition, you are going to face intense persecution, and in fact, those who you love and trust are going to oppose you because of the truth you represent.  And people won’t hate and persecute you because they don’t like you; they will do this because they hate me.”  He then gives the disciples permission to leave and go to the next town.  Jesus informs the disciples that this persecution is inevitable because a student is not above his teacher… Basically, He is saying, “If I am persecuted for what I say and do, then so will you.”  
 
Matthew 10:26 – 33
Now that Jesus spends much time telling his disciples about the cost of discipleship, he encourages them not to fear the opposition because they oppose the truth.  He implores them not to fear those who can kill the body and cannot kill the soul, but to instead fear him who can destroy both body and soul… or more practically, for us today, this can mean do not fear those who try to control and intimidate, but fear God, because His kingdom, His righteousness, and His truth is what matters most.  This fear is considered a reverential awe.  This means that we know our place before a holy God.  This kind of fear we should have for God reminds me of a conversation in the book THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA by C.S. Lewis, young Susan talks to Mr. Beaver and says, “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr. Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”  This is a perfect picture of God. He holds the power of death and life, so this does not make him safe, but He is also a loving God who cares deeply for His people.  God cares about the sparrows, so He certainly cares about you.  So, don’t worry and don’t fear.” 
 
Now, Jesus charges the disciples to be bold about their faith. He mentions that there will be opposition, persecution, betrayal, and intimidation. You may lose what is important and precious in your life for my sake. But don’t let that stop you… Be bold because if you acknowledge Jesus before men, then He will acknowledge you as one of His own. But if you deny Him before men, then He will deny you before the Father.
 
We have glanced at this passage, and in doing so, I hope I accomplished my first goal of helping you understand the scripture passage and that you all know that you are all called disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is not reserved for the ultra-spiritual; it is a call for everyone. Now for my second goal: to help you discover what discipleship looks like for you today. I would like to bring to your attention in your bulletin the…
 
Five Truths to Living as a Disciple of Christ 

1. You are sent out to proclaim the truth.  (Matthew 10:5) Jesus calls out his disciples to go to the lost sheep of Israel.  Jesus has called you and me to go out into the world and proclaim His truth (Matthew 28:18)
2. You have authority in Christ (Matthew 10:1). Jesus gave his disciples the authority to heal, proclaim the Gospel, and cast out demons. Jesus has also given us the authority to go out in the power of His Spirit. We can pray for healing, boldly proclaim His Gospel, and expose and cast out evil in our midst.
   
   
3. You will face opposition/persecution (Matthew 10:16-23). Jesus was crystal clear on this point.  There is no getting around it.  There is a cost to discipleship.  You will face opposition and persecution, and you may lose things.  You need to decide if following Jesus is worth it.
   
   
4. You must be bold (Matthew 10:32). You and I have great news that we are commissioned to share.  The news that Jesus is alive, and His Kingdom is at hand.  He is a good King, and His Kingdom is like no earthly kingdom.  We must proclaim this good news unashamedly, and since we will face opposition, we must be bold.
   
   
5. You must be selfless (Matthew 10:9, 38 – 39). The call of discipleship is to the Kingdom of God and not the Kingdom of me.  Jesus did not come to be served but to serve.  When Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow him, this is a call to selfless living.  It is the call to say to our King, “I want to serve you.  I want to live for you.  I have desires, dreams, and hopes for my life, and I know you are a King who wants me to have good things, but I also know that I want YOU most of all.”

 
Conclusion
In closing, beloved, I urge you to immerse yourselves in the enriching journey of discipleship. As we navigate the complexities and challenges of discipleship, remember that while the path may not always be easy or safe, it is undeniably good. Our lives as disciples are not centered on our own desires or expectations but on the transformative power of Jesus Christ and the profound truth of His death, resurrection, and the coming of His Kingdom. Let us embrace the call of discipleship with courage, knowing that in following Christ, we embark on a journey of immeasurable significance and eternal worth.

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