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Matthew 10:5 "These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them ..."
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Those called to leadership are under His command, to do what He says in the accomplishment of His mission. |
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The burning desire to carry out His instructions is ignited by a close walk with the Lord. |
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The command of the Lord leaves the sent ones with no choice but to respond with willing and full obedience (Cf 1 Corinthians 9:16). |
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All Christ's workers are under the compulsion of His great commission (Matthew 28:19). |
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Submission to the commands of Christ Jesus means letting Him determine the where to work, the pattern and plan of the work, and the conditions of the work. |
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All work and activities need to be checked by His commands. What does not measure up to His desires must be rejected. |
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Novel ideas and clever schemes thought to advance the work need to be checked by what the Master says. What His word rejects, you must reject. |
Matthew 10:5 "... Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans."
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The plan for these sent ones was confined and limited, His 'do nots' must be adhered to as ardently as His directions to go. |
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The Lord of the harvest has objectives for His workers and makes them plain. |
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The Lord expects you to focus on the limited work He has given you to do. |
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His many workers are allotted different tasks so that the commission in its entirety can be accomplished. |
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Trying to do more than you are called to do can lead to overwork and frustration. |
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Working according to your specific calling will prove to be fulfilling, successful and satisfying. |
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In Matthew chapter ten the twelve were sent on a mission to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6). An example and authority for special assignments for chosen sent ones. |
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This principle of a limited, focussed ministry is demonstrated in Jesus' own earthly ministry (Matthew 15:24). |
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The Great Commission is not limited, it involves going into all the world (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). Nevertheless, there are individual limits, even in this globe- trotting age, with its media advantages. |
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Be obedient in faithfully carrying out your specific objectives for service and ministry. |
Matthew 10:7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"
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Sent ones are to go with a distinct message. Do not digress from the commanded message of the Lord. |
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The central truth of the kingdom of heaven needs to be taught. Emphasise how to enter the Kingdom (Matthew 18:3). How to live the realities of the kingdom (Romans 14:17), and live in expectance of His setting up of His eternal kingdom on earth (Matthew 25:31; Acts 3:19-21. Revelation 11:15; 20:4). |
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The message of the kingdom of heaven is about the king. His ruling in our lives. |
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In leadership you need to demonstrate His will to be "good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2), not aimless, unreasonable, hard (Luke 22:25,26). |
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The King taught a different style of leadership to that of Gentile rulers (Matthew 25:27). His is the example to emulate (Matthew 20:28). By doing this you proclaim the kingdom. |
Matthew 10:8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
Kingdom people are vehicles of kingdom expression and kingdom manifestation. They are a kingdom presence wherever they are placed by the King.
The signs Jesus commanded the apostles to effect by His empowerment, demonstrated the character of God and the nature of His kingdom. Healing the sick, and cleansing the lepers, demonstrated that God is compassionate and caring - ready to help the suffering, the hurting, the needy.
Kingdom miracles give a fore-taste of the coming reign of Christ (Isaiah 35:5-6; Hebrews 6:5). Paul declared,
2 Corinthians 12:12 "Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds."
Raising the dead and casting out demons, manifest the all-power of God. Nothing will be able to withstand the future kingdom of Christ who is the victor over death and is the conqueror of Satan's kingdom of darkness.
These miracles indicate the power of the anointed preaching of the gospel that raises the spiritually dead to life, and disintegrates the work of demons and Satan himself.
Matthew 10:9-10 "Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food."
These sent ones were to travel with empty money belts and without a food sack, nor change of outer garment, or sandals. They were not to take a staff for protection. As they went forth the Lord would see to the meeting of their every need through those who accepted their message, and they would personally be worthy because they came in the name of the Lord.
Workers who confidently look to the Lord who sent them, for their support, will find Him faithful. Looking to the Lord for the meeting of your needs requires not only faith but obedience to the way He has instructed you. Sometimes He will require you to go with no provision of your own. But in different circumstances He will expect you to take with you what you need (see Luke 22:35- 36). Whether you are told not to take, or to take with you, the Lord will provide, so that you lack nothing.
The Lord's people are to provide well for those who are living examples of the Lord's teaching, particularly those who work hard at preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
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As a sent one, do not make financial demands on God's people. |
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Do not covet the possessions of others. |
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Never put a price on your ministry. |
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Always keep in mind that the anointing cannot be bought. |
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Remember, the Lord may meet your need in different ways, but always what you receive is a gift from Him. |
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Make certain that your work is not motivated by money. |
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Be thankful for every expression of the Lord's loving, generous care. |
Matthew 10:11 "Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out."
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The work of the Lord is promoted by accepting hospitality from people of good repute. |
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Care must be taken so that you do not compromise your Lord or His message, by residing with persons of questionable life-style. |
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Take the time to check out the places offered from which you can conduct your ministry. |
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It is important that those associated with you in your work, be known in the community for their godly integrity. |
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Your choices must always be made from the standards of the Master and the message He has committed to your trust. |
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Accepting the home with a good reputation will keep you from offending by having to change your accommodation. |
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Your testimony would be adversely affected should you be constantly trying to find a desirable residence. |
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Keep to those whose openness and godliness first attracted you. Don't be tempted by wealthier people who may turn up, attracted by your ministry, who try to influence you with gifts (Acts 8:18,19). |
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Remember that "... godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV). When contentment is missing it leaves a vacuum for greed. |
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God has in every city, town, village, those who are worthy persons - what a joy to discover them. |
Matthew 10:12-13 "And when you go into a household, greet it. 13If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. ..."
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You are to bring blessing to the household that receives you. |
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It is a privilege to pronounce blessing on a godly house in the name of the Lord. |
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The greeting of peace (Shalom) implies the deeper meaning of wholeness of body, mind and spirit. |
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You are to confidently expect the Lord, in answer to your greeting in the name of the Lord, to prosper each family member in all things, always desiring that they be in health as their soul prospers (See 3 John 2). |
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Should you greet a house that proves unworthy, there is to be a withdrawing of favour or recommendation. This will avoid your being misrepresented in the community. |
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Fellowship with the Lord makes His servants channels of blessing to families they visit. Don't miss out on being a conduit of blessing to others by failing to visit. |
Matthew 10:14 "... when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet."
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When the message is rejected with contempt, you leave them with an unmistakable warning. |
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The shaking of the dust from off the feet dramatically testifies against a community that openly opposes the gospel. |
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Those who hear the gospel without readily accepting it are to be patiently entreated (2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Peter 3:9). |
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Action that is taken against the message, needs to be publicly answered. Not to give a clear answer is to miss a real opportunity to witness in demonstration and power (1 Corinthians 2:4,5; Acts 13:8-12). |
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The symbolic action of shaking the dust off, implied separation, so should never be done in anger, but in sadness and as a final warning. |
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The rule to follow is do all you can to persuade all. But if there are those who will not receive God's Word, pass on to those who will. |
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The community, or persons, who disdain and refuse the gospel are warned by the Lord Jesus, "It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city." (Matthew 10:15 NKJV). |
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In view of that coming judgment for blatant, contemptuous rejecters of the gospel of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, action should be taken by the Lord's sent ones to leave them with knowledge that they wilfully despise the opportunity of salvation. |
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Your mission and work for the Lord should be managed in a serious and responsible way in view of the life and death issue. |
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When Paul and Barnabas were expelled from the region of Pisidia of Antioch they dramatised their rejection of the synagogue where they had faithfully preached first (Acts 13;46,51). |
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS