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Matthew 10:40 "He who receives you receives Me..."
The Lord encourages you with His knowledge that there will be many who will receive you. The hostility of rejecters will not stop those who receive you from welcoming you to their hearts and homes.
Being sent by the Lord of the harvest is in itself the guarantee of harvesting, no matter how unpromising the field. At the time the Corinthian Jews opposed Paul and blasphemed, Paul made clear the consequences of their rejection and turned to the Gentiles with the message of life (Acts 18:5-6). The Lord of the harvest encouraged His harvester by speaking to him in a night vision. He told Paul not to be afraid, rather Paul was to be an unrestrained, bold messenger. The Lord assured Paul of His companionship and protection, and promised that many people were known to the Lord who would be gathered into the Church (Acts 18:9-11).
Make no mistake about it, as a sent one the Lord's intention for you is to use you as a gatherer.
Those who receive you are the fruit and confirmation of your ministry (2 Corinthians 3:1-3). Changed lives are the proof of your ministry's authenticity.
Remember, you were not sent to win to yourself, you were sent to win to Christ. As His ambassador you represent Him, and it is His message that you must speak, not yours. Your job is to present people to Christ Jesus. He alone is the only Saviour, who forgives the repentant sinner and reconciles to God.
Reception of you is the outcome of the hearers believing, accepting the good news of Christ, faithfully spoken to them. Believers appreciate and esteem you when you labour in the Word of God to build them up and equip them in service for the Lord. When you live before them the Word you teach, they are impressed by your faithfulness and union with the Lord.
In reception of you, as the communicator of the message of life in Christ, they receive Christ personally and know His salvation. They know the Son, therefore they know the Father, saving faith believes in God the Father and the Son whom He sent. Jesus said to the unbelieving Pharisees:
John 8:19 "Then they said to Him, 'Where is Your Father?' Jesus answered, 'You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.'"
Spiritual receptiveness commences with reception of Christ. For continued and fresh receptiveness it is required that you, and those you lead, to develop sensitivity to what the Holy Spirit is saying (Revelation 2:7).
Matthew 10:41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward ..."
Since the travelling prophets of the early Church (Acts 11:27-28) there have continued to be those honoured with a distinct commission from God to declare His will, and inspire the Lord's people with vision and direction (Ephesians 4:11). Don't be a Diotrephes who refused to welcome them to the local church fellowship (3 John 9- 10).
The prophet has both a present and future reward. Part of his present reward is the joy of delivering a message from God, and speaking to men a life-changing word. Such reward is consequent upon obedience. There is also the reward following obedience, blessing, provision, bountifully provided by his caring munificent God.
The ultimate reward is truly God Himself. God says to each of His servants,
Genesis 15:1 "I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
The greatest thing in this life and the life to come is relationship with God. The reward is called "exceedingly great" because it is enjoying God forever, and in Him is perfect, infinite and increasing satisfaction, and service will be endless, intimate and fulfilling.
Revelation 22:3,4 "... and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; ..."
Those who receive a prophet in the capacity of a prophet, the same reward that is given to a prophet shall be given to them. Make much of an authentic word that comes from a faithful messenger of God, you will obtain his reward.
Matthew 10:41 "... And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."
To receive "a righteous man" because he is living the righteousness of which he speaks, becoming before you as a concrete example for you to emulate, is evidence of your loving and living righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
The Lord expects you as one justified by faith to excel in righteousness (Matthew 5:20).You can live in accord with the standard of God's Word, united by faith with Jesus in His life, and working "according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:4). You can live in righteousness by living step by step in the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16,25).
Value greatly the righteous man,
James 5:16 "... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Such persons are careful to avoid "faults" and show their faith by works (John 5:24). When such a one prays energised by the Holy Spirit, a particular request, or for the healing of someone, there is an explicit, even dynamic answer.
The righteous man has a sure reward. This is in recognition of righteousness worked in them by the Holy Spirit being acknowledged by the Lord "the righteous Judge", who would give him the special reward of "the crown of righteousness". (2 Timothy 4:8). But Paul clearly stated he would not be the only one. All who have lived faithfully in hope of the Lord's return will be among the righteous crowned in that day. Receiving the righteous is a righteous action that will be rewarded in that day.
Matthew 10:42 "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
Kindness to the most insignificant of the followers of Christ, will never go unnoticed by the Lord.
Those with notable ministries often have lavish attention paid to them, but the Lord observes the smallest gift bestowed upon one of His little ones, and keeps account, and rewards accordingly. Do make it your business to give quality time and support to those who are of humble spirit and lowly in their own eyes, and often without recognition, but who have the esteem of their Lord.
Mark 9:41 "... because you belong to Christ, ..."
This is what binds believers together. Bearing this in mind will keep you from favouritism, or preferential treatment. In ministering to the least you are ministering to Christ. It is with this emphasis on the value of every believer to Christ the Lord, you are to pursue your labours for your Lord.
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS