Matthew 10 The Assignment of the Called - Sermon Summary
This past Sunday in our Matthew series Nick taught through Matthew 10, looking at what he called “The Assignment of the Called.” This chapter shows Jesus sending out the twelve, encouraging them to have no fear and to expect opposition, but to stand firm as a disciple. To us and our context, Nick wanted to clearly point out that this can be a struggle for American Christianity, because we generally assume that comfort in this world should be expected, and we can fall into the trap of assuming America equals Christian, so we’re surprised when Biblical Truths are derided and those who align with them are not viewed favorably.
This can be a tough truth to reckon with, that our call in Christianity is not a call, much less a guarantee to comfort. But what we are called to is to be humble and patient peacemakers, leaning on Him as He’s given us everything we need through the Spirit, and that everything works out according to His purposes, regardless of how the (unbelieving) world feels about us as Christ followers. (Eph. 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Rom. 8:28-30, John 15:18-19)
Looking at Matthew 10, These were Nick’s points from Sunday: Number 1) Stay on Mission, v9, as in don’t get distracted by trying to make your way as a disciple yourself. God has called you, He will provide the way. In chapter 10 He is sending out the disciples without provisions to just trust the Lord will provide. That doesn’t mean we are foolish or irresponsible in our lives, but that we don’t put our trust in money, possessions, and comfortable plans. Also that our obedience is not dependent on if we think we’ll have enough to accomplish our calling or if our lives will look the way we want them to. We often are called to trust God in what He’s called us to even if it doesn’t make sense “on paper” on how it will work out.
Number 2) was Expect and Embrace Persecution, v18-20, because God gives us what we need when we need it. Truly following Christ will require us to step over what we think our comfort lines are, but that is where we faithfully step into obedience. Jesus eventually obeyed the Father to the point of death (Phil. 2:8-11), and here in Matthew 10:26-33 He’s encouraging the disciples that even to the point of death we have no reason to fear the world, because the Father’s authority and power is unfathomably more than the world’s, and He knows what we need, therefore, have no fear.
This points to Number 3) Love God Most, v34-39, because the aim of the Gospel isn’t to go along with the world kingdom and world’s values, but it brings division. One is either in the Kingdom of Heaven, or not; “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…” (Matt. 6:24). This is where the rub for Americanized Christianity really comes in, isn’t it? In Chapter 10 where Jesus is saying He is bringing a sword, this isn’t combative talk, but candidly saying one is either in allegiance with the King or isn’t. He’s setting everything in life under the ultimate priority and authority of the Gospel message of the Kingdom, really hammering in that point saying our love even for our family should pale in comparison to our love for the Messiah. This is the hard truth to deal with when we want to push back and say “What about my comfort/career/possessions/etc.?” Jesus does not mince words: “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 10:38-39).
And finally what ultimately matters as a disciple reflecting the heart and actions of our Lord, Number 4) Serve the Least, v40-42. What Jesus is saying in these verses is that serving the least has eternal value. In verse 42 Jesus says, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Jesus is emphasizing that it’s not just about knowing the right things, but actually doing them, that is where real value is found. This is reflected in many places throughout Scripture, such as James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
So as we work out our discipleship remembering that, as Nick said, “our mission is given to us by God, and it’s not about us,” let us strive to reflect Christ by staying on mission, expecting and embracing persecution, Loving God most and serving the least of these (Matthew 25:34-40).