The Twelve Disciples
Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Jesus realized that people were not enough to go forth as witnesses. He gave his disciples special powers. Then for all who trust in him, he said wait until the Holy Ghost comes, he is the power of God for witnessing.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Don't try to serve God without the Holy Spirit. It is God's Spirit that will speak through you to reach the lost.
Mat 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
The first four mentioned were fishermen. A lot is heard of Peter and John. James was killed by Herod in Acts 12:2.
Mat 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Philip brought many to Jesus and after receiving the Holy Spirit he was used mightily to bring souls to Christ. Thomas is best known as “doubting Thomas”, because he wanted proof of the Lord’s resurrection from death to life. Jesus showed him his wounds and Thomas saw him as he was.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Matthew the tax collector wrote this gospel of Jesus the King.
Mat 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Judas, held the coin purse, he would betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Judas would be replaced. Jesus spoke a future blessing to the twelve disciples, in the coming kingdom.
Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Twelve disciples judging the twelve tribes of Israel during the millennial Kingdom.
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
All were sent out with power from God to witness. At this time they were to only go to the people of the promised Messiah, Israel. They would know of him, because the prophecies concerning him were given to Israel.
Rom 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Rom 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Abraham looked for a heavenly city. The disciples and Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
They were given the same powers that Jesus had, to do the miracles of God. Jesus also gave us things, greater things to do then these, when he said:
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
What a promise. Healings and miracles we shall do in his name. What could be greater? Could it be salvations, souls forgiven, many more then he saw when he was here? There is no greater miracle then a person born-again in God's Spirit. We are children of God, with all things of God available to us. Receive by faith and go out as his witnesses.
Witnessing by Faith
Mat 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
Mat 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
In their journey as Apostles, the disciples were not to take any provisions, they were to rely entirely on faith. The principle being, the workman is worthy of his meat. The bearer of good news should have their needs met among their own people.
Mat 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
Relying on the friendship and open hospitality of those who receive you. One would not want to go where not received.
Mat 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
Peace unto you in the name of Jesus.
Mat 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
If peace is present, a good spirit of love and hospitality, you may stay. Sometimes, a bad spirit may be present. A sense of not being welcome, nor would Jesus be welcome if he were there, if this is felt, then leave the dwelling. They were walking in God's Spirit, the Spirit is sensitive and knows when to stay or to depart.
John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Mat 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
There comes a time, when enough is enough. Everyone should hear the gospel message. They were preaching that God's Kingdom was at hand. The gospel we preach is the forgiveness of sins through Jesus and the new life in His Spirit. The Kingdom is now within.
Note, that they did not plead with unbelief. These people would not listen to them. I have seen witnesses pleading saying, God loves you, and saying all the right words, but the person hearing only mocked them, wanting no part of the message. Listen, God's love is in His Son Jesus, if we refuse him we are condemned. Leave them and let God work on their hearts.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
God's word will accomplish God's purpose. It will bless or curse, depending on the choice made by those who hear. The custom of the Jews to show disfavor was to shake the dust off of their feet against these who were unworthy.
Mat 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
These people refused the Messiah, a greater sin because he was in their midst.
Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Not many will receive the gospel, but praise God for those who do. Theirs is the Kingdom of God.
Sent Sheep
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Sheep are not too smart and helpless on their own. They need a shepherd. First they are called, the Shepherd leads and then they are sent as obedient servants. Jesus is the Shepherd who tells them where to go. The world is a dangerous place for innocent sheep.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Who are these wolves? Wolves are the false prophets and false teachers. They are the enemies of Jesus, dividers that wish to scatter the sheep. They are of a different spirit. We have the Spirit of unity, the wolf wishes to scatter the sheep and then devour the ones isolated and alone. He does this by lies.
Be ye therefore wise as serpents,
The serpent represents the devil and his fallen angels; they are subtle and clever. If the wolves come against you, be wise to see them, know who they are and test the spirits.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
And harmless as doves.
The dove is the symbol of the gentle Holy Spirit. They are meek with a soft voice. With Elijah, God spoke with a soft voice.
1 Ki 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
In fact the voice of the Holy Ghost may not be heard, but recognized by impression, as with Paul on his missionary journeys.
Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
We are to be harmless.
Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Phil 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Before we go out, we must be taught by Jesus, the good shepherd. We must know his voice so that we do not follow a lying spirit. We are not to be like the evil workers, but we should be wise to their ways. The way of the sheep of God is a gentle harmless way, seeking to do good always. For we are the sheep of the good shepherd.
Beware of Men
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
First they were told to beware of wolves, satan's workers, now they are to beware of men, they will accuse before councils and their synagogues. They were to witness to their own, the Hebrews. They would be beaten for their testimony that was not received.
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Mat 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
1 Pet 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1 Pet 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1 Pet 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Reassuring words from our Lord, God's Spirit, the Spirit of truth speaks in our defense. Wolves will accuse you, circle you and attempt to cut you off with howling words. Words that oppose your testimony of the gospel message. Men will accuse you, out of envy and strife. Stand fast, for the Spirit of God will make alive the word of God that you have placed in your heart.
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phil 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
Phil 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
We belong to God. Those who oppose the message of truth shall perish in their sins, unless they repent.
Witnessing during Persecution
Mat 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
This happens to Christian believers when Christianity becomes unpopular, and the prevailing religion and the government rise in opposition. The children are taught in school different values. The older people are holding to the traditions of Judaism. They will think they are serving God to put Christians to death. The apostle Paul, was Saul, the persecuter of the church, before Jesus was revealed to him.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
We are to endure persecution until the end. Here is what to do.
Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
The greatest persecution came to Jesus. They reviled him, stripped him, whipped him and nailed him on a cross to die. Many of the disciples were fearful and were in hiding following his death. Yet, they were told to continue witnessing and they would see the son of man come. He would rise from the grave. They were not to fear, but to believe his promises.
Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Mark 16:10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
Mark 16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
This is Jesus' command to all believers, preach the gospel to all the world, until the son of man comes for his church.
Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Let the light shine.
The Master
Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
The disciple learns from his master. Trouble comes when the disciple tries to run ahead or thinks he can take the place of the master. This is what Lucifer tried to do, to take over the authority of God.
Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isa 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
This does not mean that in service you shall not be allowed to do more then the master. Jesus said we would do greater things. The master teaches you how to accomplish His work.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
What is required of us when we learn of Jesus? We are to be like him having the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
The Jewish leaders were accusing Jesus of doing the work of the devil. If they accused and hated the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, how much more will they accuse those who learn of Jesus? This is persecution. It is a false belief that the way of Jesus is a wrong way. A bumper sticker on a car, ahead of me in traffic read: " Doing my best to (upset) the radical right." Who do the lost consider the radical right to be? Those who follow Jesus and do his work. They expose sin and make the morally evil society upset. Evil people are upset with those who make them uncomfortable. How can people serve evil and serve God? They cannot destroy the master, they tried, but he is risen from the grave and at the right hand of the Father. No one can escape Father God and he has appointed Jesus to judge the world by his word. His word is life, take heed to it and follow him into everlasting life.
Fear not, trust God
Mat 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Fear not those who would persecute you, for they cannot conceal their sins and their hearts from God, they are known by Him
Prov 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Prov 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Prov 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
We are not to stop witnessing, because we are opposed.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
We are to listen and to follow God through the Holy Spirit and his written word, .. Listen to God's voice through the prophet Isaiah.
Isa 50:4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Isa 50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
Isa 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Isa 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
Isa 50:8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
Isa 50:9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
Isa 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Isa 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
Isa 51:8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
The Father concerns for the tiny sparrow. I heard one man say, "and yes the sparrow falls, but he doesn't do anything about it." The point is, that God watches over the sparrows and feeds them and is concerned for them, even unto the end of their short lives. Our lives are longer, but very short compared to eternity. Do we give God glory in the good times? If not we certainly will not honor him in difficult times. Learn to trust in God, praise him and thank him for being your Father. We do not blame God if things do not go as we have planned. God is greater then our plans, we are to trust him, no matter what happens.
Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Mat 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Confess Jesus
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
I confess that Jesus is my Lord and savior from my sins. In him is everlasting life through the remission of sins. I am reconciled to God, the Father, and I reside in Him through His Holy Spirit. Jesus' blood covers me and I am a receiver of all that he is, as he has taken my sin and guilt upon himself to the cross and he is raised from the grave. I am a joint heir with Jesus; my life is for him, bringing others to him for a new life free from past sin and guilt. My future is glorious as a child of the Most High God. He loves me and has a purpose for my life. Is this your confession too?
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus may not be popular in the world. He is made fun of in jokes and people use his name in vain. We are not to be as the world, but vessels to honor him. We do not do our own will and tack the name of Jesus on afterwards. Jesus spoke of those who pretended to be his, yet had no connection through his Spirit and prayer.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The world is full of phonies and false witnesses. We will be true witnesses of the Lord. His word will be shared and the gospel taught.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Not peace, but a sword
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Not a sword for harm to another, but a sword of truth, the word of God, powered by God's Holy Spirit.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
If truth offends and those who are close to you oppose God's word and the Lord Jesus Christ, then you choose Jesus. If necessary, you may have to cut off the ties of the world.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
If we love God and family members oppose Jesus, then they are of a different spirit, our foes, or enemies may be in our own household. It is spiritual warfare. The devil who is in control will come against the Spirit of God within you. You need not take it personal if you are called names, ignored, abused, because it is the spirit of the devil fighting against the good spirit within you. Yes, it hurts more when your own family comes against you, it is not God's plan. Families are for love, safety and instruction in good things. When the family members are in league with evil, woe to them at the judgment. Pray for them but do not let them control your life. You are now in Christ Jesus. You belong to God now.
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
This verse is in reference to obedience and who you wish to please the most; we please God. Other religions point to this as showing that God is telling us to hate our families. We are to love Jesus more and more and those of family who do not love Jesus, we love less and less in comparison. We love all people and pray for them, yet, in comparison to our love and obedience to God, it is as hate, because our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is absolutely worthy of all our hearts love and affection, honor and praise. He wants us to believe in him. You can't trust anyone? Then trust God, he will give you His love for others; his hope and He will increase your faith.
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
How much is all?
Take up your cross
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
The cross is a symbol of sacrifice, we are to give up our life to follow the will of the Father. We are to follow Jesus, if we fall back and live in sin, we are not worthy disciples. We are to be living sacrifices.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
The Spiritual life is often backward and upside down. When I first followed Jesus, a near relative would say, "you are backward." Not saying I was perfect, but the way of God is often contrary to the way of the world.
When we find our life, in Christ Jesus, we put aside the will of the flesh and the things that the world pursues.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Some of these verses come up again and again, I suppose you might call them gold nuggets and jewels of the word. Can we hear them too often?
The Rewarder
Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
We are witnesses for Jesus, ambassadors for Christ. We are ministers to reconcile the lost back to the Father God, through the blood of Jesus.
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We are as Christ in the world, so if we are received, our message of grace is received. Those who receive us are received by Christ Jesus and by God the Father, they are born-again of His Spirit. Those who persecute you, will receive nothing from God, but judgment and wrath.
Mat 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Rather then persecute the people of God, the believer receives them, does good to them, encourages them, in this way we share in their good works and in their rewards. There are many who have a critical spirit, who find fault with God's servants and act as judges of them; God will judge these. I prefer God's blessings, for we are told to even bless our enemies, how much more shall we bless those who serve the Lord?
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Doing good works in the name of the least that are of Jesus, will be rewarded. We are called to serve; yet many want to be chiefs. Remember, Christ came as a servant; shall we be Lords? He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Have the heart of a servant and do good to others in his name. In the end we will be rewarded for our good works.
Rev 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
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