Equipped for "Apostling"
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Instructions on preparations and provisions for the proclaimers of the Kingdom.
Text: Matt. 10:8-15
Date: 02/05/2012, the Traditional service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 89
Description:
The initial commissioning of the apostles continues as Jesus re-emphasizes the centrality of the proclamation of the message of the Kingdom and equips His apostles to go "apostling". As the proclaimers of this message, the apostles will be subject to the protection and provision of God as they go forth, so they need not encumber themselves with gold or silver, food or extra provisions. The "workman is worth his hire", so the Lord of the Harvest will move those who worthily accept the message of the Kingdom to care for the evangelist's temporal needs. But not everyone will accept the good news, so instructions are given on how to respond. Hidden in this response is a profound glimpse at the paradigm shift that is occurring in Redemptive History. Finally, Jesus warns those who reject the message of the severity and finality of their actions. We will examine some of these principles in a modern context and glean practical information for pastors and congregants, evangelists and disciples . We will briefly consider the radical difference between the economic model Christ is describing to His disciples and the model used by many churches and para-church ministries today. But most importantly, we will recognize and emphasize the centrality of the proclamation of the message of the Kingdom to the well-being of the church and the dangers of rejecting that message.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Matt. 10:8-15.
A. Context
1. The Proclamation of the message of the Kingdom.
2. The restricted commission.
3. The act of "apostling".
4. The "one-two" punch of the battle plan of the Kingdom.
B. Trusting in God for provision, vs. 8b-10.
1. The Kingdom is a free gift, vs. 8b.
a. No profiteering from the Gospel.
b. A model for Christian living.
2. Traveling light, vs. 9-10.
a. The meaning of "acquire".
b. Trusting in God for every penny, vs. 9.
c. Trusting in God for the essentials of life, vs. 10.
d. The laborer is worthy of provision.
i. Food for the laborers of the harvest.
ii. The privilege of supporting Rabbis.
iii. A delicate balance.
C. Staying with those who are worthy, vs. 11-13.
1. Determining who is worthy, vs. 11.
a. Careful scrutiny.
b. Defining "worthiness", Matt. 10:37-38.
c. Building relationships.
2. The blessing of peace, vs. 12-13.
a. The expanded meaning of "house", vs. 12, Luke 10:5.
b. Conditional blessings in eastern culture, vs. 13, Isa. 45:23, 55:11.
c. The effectiveness of Christ's peace.
D. Dealing with rejection, vs. 14-15.
1. More then poor hospitality, vs. 14.
a. The nature of the rejection.
b. The response to rejection.
c. The symbolic severity of rejection, Matt. 8:11-12, Acts 18:6.
2. Warnings of impending judgment, vs. 15.
a. Sodom and Gomorrah.
b. An exalted Christology, Matt. 7:21-23.
III. Application
A. Practical implications.
1. The message of the Kingdom should be free.
2. Ministers and missionaries should be cared for.
a. A delicate balance, 1Cor. 9:14.
b. Practical wisdom, Luke 22:35-36.
3. The church should depend on God for provision.
B. The tragedy of rejecting the message.
1. The centrality of the proclamation of the message to the church.
2. The centrality of Christ to salvation.
3. "Hell fire and brimstone".
IV. Conclusion
