The Hidden Power of the Kingdom Warrior
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus reveals the brilliance of His battle plan to save His lost sheep.
Text: Matthew 10:16-20
Date: 02/12/2012, the Traditional service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 90
Description:
Throughout the tenth chapter of his Gospel, Matthew has been explaining the missionary outreach of the church in rich military imagery. Jesus has come to reclaim the lost souls of His people from the clutches of Satan. He has all ready determined the battle field-- Galilee. He has chosen His Kingdom-warriors in the 12 apostles. He has developed His battle plan and provided His troops with the weapons they will need to lead the offensive. Last week, we learned how He intends to fund the campaign as the church advances across the centuries. In this message, Jesus prepares His apostles for the bitter fighting they will encounter and establishes the profile of a Kingdom-warrior. At first it would appear the battle plan is flawed, as Jesus sends His emancipators out as "sheep among wolves". But we soon find they have a "secret weapon" that will make even the most defenseless sheep invincible. In this message we will discuss what (or more accurately "Who") that secret weapon is and discover the true brilliance of Christ's battle plan to save His lost sheep through the hidden power of His Kingdom-warriors.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Matthew 10:16-20.
A. Context
B. Profile of a Kingdom-warrior, vs. 16.
1. Sheep among wolves, vs. 16a.
a. Expanding the metaphor of the lost sheep, Matt. 9:36, 10:6.
b. An apparent flaw in the battle plan, John 10:12.
2. The syncretism of serpents and doves, vs. 16b.
a. Wise as serpents.
i. An unlikely allusion, Gen. 3:1.
ii. True Kingdom-wisdom.
iii. A sharp contrast with man's folly.
iv. Savvy Kingdom-warriors, Luke 16:8.
b. Innocent as doves.
i. Undivided and singular innocence, James 1:8.
ii. Helpless and defenseless doves, Hos. 7:11.
c. A simply brilliant battle plan.
C. Profile of a "wolf", vs. 17-18.
1. The Jewish persecution, vs. 17.
a. Handed over to legal prosecution.
i. The Sanhedrin.
ii. Local councils.
b. Flogged in their synagogues, 2Cor. 11:24.
2. The Gentile persecution, vs. 18a.
a. The Gentile "wolves", Acts 25:23.
i. The governors of the Gentiles.
ii. The kings of the Gentiles.
iii. The rest of the Gentiles.
b. The significance of the Gentile wolves.
i. The extended scope of the persecution.
ii. The intensity of the persecution.
3. The hidden power and purpose of the persecution, 18b.
a. For the sake of Jesus and the Kingdom, Matt. 5:11, 10:24.
b. Witnessing to "sheep in wolves clothing".
i. Persecution with a purpose.
ii. Unlikely witnesses, Luke 23:47, Matt. 27:54, Acts 16:29-30.
c. A shift in reality.
D. The Kingdom-warrior's "secret weapon", vs. 19-20.
1. The assurance of conflict.
2. Standing on faith and obedience, Matt. 6:25,34.
3. Fearful tribunals.
4. Perfect words at the perfect time.
5. The power of the witness of the Spirit, vs. 20, John 15:26, Luke 21:15.
III. Application
A. The most powerful sheep on earth.
B. The Word of God "in that hour".
1. Before the sanhedrin, Mark 14:60-61.
2. Before the king, Luke 23:8-9.
3. Before the governor, John 18:33,36; 19:10-11.
4. The most powerful words, Mark 15:34, John 19:30.
C. Christ's commission to His Kingdom-warriors, Matt. 28:19.
IV. Conclusion
