Endure and Conquer!
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Christ encourages His disciples to persevere through inevitable persecution.
Text: Matt. 10:21-22
Date: 03/11/2012, the Contemporary service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 91
Description:
Jesus continues to reveal to His disciples the harsh realities of "apostling". On the one hand, those called as evangelists will be blessed beyond measure, but on they other hand they will be severely persecuted. He has all ready explained how this persecution will come from both the Jews and the Gentiles. But now He reveals the hatred behind the persecution will extend to even their own families. The family unit was particularly important in ancient Palestine so this kind of disruption would be extraordinary and of deep concern. But Jesus wants His disciples to be completely aware of the downside of "apostling". But He also affirms the good side by reassuring them that "the one who endures to the end will be saved". We will discuss the meaning of this enigmatic statement and the balance between God's "perseverance of the saints" and our own human responsibility. Finally, we will find encouragement in this and other promises of God's faithfulness to His covenant people-- promises that those who endure are "more than conquerors" through Jesus Christ.
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I. Introduction, Matt. 5:10-12.
II. Exposition of the text, Matt. 10:21-22.
A. Context
1. The good news of "apostling".
2. The "bad news" of "apostling".
3. A lesson in public relations.
B. Persecution from the family, vs. 21-22a.
1. Brother against brother, vs. 21a.
a. A fallen symbol of "togetherness".
b. Forensic betrayal.
c. Final betrayal.
2. The breakdown of the family, vs. 21b.
a. Father against child.
b. Children against parents.
c. Micah's fulfillment, Mic. 7:6.
3. The hatred of all men, vs. 22a, John 3:16, Titus 2:11.
4. The reason for the hatred, vs. 22b.
a. The name of Jesus, Matt. 6:9.
b. Evidence of a cosmic hatred, Rev. 12, John 3:19.
C. Reasons for endurance, vs. 22c, 1Pet. 4:14, Rom. 8:18.
1. A call for perseverance.
2. When is "the end"?
a. The end of the persecution.
b. The end of life.
c. The end of the age.
3. The secret of salvation, Eph. 2:8-9.
a. Salvation is still by grace alone, 2Tim. 1:12.
b. Human responsibility, Luke 12:48.
III. Application: encouragement to endure, Rom. 8:37, Rev. 2:7,11,17,25-28; 3:5,10-12,21-22.
IV. Conclusion
