Fearless "Apostling"
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Responding to Christ's commission for His church.
Text: Matt. 10:26-31.
Date: 04/22/2012, the Traditional service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 94
Description:
Throughout the tenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus has been commissioning His disciples to go forth as His apostles. In doing so, He is articulating a "battle plan" for an epic spiritual war to "take back" the world from the clutches of Satan and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. First He defined what "apostling" meant, to proclaim the message of the Kingdom in a way that would cause His people to listen. Then He made it clear they would run up against severe persecution from the Jews, from the Gentiles, and even from their own families. He is preparing His tiny group of Kingdom fighters for an epic struggle that will assuredly place them in harm's way and ultimately define the mission and purpose of the church. In this morning's passage, Jesus continues this commission with a speech of encouragement to His "troops". He tells His "apostlers" not to fear-- anything or anyone except God Himself-- but rather to boldly preach the truth of the Gospel whenever and wherever they have the opportunity. Even though persecution is inevitable, not even the mildest act of suffering will go unnoticed by their loving and sovereign Father in heaven. The church today-- and each individual Christian-- should listen intently to this commission and take comfort in these assurances as we raise up a new generation of "fearless apostlers".
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Matt. 10:26-31.
A. Context
1. The Lord's battle plan.
2. The assurance of persecution.
B. Have no fear to preach the truth, vs. 26-27.
1. Have no fear of "them", vs. 26a.
a. Re-identifying "them".
b. What it means to "have no fear".
2. The truth will find a way, vs. 26b, Matt. 5:18, John 17:17, 18:37-38, 8:44.
3. Preach with boldness, vs. 27.
a. Let your light shine, Matt. 5:15.
b. Shout the good news from the rooftops.
C. Have no fear of physical death, vs. 28.
1. Do not fear those who can merely kill the body.
2. Do fear the sovereign and holy God.
a. A different kind of "fear", Prov. 9:10.
b. The destruction of body and soul.
i. The whole person.
ii. Fearing the second death.
c. A clear vision of hell.
D. Have no fear because God is sovereign, vs. 29-31.
1. The value of sparrows, vs. 29.
2. The value of hair, vs. 30.
3. The infinite worth of the saints, vs. 31.
E. Summation, Rev. 6:9-11.
III. Application
A. Raising up fearless "apostlers".
1. Putting everything in perspective.
2. Preach the truth with boldness.
3. Expect persecution but do not fear it.
4. Take comfort in God's sovereign plan.
B. Personal applications.
1. Let your light shine.
2. Shout the good news from the rooftops.
3. Turning to Jesus.
IV. Conclusion
