Today’s message
is all about acceptance. But not in the way we typically expect. Because this kind of acceptance comes with a price. Jesus lays it down in a way that can not be swayed! He is speaking to his apostles, the ones he is sending out. Most people who have never read the Bible will probably be shocked to hear how Jesus instructs. Let’s look at what he says, as recorded in Matthew Chapter 10, “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!” He is giving them warning, 1. Do not think you can be greater than me. 2. Get ready for the name calling. and the disbelief. And then he gives encouragement. “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” This is how I feel. And this is why I write and post. What I hear in my spirit I have to shout out. The Lord has made a sword Come out of my mouth. “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows - one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:24-31 Jesus is reminding his apostles of how valuable they are. And they don’t have to worry because the Father is with them. As long as they fear only God, then they will be just fine. “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32 This declaration by Jesus himself should be enough to get us off our butts! Those who are ashamed to speak out Jesus’s name, will suffer a horrendous consequence. He said, “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!" Matthew 10:34-37 This message is also told in Luke Chapter 12. In the section about the Lord’s terrible baptism. We tend to think Jesus is about fairytales and roses, but the truth is he came to complete a very important mission! He says, “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:38-39 Do you know what idolatry is? It is loving something or someone more than you love God. This was a hard one for me to understand. But the truth is our children our on loan, We are to raise them and then give them back to God. He says, “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:40-42 It is very clear. If Jesus sends you out, and speaks through your mouth; Or if you are a follower of Christ and you do something nice, then the Father sees you as connected to His vine and will reward you in Heaven.
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