“What Should Christians Expect?”
(Matthew 10:16-25)
Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]
Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD
First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida
May 26, 2019
The Passage
Matthew 10:16-25
16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, because they will hand you over to local courts and flog you in their synagogues. 18 You will even be brought before governors and kings because of me, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you are to speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, 20 because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household!
Introductory Comments:
Before embarking upon the D-Day invasion, General Dwight D. Eisenhower shared these words with American forces:
Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.
The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory.
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory.
Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
Many members of the armed forces would go on to lose their lives on D-Day. They went into battle knowing that their lives were at stake, and they did so knowing that they were fighting for a great cause: the cause of liberty. General Eisenhower wanted to set the expectations for them before they went into battle.
Today, in our passage, Jesus will set the expectations for the apostles as He sends them out to proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God.
We are continuing our series in the Gospel of Matthew and we are right smack dab in the middle of the section where Jesus is giving very specific instructions to His followers.
Today, we’re going to discover four expectations Jesus gives to the apostles, and which apply to us as well.
Before we get into these, let’s go to God in prayer.
(prayer)
In their traveling with Jesus and their observation of His interactions with the religious elites, the apostles had surely learned that Jesus is not always well received. They potentially would have had to deal with challenges themselves by this point. However, Jesus is enlightening the apostles here to the reality that in the future they will experience a whole different level of hatred, persecution, and difficulty, perhaps, even death.
As the disciples go out to proclaim the Gospel they will learn that persecution may very well come with it.
One commentator said this, “Persecution and proclamation are inseparable,” (IVP New Testament Commentary).
We will learn today that this, indeed, is the case.
So, let’s look at these four expectations Jesus revealed to His apostles.
First, . . .
I. Christians should expect danger (16-18) [on screen]
Jesus comes right out of the gate saying this in verse 16: “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves.”
That should get our attention, should it not?
You talk about danger! Sheep among wolves? That’s dangerous.
Jesus said, “I am sending you out into danger.” He’s telling His apostles to expect danger.
Because of the danger, He tells them to be wise and innocent.
He says in the second part of verse 16, “Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.”
We should be shrewd, or wise, as a serpent in that a serpent is able to keep itself safe, is able to escape, and is able to avoid danger.
We should also be innocent as a dove in that we don’t give any reason to bring on persecution or accusation. Bottom line here: we don’t need to give anyone a reason to persecute us as Christians.
On this point, commentator Kurt A. Richardson says, “We more often invert the two, proving to be as guilty as serpents and as stupid as doves,” (New American Commentary). Don’t do that, church! Don’t give any extra reason for people to show hatred to you.
Jesus was basically saying that things will be hard enough for you, don’t give anyone any other reason to make it harder on you. Be wise and innocent.
Then, Jesus goes into detail about what types of dangers the apostles may face.
Look at verses 17 and 18: 17 Beware of them, because they will hand you over to local courts and flog you in their synagogues. 18 You will even be brought before governors and kings because of me, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.
We see different levels of persecution which Jesus foretells for the apostles.
We see it from the Jews. Jesus says in local courts and synagogues they will face persecution.
We also see it from the Roman government. Jesus says they will be brought before governors and kings, Gentiles, in order to be persecuted.
Amazingly, Jesus says that one of the effects of this persecution is that the apostles will be able to bear witness about Jesus to others, including the Gentiles. What a beautiful miracle!
That takes us to the second expectation which Jesus gives to the apostles.
II. Christians should expect help from the Holy Spirit (19-20) [on screen]
Look at verses 19 and 20.
19 But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you are to speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, 20 because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.
This is fantastic! Jesus is telling His followers ahead of time that danger will come. Rejection will come. Harm will come. A time will come for you to have to give a defense, and when you do so, you will be witnesses for Him. The apostles may be thinking, “What are we supposed to say? How will we be witnesses for you?”
Jesus provides us with this supernaturally miraculous solution to the problem that the disciples had. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit of God will speak through the followers of God in that moment. Wow!
In the moment of persecution, in the moment of danger, God will speak to us and through us. That’s amazing and it should be comforting.
We can expect help from the Holy Spirit.
(pause)
Now, you can be comforted to know that this passage is not speaking about a preacher coming to preach without being prepared. Believe it or not, I prepare my sermons. I pray that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me and through me in my preaching as well. However, this verse does not mean that we are not to prepare ahead of time in sharing the Gospel or preaching the Scriptures.
This passage is speaking specifically about a moment of pressure and persecution which may naturally lead to us being unable to speak boldly. Jesus says that the Spirit of God will be with us and will guide us, supernaturally.
The same Spirit that descended upon Jesus like a dove will be there to guide us in the midst of persecution.
We will, indeed, desperately need God in moments like these, and the apostles would surely need God’s Spirit because Jesus says things will even get worse.
The third expectation is that . . .
III. Christians should expect hatred (21-23) [on screen]
This is very difficult to understand in our modern culture because cultural Christianity is so rampant in America. However, Jesus wants to make it very clear that His followers should expect hatred.
Listen to verses 21-22.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
In case there is any confusion as to the degree to which people may hate followers of God, Jesus says that Christians will even be hated and delivered to death by their own family members. He then adds, “You will be hated by everyone.” That is, you will be hated by all types of people: your countrymen, the government, even your own family.
This is a shocking and sobering reality. We must deal with this. Some people are so bent against the cause of Christ that they will hate and even kill those who follow Him. This was a reality in the days of Jesus, it’s a reality in parts of the world today, and it may very well be a reality for those of us in this room at some point.
Jesus offers us a bit of comfort here on this idea of the intense hatred which His followers may endure.
He says, “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Well, what does this mean, exactly? Here’s what we know: our salvation is already secured, forever. However, we have not fully experienced the full force or benefits of our salvation. At the end of all things, those of us who are in Jesus will be saved from all the hatred, all the persecution, and all the danger that this world has thrown at us, and we will be saved forever!
We may very well suffer on the earth, as followers of Jesus. However, that will only last so long and then we will be saved to eternal glory which will never end!
The one who endures to the end will be saved.
(pause)
Speaking also of this persecution, Jesus says if it gets too bad, leave if possible.
He says in verse 23, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
Remember, Jesus has told His apostles that there are people all over who need to hear the Gospel message. The harvest is plentiful. So, if you’re being persecuted and you are able, go to another town and start sharing there.
This doesn’t mean that we seclude ourselves in a compound. This means that we find a new place to minister.
There are so many people who need to hear, so keep moving and keep proclaiming until you find people who are willing to hear and then develop disciples there.
Remember, Jesus sent the apostles first to the Israelite people. He tells them to keep moving and keep proclaiming to the Israelites. There are so many who need to hear that they, and those who come after them, will not have reached all the Israelites with the Gospel before Jesus returns.
There are so many people who need to hear the Gospel, both Jew and Gentile. As we follow Jesus, as we proclaim the Gospel, some may hate us. You know what? It’s worth it anyways! The Gospel is worth it! It’s worth it to be like Jesus!
That takes us to our final expectation given to us by Jesus.
IV. Christians should expect to be like Jesus (24-25) [on screen]
These final two verses make it clear that Jesus will go through these persecutions, and as followers of His, the apostles will as well.
Listen to verses 24-25.
24 A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household!
Verse 24 makes it very clear that if Jesus, the teacher and master, will suffer, so also His disciples and slaves will suffer.
We are to be like Jesus, so we are to suffer as He suffered.
Then, Jesus says that those persecuting Him even referred to Him as “Beelzebul.”
This is not a name which we use every day.
Beelzebul means “master of the house” or “lord of the high abode.”
This name is also a distortion of the name Beelzeboub meaning “lord of the flies.”
This reference is a reference to a vile, evil, spirit God. Some say it is a reference to the prince of demons.
The King of Heaven was referred to as the price of demons. We should also expect hatred.
Jesus is alerting His apostles, and also us, that we should expect to be hated, persecuted, and even killed, as He was hated, persecuted, and killed.
We should expect these things when we walk with Jesus.
Concluding Thoughts:
The task to reach people with the Gospel is not through. The harvest is great. Jesus sent out His apostles like sheep among wolves. He is also sending us out, to our neighbors, to our coworkers, to strangers, and to every stretch of the world.
As we go, we can expect danger, we can expect persecution. However, we are not alone.
That takes us to our bottom line:
Bottom Line: Followers of Jesus should expect hard-times, but they should also expect help. [on screen]
(repeat)
The Holy Spirit of God is there to help us.
The dangers of persecution and hatred are real and scary. However, God is more powerful than anything in this world and He can comfort any fear, hurt, or danger that this world can throw our way. You have to know that fact because not everything in this life is simple and hunky-dory for the Christian.
Jesus will speak to us in next week’s passage about not being afraid of the persecutors. The reason we can be fearless is because we are in the palm of God’s hands.
Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?” [on screen]
The world is full of animosity towards Jesus and His followers, but we are in the hands of Almighty God!
We should expect these things. Even this week you can prepare yourself in the following ways:
Weekly Challenge: [on screen]
- Identify some of the hard-times that you have experienced as a follower of Jesus. [on screen]
Have you been hated, rejected, ostracized because of your faithfulness to Jesus?
The reality is, most of us probably haven’t.
That really brings some questions up as to why we’re not experiencing what Jesus said we should experience.
I’m thankful for freedom of worship in our country. At the same time, maybe we need to stretch out a bit more with our reach and turn up the intensity a bit more in our evangelism.
Take some time this week and think through this.
- Identify some of the ways the Holy Spirit has helped you in your hard-times. [on screen]
How has the Holy Spirit of God helped you?
I’d like to share a personal story with you. When I was in Brazil on a short-term mission trip, I was sharing the Gospel with a lady working in a storefront and it was just a Holy Spirit moment when God guided me directly in this conversation. He perfectly orchestrated the event for this woman to hear the Gospel. It was a beautiful Holy Spirit moment.
Spend some time this week and think of how the Holy Spirit has guided you and ask Him to guide you more.
- Identify where your loyalties lie. [on screen]
If persecution increases, and I believe it will if we are faithful, where will your loyalties lie?
What if religious elites reject you, as they rejected Jesus and the apostles?
What if the government persecutes you, as they did Jesus and the apostles?
What if your own family members reject you because of the Gospel, as has happened for thousands of years to those faithful to Jesus?
Spend some time this week in reflection upon that idea.
Closing:
The calling to follow and obey Jesus is a difficult task. It’s a dangerous task.
As I said earlier in the sermon: proclamation of the Gospel and persecution because of the Gospel are inseparable.
You might ask, “Why would anyone do this?” Well, the dangers of evil are great, but the glories of our King Jesus Christ are so much better! He’s worth it all! In Jesus, we are promised the greatest treasure we could ever imagine for all of eternity.
The reward far outweighs the sacrifice. Let that motivation drive you to faithfulness. Let that motivation drive you to Jesus. Look to Jesus, church.
(Gospel Presentation)
(Closing Prayer)
Invitation Song – Lord Here am I
Benediction:
If you have any sort of spiritual decision that you would like to make, you can contact me or any member of our staff and we would be glad to talk to you anytime.
Don’t forget about our Ladies’ Tea and Brunch on June 1 from 11 AM – 2 PM.
Also, don’t forget about the baby bottle fundraiser for Options for Women Pregnancy Help Center. We’ll be collecting until Father’s Day.
We won’t have an evening service tonight as we enjoy the Memorial Day weekend with friends and family.
Let’s dismiss by singing the Doxology.
(Sing Doxology)
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