Matthew 10

vs. 5-15: The Procedures

vs. 16-23: The Problems

vs. 19-42: The Provisions

The Procedures

•Their mission was limited (Temporarily, cf. Matt 28:18-20)

• Where are you to be serving right now?

• What is the desire of your heart? (Psalm 37:4)

• The Message

• The same as John and Jesus previous message

• “The kingdom of heaven is near”

• A message centered on The King (Jesus)

• It was to be accompanied by miraculous signs

• Nothing yet about forgiveness

• Nothing yet about the indwelling of The Holy Spirit

• This will come later

• What about the miracles of Jesus? (Acts 2:22)

• There is a distinction between the miraculous works before and after the day of Pentecost

• No record of the miracles through the disciples before that day (although they are implied cf. Matt. 17:17-20)

• Many mentioned after Pentecost (Acts 2:43; 5:12)

• These were performed by the Apostles, which included more than the 12 men (eg. Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy)

• A couple (Stephen & Philip) from outside of the Apostle group are recorded to have performed miracles

• They may well be Apostles according to 2 Cor. 12:12

• This kind of physical, miraculous healing is exceptional, not normal

• The Material Possessions

• Take nothing...this time!

• They would have everything provided for them

• Not to be weighed down by these concerns

• Later Jesus asked them how that worked out for them?

• Luke 22:35 = They lacked NOTHING!

• Now they’ve learned the fundamental lesson of relying on God, in vs. 36 He sends them out in a different way

• We all need this introductory lesson to the Christian life

• Location, location, location

• Look for a welcome & receptiveness

• Build a nucleus from there

• If no nucleus was found they were to leave

• They were workers WITH God NOT for God

• He does not abandon these people

• But the onus is not on the disciples to persuade and convince men

• We are to keep in step with God

• See how The Son of God puts it: John 5:17; 19-20

• Nothing we do is to be independent of the Father