Following
Christ Through The Gospels
Bible Study IV
As
we have seen already, the Lord Jesus often retires into the quiet place. On this
occasion he goes to the mountain with the express purpose of calling twelve men,
- disciples, - to Himself. Notice, within this particular context, that He
called them with an effectual calling (Mk. 3:13), He ordained them (v.14), and
He empowered them (Mt. 10:1; Mk. 3:15; Lk. 9:1). Remember: these twelve
disciples were in accordance with Christ’s own particular choosing. First of
all, why twelve? … to coincide with the twelve tribes of Israel (in the Old
Testament/Covenant). In Rev. 4:4 and 5:8 these twenty-four are mentioned as
falling down before the Throne. Secondly, consider the type of men Jesus called
to be His disciples. How many of them would we have chosen? … loud-mouthed,
opinionated Simon Peter? … argumentative, self-elevating James and John? …
‘fiddler’ Judas Iscariot? … ‘politically motivated’ Simon the Zealot? … Matthew,
- a tax collector!? These were the people Jesus called to Himself with the
expectation of fulfilling His purpose while on earth. When we set out to choose
our company, we would most definitely have left out some of the people that
Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, chose to Himself!
Now, for this particular people, - the twelve disciples, - Jesus had
already a particular path for them to tread. They were not to go to the
Gentiles or to the Samaritans, - but to the children of Israel only (Mt.
10:5). Did the Gentiles and Samaritans not deserve to hear the Good News of
salvation? Did they not matter? Remember how Mt. 1:23 considers the meaning of
the name ‘Jesus’. Also Jn. 1:11.
As
these particular people travelled along a particular path they had
a particular proclamation, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 10:7).
This was the only message that He directed His disciples to declare.
Furthermore, they were also to tend to the physical needs of the people whom
they contacted (Mt. 10:8). How were the individual needs of the disciples to be
cared for? … “the workman is worthy of his meat” (v.10).
The
subject of evangelism is highlighted here in the early ministry of Christ. Here
is His evangelism ‘programme’:
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GO
“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and
commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any
city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven
is at hand” (Mt. 10:5-7). They were told where to go and where not to go. |
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Proclaim
the Gospel of Repentance
Compare Christ’s example (Mk. 1:15) with
the command He gave His disciples (Mt. 10:7). This is Christ’s Gospel, not some
trumped-up idea of what they thought evangelism ‘might’ be, or ‘could’ be. |
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The
Promise of Provision based upon trust
in God (Mt. 10:9-11) |
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Have a
definite aim.
“… enquire who in it [i.e. the
town/village] is worthy” (Mt. 10:11). Reality in evangelism demands careful
and prayerful thought. Pearls thrown at swine is a waste! (Mt. 7:6). Before
Christ had completed His briefing of the disciples they could have ran out into
the streets with eager anticipation, wandered about aimlessly, and achieved
nothing. They had to wait on the Master! They had to receive from Him the
purpose of their evangelism. Remember: the purpose of evangelism is not to fill
churches; the purpose of evangelism is to find “the lost sheep of the house of
Israel [i.e.” that the purpose of God
according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth” (Rom.
9:11)]. |
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The
Fruits of Evangelism are twofold:
acceptance and rejection. The sun can either melt or harden, similarly the SON.
Evangelism is a serious business. It is an absolute joy when the sinner is
brought to saving faith in Christ. However, when the sinner rejects God’s
salvation the terror that hit Sodom and Gomorrah is only a mere drop in the
ocean compared to the eternal punishment they face. |
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The
Enemies of Evangelism. … “the sheep in
the midst of wolves” (Mt. 10:16). Yes, they didn’t have to go out to the towns
and villages to meet this phenomenon, - there was Judas Iscariot among them,
the ‘son of perdition’ (Jn. 17:12). Wherever you have people eager to proclaim
the Gospel, you have people equally eager to cause havoc, distress and
confusion. |
The Lord Jesus then went on to describe the
persecution that would threaten the evangelists, - ‘rigged’ courtroom scenes and
unfair portrayals of the disciples activities. Even in this scenario Jesus
instructed His followers to uncompromisingly and unflinchingly speak the word of
His Father and to rely on the Holy Spirit for unction, guidance and power.
As
Christ concluded His discourse He clearly emphasised the meaning of a ‘disciple’
as being one who learns and continues to grow in knowledge. (Mt. 10:39-42). None
of us can ever say we know it all! But if you are a disciple, you will be
seeking more knowledge of Christ today than you had yesterday. … And that
knowledge is the very principle upon which living for Christ is founded.
What, then, was the result of Christ’s teaching to His disciples? … “And they
departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every
where” (Lk. 9:6). In time, each of these disciples would come to discover that
it costs to follow Jesus Christ, but it costs more not to!
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