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Matthew Chapter Ten
The Twelve Apostles (10:1-4)
INTRODUCTION
1. Upon what is your faith in Jesus Christ based? a. His miracles? b. His teachings? c. His resurrection from the dead? 2. In reality, our faith is based upon the words of the apostles of Jesus Christ... a. Apart from their gospels and letters, we know virtually nothing about Him b. They are the ones who tell us about His life, miracles, and resurrection 3. Jesus acknowledged that our faith in Him would depend upon their word... a. As indicated in His prayer for us - Jn 17:20 b. The Lord expected us to believe in Him through their word 4. Who are these men upon which our faith is based? a. What does the Bible and history tell us about them? b. Are they credible witnesses that we should believe? c. What is their role in the church of our Lord? 5. In Mt 10:1-4, we find the names of the twelve apostles... a. Matthew lists their names as they were sent on "The Limited Commission" - Mt 10:5-7 b. While Mark and Luke records their names when they were actually appointed as apostles - cf. Mk 3:13-19; Lk 6:13-16 [In this lesson I wish to focus our attention on "The Twelve Apostles",upon whom our faith is based, for whom we should be so grateful. Let'sstart by taking a closer look at...] I. THE IDENTITY OF THE APOSTLES
A. THE FIRST FOUR... 1. Simon, who is called Peter a. Introduced to Jesus by his brother, Andrew - Jn 1:40-41 b. Given the name Cephas (Peter) by Jesus - Jn 1:42 c. A fisherman, called to follow Jesus along with Andrew - Mt 4:18-20 d. Known for being impetuous; for example: 1) When Jesus walked on the sea - Mt 14:25-29 2) When Jesus foretold His death and resurrection - Mt 16:21-23
3) When Jesus foretold of some who would stumble - Mt 26:31-35
4) When Jesus was arrested in the garden - Jn 18:10-11 e. Known for his failures; for example: 1) Doubting when walking to Jesus on the sea - Mt 14:30-31 2) Denying the Lord three times - Mt 26:69-75 3) Leading himself and others into hypocrisy - Ga 2:11-13 f. But eventually living up to meaning of his given name (a rock) 1) Restored by Jesus after His resurrection - Jn 21:15-19 2) Directing the selection to replace Judas Iscariot - Ac1:15-26
3) Preaching the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost - Ac 2:14-41 4) Instrumental in the church at Jerusalem years - Ac 3-6; cf. Ga 1:18; 2:1-10 5) The first to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles - Ac10-11; 15:6-11
2. Andrew, brother of Simon a. A disciple of John the Baptist, he was one of Jesus' first disciples - Jn 1:35-40 b. He led his brother Simon (Peter) to Jesus - Jn 1:41-42 c. A fisherman, called to follow Jesus along with Simon - Mt4:18-20
d. He introduced some Greeks to Jesus - Jn 12:20-22 3. James the son of Zebedee a. Brother of John - Mt 10:2 b. A fisherman, called to follow Jesus along with John - Mt 4:21-22
c. Perhaps because of fiery temperment (evidenced in Lk 9:52-54), he and his brother were called "Sons of Thunder"
by Jesus - Mk 3:17 d. While seeking glory, they were promised suffering - Mk 10:35-40
e. Indeed, James was the first of the apostles to be killed - Ac 12:1-2 4. John, brother of James a. Called along with his brother, James - Mt 4:21-22 b. Along with brother and father, they were partners with Peter - Lk 5:10 c. Like his brother, he appeared quick to judge others - cf. Lk 9:49,54 d. But he became "the beloved disciple whom Jesus loved" 1) Who sat next to Jesus during the Last Supper - Jn 13:23 2) Who was given charge to care for Jesus' mother - Jn 19:26-27
3) Who was among the first to see the empty tomb - Jn 20:2-8
4) Who recognized Jesus following the resurrection - Jn 21:7
5) Who made a veiled reference to himself as the author of the Gospel of John - Jn 21:20-24 -- Of these four, Peter, James and John became "the inner circle" of Jesus' disciples. These three were present when Jesus raised Jairus' daughter (Mk 5:37), witnessed the transfiguration (Mt 17:1), and were summoned by Christ for support during His agony in Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-37). B. THE REMAINING EIGHT... 5. Philip a. Called by Jesus, the day after He met Peter and Andrew - Jn1:43
b. From Bethsaida c. He led Nathaniel to Jesus - Jn 1:45-46 d. He with Andrew brought the inquiring Greeks to Jesus - Jn 12:21-22
e. He was the one who asked Jesus, "Show us the Father" - Jn 14:8-9
6. Bartholomew a. He is traditionally considered to be Nathanael, because he is connected to Philip in the lists of the apostles in the Gospels - Mt 10:2-4; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16 b. If so, then he was introduced to Jesus by Philip - Jn 1:45-46
c. And was praised by Jesus as having no guile - Jn 1:47-51 d. He lived in Cana , and saw Jesus after the resurrection - Jn21:1-14
7. Thomas a. He was also called The Twin (Didymus) - Jn 20:24 b. At one point he was willing to die for Jesus - Jn 11:16 c. After the resurrection, he required empirical evidence before he would believe that Jesus was alive - Jn 20:24-25 d. A week later, such evidence was provided - Jn 20:26-28 8. Matthew the tax collector a. Also known as Levi - Mt 9:9; Mk 2:14; Lk 5:27 b. Called the son of Alphaeus, leading some to think he was related to James the son of Alphaeus - Mk 2:14; 10:3 c. Called to follow Jesus from his tax office, and later gave a feast at his home in honor of Jesus - Mt 9:9-13 9. James the son of Alphaeus a. He may be "James the Less", son of Mary (who witnessed Jesus' death, sought to prepare Him for burial, and found the tomb empty) - Mk 15:40; 16:1 b. Other than in the lists of apostles, he is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture 10. Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus a. Evidently the same as "Judas, not Iscariot" (Jn 14:22) and "Judas, brother of James" - Lk 6:16; Ac 1:13 b. He is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture 11. Simon the Cananite (Cananaean) a. Also called "the Zealot" - Lk 6:15; Ac 1:13 b. As such he had been a member of a radical party seeking to destroy Roman rule 12. Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot the betrayer a. Judas, of course, would later betray Jesus and hang himself - Mt 26:14-16,47-50; 27:3-10 b. In his place, Matthias was chosen - Ac 1:15-26 c. He had evidently been with Jesus from His baptism until His ascension - cf. Ac 1:21-22 [What an amazing and diverse collection of men upon which to trust thecontinuation of His mission! Men with personal failings, from oppositeends of the political spectrum. Yet Jesus took this band of men, worked with them for three years, and through them turned the worldupside down! Let's now consider what is revealed in Scripture about...] II. THE MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLES
A. AS WITNESSES FOR THE RESURRECTION... 1. Jesus had shown Himself alive through various proofs - Ac 1:1-3
2. Jesus commissioned them to testify concerning Him - Ac 1:8 3. Peter explained that the apostles were to be witnesses for the resurrection - Ac 1:21-22 4. Thus they testified again and again - Ac 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:30-32; 10:39-41; 13:29-31
-- The apostles served the important role of providing historical and legal proof that Jesus arose from the dead, so that our faith in Him might rest on a solid basis! B. AS TEACHERS FOR THE DISCIPLES... 1. Jesus did not reveal all during His earthly ministry - Jn 16:12
2. The Holy Spirit would reveal all the truth, working through the apostles - Jn 16:13-14; cf. 14:25-26 3. Thus the apostles' doctrine became the authority for the church, as commissioned by Jesus - Mt 28:20; Ac 2:42 4. This doctrine they preserved in their writings - e.g., 2 Pe 3:1-2
-- Through His apostles, Jesus continues to instruct His church as we continue stedfastly in their teachings! C. AS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CHURCH... 1. The church is built upon the foundation of the apostles, with Christ as the corner-stone - Ep 2:19-22 a. Their eyewitness testimony is the basis of our faith b. Their teaching is basis of our doctrine and practice 2. Their names are even depicted as written on the foundation for the New Jerusalem, which is the Lamb's bride (the church) - Re 21:9-10,14 [To such a small and simple group of men Jesus entrusted the future ofHis church! Was His trust well-founded? Well, consider what we knowfrom Scripture and tradition concerning...] III. THE DEDICATION OF THE APOSTLES
A. IN CARRYING OUT THE GREAT COMMISSION... 1. They were commanded to make disciples of all the nations - Mt 28:19
a. We read of the early work of the apostles in Jerusalem Judea and Samaria b. We can also read Peter's letters to those througout Asia Minor (Turkey 2. From sources outside the Bible, we are told: a. Peter is thought to have travelled to Rome Babylon b. Andrew is said to have preached in Bithynia , Scythia , Greece c. James the brother of John is said to have preached in India and Spain d. John, brother of James, spent time in Patmos , later in Ephesus churches of Smyrna , Pergamos, Sardis , Philadelphia Laodicea e. Philip ministered in Phrygia f. Bartholomew is said to have taken the gospel of Matthew to India g. Thomas is also thought to have travelled to India h. Matthew is said to have preached 15 years in Palestine and then went to Ethiopia , Macedonia , Syria , Persia Parthia i. James the son of Alphaeus - little is known of any work outside Jerusalem j. Thaddaeus is said to preached in Syria and Edessa k. Simon the Zealot is said to have preached the gospel in Mauritania , Africa, and even in Britain l. Matthias is thought to have gone to Damascus -- While much of the above is not known for sure, it does seem to coincide with Paul's statements concerning the spread of the gospel - Ro 10:14-18; Co 1:23 B. IN GIVING THEIR LIVES FOR THE LORD... 1. The apostles suffered much for the Lord a. As He warned them - Jn 15:18-20 b. As Paul described in 1 Co 4:9-13 2. But they did more than suffer discomfort, in most cases they gave their lives a. Peter - crucified upside down in Rome b. Andrew - imprisoned in Greece the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground (from which came the term, St. Andrew's Cross) c. James - beheaded by Herod - Ac 12:1-2 d. John - the only apostle thought to avoid a violent death e. Philip - scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified f. Bartholomew - said to have been placed into a sack and thrown into the sea, some say he was crucified g. Thomas - thrust through with a spear in India h. Matthew - said by some to have died a natural death, by others that he died in Ethiopia (pike fitted with an axhead) in the city of Nadabah i. James the son of Alphaeus - stoned by the Jews for preaching Christ j. Thaddaeus - unknown k. Simon the Zealot - suffered martyrdom under Trajan; some think crucified in Britain l. Matthias - said to have been stoned and then beheaded CONCLUSION
1. Do we appreciate the significance of the "supreme sacrifice" these men made? a. Their willingness to suffer and die strengthens the credibility of their testimony b. And what is that testimony? That Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave! -- They were not motivated by money or power; they were compelled by events they could never deny having seen and heard! 2. Through "The Twelve Apostles", we see the power of faith in Christ, transforming... a. Judgmental disciples into apostles of love (e.g., John) a. Political enemies into beloved brethren! (e.g., Matthew and Simon the Zealot) b. Cowards who denied Jesus into confessors who died for Him (e.g., Peter) 3. In "The Twelve Apostles", we have the basis for faith in Christ, providing... a. The foundation of our faith in Christ through their testimony b. The foundation of our belief and practice through their writings May we who are "built on the foundation of the apostles" (Ep 2:20),never forget these 12 humble disciples who faithfully answered the callof their Lord. May their example inspire us to greater faithfulness inour service to Christ!
Principles Of Evangelism - I (10:5-10)
INTRODUCTION
1. In Mt 28:19-20, Jesus gave what is commonly called "The GreatCommission"...
a. In which His apostles were charged to make disciples of all the nations b. A charge which still holds true today for His church 2. As we seek to carry out "The Great Commission" today... a. What principles should govern our efforts? b. Has the Lord provided any advice or counsel as to how we might best go about the work of evangelism? 3. In Mt 10:5-42, we find what is commonly called "The LimitedCommission"...
a. A charge given to the apostles during the earthly ministry of Jesus - Mt 10:1-5 b. So-called because He limited their work to the house of Israel - Mt 10:5-6 c. In which the Lord gave instructions to govern them as they sought to carry out their work 4. From the instructions of Jesus, we can glean some "Principles OfEvangelism"...
a. Principles that helped them also carry out "The Great Commission" b. Principles that can help us be more successful in evangelism today [In this lesson and one to follow, I want to point out at least ten principles that Jesus applied in sending out His apostles. They are principles that I believe can prove successful today. The first one is...] I. UTILIZE THE POWER OF SYNERGY
A. THE APOSTLES WERE SENT OUT TWO-BY-TWO... 1. As evident from Mark's account - cf. Mt 10:5a with Mk 6:7 2. A practice continued... a. When Jesus sent out the seventy - Lk 10:1 b. When the Spirit sent out Paul and Barnabas - Ac 13:2 c. When Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways - Ac 15:36-40
B. THIS ILLUSTRATES THE PRINCIPLE OF SYNERGY... 1. Synergy: "The working together of two things (muscles or drugs for example) to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects" 2. Two or more preachers working together can do more than by working separately a. They encourage one another, and help each other - cf. Ecc 4:9-10
b. A plurality of witnesses lend credibility to their story - cf. Jn 8:17 C. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY... 1. The practice of two or more preachers working together should be encouraged a. Especially in foreign fields or difficult areas b. Through the principle of synergy they can be effective in one area more quickly, and then move on to the next c. This is better than preachers working alone, struggling for years by themselves 2. Small congregations in the same area might need to ask themselves which is better... a. Trying to maintain two struggling works b. Or perhaps becoming one in order to grow faster, swarming later into two separate and larger congregations 3. In one's own personal evangelism... a. Seek out a companion in the congregation with similar interests b. Go together in visiting, teaching home studies, etc. [Perhaps much of the slow growth in evangelism today is a failure toappreciate the principle of synergy which was applied by the Lord andthe early church. Another principle to consider is...] II. EMPLOY THE PRACTICE OF SPECIALIZATION
A. THE APOSTLES WERE SENT TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL... 1. Which is why this is called "The Limited Commission" - Mt 10:5-6
a. Circumstances limited the arena in which they were to go b. E.g., their mission was to prepare people for Jesus' coming, and their time was limited - Mt 10:23; cf. Lk 10:1-2
2. Later, in carrying out "The Great Commission", the apostles had their individual "focus groups" a. Peter focused on the circumcised (Jews), while Paul focused on the uncircumcised (Gentiles) - Ga 2:7-9 b. Paul also focused on going where others had not gone - Ro15:20
B. THIS ILLUSTRATES THE VALUE OF SPECIALIZATION... 1. Specialization a. The act of specializing; making something suitable for a special purpose b. The special line of work you have adopted as your career 2. Certain skills, backgrounds, circumstances, etc., may make us more suitable to a certain area of endeavor a. We need to appreciate the diversity of function - Ro 12:3-5 b. We should not hesitate to focus in our area of expertise or opportunity - Ro 12:6-8 C. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY... 1. Preachers may choose to focus on certain areas or groups of people a. Based upon their background, ethnicity, or personal skills b. Some may be well-suited for foreign work, others for local work; some may be well-suited for holding gospel meetings, others may be better at personal work c. Time is limited, none can do it all 1) We should not expect every preacher to be alike 2) We should appreciate those who focus on their particular "mission field" 2. As a congregation... a. It's focus may depend upon several factors 1) The make up of its members and their abilities 2) The community in which the church is located b. While the congregation should try to reach all, it might focus on certain areas for which it is well-suited 1) E.g., senior citizens or young people 2) E.g., the affluent or poor 3) E.g., certain ethnic groups as opposed to others 3. In one's own personal evangelism... a. You might concentrate on your peer group b. You might focus on a particular type of evangelism for which you are well-suited [Certainly we should not specialize to the point that we refuse to helpthose who come our way; but there is value in utilizing one's strengthsand circumstances, being selective in the direction we go. The next principle is most essential...] III. PROCLAIM THE WORD OF GOD
A. THE APOSTLES WERE SENT TO PREACH... 1. In "The Limited Commission", the subject was the kingdom of heaven - Mt 10:7 2. In "The Great Commission", it was expanded to include the gospel of Christ - Mk 16:15 a. So Philip the evangelist preached when he went to Samaria - Ac 8:12 b. So Paul preached in synagogues and from house to house - Ac 19:8; 20:18-21,25; 28:23,30-31 B. THIS ILLUSTRATES WHAT SHOULD BE OUR THEME... 1. It should always be the Word of God, the Gospel: a. Which is God's power unto salvation - Ro 1:16 b. Able to save the souls of those who receive meekly - Ja 1:21
2. As Paul instructed Timothy: "Preach the word!" - 2 Ti 4:1-5 C. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY... 1. Preachers need to avoid things... a. Which entertain, rather than provide sound doctrine b. Based more upon the ideas of men, rather than the Word of God -- Text based, expository preaching can help keep preachers in the Word 2. Churches should consider what message they are presenting to the lost... a. Is it the gospel of health and wealth, or the gospel of Christ? b. Are we calling for people to become just church members, or disciples of Jesus? 3. In one's own evangelism... a. Do not get sidetracked on various issues b. While many subjects may have their place, they may be "second principles" rather than "first principles" c. The lost need to know the gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom, first and foremost! [The next principle is also taken from the words of Jesus to His disciples in "The Limited Commission"...] IV. OFFER OUR SERVICES FREELY
A. THE APOSTLES WERE TO "FREELY GIVE"... 1. They were empowered to cast out demons and heal the sick - Mt 10:1
a. Such signs were for the purpose of confirming their message b. As explained later - cf. Mk 16:17-20; He 2:3-4 2. They were to offer this service freely - Mt 10:8 B. THIS ILLUSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF "PRACTICING WHAT YOUPREACH"...
1. We preach a gospel of salvation offered as a gift - Ro 6:23 2. Jesus certainly gave Himself freely, that we might be rich - 2 Co 8:9 3. To charge people for the message we preach would be incongruous to the spirit of the message a. Do we want them to take our message of sacrificial love and the gift of salvation seriously? b. Then what we have to offer the lost should be without charge! C. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY... 1. Preachers have to be careful a. They do have a right for support (see next point) b. But they should not seek to get rich through their ministry 1) It is one thing to charge for the cost of producing materials 2) It is another to charge above expenses with the view of making money c. One sign of a false teacher or prophet is to exploit others by engaging in "covetous practices" - cf. 2 Pe 2:3,14 2. Churches should also consider what they offer the community a. E.g., services such as television and radio programs, audio tapes, videos, Bible correspondence courses, etc. b. Congregations which offer such things freely... 1) Display the spirit of the gospel 2) Avoid the appearance of "being interested only in people's money" 3. In one's own evangelism... a. Offer your message freely b. What gifts or abilities to serve you might have, offer without cost c. By the grace of God you are what you are, follow the example of Jesus and His apostles in offering themselves freely to the lost [At the same time, there is another principle of evangelism which relates to when one might receive support for their labor...] V. SUPPORT THOSE WILLING TO WORK
A. THE APOSTLES WERE ALLOWED MONETARY SUPPORT... 1. For which reason they were not to take anything - Mt 10:9-10 2. They could be supported by those who willing to provide for them - cf. Lk 10:7-8 B. THIS ILLUSTRATES THE PRINCIPLE OF SUPPORTING WORKERS... 1. As expounded upon by Paul in 1 Co 4:4-14 a. The right to forego secular work in order to serve in spiritual matters b. The right to receive carnal things in return for spiritual service c. A principle taught in the Law, and by Christ Himself 2. Applied to elders who rule well - 1 Ti 5:17-18 3. A practice encouraged by John many years later - 3 Jn 5-8 C. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY... 1. Preachers may rightly receive support for their labors a. It allows them to concentrate their efforts in matters of the gospel b. Of course, this support should come from those who are Christians, and should not be a means of accumulating wealth (see previous point) 2. Churches have an important role in such support a. Churches can provide support of preachers - 2 Co 11:8-9 b. Much foreign evangelism goes undone today, not because preachers are unwilling to go, but because churches have not been willing to send and support - cf. Ro 10:15 3. In one's own efforts... a. There is nothing limiting an individual from helping to support preachers b. While one might help support a local congregation's effort to send and support, one can also help through direct support CONCLUSION
1. Here are "The Principles Of Evangelism" we have gleaned so far from our Lord's instructions in giving "The Limited Commission"... a. Utilize the power of synergy b. Employ the practice of specialization c. Proclaim the word of God d. Offer our services freely e. Support those willing to work 2. As we saw, these principles were later employed by the early church... a. Which may help explain the rapid spread of the gospel in the first century b. Which can still be useful to the Lord's church today -- Could it be that failure to implement any of these may be reasons why the church is not growing like it did then? In our next lesson, we shall examine yet another five principles of evangelism from the instructions Jesus gave to His apostles...
Principles Of Evangelism - II (10:11-42)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our previous study, we began looking at the instructions Jesus gave in charging His apostles with "The Limited Commission"... a. In which He sent them to preach to the house of Israel - Mt 10:5-10
b. To prepare the way for Jesus to come to them personally - cf. Mt 10:23; 11:1; Lk 10:1 2. In that study, we observed five "Principles Of Evangelism"... a. Utilize the power of synergy b. Employ the practice of specialization c. Proclaim the word of God d. Offer our services freely e. Support those willing to work -- Principles that were utilized by the early church with great success, and worthy of our emulation today 3. In this study, we shall consider the rest of Jesus words in giving "The Limited Commission"... a. Gleaning at least five more "Principles of Evangelism" b. Noticing principles applied by the early church and applicable today as well [Beginning with Mt 10:11-15, we find Jesus telling His apostles...] I. BE SELECTIVE
A. THE APOSTLES WERE TO FOCUS ON THOSE WHO WERE "WORTHY"... 1. Those who were both hospitable and willing to listen - Mt 10:11-13
2. But they were to "shake off the dust from your feet" when leaving a city that would not receive them or hear their words - Mt 10:14 3. It would be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Sodom and Gomorrah than for such people - Mt 10:15 B. THIS ILLUSTRATES THE NEED TO BE SELECTIVE... 1. We are not to "cast your pearls before swine" - Mt 7:6 2. People judge themselves unworthy of the gospel by their lack of interest a. Paul was willing to preach again if people were interested - Ac 13:42-44 b. But when people rejected the gospel, he turned elsewhere - Ac 13:45-46 C. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY...