Jesus trains his people to ‘Speak Out’

A pastor was asked,

“How many adults came to faith in Christ at our church this year?”

“This year the church conducted 104 regularly scheduled worship services, 7 special services, some 205 adult classes, 600 committee meetings, and 1000 small-group meetings and ran through a $750,000 budget to produce exactly 0 new adult followers of Jesus Christ. . . We gathered. We worshipped. We loved one another. But we produced no crop.”i

In spite of all the activity no-one had come to faith that year!

Relationships are vital

Just as you cannot play a game of tennis without finding a partner, so it is hard to make disciples if you have no-one with whom you can relate. An invitation from a stranger will seldom be accepted but, from a friend, that is a different matter. People usually want to please their friends.

Yet the skill of rapidly making friends is becoming more uncommon. Perhaps some of the biggest issues that stop people from spending time, talking and relating with others are social media, television and computer games. Personal friendships are far more effective than e-mails!

Another major problem in many churches is an inward looking attitude. Many Christians socialise with Christian friends who belong to their church, sometimes exclusively. It is one thing to give lip service to gospel ministry, quite another to be effective in doing so. A generation ago, one church idiocy was the ‘gospel evening service’ held in some independent churches, which were only attended by the same half dozen church members. The eventual outcome was the closure of the evening service. Radical thinking is needed on how to make contact with those who know nothing of the gospel, which today is the vast majority of our society. Without social interaction we will find it very difficult to communicate the gospel effectively.

How we need to go back to Jesus’ priorities and training methods. We must become intentional and determined if we are to fulfill Christ’s commission.

Jesus’ Priorities

Jesus’ ministry concentrated on training up a band of people to continue his work. What were his priorities?

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in the synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom . . .” Matthew 9:35

Teaching was the priority. Jesus wanted his disciples to learn how to teach people the word of God effectively. But this was not all he did. He really cared for people and he wanted to give them evidence that what he was teaching was from God,

“ . . .and healing every disease and sickness.” Matthew 9:35

However it was the fact that people did not know what life was about that really distressed him. They desperately needed to be taught God’s ways. Jesus demonstrated that God cares about every aspect of people’s lives but their lack of direction was his main concern.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

It was because he recognised this great need that he trained up his disciples to be able to answer the need.

“Then he said to the disciples; ‘the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37

Jesus sends out his messengers with clear instructions

Jesus recognised that the most important part of any Christian training is the practical part. His disciples had heard Jesus teach but now they must try their hand at doing this very thing themselves. What a mistake it is for theological training to over emphasise books and lectures at the cost of spending time on practical ministry. Having asked the disciples to pray for workers he then reveals to them that they themselves are the answer to their prayers. What a lesson there is here for all of us who, in our western churches, look out and see those around us who are harassed and helpless. They need more than social care, although this does give credibility to Christ’s message - they need to hear a message about eternal salvation, about the kingdom of God.

Jesus has already trained them in what to say, he then equips his trainees with the same supernatural abilities that they had seen in Jesus.

“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Matthew 10:1

The twelve are named and then given clear instructions about their mission. It is significant that Judas Iscariot is named amongst them. This is a reminder that not all those called to gospel work are good men of integrity, they can enter ministry roles for their own ends.

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles or enter the town of any Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The Kingdom of God is near.’ Matthew 10:5-7

Teaching God’s message is clearly the priority, Jewish people needed to know that forgiveness of sin depended on their becoming followers of God’s Messiah. God’s chosen people should have the first opportunity of recognizing their Messiah, as God had chosen the Jews to be his representatives, in the same way that he has chosen his church to be his ambassadors.

“Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6

These disciples were to be ‘gospel men’, to proclaim the message that God’s Messiah had entered the world and that now anyone can become a member of God’s kingdom by accepting God’s king. This was good news indeed, especially for those who were suffering. The message has never had much appeal to those who are self satisfied.

Jesus’ claim to be God’s Messiah was substantiated by the gifts he had given to his chosen twelve. Yet even the medical and social actions that Jesus highlighted had a spiritual significance. People were to be miraculously healed, this being a mark of the Messiah’s coming. The spiritually, as well as the physically dead, were to be raised. Leprosy, then an incurable disease, was representative of the disease of sin and is specifically mentioned as being the object of their ministry. Demonic possession similarly was specifically mentioned as Jesus had come to defeat Satan’s control of people.

“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of God has come near.’ Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” Matthew 10:7-8

In the disciples training they were taught not to make gospel work a business. How often Christians have succumbed to the desire for money. The Christians life must be one of ‘giving’ and not ‘getting’. Jesus ordered them,

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts – no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.” Matthew 10:9-10

This was clearly part of the training process as later Jesus refers to this.

“Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing’ they answered. He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.’” Luke 22:35-36

Jesus specifically taught his disciples to seek out and value relationships.

“Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.” Matthew 10:11

Jesus defines what he means by a ‘worthy person’. It had nothing to do with social status or wealth, it had all to do with the acceptance of God’s message and his messengers.

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Matthew 10:14

The disciples were teaching exactly what Christ had taught them to say, so rejection of their message or of God’s messengers was a rejection of Christ. To reject God’s Son, the only Saviour of the world is the most serious offence against God that can be committed.

The work will be difficult

It is said that when Ernest Shackleton first advertised for men to join him on his trip to Antarctica he talked about the fun and privilege of the trip. He received little response. In this, his second advertisement, he was realistic. He recognized that men value a challenge and this was what he offered. He clearly told his would-be followers that they were in for a tough, dangerous time ahead.

“MEN WANTED for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honour and recognition in case of success.

Ernest Shackleton 4 Burlington St.”

The difference in response was dramatic – many responded. Shackleton followed the example of Jesus who was also realistic about the risks and dangers his followers would face.

Many people today are deeply opposed to the Lord Jesus. His commands are not well received. As a result those who emphasise that the gospel is all about the Lord Jesus can expect to be abused and even hated. Gordon-Conwell's Center for the Study of Global Christianity recently released its annual report on the persecution of Christians, which found that as many as 90,000 Christians died for their faith in the last year. It is thought that this number is also true for the previous 10 years. Human nature naturally hates the Christian message because it directly challenges our lives. Yet Jesus still sends us out to proclaim his message.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16

Although we have been commissioned to pass on the message about Christ we must be sensible. It is right to flee from persecution in one place and go elsewhere but the commission remains. To move on somewhere else means to continue teaching the message.

“When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.” Matthew 10:23

Two extremes will tempt the Christian when pressure mounts. The first is to stop talking about the good news. They may keep the faith but it becomes largely internalised. That course of action means that within a generation the message will be lost. However the other extreme is to so thrust our faith upon everyone we meet that it is our behaviour that is the cause of complaint, not the gospel itself. We must always consider how best to win people for Christ. Proclamation is not an end in itself, our goal is to make truly informed disciples of the Lord Jesus. However, even when passed on in the most careful and sensitive manner, the gospel will cause offence, and the chief opponents will be the religious people and their institutions.

Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.” Matthew 10:17

Yet even when under such pressure, the priority of Jesus’ representatives was to remain the same – they were to give truthful testimony about Jesus wherever they found themselves.

“On my account you will be bought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.” Matthew 10:18

Although Jesus told his disciples to first share the gospel with God’s chosen people he knew that sooner rather than later they would be sent out into ‘all the world to make disciples.’ Declaration of the truth was to be the priority. When under such pressure Jesus promises that God will help his people to say what they should. It is speaking about Jesus that should still be the priority of God’s church.

“At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:19-20

The disharmony that speaking about Jesus would cause would be very difficult, but those who persevere in living for and obeying their Lord will receive their just reward this was true for the disciples and is also true for our times. Again note that it should not be us that causes offence but our message about Jesus.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22

Surely this is why many nominal Christians turn back from following Christ. The going will be tough. Surely this is why great wisdom is required so that we remain true to our calling and do not slip into a compromising attitude by thinking that we never want any offence to be caused. On the other hand some have “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). We must beware of having an ‘offensive zeal’. It is easy to do harm. Great balance is needed if we are to be effective in winning others for Christ.

We have a perfect example to follow

Jesus himself faced the same battles as we face. He would have remained very popular if he had remained just a healer, but his priority was to proclaim God’s message about the possibility of anyone becoming a member of God’s kingdom. He used great wisdom when responding to his opponents. How we need again to learn from him.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters.” Matthew 10:24

All Christians are servants of Christ and therefore we must become like him, sharing his ambitions, his attitudes and his priorities. If Jesus was thought of as being of the devil, how much more will this happen to us imperfect servants.

“If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!” Matthew 10:25

Don’t succumb to fear

We all naturally shy back from problems and opposition but that is not what the Lord wants us to do. One telling reason he gives for us persevering is that everything said and done will eventually be revealed.

“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” Matthew 10:26

If we keep our eyes on that day of God’s judgment then we can be content to face misunderstandings, hatred and slander ‘for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed’. After all, didn’t our Lord also face such opposition and he remained in order to complete his work. Eventually the truth will come out when the Lord Jesus returns so it is wise for us to live of the light of this. Paul emphasised this important fact when he wrote to the troubled Corinthian church,

“He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

That is indeed a day to look forwards to. We must not be afraid of winsomely passing on the message. This message is what God has given to us. The message of the church is the ‘word of God’ and nothing less.

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” Matthew 10:27

Nothing matters so much in life as living for our Saviour. Even the fear of death should not put us off. God wants us all to live with an eternal perspective. Aim to please God with the sure knowledge that heaven awaits us. All people must be warned that to overlook God in this life is the most stupid thing anyone can do.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body.” Matthew 10:28

The person who controls our eternal fate is God himself so it is very foolish to trifle with him. In contrast to this warning Jesus adamantly reminds all his followers that the eternal God loves them immensely and that nothing, whatever happens in life, can remove this. How reassuring this is.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

Jesus’ summary of his demands

This priority to openly talk about the Lord Jesus and his message is not just for the inner circle of Christ’s disciples. It is for all Christians. Note the ‘whoevers’ in this summary that Jesus gives.

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

On another occasion Jesus used the word ‘whoever’ to warn us against being ashamed of Jesus and what God teaches. What a warning this is for many who call themselves Christians today but are unwilling to do what Jesus asks.

“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26

Some will suggest that this teaching was just directed at the original twelve disciples and should not be applied to all Christ’s followers. Jesus answered this possible criticism when he gave his final commission to the eleven disciples just before he ascended to be with his Father. The commission Jesus had given to and trained his disciples for was to be passed on to the next generation of believers.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

A West Indian preacher was speaking on this Great Commission, using the Authorised Version of the Bible, the final phrase being translated as,

“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The preacher wagged his finger exclaiming,

“No ‘go’, no ‘lo’!’

God’s power will be experienced as we determine to give our lives to fulfill our Lord’s wishes.

BVP

i David Morrow ‘Why men hate going to church’, Thomas Nelson, 2011, p. 34-35