V
viltglance007
Guest
Have you ever been afraid to proclaim Christ to your friends? How about to your family? What about to people you barely know or don't know at all? I know that I have often been fired for Christ in the privacy of my own home, but as soon as I come into contact with anyone, I freeze up.
In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out his "12 apostles," to whom he gave "authority to drive our evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." These disciples had every right to be even more afraid than we often are. They were proclaiming a message that was not nearly as popular as it is today. Today, there are supposedly millions of Christians, while in Christ's time, the apostle were preaching a message that was misunderstood and often never before heard.
Christ instructs the twelve to ony preach their message to "the lost of Israel", meaning the Jews. Now, however, with Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection, all can be saved from God's wrath. Therefore, the message Jesus gave to his disciples can also be applied to our ministry today, as we also are disciples of Christ.
Christ tells His apostles that he is sending them out "like sheep among woves," and that they are to "be on their guard against men". We also are sent out among the evil men of this world, and we are to be on our guard against sin. Christ also tells the twelve that the message they spread will casue hostility, even among people within the same family.
Even thougt this future looked bleak, Jesus told his disciples not be afraid of men, but instead to proclaim his message openly. He tells them to take up their crosses and follow Him. We, just as the disciples are not to fear sin, the devil, death, or even those around us. Instead, we also are to proclaim the message of Christianity humbly, yet openly and fearlessly. This message should be spread to all men from all nations. This task, however, is impossible for man, and is only possible through total dependency on God. Therefore, we must remember to pray without ceasing for a successul ministry that takes the glory from ourselves and that brings glory to God and God alone.
In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out his "12 apostles," to whom he gave "authority to drive our evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." These disciples had every right to be even more afraid than we often are. They were proclaiming a message that was not nearly as popular as it is today. Today, there are supposedly millions of Christians, while in Christ's time, the apostle were preaching a message that was misunderstood and often never before heard.
Christ instructs the twelve to ony preach their message to "the lost of Israel", meaning the Jews. Now, however, with Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection, all can be saved from God's wrath. Therefore, the message Jesus gave to his disciples can also be applied to our ministry today, as we also are disciples of Christ.
Christ tells His apostles that he is sending them out "like sheep among woves," and that they are to "be on their guard against men". We also are sent out among the evil men of this world, and we are to be on our guard against sin. Christ also tells the twelve that the message they spread will casue hostility, even among people within the same family.
Even thougt this future looked bleak, Jesus told his disciples not be afraid of men, but instead to proclaim his message openly. He tells them to take up their crosses and follow Him. We, just as the disciples are not to fear sin, the devil, death, or even those around us. Instead, we also are to proclaim the message of Christianity humbly, yet openly and fearlessly. This message should be spread to all men from all nations. This task, however, is impossible for man, and is only possible through total dependency on God. Therefore, we must remember to pray without ceasing for a successul ministry that takes the glory from ourselves and that brings glory to God and God alone.
