Matthew 10:16-23 Persecution Faced by Christians

W, W, W, W, H Who: Jesus and His newly commissioned disciples What: Warnings and Exhortations When: Directly after the disciples’ commissioning Where: In the region of Galilee (9:1,35) How: Jesus’ authority and foresight

The disciples and the Lord’s people are compared to sheep Jeremiah 50:6 "My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray They have made them turn aside on the mountains;They have gone along from mountain to hill. And have forgotten their resting place. Ezekiel 34:12 " As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. Matthew 25:32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

Matthew 7:15 A Tree and Its Fruit 15"Beware of the (A) false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are (B) ravenous wolves.AB Matthew 10:16 16" (A) Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be (B) shrewd as serpents and (C) innocent as doves.ABC John 10:12 12"He who is a hired hand, and not a (A) shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.A Acts 20:29 29"I know that after my departure (A) savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing (B) the flock;AB Wolves are compared to false prophets, and contrasted directly with sheep

Snakes & Doves are used as other comparisons In most Scriptural contexts, serpents or snakes are caste in a negative light (Garden of Eden, as judgement in Numbers, Satan is called one in Revelation) Here only their “shrewdness” seems desirable Doves represent holiness, innocence (they were sacrificed, the Holy Spirit is compared to a dove)

1.Zechariah 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,And against the man, My Associate,"Declares the LORD of hosts " Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered;And I will turn My hand against the little ones. 2.Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ' I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED. 3.Mark 14:27 And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, because it is written, ' I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.' God’s People, Israel were prophesied to be scattered in several Old Testament passages. Jesus tells the disciples that these prophesies will soon be fulfilled.

Jesus prophesied that His disciples would be persecuted Verses are proved in the later persecution of the church, Jesus Himself, and Paul Jesus was taken to the synagogue, where He was spat upon, hit, and slapped (Matthew 26:57,67) He was then taken to Pilate, the governor (Matthew 27:2) He was also taken to Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch or Galilee and Peraea (the son of Herod the Great, who had wanted to kill Jesus. Antipas was also who had John the Baptist beheaded; Luke 23:7)

Persecution in the life of Paul Paul was brought before the governor Felix, then his successor, Festus, was persecuted by the Jews, and eventually brought before King Agrippa (great grandson of Herod the Great; Acts 24-26) Paul was sustained by God through his journey to Caesar, being spared from shipwreck and snakebite (Acts 27 & 28) He was visited by an angel who reassured him he would be safe see Caesar (Acts 27:22-24)

In spite of persecution, we can trust that God will give us even the words to say The Lord not only gives us a hope, He will actually make sure His will is accomplished! Just as the Lord sent an angel to give Paul reassurance, He will make His will come to pass! He has given us His perfect, Holy Spirit to guide, protect, and accomplish His will.

There are those that are being persecuted everyday Example: Khalid Saad Khalid became a Christian in Jordan in 2002 When he became a Christian, he was fired and thrown out of his family’s house He was excited to celebrate Christmas, and was on a way to see friends when his car was shot 12 times Later, he found out that his persecutors were members of his own family! His story is on Voice of the MartyrsVoice of the Martyrs

As Israel is scattered, the apostles’ mission to evangelism will not end until Jesus’ return. Numerous verses in the Old and New Testament talk about the dispersion of Israel Even in Matthew 10:6, Jesus tells the apostles to go to the “lost sheep of Israel”. In fact, Israel’s refusal of the Savior allowed for us, as Gentiles to be “grafted in” to the family of God

Group Break-out Nate: Read Acts 12:1-6. What did it cost James and Peter to follow the Lord? How did the Lord help Peter? Could you endure the same things as Peter? Drew: Read Acts 7:54-60 What did it cost Stephen to follow the Lord? What assurance did God give Him? Could you give your life up for God? Rick: Read Revelation 1:9 Where was John? Why was he there? Read Revelation 22:12 What assurance did God give to John? Could you endure John’s situation?