1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. A reminder - Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only
Turn off sound to all electronic devices
Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy
Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

3. Instructions for Ministry Matthew 10:1, 5-15; Mark 6:7-11; Luke 9:1-5
Jesus’ instructions to His apostles serve as a confrontation to Christians who neglect them
Many who claim to serve Jesus are false for they do not even know Him - Matthew 7

4. Instructions for Ministry Matthew 10:1, 5-15; Mark 6:7-11; Luke 9:1-5
Those who do know Jesus must be careful to do the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way

5. Background Matthew 10:1-4
Jesus is specifically talking to the twelve disciples He has chosen to be His apostles
This passage contains specific instructions for them in carrying out a ministry as His apostles

6. Background Matthew 10:1-4
While the specifics do not apply to us, there are principles in the instructions that do

7. A Focused Ministry Matthew 10:5-6
The focus on the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” was according to God’s priority and plan - Romans 1:16
This is specific for them only at that time, for later they were to take the gospel to the Gentiles - Acts 1:8

8. A Focused Ministry Matthew 10:5-6
Principle: Ministry needs to be focused in order to avoid mediocrity
Each and every Christian plays a vital role as individuals in the body - Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12

9. A Focused Ministry Matthew 10:5-6
Pray first and seek the Lord’s will,
consider your spiritual gifts & abilities
Try yourself
Get someone

10. A Focused Ministry Matthew 10:5-6
Determine your spiritual gift by:
The burden God puts on your heart.
Get involved and evaluate for spiritual effectiveness.
Get training if still burdened.
Have mature believers evaluate you.

11. A Focused Ministry Matthew 10:5-6
Be focused by:
Praying
Thinking
Planning
Then acting

12. A Clear Message Matthew 10:7
The gospel is often watered down and muddled in American Christianity resulting in weakness
By God’s grace through faith people are turned from sin, self & Satan to sanctification, saints & the Savior

13. A Clear Message Matthew 10:7
Religious traditions, work based salvation, human philosophy and legalism obscure & confuse the gospel
Do not get sidetracked by secondary issues from the primacy of a clear gospel message

14. A Clear Message Matthew 10:7
Example: Use the 10 Commandments to show a person’s sinfulness instead of focusing on a particular issue

15. A Life of Ministry Matthew 10:8
Miraculous signs were confirmation that Jesus was the Messiah and that the apostles were sent by Him
Despite the claims, there are no modern Apostles for none manifest such supernatural apostolic credentials

16. A Life of Ministry Matthew 10:8
You cannot perform miracles, but you can freely give what you have received - live a life of ministry
The Apostles served without concern for gaining wealth - and so must we

17. A Trusting Heart Matthew 10:9
Jesus prohibited them from taking money, extra clothes or even a food bag to teach them to trust God
This was a specific command for a specific time for later Jesus told them take along provisions - Luke 22:35f

18. A Trusting Heart Matthew 10:9
The principle is to trust the Lord instead of being anxious about food, clothing, etc - Matt. 6:25-34
Plan wisely (Proverbs, Luke 14:28) and seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and He will provide

19. A Concentration on Those Who Respond Matthew 10:11-13
A house was considered worthy based on the reception of the apostle’s message, not its accommodations
The greeting of peace was the wish for those in the home to have total well being in mind, body and spirit

20. A Concentration on Those Who Respond Matthew 10:11-13
The principle is to concentrate your efforts on those who respond to the message - 2 Timothy 2:2
We go to all to proclaim the gospel (Mark 16:15), but we spend time gathering wheat, not examining tares

21. Departure from Those Who Do Not Listen Matthew 10:13-15
The gospel is also a message of warning of judgment to those who do not repent
Without a positive response to God’s message of love, there is no peace with God

22. Departure from Those Who Do Not Listen Matthew 10:13-15
God is patient (2 Peter 3:9) and this principle is applied only to those who resist and oppose the gospel
When a person clearly rejects God’s message, then Matthew 7:6 applies - they are the hogs and dogs

23. Departure from Those Who Do Not Listen Matthew 10:13-15
Remain open to talk with those who change their minds, but be wise with your time and move on to others

24. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ