1. The Danger Zone Matthew 10:5-31

4. “When I think about the history of the SS United States, I wonder if she has something to teach us about the history of the church. The church, like the SS United States, has been designed for battle. The purpose of the church is mobilize a people to accomplish a mission. Yet we seem to have turned the church as troop carrier into the church as luxury liner. We seem to have organized ourselves, not to engage in battle for the souls of people around the world, but to indulge ourselves in the peaceful comforts of the world.” David Platt, Radical, pages 170-171

5. Matthew 10:5-16 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

6. Matthew 10:5-16 11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

7. Matthew 10:5-16 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

8. The world is hostile to Jesus’ disciples. The world is hostile to Jesus’ disciples. Sheep Among Wolves

9. Matthew 10:17-25. "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

10. Matthew 10:17-25. 21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

11. Matthew 10:17-25. 24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!”

12. “This is the unavoidable conclusion of Matthew 10. To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus. The danger in our lives will always increase in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ. Maybe this is why we sit back and settle for a casual relationship with Christ and routine religion in the church. It is safe there, and the world likes us there. The world likes us when we are pursuing everything they are pursuing, even if we do put a Christian label on it. As long as Christianity look like the American dream, we will have few problems in this world.” “This is the unavoidable conclusion of Matthew 10. To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus. The danger in our lives will always increase in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ. Maybe this is why we sit back and settle for a casual relationship with Christ and routine religion in the church. It is safe there, and the world likes us there. The world likes us when we are pursuing everything they are pursuing, even if we do put a Christian label on it. As long as Christianity look like the American dream, we will have few problems in this world.” David Platt, Radical, page 167-168

13. The world is hostile to Jesus’ disciples. The world is hostile to Jesus’ disciples. Following Jesus is inherently dangerous. Following Jesus is inherently dangerous. Sheep Among Wolves

14. The world is hostile to Jesus’ disciples. The world is hostile to Jesus’ disciples. Following Jesus is inherently dangerous. Following Jesus is inherently dangerous. Sheep are defenseless and dependant. Sheep are defenseless and dependant. Sheep Among Wolves

15. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

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

17. Snake Eyes, Dove Teeth Don’t seek danger. Don’t seek danger. Use limited resources with wisdom. Use limited resources with wisdom.

18. Snake Eyes, Dove Teeth Don’t seek danger. Don’t seek danger. Use limited resources with wisdom. Use limited resources with wisdom. Matthew 10:7-8 “As you go, preach this message: `The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

19. Snake Eyes, Dove Teeth Don’t seek danger. Don’t seek danger. Use limited resources with wisdom. Use limited resources with wisdom. Be faithful in innocence. Be faithful in innocence.

20. “We say things such as, “The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.” We think, If it’s dangerous, God must not be in it. If it’s risky, if it’s unsafe, if it’s costly, it must not be God’s will. But what if these factors are actually the criteria by which we determine something is God’s will? What if we began to look at the design of God as the most dangerous option before us? What if the center of God’s will is in reality the most unsafe place for us to be?” David Platt, Radical, page 164-165

21. Confidence in a Culture of Fear

22. Matthew 10:26-31 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 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 in hell.”

23. Matthew 10:26-31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

24. Confidence in a Culture of Fear Security is found in God’s sovereignty. Security is found in God’s sovereignty.

25. “Indeed, God knows every detail of our lives, and when we step out in faith to follow him, he will show us that our greatest security is not found in the comforts we can manufacture in this world but in the faithful provision of the only one who knows our needs and the only one who is able to meet our needs in every way.” David Platt, Radical, page 174

26. Confidence in a Culture of Fear Security is found in God’s sovereignty. Security is found in God’s sovereignty. We are never beyond God’s care. We are never beyond God’s care. “Reckless” obedience requires eternal perspective. “Reckless” obedience requires eternal perspective. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

27. “Your life is free to be radical when you see death as reward. This is the essence of what Jesus taught in Matthew 10, and I believe it is the key to taking back your faith from the American dream. The key is realizing–and believing–that this world is not your home.” David Platt, Radical, page 179

28. To which wolves is Jesus calling you? “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6

29. To which wolves is Jesus calling you? “Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous. It is not smooth sailing aboard a luxury liner; it is sacrificial duty aboard a troop carrier. It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” David Platt, Radical, page 181