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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 61 : SENDING OUT THE APOSTLES

Text: Matthew 10
23 April 2023

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 23 APRIL 2022
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 10

Subject: SENDING OUT THE APOSTLES

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE APOSTLES

11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.

12 And when you go into a household, greet it.

13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Matthew 10:11-15

NECESSARY CHECKS MUST BE MADE

1. Entering into a city or town
Matthew 10:11

a) Enquiry is to be done
b) Checks must be made concerning who is worthy
c) To stay with those who are worthy

2. Why must this be done?

a) To prevent mistakes
b) To prevent mishaps
c) To prevent misunderstanding:
i) Of the Apostles
ii) Of their ministry
d) If they were to stay with undesirable people may result in hindering the ministry

GREETINGS TO THE HOME
Matthew 10:12-13

1. Normal greetings of “Peace”

2. This may seem to be a mere polite social thing to do

3. But it is more than a greeting

4. It is a blessing of peace from God

5. If the household is unworthy, the blessing of peace will not be bestowed

REJECTION OF THE APOSTLES
Matthew 10:14-15

1. Some towns and cities may reject

a) They may not receive the apostles
b) They may not receive the message (the Gospel) they proclaim
c) They may even be hostile

2. Departing from the City/ Town that Rejects

a) Shaking of the dust of the city/town
b) The Apostles are to take nothing from them (not even the dust)
c) They are not accountable for the fate of the city/ town

3. Judgment from the Lord God one day

a) Sodom and Gomorrah were visited by 2 angels
b) They were rejected
c) Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and condemned
d) The cities that reject the Gospel would also be judged by God one day

AN EXAMPLE OF SHAKING THE DUST OF A CITY’

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:42-52

1. Antioch, Pisidia

a) The Jews rejected the Gospel
b) The Gentiles welcomed the Gospel

 

2. Paul and Barnabas

a) They were expelled from the city
b) They shook of the dust from their feet

3. The Apostles went to Iconium Acts 13:52

4. Those who believed

a) They were saved
b) They were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit