Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 30 APRIL 2022
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 10

Subject: SENDING OUT THE APOSTLES

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE APOSTLES

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Matthew 10:16-20

1. Beyond the Immediate Ministry

a) The reference is to the future ministry rather than the Immediate one

b) The principles are clear but they may not apply on this current trip

2. Sent out by the Lord Jesus

a) As sheep among wolves

b) The challenge to be as wise as serpents but harmless as doves

3. Beware of persecution

a) Enemies can be very hostile

b) They can do the following:

i) Delivered to face Councils

ii) Be scourged in synagogues

iii) Be brought before governors and kings (Gentiles)

4. Facing Persecutions

a) Remember that we are facing persecution for the sake of the Lord

b) This is our opportunity to bear testimony of our faith in the Lord

c) We are not to be worried about how to respond

d) The Holy Spirit would be there to help us speak bravely

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO FACED PERSECUTION

1. The Apostles Peter and John

a) They were brought before the Sanhedrin Council

b) Look at how they responded

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [a]notable miracle has been done through them is evident[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

Acts 4:5-17

i) There was boldness

ii) The Spirit of God was there to help them

2. The Apostle Paul 2 Corinthians 1

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

a) Great burdens to bear

b) God wants us to learn to trust Him

c) Prayer helps