We have several titles for today’s lesson in Matthew 10. Verses 1-4 Jesus chooses the twelve. Verses 5-15 The mission of the twelve. Verses 16-23 Warning of persecutions. Verses 24-33 More instructions for the disciples. Verses 34-39 Not peace, but a sword. Verses 40-42 Rewards. With that, Matthew 10 and verse 1 reads.
Mat.10:1] And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Jesus has given this power not only to these disciples, but also to you. Let’s go to Luke 10 and verse 19 reads.
Luke 10:19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
But what about these powers to heal? Let’s go to James 5 and verse 13 reads.
James 5:13] Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
[14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Anoint with the oil of our people (Olive oil). It is not the oil that heals, but your faith in God that heals. Back to Matthew 10 and verse 2 reads.
Mat.10:2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
This man Alphaeus is the father of James the less. Interesting enough Levi, or Matthew, father was also named Alphaeus. Perhaps a common name, meaning; “changing”. James the less simply implies this James is less than James the brother of John who was called James the greater. The third James (The writer of the book of James) is the half-brother of Jesus who was born of Mary and Joseph.
Mat.10:4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
This Simon was not a Canaanite, but lived in the land of the Canaanites. He was called Zelotes. If you know your bible, all the land of Israel was once called the land of Canaan. But after Jesus went up before their eyes to sit on the right hand of God in Acts 1, we find this in verse 13 and it reads.
Acts 1:13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
[14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Back to Matthew 10, where we are given the mission of the disciples, and verse 5 reads.
Mat.10:5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Many people point to this verse as proof that the Samaritans are not of Israel. I disagree, it says not into any city of the Samaritans. Samaria was actually the capitol city of the ten tribes. It is where they built one of two golden calves. This is speaking of not going into any of the cities of the gentiles. The woman at the well had confessed her fathers worshipped the LORD at one time. Her and those like her were the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Prophesied in Isaiah 53 and verse 6 reads.
Isa.53:6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Also, in Jeremiah 50 and verse 6 reads.
Jer.50:6] My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
We see that the house of Israel had lost their way, mostly due to their leaders and priests that lied to them from the pulpits. Don’t forget, we rest in Christ. Back to Matthew 10 and verse 7 reads.
Mat.10:7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Let’s look at this word kingdom, it is the King and his dominion. The LORD has come in the flesh (John 1:14) and he dwells with us. Isa.7:14 and Mat.1:23 tells us Emmanuel, God with us.
Mat.10:8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Here is why I will never except a nickel for teaching the Word of God. My rewards are in heaven and not here on earth. Let’s go to Acts 8 where we have Simon (not of the twelve, but a sorcerer) trying to buy the Holy Spirit. Acts 8 and verse 18 reads.
Acts 8:18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
[19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
One cannot receive what God has not given.
Acts 8:20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
But going back to verse 8 we see there is a difference between being sick and being possessed by evil spirits. Back to Matthew 10 and verse 9 reads.
Mat.10:9] Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
[10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
This word script is a begging bag. God does not send out beggars. Never let a priest or pastor beg you of your money. And if you are able, then tithe to your church. A church does need to keep the lights on. If they teach you the Word of God. But, if they don’t, then remember 2John 1 and verse 9 reads.
2John 1:9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
[10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
[11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
If they don’t teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Living Word, then you are a partaker of their evil deeds. This applies today to false teachings such as rapture doctrines or flyaway theories. Back to Matthew 10 and verse 11 reads.
Mat.10:11] And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
[12] And when ye come into an house, salute it.
This is simple, don’t let it confuse you. In those days, when you were received into a house, they might give a feast or a party to except you under their roof. A common practice, don’t go house to house or you will never be able to teach the word because you would be too busy partying. Find the right people to begin with and get busy with teaching the Word of God. We find this “Salute it” in Psalms 122 and verse 7 reads.
Psa.122:7] Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
[8] For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Back to Matthew 10 and verse 13 reads.
Mat.10:13] And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
[14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
[15] Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
If they do not accept the Word of God, shake off the dust of that house or city. Make them notice that you are doing this, and maybe they will see and repent. For Sodom and Gomorrah has he destroyed already.
Mat.10:16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Sheep have no defenses to protect themselves from any animal of prey. This is how we are in this world today. As Christians we become a target for the evil of today. Therefore, be wiser than the Serpent’s seed, and harmless as doves. But, never forget even a dove will protect her nest. We now go into prophecy for us in these end times, I call it our destiny.
Mat.10:17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
In the synagogues of Satan. Rev.2 and verse 9 reads.
Rev.2:9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
[10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
When we are delivered up to Satan to give our testimonies, fear not, the LORD is with us. Back to Matthew 10 and verse 18 reads.
Mat.10:18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
[19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
[20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
These verses should remind you of Mark 13, Matthew 24 and Luke 21. What is being said here is; we will be delivered up to the antichrist in the last days. It is not for us to speak, but for the Holy Spirit to speak through us when we are delivered up. The Holy Spirit is the only one that, when he speaks, all will understand in the language in which they were born. That cloven tongue we read about in Acts 2. To not allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us is the unpardonable sin.
Mat.10:21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
First, let’s read Hebrews 2 and verse 14 reads.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
We see here that death is another name for the devil. Now, we read above in Matthew 10:21 that our families will deliver us up to death. it’s not because they love the devil, on the contrary, they think he is Jesus. They have been taught that the first Jesus is going to fly them away. But it is the antichrist, and they have been deceived. This is why I say the rapture doctrine is so evil, it causes the great apostasy. Back to Matthew 10 and verse 22 reads.
Mat.10:22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Persecuted for being called Christian. Christ men. You can find this in; Mat.24:9, Mark 13:9, Luke 21:12, study these chapters in Pastor’s Picks. Let’s go to the prophet Joel, Joel 2 and verse 28 reads.
Joel 2:28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
[30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
[31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
[32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
This is what the Holy Spirit spoke through Peter, let’s go to Acts 2 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 2:1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
This is Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover. one of the three holy days that the LORD said to observe forever. Israelites would come from all over the world back to Jerusalem to worship.
Acts 2:2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
This is the Holy Spirit, that Comforter that Jesus promised.
Acts 2:4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
From all over the world they were here to worship God as he said Forever.
Acts 2:6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
[7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
[8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
It did not say they spoke in gibberish, or that no one understood. It said that every man heard and understood in their own language that they were born. This is the true Pentecost tongue, all understood. Let’s drop down and verse 16 reads.
Acts 2:16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Back to Matthew 10 and verse 23 reads.
Mat.10:23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Many people say we need to go back to Jerusalem, Jesus just said “Don’t”. Why? Because Satan comes first at the sixth trump, Christ doesn’t return until the seventh trump. Let me remind you not one stone will be atop another.
Mat.10:24] The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
[25] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
If they hated Christ, how much more will they hate Christians, Christ men?
Mat.10:26] Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
This is the fifth trump, which we are in now. God will open the eyes of his Elect, and there shall be teaching truth to those that will hear. The word Revelation means; to reveal or make known. The prophecies of Revelation will come to pass exactly as it is written. This is our duty and our destinies. This is our Testimonies.
Mat.10:27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Watchmen watch, do you have eyes to see and ears to hear. There comes a time to speak. Let’s go to Ezekiel 33 and verse 1 reads.
Eze.33:1] Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[2] Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
[3] If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
[4] Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
[5] He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
There is a time for the watchmen to watch, and a time for the watchmen to speak.
Eze.33:6] But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
[7] So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
[8] When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
[9] Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
This is very clear, warn them and if they don’t listen, then they shall die in their iniquity, (spiritually dead). But you have saved your soul. Don’t warn them, and their blood is on your hands. This is the trust our Father has put on those that He has opened the eyes of. Back to Matthew 10 and verse 28 reads.
Mat.10:28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Don’t let this scare you, this is at the sixth trump. By this time, it doesn’t matter if they kill our flesh, because we know that being absent from this body is to be present with the LORD. However, to those who are wicked know this, that the Father has the power to destroy also your souls. And this is up in smoke forever. To never exist again.
Mat.10:29] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Not without the knowledge of the Father.
Mat.10:30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
[31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
The love for you from the Father is incomparable. I call it being Blessed.
Mat.10:32] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
[33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Remember Jesus said “I never knew you”. Deny him among men, and he will not cover your sins. Therefore, you cannot stand before the Father.
Mat.10:34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Peace, peace, peace but there shall be no peace. But a sword, The Word of God. Rev.1:16. That two-edged sword that comes out of his mouth.
Mat.10:35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
[36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
These are our families who are deceived at the sixth trump. They think the antichrist is the real Jesus. They do this out of love.
Mat.10:37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Here we have it translated correctly. As opposed to Luke 14:26 where he says “you must hate father and mother.” This hate should have been translated “Love less.” The Father demands this from us, we are to love him more than even ourselves, let alone family.
Mat.10:38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
We are to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. They will persecute us as they did him but we receive life everlasting.
Mat.10:39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
I want to take time to explain what it means to testify or give testimony. G3140-G3144. First, we have G3140 martureō pronounced mar-too-reh’-o and means; to testify. Then we have G3141 marturia pronounced mar-too-ree’-ah and means; a testifying. Then we have G3142 marturion pronounced mar-too’-ree-on and means; the evidence given. All three of these come from one word. G3144 martus pronounced mar’-toos, we get our word Martyr from this word, and it means; 1. those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death. This is why Jesus would say Pick up your cross and follow me. This is our Works that gives our faith justification.
Mat.10:40] He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
If they receive you and your testimony then they have received me, (Jesus speaking). And if they have received me, then they have received the Father who sent me. Let this be a testimony of Jesus Christ.
Mat.10:41] He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Let’s make an example. If you receive what the prophet Isaiah said in the book of Isaiah, then you receive the blessing of his prophecies. Your eyes will be opened because you searched. The same can be said for a righteous man.
Mat.10:42] And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
If you give to a child of God God’s Word, and we are disciples of Christ, then you will be blessed because you obeyed the Word of God in doing so. Great study today, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible