Jul
10
Matthew 10:40–42
40“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Focused Thinking: What does the way one receives God’s people say? He who receives you receives Me. He who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. Disciples of Christ need to pay attention to how people receive them. Are people open to us? Are people resistant to us? What is the Spirit of God doing in people before we arrive? How is the Spirit of God preparing people for our arrival? He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives...
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09
Matthew 10:34–39
34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35“For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. 37“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39“He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Focused Thinking: What is the context for these statements? Jesus correcting the Jewish understanding of the coming of the Messiah. The Jews thought the Messiah arrival would usher in a time of peace. The first coming of the Messiah doesn’t bring world peace; the first coming of the Messiah brings personal peace. The second coming...
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07
Matthew 10:32–33
32“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33“But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Focused Thinking: What does it mean to confess Jesus Christ before men? To confess Jesus as the Christ is an expression of your allegiance To confess Jesus as the Christ is an expression of your loyalty. To confess Jesus as the Christ is an expression of your devotion. What is the significance of confessing Jesus Christ before men? How can you be used if you are unwilling to confess Jesus Christ? How can you be a witness if you are unwilling to confess Jesus Christ? How can you be a light in the midst of darkness? How can you be an ambassador for Christ? To confess Jesus as the Christ is to be unashamed of the gospel. What are the problems associated with not confessing Jesus Christ before men? Why would you want to be married and...
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06
Matthew 10:24–31
24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25“It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! 26“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31“So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Focused Thinking: What is a disciple? A...
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