Discipleship: Basis of Ministry

Discipleship: Basis of Ministry

      01-30-11 Discipleship: Basis of Ministry

a sermon by Teaching Elder, Dr. Robert E. Griffin Jr       

            BASIS for Effective Ministry (in this message);
            REACTION to an Effective Ministry (10:16-23);
            COST of such an Effective Ministry (10:24-31),
            PROMISES for an Effective Ministry (10:32-42).

I.      CONSISTENT PLAN, 10:5-6
  A.        DIVINE MINISTRY
  Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out with these instructions:
     1.         Jesus Sent out the Twelve

     2.         Criteria for such a ministry

     3.         With Instructions

  B.        DIRECT OBJECTIVE
  Matthew 10:6 “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go
  rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
     1.         Specific Directions – Negative (Not to Gentiles or Samaritans)

     2.         Specific Directions – Positive (To Israel)

II.       CLEAR PREACHING, 10:7
  A.        THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING
  Matthew 10:7a And proclaim as you go, saying
     1.         Disciples Concentrated on One Task

     2.         Herald

B.        THE SIMPLE GOSPEL MESSAGE
Matthew 10:7b ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
     1.         Kingdom at Hand

     2.         Kingdom Message

III.      CORROBORATING PROOF, 10:8-10
  A.        CONFORMED TO THE LIFE OF CHRIST
 
Matthew 10:8a Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons 
    
1.         Showing God’s SIGNS to the Unbelievers

     2.         Showing God’s COMPASSION to Everyone

     3.         Showing God’s POWER

  B.        CONFORMED TO THE LOVE OF CHRIST
Matthew 10:8b You received without paying; give without pay. 
     1.         Showing God’s SUPPORT

     2.         Showing God’s GRACE

  C.        CONFORMED TO THE LIFESTYLE OF CHRIST
 
Matthew 10:9-10 Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey,
  nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 
    
1.         Showing God’s PROVISION

     2.         Showing God’s PLAN

IV.     CONFIDENT POSITION, 10:11-15
  A.        ACCEPTING A WORTHY WORKER
  Matthew 10:11-13 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay
  there until you depart.
As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace
  come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
     1.         Commitment

     2.         Concentration

  B.        REJECTING A WORTHY WORKER
  Matthew 10:14-15 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust
  from your feet when you leave that house or town.
Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on
  the Day of Judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
    
1.         Contempt

     2.         Comparison