Scripture: Matthew 10.
OBSERVATION
(Key verses)
Matthew 10:5-8 (NLT)
5 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6 but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. 7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)
As I read the simple instructions Jesus gave to the first evangelists, His disciples, I couldn’t help but wonder how the church today could possibly have gotten so far off track, and why have we complicated the simple call of Jesus into something so complicated. Let’s break down the simple instructions and how they may, or could apply to us, the church:
- Go to your own people first, not to the rest of the world (vs 5) – While I don’t believe that Jesus was teaching us to be selfish, I believe that too often we tend to think that all is good at home, and it is international missions that we must be concerned about. In Acts 1:8 we are commanded to be witnesses at home first, then widen our scope. Friends, I believe that we have a huge mission field right here at home. Let’s be more than just a monetary giver in missions, but also be involved in missions right where we are.
- Preach and witness to those we come in contact with, that God’s return is near (Vs 7) – A very simple, but profound message has always been a part of sermons by one of our modern day’s greatest evangelists, “Jesus is coming again very soon, are you ready?” and there have been hundreds of thousands of people come to know Jesus as Lord over the years. We have gone so far into theology until I often feel like we attempt to use much of what we have learned, rather than asking God to speak through us and allow His Holy Spirit to first deal in our hearts, so that we may share His simple message from the depths of our heart.
- Unleash the miracles of God (vs 8) – Through humbleness of heart and total surrender to God, He can miraculously heal folk. But I believe that this will only occur when we put self aside and allow God to do the healing. In and of ourselves, we have no power to heal, but the One that we serve and represent has all power and will heal today, just as He did in the Bible times of which we read.
- Give as freely as was given to us (vs 8) – This may seem as something out of place, because we often try to give to missionaries. But here God is telling missionaries to give, just as they have been given to. In other words, we don’t go into the work of Christ to become a millionaire. Just as folk are giving to us, we need to be the conduit through which those gifts can be shared with others in need.
So then, why have we complicated God’s ministry so much with so many rules, so many restrictions, so many hurt feelings? If we follow God’s simple design, we will see His work accomplished just as He intended. It seems like we need to once again make the main thing, the main thing!
PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)
I believe that the worst thing taught to us through more knowledge, is that we think we often know more than God and that we definitely know how to do ministry better than He designed. Father God, please forgive me for ever assuming this. Please forgive me for being part of leadership in the local church and not emphasizing this enough. I realize that we are nothing without You, God. Please remind us often of the importance in doing church and missions in accordance with Your design, especially when we want to do it right and see it most effective. Thank You for being the awesome God that You are. Please work on us so that we may hear in all humility from Your lips on the day that we are united with You in Heaven, “well done, good and faithful servant”.
**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
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Nuggets From God's Word 