Jesus encourages his disciples to work on through adversity. They need to wipe out differences and strive towards a common goal. We need to welcome disciples by accepting, serving and supporting them; A great reward awaits in heaven.
Overview
Bible Passages: Matt 10:40-42; Mk 9:38-41;Luke 9:49-50; 10:16; John 13:20;
Work on through adversity
Wipe out differences
Welcome disciples
- Accept them
- Serve them
- Support them
Win your heavenly reward
Objectives
To understand:
- The focus of our hospitality
- The categories of “righteous”
- The importance of perseverance
The scope of our heavenly reward.
Bible Passage
Matt 10:40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”– Sending out the twelve
Bible Passage (Cont’d)
John 13:20 “Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” – Context of betrayal
Luke 10:16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” – Sending out the 72
Mark 9:36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”.. . 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. – 2nd prediction of death
Introduction
Jesus was sending out his disciples into a harsh world. He discusses his own reception – ie betrayal and death.
At the same time, he steps up the rewards on those who accept and welcome these travelling missionaries to encourage people to roll out the red carpet.
What is today’s version/ application of the command?
Application today
Work on through adversity-expect it
Wipe out differences – denominations, positions, power alignments have to be put away
Welcome God’s servants/ disciples – Recognize and support true servants of God – irrespective of their background
Win your heavenly reward – Those who serve God and those who serve those who serve God are all winners
Work on through adversity
Luke 10:16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
The statement (and similar ones) was made by Jesus in the context of his own betrayal (John) and death (Mark) in addition to the commission.
Rejection can come from unbelievers, they can come from within the body of Christ. How do we identify the Judases in our midst?
Work on through adversity
Just like the pharisees, there are people holding leading positions who are seeking personal profit. They will oppose us from within – even via good works replacing the healing of soul works.
On the flip side there will be opposition from unbelievers who do not want to accept the gospel. These are realities, we need to accept the situation and move on.
Wipe out differences
There are the religious and the righteous. Discern true disciples and unite with people from all walks of life to serve the best cause in the world.
Who are “the righteous”?
What are the differences?
Conscious? unconscious?
Who is the Righteous?
Mark 9:36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”.. . 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
Every child in the kingdom of God seeking to obey and serve God is righteous. Righteousness comes from within, Religiosity is external.
Welcome Disciples
John 13:20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
Every cup of water to a child of God/ disciple is honored.
Welcoming also implies accepting and not rejecting. (John 13, Luke 10).
What are the differences between welcome, accept, reject?
Welcome Disciples
First we need to discern whether theya re genuinely sent from God.
Welcoming is embracing them, their messages (from God), their viewpoints. It is complete acceptance. Rejecting them could mean considering them outsiders, even not supporting their missionary initiatives.
As travelling hazards are less in these days and we are in an internet age need for personal hospitality is less. How can we apply this truth today?
Welcome Disciples
In today’s context, how can we wear both hats:
1.Be disciples
2.Welcome disciples from any background?
Give more examples.
Win your reward
Matt 10:41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
Prophets and apostles mostly lived in bible era.[1] (Eph 3:4-5) They had a purpose which was fulfilled. Today we are largely composed of disciples i.e righteous.
Win your reward
1.Different people have different rewards
2.Reward for welcoming righteous = reward for righteous. Comment.
3.Even the smallest contribution entitles one to reward.
Tips Today, - when we are serving
- Define your strategy: eg.
- Invest more on “low hanging fruit”
- Persevere with “high hanging fruit”
- Be a “peacemaker” – iron out controversies and avoid controversial cross denomination talk
- Keep main thing as main thing
When we serve God’s servants (The righteous)
First discern.
- Stand up/ support the truth diplomatically
Remember “silence is consent” and “delay is the deadliest form of denial”
- Step up
- Speak up
Welcome the righteous
In today’s context, how can we wear both hats:
1.Be disciples
2.Welcome disciples from any background?
Give more examples.
Discussion
1.How can we differentiate between a. the righteous b. those who welcome the righteous?
2.When we are sharing God’s word, how do we differentiate rejection and temporary hardness? Give examples.