Title: Living for Christ is Not an Easy Life
Text:
Matthew 10:16-18 (NLT)
16 "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.
Matthew 10:24-25 (NLT)
24 "Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
Observation:
It's a wonderful honor to be the Ambassador for the King of Kings. However, it is not an easy life, and is not without troubles and tribulations.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"
Our world is filled with trouble and terror in many places; it has even crossed the oceans and come to our homeland. God's people are truly sheep living among wolves. The kind of evil we are seeing is not some new thing. Notice what Jesus said to His first followers.
John 16:2 (NLT)
For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.
Was Jesus right about that? How then shall we live? This is a word for every age, and for all of God's people.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Luke 21:36 (ESV)
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that when you send your people out into the world on mission that you send them out to help and not hurt others; to build up, and not to destroy. Father, give us an abundance of faith in You so that we will not faint or fall. Father, O how we need to have a closer and more intimate walk with You; Lord, grant it is our plea. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
My Soul Sings:
Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
Not for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.
Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/386
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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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