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Matthew 10:16-23

Pastor Jay – Last Sunday, spoke of the disciples who were called, no doubt that they were all from different background We don’t have an excuse, if we are honest with ourselves…we can  at least identify with one them They were with Jesus, yet, some did really well, others not so much …He reminded us to self-examine and not be too quick to cast judgement…because we too can fallWe too can fall- Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fallIn Matthew 10:1 – These guys were given power to Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demonsThey were given power to bless or curse, but they had to remember that this power was not of their own They had the independence to give or take away blessings but it had to be in the confines of God’s will- Not outside And all these, was to give God Glory- Show the Power of God and His power in His people 

READ MAIN TEXT – Matthew 10:16-23 (Nkjv)

Behold I send you in a dangerous place. Even before you go out, know that there is death out there. Some will return some won’t It’s not like one of those bait and switch thing- I am sending you as sheep in the midst of wolves After all, the mission of sheep to wolves is a hopeful one, since we see in the natural world that the sheep, though so feeble, by far outnumber the wolves who are so fierce.” (Spurgeon)There is might in numbers – We are not alone, if we could all take up our position and stop listening to the worldly noise– we would know that we are mighty in Christ JesusThis is an encouragement Change the way you look at things and the things you look at changeBe wise as serpents Wisdom would keep them from attracting trouble unnecessarily or show them how to avoid it without compromise. Serpents are attacked by everyone, and must use creativity and wisdom to survive.Remaining harmless would keep them from giving in to the temptation of retaliationBe harmless as doves, have a gentle Spirit- Remember the call is to win hearts and not cause problemsYou will be brought before the law; they will ask you to stop having church and not worshipBut don’t worry about what to say…I the LORD will give you what you need to say – at that exact time Almost like the Lord will plant you there, to infiltrate the unjust so that you can deliver the good news for those who want to hear or judgement if they don’t Like in the movies – They put a detective in the Prison system to find corruption (Paul and Silas) Families will betray you- Covid has shown us how that comes around. That the enemy looks for little cracks and widens that gab to bring division among blood relatives We ought to watch out as Christian that this does not continue in the church Mark 3:30-36 - Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. 32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers [a]are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” 34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”When they persecute you in this city, flee to another…you will not have gone through the city of Israel before the Son of Man comesDo not stall in one city when you are persecuted, keep moving – This was a statement for that time that Judgement would come to Judea before the disciples reached all of Israelites. And it did come through the Roman armies in AD 70 How does this apply to us today, it’s a hope that we shall not be overcome by persecution, that God will rescue us – that this is just for a moment Matthew 24:21-22 -For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until...