King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Chapters: Matthew Chapters 10, 14
Message: Complete in Christ
Hello My Friend,
I had started this going in another direction, but God so graciously and humbly used my mother this morning to remind me that there will come a day when all who are saved and born again will never have to suffer through strokes, lapses of memory, blindness, or any other one of the natural evils handed down to man under the curse of sin. Charles Spurgeon said,
[There are times in our spiritual experience when human counsel or sympathy, or religious ordinances, fail to comfort or help us. Why does our gracious God permit this? Perhaps it is because we have been living too much without him, and he therefore takes away everything upon which we have been in the habit of depending, that he may drive us to himself…Let us never for a moment think that our standing is in our sanctification, our mortification, our graces, or our feelings, but know that because Christ offered a full atonement, therefore we are saved; for we are complete in him.]
[Complete; Having no deficiency; perfect. To finish; to end; to perfect;] Until one knows Christ as their Saviour, they are incomplete, meaning they do not have the Spirit of God upon their souls. Whenever we receive Christ, as our Saviour we are accepted by God, the Father, and that is when the Holy Spirit enters our soul and enables us to do some amazing things yet also get through some incredible feats. However, if one denies Christ, the Father will deny them.
[Matthew 10:32-33,40 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.]
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Matthew, gives his account of when Jesus ordained and sent twelve of the disciples who had been His companions through His entire ministry, out into the neighboring cities to peach the Gospel.
[Matthew 10:1-7 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.]
[Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.] It occurred to me that Jesus gave Judas the same abilities as the other eleven disciples when He ordained them to preach the Gospel. So, what would drive Jesus to give the same abilities to a known traitor that He gave the rest of them? I believe that God will use anyone to reach the lost with the Gospel to a point, but then there will be a time when they too would need to repent, [Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.]
[But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.] It was important for Jesus to go to the Jews first with Gospel, as the majority of them would reject Him before His passion as the prophecies foretold, then Jesus would command them to go to the Gentiles after His passion, [Psalms 118:22-23 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.]
You see, they really were not given special powers, they were given Holy Spirit power, just like Jesus had, likewise all who accept Christ as their Saviour. Keep in mind that we lead people to Christ, but we do not actually save them, the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to show Jesus through some quite unusual circumstances. Jesus, warns us though, with great power comes great responsibility. Jesus, tells the disciples that while they are given these Holy Spirit powers, not everyone is going to accept them.
[Matthew 10:8-14 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.]
[Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:] We may not be given the ability to just touch someone and they be healed or a dead body and it come back to life, but we are given the ability to preach the Gospel to lost souls who considered dead until they are complete in Christ, [Colossians 2:9-10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:]
[enquire who in it is worthy…but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.] What qualifies one to be worthy of being preached the Gospel to? Well, admitting that they are a sinner is the qualification. Before we even ask that question we need to be aware of whether or not they believe in God, if they do not believe in God, then they will not be attentive to hearing the Gospel. Jesus, explains this further, but gives them a warning that He is sending them literally out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
[Matthew 10:16,18-22 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.]
[ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:] This does not seem like great incentives to go out into the world, preaching the Gospel, and living our lives through Him, but in the end we will be glad that we did. Jesus, goes on to explain why the world hates us.
[Matthew 10:23-26 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? 26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.]
[Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel,] Jesus, is not going to return until the very last soul to receive Him gets saved. Anyone who receives Him as their Saviour actually become joint-heirs with Him, and therefore of His household, [Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.]
[Glorified; Honored; dignified;] Did you know that those who stick it out and continue to walk in their faith and Christ will be honored by the Almighty God Himself, who by the way is their Father also. God, has great respect for those who do not live in fear of what man can do to them, but rather in the fear of God. Jesus, said this, [Matthew 10:28-31 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.]
[one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.] Just think about that, the world goes through such elaborate expenses in their attempt to keep an animal or insect from going extinct, but God knows exactly what is going on with all of them. And yet they are so quick to end the life of a baby that is growing in the womb. This is why Jesus warns is that we are going to make enemies, even family.
[Matthew 10:34-40 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.]
[He that loveth father or mother more than me] Jesus, is not in any way telling us that we need to ignore our parents or family, but think about what He just said prior to that, [And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.] This is about giving Jesus first place in our lives and family being our biggest deterrent from doing so. Sometimes, we must let family go so that we can follow Jesus, [John 12:25-26 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.]
I am not going to lie, I am preaching to the choir here as I need to remind myself that I am a married woman now and not everything is about me. We who are Christ’s disciples are much more than joint heirs with Him, we become a refection of Him and that actually brings enemies because of our faith. Why? Because what it actually does is bring personal conviction. When the fame of Jesus spread abroad, it was more than John, the Baptist asking if He were the Christ, others were trying to figure out who He is, including Herod, the tetrarch. In fact, we learn the sad fate of what happened to John the Baptist.
[Matthew 14:1-3,5-6,8,10,12 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.]
[This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead;] Herod, feared John, his conscience, never letting go of what he did to an innocent man. The conscience plays a huge part in ones own self convictions, which is why whenever an innocent life has been taken the one responsible will be forever haunted by something that reminds them of what they did, and will always be looking over their shoulders, [Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.]
Now, Jesus, got word from the disciples that John the Baptist had been executed by Herod, and that they had buried him, although He already knew, saddened by the news, He got into a ship, but multitudes followed Him by foot.
[Matthew 14:14-18 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me.]
[We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.] I can just imagine the looks on their faces when they told Him that there were only five loaves of bread, which were like the size biscuits and two fish, which were like the size of a sardine. Nevertheless, they did what He asked only to discover that they had more than enough food to feed five thousand men, not including the women and children with them.
[Matthew 14:19-22 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.]
[Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship,] Jesus, did not just tell the disciples to get into the ship, He commanded them do it, and sent the multitudes away too. We must realize that even when Jesus does seem to be away from us, that is when He is watching over us.
[Matthew 14:23-27 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.]
[in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them,] I learned that this is about four o’clock in the morning. I find that it is usually in the middle of the night when I realize that Jesus is with me. The disciples feared for their lives, and after what they had been seeing, thought He was some spirit, but Jesus spoke out.
[Matthew 14:28-33 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.]
[Of a truth thou art the Son of God.] The walk that Jesus leads us down is not always calm, in fact, it comes with lots of waves, sometimes tidal waves, but He is with us each step we take, and He will see us through. We may not have everything we desire, we may not be in the best of health, and we may not have family and friends around, but we are complete in Him and therefore, we have everything we need, [1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, We do not always know where our present steps will take us, but we do know they lead to heaven if we received You as our Saviour. We truly are like sheep among the wolves, we may be lead to cold, dark mountains, deep valleys, or crashing waves, but ultimately You are right there with us. Lord, You have chosen us, and commanded us to go out into the world and preach the Gospel. Lead us and guide us, fill us with Your power and words that we might be a walking, talking light that shines that Gospel on all we pass by. Give us rest, peace, and joy as we serve You, let us not live in fear of the wolves, but in the strength that only comes through Your Spirit inside of us. In pray this in Your name Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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