Adult DCLM Search the Scripture 22 May 2022 | Lesson 21 || Jesus Sends Out The Twelve
Deeper Life Search the Scripture 22 May 2022
LESSON 21 | JESUS SEND OUT THE TWELVE
Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022 | Lesson 21
MEMORY VERSE: ‘And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. lHeal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew “10:7,8).
TEXTS: Matthew 10:1-42; Luke 9:1-10; 12:1-12
Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022 MESSAGE
The divine objective of rescuing perishing souls remained the driving force and focus of Christ’s earthly ministry from the beginning to the end. It was for this purpose He “ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach” (Mark 3:14). Having called and assembled His disciples, He taught them by example what to preach and how to present the saving gospel message. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4: 17).
In today’s text, Christ sent out the twelve to further train them in the art of ‘soul-fishing’. His instructions to them reveal the content of the message and empowerment of the disciples for effective and fruitful soul-winning. Every believer is saved to win souls. There should be no idle hand in the Kingdom. Like Christ, adult believers should embark on evangelism and endeavour to mentor new believers to do same.
CHRIST’S COMMISSION TO HIS DISCIPLES (Matthew 10:1-15; Luke 9:1-5; John 10:37,38; Matthew 28: 19,20; John 4:48; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Romans 4:24,25)
“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” (Matthew 10:1). Prior to this commission, Christ called His disciples to follow Him and learn to become fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
Right from the commencement of their call, Jesus repeatedly taught them the purpose of His advent that, “…the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). For instance, immediately after the call of Peter, Andrew and the two sons of Zebedee, “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23). Thus, He taught the disciples by example what to preach and how to present the gospel before sending them out to the field (Matthew 4: 17; 10:7).
Christian leaders need to emulate Christ’s model of mentoring for fruitful soul- winning. Having exemplified His teaching before the disciples as a pattern to emulate, Christ empowered and commissioned them to preach the gospel. The manifestation of divine power as a necessary accompaniment of the gospel was established from the beginning. The incidence of miracles, signs and wonders serve as evidence that the doctrine preached is of God and therefore, give credence to the gospel message.
Christ told His incredulous Jewish audience, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him” (John 10:37,38). The miracles which Christ performed were always incidental to His preaching, and provided confirmation that He was “a teacher come from God”. Christ forgave sinners, healed all manner of sicknesses and raised the dead. Similarly, the power He conferred on the disciples encompassed both physical sicknesses and spiritual conditions. It includes restoration of liberty to those who were enslaved by sinful habits and lifestyles, and the recovery of Spiritual life to those who were dead in sins and trespasses. Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
Christ always associated the preaching of His gospel with the demonstration of God’s supernatural power. Before His ascension, Christ prefaced His gospel commission to His disciples with the reassurance, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. It was on this basis that He gave the commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:18,19).
Preachers today should therefore demonstrate faith in the word of Christ by praying and expecting divine power to manifest in their preaching ministry. The demonstration of Christ’s forgiving mercies, miracles and power helps the faith of those who would come to Him for salvation and healing. As Christ said, “except [some] see signs and wonders [they] will not believe” (John 4:48).
It also robs sceptics of excuses and serves as encouragement to soul-winners to boldly preach and pray for the physically and spiritually sick and afflicted. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20). The content of the message which the apostles were commissioned to preach was not different from that which the Lord Himself had preached. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4: 17). Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
To His disciples He commanded, “And as ye go, preach, saying. The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). Repentance is the keystone of Christ’s message to the lost world He came to redeem. It means sincere turning away from all sins to God in penitence and forsaking past sins with utter revulsion.
God requires genuine repentance before He grants the sinner’s prayer for forgiveness and cleansing. It was equally emphasized by John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The unchanging gospel remains the same today in its message, power and emphasis, as in every dispensation.
In the early Church, the emphasis was on repentance from sin as a necessary precondition for the remission of sin. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). On another occasion, after the miracle of the healing of a man born a cripple, Peter declared, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
The undue emphasis some preachers now place on material prosperity, earthly and social promotion at the expense of genuine repentance towards God and righteous living is therefore, misplaced. Apostle Paul warned against deviation from the gospel as preached by Christ and His disciples. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
Every believer is called to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Our emphasis must be on: one, the need for repentance from sin by personal acknowledgment of sins committed; two, godly sorrow for sins committed; three, man’s inability to save himself or please God by his own good works and self- righteousness; and four, faith in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). While sending out the twelve, Jesus commanded them to rely on the generosity of the people in the towns that they would visit: “And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money neither have two coats apiece” (Luke 9:3).
This is however, not necessarily a lack of faith to raise money for missions before embarking on it instead of relying on help from unbelievers and people of doubtful characters. The Lord only applied what was the practice of His time. Travellers in the ancient near East could count on strangers to show hospitality and put them up for one night or longer. He further gave them specific instructions on the mode of preaching, their manner of comportment and also cautioned them against persecutors they were bound to meet. Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
CHRISTIAN C0MMITMENT TO THE GREAT C0MMISSION (Matthew 10:16-39; Luke 9:6-10; 12:1-12; John 16:3; Titus 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:10,11)
The words spoken by Christ as He sent out the twelve reveal that He anticipated resistance, even hostility from the people against the gospel. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues” (Matthew 10: 16, 17).
The Master never hides the truth from His disciples. He clearly declares that gospel preachers will face opposition the same way He did (John 15:20). These words were meant to prepare their minds against opposition and put them on their guard against the subterfuge and misrepresentation of unbelieving men. Rejection and hostility against the gospel, and persecution against gospel preachers is the result of ignorance of the unspeakable love of God manifested in Christ. “And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me” (John 16:3).
Instead of allowing persecution, hostility or rejection to dampen our passion for the perishing, we should be constrained by the love of God to persist in evangelism and remember that: “we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). Also, remember that the sinner is under the influence of powers beyond his control and understanding. Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
The Scripture reveals that: “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). This revelation should engender sympathy and patient understanding in believers rather than despair in gospel-preaching. Thus, withholding the preaching of the gospel is tantamount to consigning our families, friends and communities to the everlasting torments of hell.
Christ’s commission contains great encouragement for His obedient disciples. He promised divine intervention and protection for every disciple who is committed to preaching the kingdom of God. “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. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:28,30,31; Luke 12:4). Apostle Paul’s testimony that: “thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2 Timothy 3: 10,1 1) confirms God’s faithfulness in protecting His servants who are committed to bringing souls to His Kingdom. Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
Effective evangelism and fervent prayers go together. The preacher needs the help of the Holy Ghost to guide him and bring conviction and contrition into the sinner’s heart. The preacher’s prayer should include the opening of the spiritual eyes of the people to the unspeakable, horrendous and everlasting danger of dying in sin, without reconciling with God through Jesus Christ.
The New Testament portrays a true Christian labourer as one who serves God without reservation or fear of oppositions. He is consecrated and committed to the Lord, His Kingdom’s demands and to spreading the gospel. He has only one goal: to be what God wants him to be, go where God wants him to go and do what God wants him to do. He devotes the only one life he has to the preaching of the Gospel.
What a worthy life! A life that is wholly yielded to the work of soul-winning is worthy, well-spent and profitable. For “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39). Consequently, the early disciples carried out evangelistic works without fear. They demonstrated to believers of today that it is possible to live for Christ by working for the salvation of sinners. Today, every Christian must labour for the salvation of souls in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).
CHRIST’S REWARD FOR OBEDIENT DISCIPLES (Matthew 10:32,40-42; John 15:14,16; Luke 15:10; Daniel 12:3)
Christ’s faithful disciples have His words of promise and comfort to spur them on. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” It is certainly an honour, greater than we can imagine or understand for Christ to confess us before the almighty and everlasting God. That is why we must do everything to avoid being disowned by Him before God.
What danger we court by absconding from His commission to preach the gospel or in any other way to disown Him by our action or inaction! Preaching the gospel confers on us the great privilege of friendship with the Son of God. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).
Our obedience to the great commission endears us to the Lord as His friends. He also promises that our efforts by the power of His grace shall be fruitful and the fruits thereof shall abide. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15; 16). Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022
Christ promises to answer the prayers of His willing disciples. What great joy the repentance and conversion of sinners bring to believers and heaven! (Psalm 126:6; Luke 15:10). The preaching of the gospel turns people from sin unto righteousness and from eternal damnation to everlasting life. Those who preach the gospel to sinners always have the joy of turning many to righteousness. They have a special glory reserved for them in the kingdom of God. They shall shine as the stars forever and receive everlasting crowns (Daniel 12:3; 2 Timothy 4:8).
Questions for review:
1. What was Christ’s preoccupation on earth and what should be the believer’s?
2. What purpose does the incidence of miracles and signs serve in the preaching of the gospel?
3. Explain the content and emphasis of a true gospel message.
4. What should be a believer’s attitude in the face of hostility and why?
5. What are the rewards of faithful disciples in life and eternity?
6. Explain what the cross symbolises in the life of a New Testament disciple.
7. Why is evangelisation called the great commission?
Thanks for reading Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 22 May 2022 Lesson 21