Matthew 10

Matthew 10:1-15

Chapter 21 Laborers Sent Forth “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. 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; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 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: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 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. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matthew 10:1-15) In the last verse of chapter 9 our Lord urged his disciples to pray that the Lord God would send forth laborers into his field to gather in his harvest. Here in chapter 10 the Lord Jesus demonstrates that he is “the Lord of the harvest” by sending forth his labors into his field to reap his harvest. Matthew 10 is a chapter of Holy Scripture that ought always be read with peculiar solemnity. In these forty-two verses we have the first ordination sermon ever preached. Those being ordained and set apart for the work of the gospel ministry are the twelve apostles. The ordination preacher is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The solemn charge here given by Christ to the first gospel preachers of the New Testament era is the charge he gives to all who are sent of God to preach the gospel. Let us carefully examine the first fifteen verses of this chapter. The apostolic office ceased with the calling of the Apostle Paul and the death of the last Apostle, probably John. Yet, every believer, every church, and every man who claims to be, or hopes to be, a preacher of the gospel ought to be interested in the things recorded in these verses. Though there are no apostles today in the official sense of that word. However, like the word “angel,” the word “apostle” simply means, “messenger.” In that sense every true gospel preacher is an apostle, a messenger, an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), sent from God himself with the message of grace and salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Twelve Men These twelve men who were called to be Christ’s Apostles, his messengers, were first his disciples. — “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” (v.1). It seems ridiculous that I should have to say so, but in these days when people who claim to worship and serve God both ignore and willfully pervert Holy Scripture, it must be said, — The messengers of Christ were all men! No woman has ever been called of God to preach the gospel. The teaching of Holy Scripture in this matter is crystal clear (1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:11). The ordination of women for the work of the gospel ministry (That includes pastors, elders, missionaries, and deacons.) is totally contrary to the teaching of the Bible. These men were first called to be Christ’s disciples, then called to be his Apostles. No man is fit for the work of the gospel ministry who has not experienced God’s saving grace. We cannot know the hearts of men. Therefore, we deal with them upon the basis of their professed faith in Christ. But none are to be put into the gospel ministry who are not followers of Christ. Those who are set apart by local churches for the work of the gospel ministry must be men of proven faithfulness (1 Timothy 3:10). They who would be teachers of others must first be learners, taught of God. No man is apt to teach, or able to teach others who has not first learned the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:24). Twelve men were chosen to be apostles. The number twelve is significant. It has reference to the twelve sons of Jacob, the twelve tribes of Israel. The Church of God is the Israel of God. These twelve apostles are the twelve stars that make up the church’s crown (Revelation 12:1), the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:12; Revelation 21:14), typified by the twelve precious stones in Aaron’s breastplate, the twelve loaves on the table of showbread, and the twelve wells of water at Elim. The Lord Jesus speaks of them as sitting upon thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30). These men were called by Christ. First, they were called to follow him. Then, they were called to be his messengers. The call of every disciple of Christ is the same. The Holy Spirit teaches us in 2 Peter 2:10 that our election in Christ and our redemption by him is made manifest by this call. He has saved us and called us (2 Timothy 1:9).

All who are justified by Christ’s blood are called (Romans 8:30). And all who are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Christ are called by God the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:1). Gospel preachers are called and sent forth by Christ, “the Lord of the harvest.” Being called and sent forth by him, the fruit of their labor is sure. God’s Word proclaimed by them is triumphant over unclean spirits; and in the name of Christ, by the power of the gospel preached, diseases and sicknesses of immortal souls are healed. Their Names Matthew was inspired of God to list the names of these twelve men for us. — “ “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; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him” (Matthew 10:2-4). There are some apostles of whom we virtually know nothing more than their names (Bartholomew and Simon the Canaanite). Some are famous. Some are obscure. But it matters not to them. They are God’s messengers! Peter is mentioned first because he was one of the Master’s first two disciples (John 1:35-42) and (perhaps) because he rose to be the leader and chief spokesman for the rest. Matthew calls himself “the publican,” acknowledging his debt to the grace of God, and puts himself in the list with obscurity, preferring to promote his fellow laborers rather than himself. These were truly blessed men. Their names were first written in the book of life before the world began. Judas Iscariot was the one exception. His place was also marked out from eternity (Psalms 41:9; Acts 1:25; John 17:12). Matthias was chosen by the others to take the traitor’s place (Acts 1:26). But their choice of a replacement was not God’s choice The Lord’s intention was for his church to have twelve apostles, twelve and only twelve. David’s prophecy (Psalms 69:25; Acts 1:20) must be fulfilled. Another apostle must take Judas’ place. But, like the others, he must be personally chosen and ordained to the office by Christ himself. The Lord had not chosen Matthias for this office. He had chosen Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8). Yes, one of the chosen Apostles was a devil. The Scriptures do not hide the fact that Judas was among the original twelve; and we must never forget it. This fact is prominently displayed in the Word of God to teach us never to pin our faith on the sleeve of a man. Not all preachers are believers. Even those who preach the “truth” are not all genuine Christians. Yet, the fact that one preacher is a devil is no indication that all are devils. Faithful gospel preachers are to be followed and obeyed (Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17). Yet, we must follow them only as they follow Christ. A Great Work These twelve men were called and commissioned by Christ to do a very great work. — “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.” He sent them forth saying, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:8). The purpose of the gospel ministry is the healing of men’s souls (Matthew 10:1). The design of the gospel is to conquer the world, the flesh, and the devil. Christ gave these men power to cast demons out of men’s bodies, to show that Christ has come to destroy the power of Satan and his works. He gave them power to heal all manner of sickness and disease to show that none are beyond the reach of God’s omnipotent grace, because the blood of Christ effectually cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9). The miracles performed by Moses, who represented the law, were for destruction and judgment. These miracles of the apostles were all wrought for comfort, edification, and life, portraying the power of the gospel. These miracles were an affirmation of Christ as the Messiah and these men as his messengers (Hebrews 1:3). Now that we have the full revelation of God in Holy Scripture, God’s servants need no miraculous signs to confirm their message. Faithful men do not come with a new word (revelation) from God, but simply declare the revelation of God in Holy Scripture. “That which is perfect” has come. We have a “more sure Word of prophecy.” Those who pretend to work miracles, speak in tongues, and have a word of prophesy or revelation from God are saying, — “Christ is not enough!” “The Bible is not enough!” “Salvation is not enough!” “The Gospel is not enough!” “He gave them power” to do the work he sent them to do. The Lord Jesus Christ never called anyone to do anything for him without giving them the power to do it. Whatever the work is to which God calls a person, he will give him the power (ability, opportunity, and means) to do it. Their Message God’s messengers, like these twelve apostles, are sent of God into this world to preach the gospel of his sovereign, saving grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. — “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). This was the Apostles’ commission. They were to preach, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” the near approach of Christ’s kingdom; ¾ that is of his Person, his work and his salvation. God’s messengers all have one message to declare. We have been sent of God to preach, and to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified, to preach Christ is the King. He has brought in and established the Kingdom of Heaven.

Salvation is finished. God’s salvation, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, right before you (Psalms 85:9-11). The kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory, to which that grace leads, is distinguished from the law by the preaching of the gospel (John 1:15-18). Let every man sent of God to preach the gospel of Christ ever be mindful that he is to be turned aside to no other message. It does not matter what Satan gets you off on, if he gets you off Christ, he has won the day. Our message is not prophecy, morality, politics, the home, or any other matter but “Jesus Christ and him crucified,” “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Lost Sheep “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: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6). — God’s servants are sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6). It never was our Lord’s purpose to save all men. And he never has sent the gospel to all men. These two verses must be interpreted literally. The Lord Jesus sent the gospel to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. He later commands that we go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, saying, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned.” But, whether preaching to Jews or to Gentiles, we are sent of God to seek out the lost sheep of the house of Israel – God’s elect! We are on the trail of Christ’s sheep. We are seeking the Lord’s sheep. We have good news for the Lord’s sheep.

Redemption is accomplished! Forgiveness is free! Salvation is forever! When we find them, these lost sheep will hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow him. These sheep are the house of Israel, the Israel of God scattered among the nations who must and shall be gathered. John Gill wrote… “These are called ‘sheep,’ because they were chosen of God, and given to Christ to be redeemed, looked up, sought out, and saved by him; and ‘lost’ ones, not only because lost in Adam, and by their own transgressions, so that neither they themselves, nor any mere creature, could save them from eternal ruin and destruction; but also, because they were made to go astray, and were lost through the negligence and errors of their pastors, the Scribes and Pharisees: and this character is the rather given of them, partly to reflect upon the characters of the shepherds of Israel: and partly to magnify the grace of God, in having regard to such ruined and miserable creatures; and also to excite the compassion and diligence of the apostles, to preach the Gospel to them: respect seems to be had to Jeremiah 1:16.” Freely Give “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat”(Matthew 10:8-10). What a beautiful view is here given of those faithful men going forth with their lives in their hands to preach Christ, having neither gold, nor silver, nor money in their purse, making no provision for themselves. God’s servants are not greedy, covetous men who seek to enrich themselves. Gospel Preachers are not hirelings. They make it their business to freely give as they have freely received. Our Lord Jesus specifically tells his disciples not to provide anything for themselves and not to beg (Luke 10:7). God’s ambassadors never grovel before men! I cannot imagine any of these men announcing that the Lord Jesus had called them to preach the gospel and then grovel like hungry dogs before men, declaring that they must have so much money, or assistance from others before they can do the Lord’s work! Yet, those who preach the gospel are to live by the gospel. Those who benefit from the gospel are to maintain those who preach the gospel in an honorable way (Luke 10:4-7; 1 Corinthians 9:11; Galatians 6:6-10; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Those men who faithfully preach the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ are to be supported and maintained by the people to whom they minister. Faithful missionaries should be as fully and generously supported by the churches that send them out as the pastors of those local churches. There were times when Paul and his companions were required to make tents to support themselves in the work of the gospel. It was an honourable thing for them to do so. Paul tells us that his goal was not to enrich himself, but to avoid being a burden to young churches (1 Thessalonians 2:9), and to avoid causing an offence to young, weak believers (1 Corinthians 9:15-19). But the fact that God’s messenger had to spend his time and effort making tents was a shameful reproach upon the churches. Those churches that were established in the gospel should have assumed the responsibility of supplying Paul’s needs and the needs of his companions as they traveled from place to place preaching the gospel. The New Testament clearly makes it the responsibility of every local church to provide for the financial, material support of those who preach the gospel of Christ. Shake Off the Dust “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence” (Matthew 10:11). — The word, “worthy,” obviously refers to hospitable people, willing to receive God’s messengers. God’s servants are not to be difficult and demanding, but content with such things as gracious people are able and willing to provide for them. C. H. Spurgeon, commenting upon the words “there abide”, wrote, “Keep to those good people with whom your mission begins. It may be that richer people will turn up, but never forget the worthy men and women who first entertained you.” “And when ye come into an house, salute it” (Matthew 10:12). — The presence of God’s servants in any home ought to be a great blessing to the household. We should never enter a home without desiring to be a blessing to it. When we leave it, the family ought to be better off because of our influence. That is true with regard to all God’s people. How much more God’s servants ought to seek grace to be a blessing to others, wherever they go! “And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you” (Matthew 10:13). — Wherever we go, we ought to think well of men until their conduct forces us to do otherwise. When we enter a home, let us enter it determined to bring good to the house. If the blessing we bring by the gospel is despised, we must not be discouraged. “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” (Matthew 10:14). — This is not to be viewed as a matter of spite, or mean-spirited retaliation, or even as a physical act to be performed. Our Lord is simply telling us that when people refuse the gospel we preach, we are to leave them alone. Because they will not have our King and will not worship our God, we cannot walk in fellowship with them. “Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:14). — Here our Savior shows us that it is a very dangerous thing to despise and reject the gospel of God’s free grace. The Lord Jesus sends forth his royal ambassadors to call sinners to repentance, calling for rebels to bow to him as Lord and King. But for those who will not bow to him, who will not receive his gospel, nothing but judgment awaits them. In the day of judgment “it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha” than for those who hear, but will not believe the gospel. What solemn words of warning these are! The preaching of the gospel is to all who hear it either a savor of life unto life, or a savor of death unto death (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).

Matthew 10:16-42

Chapter 22 Ten Important Lessons from the Master “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; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles….He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:16-42) God’s servants in this world are sheep in the midst of wolves, needing wisdom, grace, and strength that only God can give to do his will. In these verses of Scripture our Lord Jesus Christ gives his servants words of instruction to sustain and comfort them as they endeavor to serve the interest of his kingdom and the souls of men in this world. These words of instruction, in their primary application, were given to the apostles of our Lord. However, they are equally applicable to every gospel preacher in this world. And they are just as properly applied to you who seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in your day by day lives. We are (all who believe) God’s servants. To the selfish and unbelieving, who care for nothing but their own ease and comfort, these verses of Scripture are meaningless. To you who serve God and the souls of men, they will be of great interest. To serve God and do good to men’s souls in this world is hard work. Satan fights to maintain his kingdom. The hearts of men are far more wicked than any of us imagine. Our Lord Jesus knows this. Therefore, he takes care, when he sends us out to do his service, to supply us with instructive and encouraging words that we might be prepared for the trials, temptations, and troubles we must face in this world. Here are ten lessons that we must learn, as we endeavor to serve God and our generation by the will of God. We must be modest in our expectations. “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; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 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. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 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. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 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.” – (Matthew 10:16-23) If we serve God, if our object is the glory of God, we must not make success our goal. “Beware of men.” We are “as sheep in the midst of wolves.” If you set your heart to serve God, you must make up your mind to be hated, abused, misunderstood, slandered, and persecuted by men. Even your nearest relations will oppose you if they do not know God. Whether you preach, or teach, or visit, or pass out tracts, or write, or give witness to others, whatever you do, for Christ, you must expect nothing from the world but opposition. Many who once seemed full of zeal have turned back because they had extravagant expectations. Many a preacher has been taken in Satan’s snare of “success” and has compromised the gospel to get it! Our only ambition ought to be the glory of God. Our only duty is the will of God. Our only guide is the Word of God. The only success we should desire is the approval of God. We must endure the hatred and opposition of men throughout the days of our lives; “but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” If we would serve God in this world, we must be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). That simply means we must pray for God to give us wisdom, good sense, a sound mind, and sincerity of heart. The word “harmless” means “simple.” We are to be simple, honest, sincere as God’s servants. Yet, we must have wisdom and good sense. We must never seek to avoid persecution by cowardice, compromise, or intimidation. The Lord allows his servants to flee from one city to another. But he does not allow us to hold our tongues.

Yet, we must never foolishly court persecution by being obnoxious, arrogant, or even out of order and place. There is a proper time and place for witnessing and bearing testimony to the gospel; but there are times when it is out of place to do so. When someone is paying you to work for him, it is evil, not spiritual, to rob him of the labor for which you are being paid to discuss religious matters with your co-workers. To state the matter simply, our God does not require us to throw out common sense when we are engaged to do his will. The offence of the cross we must bear. But we are not to be offensive. Let us “strive to walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). We must never expect to be treated better or to receive better in this world than our Savior did. “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 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?” – (Matthew 10:24-25) If we leave men alone, they will probably leave us alone; but we dare not leave men alone. We must, as our Savior did, expose man’s sin, proclaim God’s righteousness in and by Christ, and call sinners to repentance and faith in Christ. If we follow our Master, we will, in the ordinary course of events, experience what he experienced. He was slandered and rejected by those among whom he ministered. Men “called him Beelzebub,” a devil, a glutton, a winebibber, and a sinner. Few believed his message. Let us not be surprised if we experience the same. C. H. Spurgeon wrote… “If the Master of the family is likened to Beelzebub, the fly-god of the Philistines, and named after the prince of demons, by what names will they call us? Doubtless malice will quicken wit, and sarcasm will invent words which pierce as daggers, and cut like knives….God was slandered in Paradise, and Christ on Calvary, how can we hope to escape? Instead of wishing to avoid bearing the cross, let us be content to endure dishonor for our King s sake.” We must be content to wait for him whom we serve to vindicate us in the day of judgment. God will bring everything to light in his time. — “Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known” (Matthew 10:26). Vengeance belongs to him. If we are his servants, he will both vindicate and avenge our names and our work in the last day. Either here or there God will vindicate his servants. And he will do it by judgment (Psalms 37:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5). Wicked men, under cover of religion and devotion, may cover their malice and hatred for a time, but it will be revealed at God’s appointed time and in God’s appointed way to their everlasting shame. If we would serve God we must fear God rather than man. “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 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.” (Matthew 10:26-28). Like Daniel and his friends, we must be willing to surrender anything and everything, even life itself, rather than compromise the glory of God, violate the truth of God, or go against the Word of God. The wrath of man may be hard to bear, but it is infinitely easier to bear than the wrath of God. Let us ever be faithful to our God. Our Master here tells us to blow the trumpet of the everlasting gospel, to loudly and publicly proclaim to all the truths and mysteries of God’s free grace, which he has made known to us. In quiet meditation, prayer, and study let every servant of Christ seek and receive God’s message. Let none speak until spoken to by God; but once God speaks we are to proclaim his message everywhere. Receive the message like a whisper in your ear. Then sound it forth from “the housetops.” Like the town-criers of old, get to the highest point possible and sound out the Word of the Lord. As Spurgeon put it, “Keep the study and the closet out of sight, and there in secret meet with Jesus, and then set the pulpit of testimony in as conspicuous a place as you can find.” We are responsible to preach the gospel of Christ as fully and as widely as possible by every means at our disposal in the generation in which we live. We must trust the providential care of God. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31) The path of duty may lead us into danger. Our lives may seem to be in peril if we go forward. But we must ever realize that everything is in God’s hand. Whatever fearful thing we meet, as we serve our God, we may say to it, as our Lord did to Pilate, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:11). If our heavenly Father observes the death of a worthless sparrow, we ought to be confident that he will take care of us, even of the most minute concerns of our lives. His care for use extends even to the numbering of the hairs on our heads. Every circumstance of our lives is controlled by the arrangement of our heavenly Father’s eternal love and grace toward us. Let us never look upon anything as a matter of chance. That which we experience day by day is but the fulfilling of our God’s eternal purpose of grace for our everlasting good (Romans 8:28). If we would serve God in this world, we must constantly live in the anticipation of judgment and eternity. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) It may cost you the sneers and frowns of men to confess Christ in this world. But it will cost you the frown of God in eternity to refuse to confess him. Without question, these words extend to the whole of our lives. We must never blush to confess Christ and his gospel before the world that hates him. But the confession of Christ before men begins in baptism. Believers confess Christ before men in believer’s baptism. In baptism we confess our union with Christ and our confidence in him as our representative before God (Galatians 3:27). Being buried with Christ symbolically in the waters of baptism, we acknowledge our sin and its just punishment, and we testify of our faith in Christ’s substitutionary death for the satisfaction of justice, by which our sins have been put away (Romans 6:3). Rising up from the watery grave, we confess our faith in the resurrection of Christ, our representative resurrection in Christ, our spiritual resurrection by Christ, and our bodily resurrection in the likeness of Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). Being raised up from spiritual death by the grace of God in regeneration, through the merits of Christ’s obedience, we confess to God and all the world that we will henceforth “walk in the newness of life’, for the glory of our God. Our confession of faith is a confession of Christ.

What an honor it is to confess him before men! What a reward it shall be to be confessed by him before his Father’s throne in the last day! To “deny” Christ is not to confess him. While baptism has nothing whatever to do with the accomplishment of our salvation, it is essential as a matter of obedience to our God and Savior. I am often asked, “Can a person be saved without baptism?” The answer is obvious. Of course! All of God’s people are saved without baptism. Salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). But refusal to be baptized is rebellion against the plain command of God. In the New Testament all who were received as brethren and regarded as believers were those who had been baptized. I cannot find one person regarded as a believer in the New Testament who refused baptism. Here, our Lord warns us that those who refuse to confess him before men, he will refuse to confess before his Father’s throne in heaven. What a solemn warning! To be disowned by the Son of God before his Father who is in heaven is to perish forever in hell! If we would serve our God and the souls of men, we must understand the gospel of Christ is the cause of constant irreconcilable divisions among men. “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 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. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” (Matthew 10:34-36) Wherever Christ comes there is a “division because of him.” The gospel of Christ divides men and often divides families. Unity, peace, and harmony are great blessings. We ought to earnestly seek them, pray for them, and sacrifice anything to obtain them – anything except the truth of God! Peace that is purchased at the expense of truth is purchased at a rate that ought never to be paid! If you and I would serve Christ, if we would do the will of God, we must take up our cross and follow him every day. “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. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39) Faith in and obedience to Christ is nothing less than the surrender of my life to his rule as my Lord, my Savior, and my King. Christ will not have me unless he has all of me (Luke 14:33). Spurgeon said, “No man has truly given himself to Christ unless he has said, ‘My Lord, I give thee this day my body, my soul, my powers, my talents, my goods, my house, my children, and all that I have. Henceforth, I hold them at thy will, as a steward under thee. Thine they are. As for me, I have nothing. I have surrendered all to thee!’” The Lord Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price. If we would have him, we must sell all to get him (Matthew 13:45-46). He said, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). If we would have Christ, we must surrender all to him. Christianity, true Christianity, true saving faith involves a total surrender to Christ the Lord. Either you will be a servant under the dominion of King Jesus, voluntarily giving up all to his claims, or you will go to hell! You may not have to give up anything in actuality. But surrender to Christ must be just as real and complete in your heart as if you had actually given up everything, even down to life itself. Our Lord Jesus Christ requires total and unreserved surrender to himself. Christ will be Lord of all, or he will not be Lord at all. Is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, your Lord? Is he truly your Lord? If we would be the servants of God in this world, we must never expect our reward in this world, but in the world to come. “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42) What a blessed word this is! God’s people are so thoroughly and completely one with Christ that to receive one of his is to receive him. There is a special word of encouragement here to those who are sent by Christ to preach his gospel. Gospel preachers are God’s ambassadors to men. To receive Christ’s messengers is to receive the Lord Jesus himself, and to receive the Lord Jesus is to receive God himself. That which is done to God’s servants in this world, good or evil, is treated by our Lord as being done to him. And that which is done to Christ’s redeemed ones, good or evil, is considered by our Redeemer as being done to him (Matthew 25:32-46). The least service done for our Lord is observed by him and shall be honored by him He that gives but “a cup of cold water” to one of his little ones, as a disciple, “shall receive a righteous man’s reward,” and shall never lose it. The eyes of our God and Savior are always upon those who serve him. We may be unnoticed by others; but we are not insignificant in the eyes of our God. He observes those who oppose and oppress us. And he takes notice of those who help. He took notice of Diotrephes, who opposed John. And he took notice of Lydia, who assisted Paul.

All these things are written down in the great book of his remembrance, and will be brought to light at the last day. The chief butler forgot Joseph when he was restored to his place. But the Lord Jesus never forgets any of his people and counts the least, most insignificant service done for his honor and in his name as the greatest (Mark 14:3-9). It matters not whether we preach the gospel to great multitudes, or open our homes to his children, or give a cup of cold water in his name, all are the same in his sight. We are responsible only to do that which he gives us opportunity and ability to do. And all that is done for him is accepted and honored by him (1 Samuel 2:30). Are we helpers or hinderers in the cause of Christ? Do we assist God’s servants, or do we impede their labors? Do we aid his little ones, or do we stand in their way? These are serious questions that ought to be considered by us. God give us grace, as often as we have opportunity, to give “a cup of cold water,” or “receive a prophet,” or “receive a righteous man,” in the name of Christ, laboring together in the Lord’s vineyard to gather in his harvest. We should, each of us, make it our business to leave this world better than it was when we entered it. If we follow Christ, if we serve God, if we serve the souls of men, we shall. “Make me a channel of blessing today, Make me a channel of blessing, I pray; My life possessing, my service blessing, Make me a channel of blessing today.”