Bible Reading Plan : Matthew 10

Matthew 10:1-4
B.  The Messiah's Call to His Disciples, 10:1-4
(Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:13-19; Acts 1:13)
1  They were called "to Him" (v.1a)
2  They were given power and authority (v.1b)
3  They were twelve in number (v.2a)
4  They were made apostles (v.2b)
5  They included three sets of brothers (v.2c)
6  They were organized two by two for ministry (v.3-4)

Matthew 10:5-15
C.  The Messiah's Commission to His Disciples, 10:5-15
(Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)
1  Jesus sent forth His disciples, commanding them (v.5)
2  First, go to Israel: To the lost of one's own house (v.6)
3  Second, preach: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (v.7)
4  Third, minister, sharing freely (v.8)
5  Fourth, receive compensation (v.9-10)
  a.  Do not seek material gain (v.9)
  b.  Seek only to be adequately cared for (v.10)
6  Fifth, seek a worthy host (v.11)
7  Sixth, plan your ministry and your visits (v.12-15)
  a.  Approach cordially (v.12)
  b.  If accepted, share your peace (v.13)
  c.  If rejected, leave and symbolize judgment (v.14)
  d.  Rejectors are to be judged (v.15)

Matthew 10:16-23
D.  The Messiah's Warning of Persecution, 10:16-23
1  Two facts must be kept in mind (v.16a-b)
  a.  Are commissioned (v.16a)
  b.  Are as sheep among wolves (v.16b)
2  Counsel 1: Be wise and harmless (v.16c)
3  Counsel 2: Beware of men (v.17-18)
  a.  The persecutors: The state and the religionists (v.17)
  b.  The reasons you will be persecuted (v.18)
  1)  For the Lord's sake (v.18a)
  2)  To be a testimony (v.18b)
4  Counsel 3: Do not worry about a defense (v.19-20)
  a.  God will meet your need (v.19)
  b.  God's Spirit will speak in you (v.20)
5  Counsel 4: Know that families will be divided (v.21)
6  Counsel 5: Endure to the end (v.22)
7  Counsel 6: Flee persecution (v.23)

Matthew 10:24-33
E.  The Messiah's Encouragement Not to Fear Persecution, 10:24-33
1  The fact of persecution (v.24-25)
  a.  A warning: You are not above persecution (v.24)
  b.  A privilege: You are to share the sufferings of Christ (v.25a)
  c.  A surety: You are more likely to suffer persecution than Christ was (v.25b)
2  Do not fear persecutors (v.26-27)
  a.  The truth will be revealed (v.26)
  b.  The message must be preached (v.27)
  1)  The message given by Christ: in secret (v.27a)
  2)  Message is urgent (v.27b)
3  Do not fear men who kill the body (v.28)
  a.  They are unable to kill the soul (v.28a)
  b.  God alone can destroy the soul and the body (v.28b)
4  Do not fear—God cares (v.29-31)See: DS2
  a.  He cares for the common sparrow (v.29a)
  b.  He knows every injury to each sparrow (v.29b)
  c.  He cares for every detail of your life (v.30)
  d.  He values you more than sparrows (v.31)
5  The conclusion: Loyalty is essential (v.32-33)
  a.  Confess Christ and He will confess you (v.32)
  b.  Deny Christ and He will deny you (v.33)

Matthew 10:34-42
F.  The Cost of Being the Lord's Disciple, 10:34-42
1  Jesus' purpose (v.34)
  a.  Not to send peace (v.34a)
  b.  To send a sword (v.34b)
2  Illustration 1: A person's family (v.35-37)
  a.  The fact: Christ sets the believer against his family (v.35-36)
  b.  The demand: Must love Christ supremely (v.37a)
  c.  The reward: Counted worthy versus unworthy (v.37b)
3  Illustration 2: The cross (v.38)
  a.  Demand: Die—follow (v.38a)
  b.  Reward: Counted worthy versus unworthy (v.38b)
4  Illustration 3: A person's life (v.39)
  a.  Demand: Give up life (v.39a)
  b.  Reward: Lose life versus find life (v.39b)
5  Illustration 4: Welcoming and ministering to others (v.40-42)
  a.  Demand: Welcome a believer and minister to him (v.40)
  b.  Reward: A reciprocal or equal reward (v.41-42)
  1)  The presence of Christ and of God, (v.40) (v.41a)
  2)  The reciprocal or equal reward (v.41b)
  3)  Strongly asserted: The smallest ministry will not lose its reward (v.42)