The Preeminent Choice (Matthew 10:24-42)
Gearl Spicer, May 28, 2023
Part of the The Great Divide - Choosing to Walk Worthy series, preached at a Sunday Online service
Matthew 10:24–42 (Listen)
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
(ESV)
Sermon Notes
The Great Divide - Choosing to Walk Worthy
The Preeminent Choice
Matthew 10:24-42
5/28/23
What have been your wisest choices in life?
Often the simplest choices lead to the most amazing results!
Worthy:
*Day by day consistency
*Balanced on the scales
*Positioned properly
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and He who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39
Core concepts to grasp:
*Take up your cross - Surrender to His purpose
*Follow after me - Submit to His will and plan
*He who lost his life - Serve Him with wisdom
The Hard but Wise Way:
I. Everything of value comes with a price - Matthew 10:16-23
A. Threats lead to an affirmation of our purpose
B. Dependence on Him will lead to words from above
C. Endurance is a part of our equipping
II. A worthy walk must be centered in discipleship - Matthew 10:24-36
A. Living above fear elevates our focus
B. Our witness is the key to our story
III. Love that He places in our hearts takes precedent over all - Matthew 10:37-42
A. We must love passionately
B. We must obey Him carefully
C. We must choose the wisest path
Is He your first choice?