By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sermon Text: Matthew 10:5-16
Sermon Theme
Jesus is sending the disciples out on their first missionary journey. He has definite instructions for them. Jesus tells them whom to visit, what to do when they get there and warns them of the dangers involved in their task. Jesus’ call to mission hasn’t changed. The specific location and focus of mission changes throughout the ages. Mission however is always defined by the image of sheep. Missions is about finding “lost sheep’ (Matthew 10:6). At the same time, those who do mission are like sheep sent out among wolves (Matthew 10:16). It is in faithfulness to this mission that Jesus’ power and grace are fully revealed.
Sermon Outline
- Who. Jesus’ mission is nothing less than calling people to the “good news,” the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ introduces us to God’s kingdom, God’s rule in our lives. The paradox is that when God rules over us completely, we are free. We are freed from the false beliefs and crippling practices of this world. The object of Christ’s mission is always the same. It is the “lost sheep.” These sheep are not lost in the sense that they are away from their home. Rather, “lost” here has the meaning of perishing or being destroyed. The focus of this particular mission is the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). The specific identity of the lost sheep varies according to Jesus’ call at any given moment. Yet mission is always directed to those who are perishing (John 10:27-28).
- What. Jesus gives explicit instructions to his disciples. These instructions, however, are daunting. The disciples’ task is to proclaim the good news, cure the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons! To call this assignment breathtaking is to put it mildly. The disciples are not to be concerned about their material needs. Jesus acknowledges that “laborers deserve their food” (Matthew 10:10). Yet the disciples are not to provide for themselves. Jesus’ message seems to be that God will take care of their needs. The whole mission is a description of faith. There is no earthly or human way this can happen. Jesus speaks of the peace which the disciples have as something concrete, something that can be both bestowed and taken back (John 14:27). When we experience God’s peace, no task is impossible for us (Romans 16:20).
- Warning. Jesus’ mission is not to be taken lightly. We are sent out into a hostile world (I John 5:19). Much of the world is still like Sodom and Gomorrah (Ezekiel 16:49). Jesus tells us that we are being sent out “like sheep into the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16). Wait a minute. Where did these wolves come from? Aren’t the disciples being sent to “lost sheep.” When did the disciples become the sheep? The reality is that there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). In other words, not all the sheep are really sheep. Some are “savage wolves” (Acts 20:29-30). The disciples, however, are not to fight back. They are not to retaliate against the wolves. They are only to shake off the dust from their feet and depart with their peace (Matthew 10:14). Those who cause dissension are to be avoided (Romans 16:17). Jesus calls all his disciples to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The mission of Jesus Christ is our highest calling. In this mission we are sustained not only by Jesus’ peace, but by his power (I John 4:4).
Questions for Us
- Who are some of the "lost sheep" that we encounter in our day-to-day lives. Do we see ourselves as sent by Jesus to them? If not, why not?
- How do we understand Jesus' call to mission as healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons? What are some examples of this mission in today's world?
- What are examples of the wolves we face? How can we avoid the temptation to retaliate when we are rejected?
