As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. - Matthew 9:9
Matthew was a tax collector
- Jews hated tax collectors
- Tax collectors worked for the Roman Government
- Tax collectors were dishonest and collected more than necessary
Jesus saw potential in Matthew
- An Apostle
- Writer of the first book of the New Testament
- Jesus sees potential in you
Your Calling
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." - Matthew 9:37-38
- There are multitudes who are ready to turn to God
- Too few harvesters in the field.
Unite for the Harvest
- The Disciples of Christ had their share of differences
- Matthew and Simon would have been enemies
- In Christ even the worst of enemies become friends
Unity Requires Humility
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35
The Harvest Depends on God's Timing
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. - Matthew 10:5-6
- Be sensitive to Holy Spirits Timing
- Don't get ahead of God
- Trying to force people to accept Christ is not God's will
The Harvest Depends on God's Power
- It is impossible to obey God's commands through human power
- The Harvest Depends on God's Power
- Believers must have the Spirits power to do what Christ commanded
God's Power is for Today
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. - 1 Corinthians 1:7
The Harvest Depends on Pure Motives
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:8
- The Gospel is not a business for profit
- Prayers and healing are not to be sold
- Using the Gospel for personal gain corrupts the message and the messenger
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
- 2nd Corinthians 2:17
The Harvest Depends on Wisdom and Gentleness
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. - Matthew 10:16
- Sometimes Christians cause their own problems by ignoring warning signs or breaking laws.
- Jesus expects his followers to use wisdom to avoid problems
The Harvest Depends on Speaking of God with Confidence
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matthew 10:27-28
The Harvest Depends on Speaking of God with Confidence
God is not withdrawn or unconcerned
He knows each of his children
Not even a sparrow falls without his knowledge
The Harvest Depends on Faithful People
Full time workers
Those that pray
Those that support in giving
Equal Reward
Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. - Matthew 10:41
Teaching notes and audio file created from "Synoptic Gospels: the Life and teachings of Christ" second edition Published by: Global University
