Committed to Serve
Matthew 10: 29-33
Jesus had shared much with the disciples prior to sending them out in pairs of two for ministry. He had been very straightforward with them, revealing the difficulties and opposition they would encounter as the proclaimed the Good News. Some would happily receive them, but many would not. They might as well prepare to deal with doubt and discouragement at times, but even then, they must continue in the work they had been given. Dealing with adversity would be no reason to abandon their work. The task they had received was not for the faint of heart or those who lacked commitment to the Lord.
Difficulty and opposition are to be expected as we strive to serve the Lord. We face an enemy who opposes the work of believers and the church. He will do all he can to hinder our efforts and discourage us as we walk with the Lord, serving Him. Like the disciples, we too must prepare to deal with the difficulties associated with service, and make a determined commitment to abide faithful for the Lord.
We are not the first generation to deal with adversity serving the Lord. Where would we be today had they abandoned the work due to opposition? I am thankful they remained steadfast, even though the work was difficult. If future generations are to hear the Gospel, we must do our part, in our time, to ensure the church remains vibrant and strong. As we consider the affirmations of Jesus within the text, I want to think on: Committed to Serve.
I. The Security for Disciples (29-31) – In order to strengthen their commitment and resolve to ministry, Jesus reminded the disciples of the security they possessed in the Lord. Being aware of their standing with the Father would certainly encourage them to remain steadfast in the face of opposition. As believers, and servants of the Lord, we enjoy the same security. This security is founded in:
A. The Providence of God (29) – Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Jesus began by reminding the disciples of the limited value of sparrows. Two were sold in that day for a farthing, one tenth of a Roman dinar. This could be viewed in our day as two sparrows being sold for a penny or a nickel. Their value in society was next to nothing, and yet Jesus declared that these do not fall to the ground without the Father knowing and permitting their demise. If the Father was aware of, and cared that much for a sparrow, how much more would he provide for them? God was in control of the sparrows, and He was in control of their lives as well. These had been called to serve the Lord, and they were not sent out alone. Their lives were kept by His sovereign hand as they served Him!
As we serve the Lord, dealing with the adversity that always accompanies our efforts, it is easy to focus on the difficulties and forget the providence of God in our lives. There is much that we will face as we seek to serve the Lord, but we face nothing apart from His knowledge or beyond His ability to handle. If He is aware of the fowls of the air, providing daily for them, how much more is He aware of those who have to come to faith in Christ? Our lives and service to the Lord do not happen by chance or circumstance. The Lord is sovereign over our lives, having absolute control of all that we encounter. The believer can rest in the divine providence of God.
B. The Provision of God (30) – But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Jesus revealed the level of care the disciples received from the Lord. Not only was He aware of the sparrow that fell to the ground, He was aware of the very hairs upon their heads. God knew much more about them than they knew of themselves. Jesus implied that a God who cares enough to know how many hairs are on their heads, would surely care enough to provide their needs as they served Him. He provided for the sparrows and He would provide for them.
This is a comforting verse when we pause to consider its profound implications. God created this world and all it contains. He provides daily for the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air. Matt.6:26 – Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? If God is faithful to provide for the rest of His creation, why are we prone to worry and doubt His care for us? Like the disciples, the Lord knows what we need, and He will provide.
C. The Plan of God (31) – Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Jesus knew their journey would have its share of uncertainty and difficulty. Some would receive them, while others would not. At times they would enjoy abundance due to the kindness of their host, and at other times their provision may be leaner. Regardless of the circumstance of their situation, there was nothing to fear. God would provide for their every need. He had a plan and purpose for their lives and He would meet their daily needs as they endeavored to serve Him. These were not being sent to promote or advance their own agenda – they were going to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. While being engaged in the work of the Lord, they could rest knowing God would provide for their needs. He had called them to the work, and He would see them through!
It is easy to become side-tracked and forget the plan of God for our lives. The saved by grace are part of the body of Christ. We have been adopted into the family of God. We belong to the Lord. We have been commissioned to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. We are not alone in the journey, and we are not on a mission to promote ourselves or our agenda. As we strive to serve the Lord, according to His divine plan, we can rest knowing He will provide for our daily needs. That doesn’t mean we will never deal with difficulty or pain, but we are secure within the plan and will of God.
D. The Power of God (29-31) – As Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, they were reminded of the omnipotent power of the God they served. Like us, they could not begin to comprehend the power of God, but Jesus wanted to assure them of His ability to provide for and keep them as they ministered within Israel. The sovereign Creator would provide for their needs according to His mighty, unrivaled power. Surely a God who controlled the fowls of the air, could orchestrate the events in their lives. They would face nothing that God could not handle. When opposition came, they could rest knowing they served one greater than the powers at work against them. With God, nothing would be impossible.
We talk about the power our Lord possesses, but we fail to live as if we truly believe in His power. He is the one who stood on nothing and created everything. He formed man of the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. The Lord Jesus Christ bore our sin while enduring the judgment we deserved as He died on the cross. Following His death, He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Three days later He came forth in resurrection power. He ascended back through the heavens to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes daily for us. Prior to His ascension, He promised to prepare a place for us and return to take us to heaven with Him. He will return in power and great glory, to defeat Satan and all who stand in opposition to Him. That is the power our Lord possesses! What could we possibly face that He would be unable to meet our needs? Eph.3:20-21 – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, [21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
II. The Responsibility of Men (32-33) – Following further instruction regarding their commitment to serving Him, Jesus revealed the responsibility of all men to commit to a right relationship with Him. Jesus knew the importance of the disciples’ work, and the implications of men’s response to their message and their Lord. Consider:
A. The Reception (32) – Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. The confession Jesus spoke of actually had a two-fold application. Upon hearing the message of Christ coming as Savior and Redeemer of mankind, people were then obligated to respond to the message and confess Jesus as Christ. Those who received Him as Lord and Savior would be confessed by Him before the Father. These would be received and accepted of the Father based on their confession of Christ. (This truth has not changed and remains relevant for our day. Those who expect to be received of the Father, must confess Jesus as the Christ – their Lord and Savior.)
Jesus also revealed the responsibility of the disciples to be willing to publicly confess their faith in Jesus as the Christ. Regardless of the difficulty of the situation, the disciples must be willing to proclaim Jesus as Lord. (We too must be willing to confess our faith in Christ. We cannot expect the Lord to receive us if we are unwilling to identify with Him in this life.)
B. The Rejection (33) – But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. If the previous statement of the Lord was true, and we know it is, then this statement must also be true. Those who confess Jesus as the Christ will be received, and those who deny Him will be denied of the Lord before the Father. Those who rejected the message of the disciples would be rejected of the Lord. Those who deny Christ in this life can expect to be denied of Christ as they stand before Him in judgment. We must embrace Jesus as the Christ, repenting of our unbelief and receiving Him as Lord. There is no other way to be accepted of God. Faith in the finished work of Christ to atone for our sin in our only hope of salvation and reconciliation to God. Our eternal destiny depends on our relationship with Christ.
Conclusion: This passage is both comforting and challenging. We are called to submit ourselves unto Christ, receiving Him as Lord and Savior. Those who do are promised His care and provision in life. These will be accepted of God due to their relationship with His Son. Those who deny Christ are not promised the provision and blessing of God, and will be denied of Christ before the Father. Where do you stand today? Have you believed in the finished work of Christ for salvation? Are you committed to serving Him, being willing to proclaim your faith before others? If there are needs, come to Christ as the Holy Spirit leads you.
