Monday 13 July 2015

MONDAY- 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B
Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1: It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.
I Reading: Exodus 1:8-14.22 : We must take steps against Israel increasing any further.
The Cost of Being the Lord’s Disciple, Mt 10:34-42
In this passage Jesus is exact and uncompromising. He lays some heavy demands upon his disciples. He states clearly what it will cost a person to be his disciple, and he describes the cost by using four illustrations.
1.     Jesus’ purpose (v.34)
a.     Not to bring peace
b.    To bring a sword
2.     Illustration 1: a person’s family (v.35-37)
a.     The fact: Christ sets the believer against his family
b.    The demand: must love Christ supremely
c.      The reward: counted worthy vs. unworthy
3.     Illustration 2: the cross (v.38)
a.     Demand: die-follow
b.    Reward: counted worthy vs. unworthy
4.     Illustration 3: a person’s life (v.39)
a.     Demand: give up life
b.    Reward: lose life vs. find life
5.     Illustration 4: welcoming and ministering to others (v.40-42)
a.     Demand: welcome a believer and minister to him
b.    Reward: an equal reward
1)    The presence of Christ and of God (v.40)
2)    The equal reward
3)    Strongly asserted: the smallest ministry will not lose its reward
Thought: The world is full of hurt, pain and suffering-not peace. The truth cannot be denied. However, we can be of good cheer, for Christ has overcome the world.
His word, sharper than any two-edged sword, pierces the soul and spirit of a person, discerning the thoughts and intents of his heart. It convicts the person to become a follower of God and His righteousness (Heb 4:12).
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