Matthew 11:1-19

Greater than John the Baptist

In today's study we see Jesus confronted by John the Baptsit's disciples, whom he sent with a question. In the process Jesus expounds upon the greatness of the last Old Testament prophet, and how those in the Kingdom of Heaven are greater than.

“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
(Matthew 11:3)

I understand that many scholars are divided upon this question. Did John truly doubt that Jesus was the Messiah? Or as I believe, was he himself sure, but wanted his disciples to hear it from GOD's own words? In this study I come from the belief that John knew, but desired for his disciples to hear it from Jesus, and then become HIS followers. Since John himself told them earlier that he must decrease in importance and that Jesus must increase, because HE is the ONE john foretold would come. (John 3:30)

That being said, Jesus tells us the John was Elijah to come, and like Elijah ran in fear from Jezebel's threats to kill him, so too did John have a bullseye on him by an evil wicked woman, Herodias. John spent the last 2 years of his life in prison, and would eventually be executed. While languishing in prison, there is a chance his faith in who Jesus was may have wavered, as some scholars believe. I myself do not believe it wavered so much as he wanted his disciples to now follow the ONE he pointed to.

Matthew 10:11-42

Principles Of Evangelism
Part 2

The lesson we should all take from this study is to know what lies ahead, and be prepared by being as wise as a serpent. Do not fear what man can do to you, but also understand that you should not needlessly put a target on yourself. However, in avoiding needless persecution, do not endanger your own salvation by denying Jesus just to save your skin. As preachers or simply disciples, as churches or as individuals, success in evangelism can only be increased by remembering what our Lord told His twelve apostles before He sent them out to preach the good news of the kingdom.

Matthew 10:5-10

Principles Of Evangelism
Part 1

In todays lesson and one to follow, I want to point out at least ten principles that Jesus applied in sending out His apostles. They are principles that I believe can prove successful today. Understand that this is a trial run for them to get an idea of what will be expected of them after HE leaves. Eleven of these men will change the World, the lessons they learned, have been handed down to us to follow. For we stand on th shoulders of giants when it comes to spreading the Gospel, and their recipre has worked for 2000 years. As long as we follow their example we will succeed in spreading the Word. Ultimately though, if we do not have the same conviction as they had, then we will fail.

Matthew 10:2-4

The 12 Disciples

The apostles of Christ were the foundation stones of His church. In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve apostles. It is evident, therefore, that our Lord attaches great importance to these men. As we study these courageous first century lives, and what apostleship meant in the time of Christ, we may expect to be aided in developing a Spirit directed twentieth-century (twenty-first) discipleship as Christ must have meant it to be, along similar lines of vital experience, responsibility, consecration, and achievement. The information compiled herein utilizes the New Testament accounts of these men, and the most respected legends and traditions. We do not mean to infer, thereby, that legend and tradition constitute historical fact. We do feel, however, that they do have value in the study of the lives of these men who “...turned the world upside down...”

Matthew 9:35-38

Harvesting GOD's People

Throughout the Bible, the harvest carries spiritual significance. Jesus used it as a metaphor in todays lesson for finding the lost sheep. Not that they were physically lost like a lamb that wondered from the flock, but more in Spiritual way. The harvest has always been a beautiful and important part of life on earth, the time when the year’s work bears fruit and the people are fed. It is symbolic of bounty, health and abundance. Israel celebrated the time of the harvest with a feast, appropriately called the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16).

As Jesus traveled with His disciples, He saw the crowds and had compassion for them, because they were weary and scatted like sheep having no shepherd. So He tells them the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, so they must pray for workers to join the harvest. Todays lesson refers to the many souls needing to be brought to repentance and faith as a harvest waiting to be realized, but He does so to let them know harvesters need to get out in the field to collect up those belonging to Him.