บทถอดความฉบับเต็มของ 183: Rescuing Lost Sheep (Walking with Jesus Series: #044: Matt. 10:1-25, 34-36)

Israel. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:39.360 So that could be. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:41.839 Here's another interesting thought. 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:59.600 After Pentecost, the disciples likely go to the nations where the ten tribes have migrated following the Assyrian invasion in 722 BC, and they go there to those Israelites to preach the gospel of the kingdom. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:01.279 So they can hear it too. 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:04.800 But I think that's very likely that that's where the twelve apostles went. 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:17.279 Now we know the Apostle Paul, who came later, he was sent to the Gentiles specifically to teach, first of all, the importance of being saved by believing on Jesus for eternal life. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:19.759 We call that the gospel of the grace of God. 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:32.720 But then, after people were saved, he formed churches and he taught them the gospel of the kingdom or kingdom inheritance, which is you better live righteously because you're going to meet Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:37.279 And if you want to hear well done, then well, you better live righteously now. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:42.240 And there are ramifications for all of that in the next stage. 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:44.240 We won't get into that this morning. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:48.480 Notice in verse 1 of Matthew 10, Jesus gives them power. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:51.120 The word literally means authority. 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:59.920 Another definition is jurisdiction over unclean spirits, that's demonic beings, and to heal sickness and disease. 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:14.399 Now we don't have this gift today, but this was for the first twelve apostles, and they were literally given by Jesus the ability, the jurisdiction of casting out demons and healing sick people. 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:16.240 That's remarkable. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:22.399 And what power and what authority delegated to them by Jesus, of course, the Son of God. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:32.160 While these healings and exorcisms confirm the authority of these apostles as sent by God, they are also signs. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:39.279 And these signs point to Israel's present condition, that is, in their day in the first century. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:50.720 Their present condition is sick and in bondage and pointing to the nation's future condition as healed and free from bondage when Israel turns to the Lord in repentance. 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:56.079 And for that matter, Israelites today are living in unbelief, according to the Apostle Paul. 00:07:56.560 --> 00:08:15.040 They could read the New Testament and read about the miracles of Jesus and view them as signs pointing to Israel's present deplorable condition as spiritually sick and wandering, and how they will in the future repent of their sins and turn to the Lord. 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:17.600 Jews could get saved through this. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:24.160 We know this day is coming when the nation of Israel will repent and return back to the Lord. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:31.439 The Bible speaks to it in several places, in the Old Testament prophets and so on, and even Paul talked about it in Romans. 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:36.240 The names of the twelve are listed in verses two through four of our text. 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:40.720 There, of course, is Simon Peter, he was the chief apostle, more or less. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:42.240 He led the group. 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:47.039 Andrew, his brother, they were fishermen, left their career to follow Jesus. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:52.879 James and John, the sons of thunder, brothers, who were also fishermen, left their career to follow Jesus. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:56.720 Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:06.080 Matthew was formerly a tax collector, which was looked down upon by the Jews because he worked for Rome, but he was Jewish. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:12.159 That didn't go over well with the people, because they were often cheats and scoundrels, stealing from the people and so on. 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:18.559 James, the son of Alpheus, Lebeus or Thaddeus, Simon the Canaan. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:21.840 By the way, in the text there he's called a Canaanite. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:26.639 But that's not the best translation because he was not a Canaanite by nationality. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.879 In fact, it's not spelled the same way. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:34.399 He was a Canaanaan because he was from the city or town of Cana, Cana in Galilee. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:36.639 So he was not a Canaanite by nationality. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:39.120 He was a Jew from the city of Cana. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:42.799 Like a Chicagoan is from Chicago. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:48.480 So this fellow, Simon, was a Canaan because he was from Cana. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:53.759 And then finally Judas, and you know what happened to him in the end because he betrayed Christ. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:55.519 These were the twelve. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:10:02.000 And by the way, after Judas fell, another one was selected to replace him. 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:04.960 In this text this morning, we're going to see two points. 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:06.720 And next Sunday we'll see a third point. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:10.320 Today we're going to see the mission of rescuing lost sheep. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.679 What was that all about? 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:15.759 And secondly, the hazards of rescuing lost sheep. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.639 It was a dangerous occupation, as we'll see. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:23.519 And then next Sunday we're going to see the reward for rescuing sheep. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:27.519 I remember the night I was ordained in 1991. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:37.039 I was a young man, and my pastor preached an ordination sermon after he ordained me in the church there with the deacons. 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.480 They prayed

over me. 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:47.679 I had been through the questioning council and so on and had passed that with flying colors, and so I was ordained on that night in 1991. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:11:00.399 And then the pastor preached a charge to me as the newly ordained minister and training, if you will, to encourage me to stay faithful to the Word of God. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:04.639 And I remember not the details of the message, but I remember the message overall. 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:09.120 It was a charge to me to keep following the Lord in perseverance. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:12.000 And I have, by God's grace. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:18.879 That's what Jesus essentially does here in Matthew chapter 10 for his twelve disciples. 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:24.720 He says, I commission you, I ordain you, I give you power, authority, and jurisdiction. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:27.200 I want you to go out and do the work of the ministry. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:40.559 Now, the components of what they did are a little different than what I do, but the point being, they were commissioned by Christ, he sent them out with authority, and then he gave them a charge, told them what to do. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:42.799 And that's what we're going to see here in this chapter. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:52.320 Now let's examine Christ's message in detail, starting with the first point, the mission of rescuing lost sheep. 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:57.039 To whom were these apostles to go out and spread the word? 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:59.360 Did you notice in what we read earlier? 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:02.399 You should be able to answer that question in your mind right away. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.600 I'll read it again. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:12.159 Matthew 10, 5 and 6, these twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying, Do not go into the way of the Gentiles. 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:14.879 Now Jesus is not being insensitive. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:22.480 This would come later through the Apostle Paul, and it would leapfrog from there all throughout the Gentile world. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:25.519 But at this time they were only to focus on Israel. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:36.480 So do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:40.960 So he tells them specifically, don't go to the Gentiles and don't go to the Samaritans. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:43.120 Now you say, why not the Samaritans? 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:48.559 Well, the Jews considered the Samaritans who lived in central Israel there. 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:54.320 You had Galilee up north, you had Judea down south, and right in the middle were the Samaritans. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:13:22.639 Jesus tells them, don't go there because the Samaritans were considered by the Jews to be Gentiles, because centuries earlier, at the time of the Assyrian invasion in 722 BC, the Assyrians deported many Israelites and left only the poorest and feeblest to remain there, and then imported many Gentiles from other nations where they had conquered. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:32.080 So over time, those Gentiles that were imported intermarried with the remaining Jews so that their lineage became predominantly Gentile over time. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.840 And they were known as Samaritans. 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:37.679 And they worshiped differently than the Jews, a little bit differently. 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:40.559 And they were looked down upon by the Jews. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.399 And in fact, it was a two-way street. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:45.039 They both looked down upon one another. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:52.879 Now, as I said a moment ago, Jesus will in time expand the outreach to the Gentiles and to the Samaritans as well. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:55.679 In fact, Jesus himself went to the Samaritans. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:14:00.399 But that would happen mostly after his death and resurrection. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:04.159 But for now, he's focused on Israel and the Jewish people. 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:06.000 And it's important to understand that. 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:12.720 Because we can't take this text out of its context and say, well, this is about lost people needing to get saved. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:15.279 No, that's not what he's talking about here. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:22.320 This is about Old Testament Jewish believers with Jesus now on the scene. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:30.559 They had wandered away from Jehovah, the God they believed in and worshiped, but they had wandered away from him in sinning. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:34.399 Jesus and John the Baptist begin to call them back. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:36.159 They're wandering sheep. 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.840 They need to get right with God. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:54.799 It would be like a believer, a true believer today, who sits, let's say, in a church auditorium and hears the pastor preach a message from the scriptures, gets under conviction because they've been wandering in sin and they get right with God. 00:14:55.919 --> 00:15:05.759 Either they get on their knees here after the service or they go home and get on their knees before God and they say, Oh Lord, you know I'm your child, but I've been wandering in sin. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.799 Forgive me. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.440 You know what? 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.240 He will. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:11.600 If you confess your sins, that means agree with God about them. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:16.000 He's faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:19.600 Doesn't even matter what sins you've committed, he'll forgive you. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:22.240 He says so, if you're serious about it. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.799 And then you can go on living for Jesus. 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:30.320 That's what Jesus and John the Baptist were intending for

the Jewish people. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:38.159 They were wandering as believers in an Old Testament sense, they were wandering in sin and needed to come back to Jehovah. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:42.480 They needed to confess their sins and get right with God again. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.600 And so he considered them lost sheep. 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:59.200 We saw this in last week's message, Matthew 9.36, when he saw the multitudes, Israelites, he was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.879 They didn't even have good leadership. 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:07.360 The Pharisees were legalists, the Sadducees were liberals, they didn't even believe in the supernatural. 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:13.919 They didn't believe in miracles, they didn't believe in resurrections, they didn't believe in anything supernatural, angelic beings. 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:16.639 And so their leadership was a mess. 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:27.120 And there was another problem, as I pointed out last week, the people not only had poor leadership, but they themselves were not choosing to submit to any good leadership because Jesus and John are now there. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:30.240 They were good leadership, but the people weren't submitting to them. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:37.360 And so you had a tragic spiritual condition for Israel in the first century. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:39.039 They were away from God. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:41.039 But they were God's people. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.639 They were his sheep. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:45.679 We even read about this in the Old Testament. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:51.279 Jeremiah 50, verse 6, my people have been lost sheep, their shepherds have led them astray. 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:54.480 So this happened frequently throughout Israel's history. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:57.919 They were God's people, but they wandered from him in sinning. 00:16:58.159 --> 00:17:09.519 The Israelites, although not idolaters at this point in their history, in Christ's day, have nonetheless wandered away from Jehovah, and they need to repent. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.720 That's the point of all this. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:14.960 These are not unbelievers that need to get saved, you know, in our New Testament way of thinking. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:20.000 These are believers in an Old Testament sense who need to get right with their God, Jehovah. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:28.319 And so Jesus and John have been preaching this message, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:34.640 This is essentially what the disciples are now to go out and preach to Jews all over the land of Israel. 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:45.839 And as I've already said, but I want to emphasize it repeatedly, these are not lost sheep in the sense of being on their way to hell, as modern Christianity tends to interpret these texts. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:54.240 They are lost sheep in the sense of living for themselves, living in sin, rather than living for their God, their shepherd. 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:56.559 They've wandered from the shepherd. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:59.440 I just want to put in a parenthesis and ask you a question. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.839 Don't answer it out loud, but answer it in your own mind. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:03.599 Have you wandered from your shepherd? 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:06.000 Jesus is your shepherd if you're a believer. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:08.559 Have you wandered from him through sinning? 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.720 That's how we wander from our shepherd. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:14.640 Well, if you have, like I said, confess your sins. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:17.440 Say, Oh God, I've sinned, forgive me. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:22.480 And if you agree with him about your sins, he will forgive you. 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:29.839 And then you need to go forward, depending upon the Holy Spirit who lives within you, to live uprightly. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:40.720 To use a Bible word, we could say that these Israelites and any modern-day Christians who are wandering away from the Lord are backslidden. 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:43.680 The Bible word comes right out of the book of Jeremiah. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:46.640 And again, that's not unique to Israel in the first century. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:50.799 The same can be said for multitudes of believers in the 21st century in which we live. 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:53.519 Lots of Christians who are backslidden. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.799 They're saved. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:57.440 They've believed on Jesus for eternal life. 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.279 They're children of God. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:01.279 They're his sheep. 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:04.000 But they've wandered through sinning. 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:07.519 So what message are the disciples then to go out and preach? 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:14.559 Well, here it is, Matthew 10, verse 7, as you go, Jesus says, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:24.319 And of course, based on the example of Jesus and John the Baptist, this included the need for repentance, so they're to preach the same message essentially. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:27.759 And it includes a godly lifestyle going forward. 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:31.200 So repent, get right with God, and start living uprightly. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:52.000 Now keep in mind that kingdom of heaven is at hand, is the idea that Christ's kingdom is coming and he wants you to live uprightly so that you can dwell with him in the kingdom of the heavens, realm of the kingdom, and rule with him. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:54.240 And we know that from other passages of Scripture. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.559 We won't go into the detail today. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:20:01.200 And Jesus had already preached the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, 6, and 7. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:06.240 And so

the disciples know exactly what Jesus requires for entering the kingdom of heaven. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:08.960 They had to get right with God and live uprightly. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:12.480 And all the details are fleshed out in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.519 You can read it later. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:27.200 So the disciples know, the twelve know exactly what Jesus requires for entering the kingdom of heaven, and that's not the same as dying and going to heaven, you know, as we have been taught and think about. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:35.680 It's the ruling realm of the next age, the kingdom age, that follows this age, which will be over pretty soon, by the way. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:41.200 And as we said, the details are fleshed out in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:49.200 Now, the Jews at this point may not have understood all of the details, but they surely know this is all messianic in nature. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:59.279 From our vantage point, as I said, we know the kingdom of heaven is not only messianic, it's given as a reward for those who repent and live faithfully. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.599 And we have the book of Revelation. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:05.200 For us, they didn't have it in their day because it came later. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:12.640 The book of Revelation tells us about that New Jerusalem, that kingdom of the heavens. 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:17.039 And so we have the privilege of looking at the whole of Scripture from a bird's eye view. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:22.960 They were a little bit limited because they didn't have all the books of the New Testament that we now have in our Bibles. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:28.400 So we know again that the kingdom of heaven is the heavenly ruling realm of the Messianic kingdom. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.839 It's called New Jerusalem. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:32.880 It's the city of reward for those who qualify. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:46.000 We know from other scriptures that it will hover over earth during the thousand-year reign of Christ, his millennial kingdom, and it will be the place where Christ dwells along with his faithful co regions. 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:49.759 Now that's not all believers, because a lot of believers are not faithful. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.599 They're still living in sin. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:58.480 So this is just those who've gotten right with God and live uprightly, and it'll be their city of reward if they qualify. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.599 Jesus offered. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:03.599 It to the Jews of his day, but they rejected it. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:13.359 So he is now offering it through the scriptures to the church, of which we are a part, and so the offer is still on the table, but it's not automatic. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:23.519 So, in other words, just because you're a child of God, you're a believer, doesn't mean you're going to co-rule with him in the next stage and that you're going to be rewarded and glorified and so on. 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:30.799 No, it means you're secure in Christ and you will be in the kingdom, but you may not be in New Jerusalem, the heavenly part of the kingdom. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:32.640 You may be on the earth. 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:39.759 A lot of details I'm leaving out today because we've talked to them at other times. 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:47.119 But Jesus is offering this to you today, and you have to qualify just like the Jews of the first century had to qualify. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.720 It's not automatic. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:58.559 We too have to repent of sins and turn to the Lord in obedience, in faithfulness, and enduring suffering for his sake. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:04.720 Thus, this message is still to be preached today. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:21.839 But here's the problem: it is largely gone by the wayside because so many teach that God's children are automatic inheritors of the coming kingdom, overcomers who will inherit the rewards of eternity. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.680 Well, that's wrong. 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:28.880 Yes, you will be in the kingdom because there are two realms there's the earthly realm and there's a heavenly realm. 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.480 The Bible teaches this. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:35.200 But you will not be in the heavenly realm if you've not been faithful. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:37.759 You'll be in the earthly realm of the kingdom. 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:47.440 And that's better than this world, this present world, but not nearly as wonderful as New Jerusalem there in the heavenlies. 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:52.000 But let's move forward with what Christ told these disciples to do. 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.839 Look at Matthew 10, verse 8. 00:23:53.920 --> 00:24:01.759 He says, here's what I want you to do: heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, those who have leprosy, raise the dead. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.759 Wow, that's a big deal. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:05.359 Cast out demons. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:08.640 Freely you have received, freely give. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:21.759 Now, as I pointed out earlier, these miracles are not merely for confirming the authority of the apostles, but signifying Israel's present condition at that time in sickness. 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:31.440 They were spiritually sick and in bondage, but pointing to the nation's future condition as healed and free from that bondage, if they would turn to the Lord in repentance. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:34.880 And one day Israel will turn to the Lord in repentance. 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:37.119 But it hasn't happened yet. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:39.839 And notice the last part of verse 8. 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:42.880 Freely you have received, freely give. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:46.079 So the apostles were to go out and do this freely. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:49.440 They were not to charge their countrymen for it. 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:52.240 Look at verses 9 and 10 in our

text. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:25:02.960 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs, for a worker is worthy of his food. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:09.200 So don't take a wallet full of money or a suitcase with changes of clothes. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:12.880 There are to be no encumbrances weighing you down. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:18.400 The implication is they are to trust God to take care of them all along their journey. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:23.359 Now we must remember that they are Israelites traveling amongst Israelites. 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:25.519 They're within their own nation. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:33.359 And it had been commanded way back in the Mosaic Law that Israelites should show care and hospitality for one another. 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:35.440 That was well established. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:43.599 So Jesus is expecting that Israelites will provide them meals and lodging when they needed it. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:46.480 Maybe do some laundry for them when they needed it. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:52.160 They could trust God to care for them through their own countrymen, but they wouldn't need to beg for anything. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:26:00.000 And by the way, in the New Testament, we find that workers are worthy of their food, of their wages. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:07.200 The Apostle Paul taught that you don't muzzle the ox as it treads out the grain, using an Old Testament principle. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:12.640 So it is valid for New Testament ministers to receive wages for what they do. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:26.319 But the first twelve were not supposed to do this as they went to the villages within Israel because they were ministering to their countrymen, and their countrymen were already commanded in the law to be sure to take care of one another. 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:30.000 So how are they to treat their fellow Israelites in return? 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.759 Verses eleven, twelve, and thirteen. 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:39.680 Now, whatever city or town you enter, inquire in it who is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.720 And when you go into a household, greet it. 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:49.680 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:56.079 So as they enter the villages, the disciples are to seek out worthy citizens and households. 00:26:56.240 --> 00:27:02.079 Now worthy doesn't mean that they were rich people or they had the nicest accommodations, nothing like that. 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:12.480 In the context, worthy means one who receives their message, the kingdom inheritance message, and receive the messengers as well. 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:19.359 When they find people who are worthy in this sense of the word, then they are to bless them with a greeting of peace. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:24.000 Maybe they said what Aaron said to the Israelites in the Old Testament. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:26.240 May the Lord bless you and keep you. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:30.720 May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and give you peace. 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:34.720 That was a blessing that Aaron pronounced on the Israelites in the Old Testament. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:39.359 Maybe that's what they said, we don't really know, but they were to pronounce a blessing of peace. 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:44.240 Otherwise, they are to leave and not bestow a blessing of peace. 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.920 But it gets more intense. 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:48.000 Look at verses 14 and 15. 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:56.160 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 00:27:56.319 --> 00:28:03.599 Assuredly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.640 Wow. 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:16.319 So in those homes that outright reject your message, you, as you're leaving their house, their city, stomp off your feet, the dust of your feet. 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:26.720 And this symbolic gesture conveys the idea that these people are unrepentant and potentially worthy of God's judgment. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:33.359 Now it's interesting that Jesus says it would be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:35.440 This has nothing to do with hell. 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:38.799 We have to be careful not to read too much into this text. 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:47.759 It's important to remember that the message of these disciples to these Israelites is get right with God, because they're already believers, they're already God's sheep. 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:57.599 And so the judgment referred to in this verse is for not receiving God's messengers and for not receiving the message. 00:28:57.920 --> 00:29:08.240 So if they don't receive the messenger, they don't receive the message of Christ, then there will be judgment, and they're to symbolize that by shaking the dust off their feet. 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:21.839 Could Jesus be comparing Sodom and Gomorrah's judgment in the 18th century BC with Israel's coming judgment in AD 70? 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.880 Hmm. 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:27.680 When Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, you remember that text from Genesis 19? 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:32.160 When those cities were destroyed, it was over and done with quite quickly. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:35.359 You remember, kaboom, and it was over with, basically. 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:37.119 The people died instantly. 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:43.440 But for Israel, if you know anything about the history of the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in A.D. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:47.440 70, it was a horrible time and it dragged on for four months. 00:29:47.759 -->

00:29:56.079 The city was besieged, you know, where an army would surround it and starve them out, and the people did starve to death, and many became cannibals. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:02.000 And in the ensuing slaughter, many were tortured and killed. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:07.519 So it could be said that what Jesus said was very true. 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:13.759 Their judgment was much harsher than Sodom and Gomorrah's, which is kaboom and it's over with. 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.880 They suffered. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.160 The Jews did. 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:29.279 And the obvious reason for this is because the Israelite towns have been given a face-to-face direct opportunity to hear from God and to repent, but they outright rejected it. 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:32.319 Sodom and Gomorrah never had that opportunity. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:37.519 To whom much is given, much is required. 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:46.640 We come now to the second point of our message today, and we'll be more brief with this one the hazards of rescuing lost sheep. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:50.559 Look at Matthew 10, verses 16 through 20. 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:54.880 Jesus says, Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. 00:30:55.440 --> 00:31:04.799 Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, but beware of men, for they will deliver you up to counsels and scourge you in their synagogues. 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:11.440 You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:25.839 When they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak, for it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak, for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:32.400 Jesus now warns his men, the twelve, about the hazards of their ministry. 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:34.240 Now, did you notice something? 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:35.839 Pay attention to this. 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:42.000 He does not say, You're gonna have a growing, booming congregation. 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:46.799 You're gonna have a great big synagogue bursting at the seams. 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:49.680 You're gonna have a marvelous TV program. 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:53.440 You're gonna have a stream of book royalties. 00:31:55.519 --> 00:32:02.240 In fact, he doesn't say anything about converts or numbers, the very thing that man is focused on today. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:09.759 Through the years, I've encountered this quite a bit from people who want to know a little bit about your church. 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:10.799 They've never been there. 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.160 How big is your church? 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.359 You have a couple hundred people? 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.039 I said, no, thirty to forty. 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:17.279 They think, what's wrong with you? 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.960 30 to 40 people. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:24.720 Well, you preach the truth, and you might have a good family. 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:36.160 But beyond that, there may not be others who really want to be part of it because you don't have all the bells and whistles that a lot of the other ministries have, which is never mentioned in the New Testament. 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:40.480 It's all bells and whistles to lure people into the door and get them to stick around. 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:46.160 So Jesus didn't tell them expect big congregations. 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:50.160 No, he said expect persecution. 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:55.839 This is a tough job with many occupational hazards. 00:32:56.960 --> 00:33:00.160 You'll be like sheep going out in the midst of wolves. 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:02.559 Sign me up, right? 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:05.200 Who wants to sign up for that? 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.920 And we know how it all ends. 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:10.079 Wasn't a pretty picture for the disciples. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:12.160 They were virtually all martyred. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:16.880 You know, as I read these verses, I'm reminded of Christ's suffering that would soon follow. 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.880 They're going to see an example. 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:29.759 These disciples are being prepared to walk the same path that their master will soon walk, a life of being rejected and persecuted, plainly put, a life of suffering. 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:31.359 And you know what, Christian? 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:33.839 We're called to the same life. 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:38.480 Now it may not be physical suffering in the United States of America. 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:41.680 It is in other places of the world, believe me. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:44.720 But it could be a lot of verbal persecution. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:47.200 And the physical persecution may be coming. 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:53.920 I mean, churches may, in the not so distant future, may be closed down by the government. 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:54.559 We don't know. 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:57.119 We hope not, but that could happen. 00:33:57.680 --> 00:34:04.960 So the disciples here in the text, and this includes all of us, must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:06.480 What does that mean? 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:12.639 Be wise and prudent while remaining righteous, innocent, and peaceable. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:21.760 Thomas Constable, a famous commentator, said, People sometimes think of snakes as shrewd because they are silent, dangerous, and because of how they move. 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:28.400 The disciples' shrewdness must not be cunning, though, for they needed to be innocent as well. 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:31.440 Either characteristic without the other is dangerous. 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:34.480 Innocence without prudence becomes naivety. 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.840 End quote. 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:44.719 Not only are doves innocent birds, they are calm,

peaceful birds that leave when the other more vicious birds come around. 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:48.719 I've seen nice morning doves, you know the ones that coo in the morning. 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.719 But the blue jays come? 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:54.400 Blue jays are beautiful birds, but they sure are nasty. 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:59.360 They're the bullies of the neighborhood, you know, the bullies on the block. 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:05.599 And they come in and they start eating the eggs of the good birds and messing up their nests and all that stuff. 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:08.239 Well, the innocent doves just kind of fly away. 00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:10.400 They're not gonna pick fights. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:19.360 In addition to the reality of wolves in their midst, the disciples are to be alert to the prospect of persecution by government leaders. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:25.119 And I think the wolves here are the Pharisees, the Sadducees. 00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:31.679 But the government leaders, oh boy, we know Peter and John were beaten by the religious leaders. 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:34.000 That was largely Sadducees. 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:40.880 Paul was later hauled before Gentile magistrates and even kings, and ultimately the Caesar himself. 00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:50.880 But as a comfort, Jesus promises when that happens, the Holy Spirit will come to your aid and he'll give you words to say so that you can be a good testimony to these people. 00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:52.559 What a comfort that is. 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:55.519 Now look at verses 21 and 22. 00:35:56.239 --> 00:36:01.119 Brother will deliver a brother to death, and a father his child. 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:09.280 Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. 00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:12.400 And then skip down to verses 34 through 36. 00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:14.960 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:17.199 I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:26.159 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's enemies will be those of his own household. 00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:27.199 Here's the point. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:34.480 Even family members will turn against you simply because you're preaching Jesus' message. 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:37.519 And you will be hated by many people. 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:42.400 Imagine being betrayed to death by your own family member. 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:45.519 Jesus is a peacemaker. 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:51.519 But because man is sinful and does not want Christ's message, his message will divide. 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:54.320 Family members will turn against each other. 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:58.880 Some within the family will choose to walk with the Lord, others will choose to turn away from him. 00:36:59.119 -->

00:37:02.400 And tragically, this happens even within Christian homes. 00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:04.719 Now look at verses 24 and 25. 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:11.039 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:15.760 It is not enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher and a servant like his master. 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:20.880 If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household? 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:28.079 So just as Jesus was opposed by the Pharisees and the other religious leaders, so the disciples should expect the same. 00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:40.400 If they accused him of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebub, that literally means Baal, Lord of the Flies, the disciples will be accused of the same. 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:47.360 And we do know that they accused Jesus of casting out demons in the name of Baal or the devil. 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:51.840 Well, he says, you disciples will bear the same reproach as I did. 00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:55.679 There will definitely be persecution for sharing the gospel of the kingdom. 00:37:55.920 --> 00:38:03.440 And we're not talking about from the unsaved, you might get some persecution from them too, but this persecution comes from other believers. 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:05.440 That's really the context here. 00:38:05.679 --> 00:38:11.920 These are Jews persecuting other Jews for telling them of their need to repent and get right with God. 00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:18.079 Because remember the Jews' attitude, at least it was the Pharisees' attitude, and I'm sure it permeated out into the culture. 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:19.840 We have Abraham as our father. 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:21.119 We don't need to repent. 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:23.360 We follow the Mosaic law. 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:27.119 And we're descended from Abraham, so we are shoe-ins for the kingdom. 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:30.800 In other words, we have the right heritage and pedigree. 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.840 We're secure. 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:33.199 We don't need to change anything. 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:40.639 And so they went right on, ignoring their sins and hating the disciples of Jesus for preaching to them about their sins. 00:38:41.039 --> 00:38:48.960 With all the negativity expected, why would any disciple of Jesus want to pursue this path? 00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:57.519 Now I'm going to give an extensive answer to that question next week when we talk about the rewards for rescuing sheep. 00:38:57.760 --> 00:39:02.079 And I'll give a brief answer today, but next week we'll get into the details of that. 00:39:02.159 --> 00:39:08.559 Now, before I do, I would remind you that as a child of God, you are called to be rescuing lost sheep. 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:15.840 Of course, that means you cannot be lost yourself, like a blind guide to the blind. 00:39:16.159 --> 00:39:17.360 Doesn't work too well. 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:26.719 But if you are right with God, then Jesus wants you to be preparing for the kingdom and helping others to prepare, to give a good account of the judgment seat of Christ. 00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:29.679 And sometimes that means rescuing others. 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:39.119 Now I fully realize, and I'm sure you do too, that the text we looked at today describes the Jews of the first century rescuing other Jews of the first century. 00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:53.119 But seeing that the Jews rejected this message as a nation and seeing that Jesus gave it to another entity, bringing forth the fruits of it, Matthew 21, 43, then as part of the body of Christ, his church, we are by default involved in the same ministry. 00:39:53.280 --> 00:39:57.039 Not with national Jews, of course, but with other believers. 00:39:57.599 --> 00:40:05.280 And you know our other ministry is telling unbelievers about Jesus so they can receive his free gift of eternal life. 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:08.400 That's what starts a life of living for Jesus. 00:40:08.559 --> 00:40:09.599 But that's a different topic. 00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:11.199 We'll preach about that another time. 00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:21.280 For now, we're talking about rescuing other believers who are living as lost and wandering sheep, spiritually speaking. 00:40:21.760 --> 00:40:24.480 Being a rescue worker is nasty work. 00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:29.760 Our daughter Sarah was a paramedic here in our county for several years. 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:33.920 Her husband, Chris, was a fire and rescue worker. 00:40:34.159 --> 00:40:37.599 And they have some pretty awful stories to tell, you can just imagine. 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:48.480 People get in all sorts of accidents, they have all sorts of medical emergencies, and those types of people in their careers see death on the job all the time. 00:40:48.800 --> 00:40:50.880 Paramedics, rescue workers. 00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:57.039 But what a blessing when you can save someone from something that would otherwise kill them. 00:40:57.280 --> 00:40:58.719 A very bad accident. 00:40:58.960 --> 00:41:07.440 Maybe people are bleeding, they're stuck in a car, but the rescue workers come, they get them out, they rush them to the hospital, they help them on the way, and they save their life. 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.880 Isn't that a wonderful thing? 00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:10.079 Sure it is. 00:41:10.719 --> 00:41:12.400 Maybe it's a heart attack. 00:41:12.639 --> 00:41:18.639 Maybe it's a child with a breathing problem or choking or something of that nature, an accident victim. 00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:23.519 There's great reward in helping people, especially if you can save them. 00:41:23.840 --> 00:41:26.880 And there's great reward in trying even when you can't. 00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:32.239 But the reward of seeing life rescued and preserved, it's worth it all. 00:41:33.119 --> 00:41:38.159 In like manner, rescuing lost sheep is nasty spiritual work. 00:41:38.320

--> 00:41:44.239 It's like rescuing lives spiritually, serving as spiritual paramedics. 00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:47.760 Bringing them back from the dead. 00:41:48.159 --> 00:41:49.760 Spiritual deadness. 00:41:50.320 --> 00:41:53.519 Or healing their sin-sickened soul. 00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:56.320 Or seeing them delivered from the devil. 00:41:56.480 --> 00:41:59.840 I've seen Christians who were oppressed by the devil. 00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:04.880 I don't believe Christians can be possessed, but I believe they can be seriously oppressed. 00:42:05.280 --> 00:42:08.480 But what a blessing when someone repents and gets right with God. 00:42:09.760 --> 00:42:19.039 Part of the nastiness of the job is enduring the persecution from those who don't view themselves as being sick or spiritually dead, and therefore they don't see the need to repent. 00:42:19.199 --> 00:42:25.519 Can you imagine a guy lying lifeless on the road and the paramedics pull up and he says, No, no, go away, I'm just fine. 00:42:25.760 --> 00:42:28.320 Blood all over the place, bones obviously broken. 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:31.039 No, no, I don't need your help, go away. 00:42:31.679 --> 00:42:34.079 Well, Christians do that spiritually. 00:42:34.239 --> 00:42:35.599 They're a spiritual mess. 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:38.639 Somebody comes alongside of them, wants to help them, rescue them. 00:42:38.880 --> 00:42:41.199 No, no, leave me alone, I'm just fine. 00:42:41.440 --> 00:42:41.920 Wow. 00:42:42.079 --> 00:42:47.599 And then they get angry at you, and they do all kinds of things nasty to you. 00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:55.840 They may spit in your face, they may hit you, they may yell at you, or they may turn you into authorities so they can imprison you. 00:42:56.239 --> 00:42:58.639 These things happen all the time in the world. 00:42:59.280 --> 00:43:01.440 They may cut you off as a friend. 00:43:02.159 --> 00:43:03.760 That's painful too. 00:43:04.079 --> 00:43:13.760 So why then would any Christian, child of God, want to get involved in such nasty ministry as a spiritual paramedic? 00:43:14.480 --> 00:43:15.679 Sounds so dangerous. 00:43:15.840 --> 00:43:16.719 Here's why. 00:43:17.039 --> 00:43:20.559 Because we love Jesus and because the reward is so glorious. 00:43:21.360 --> 00:43:30.239 And we'll cover that third point in our text thoroughly next Sunday, but I must close this message with a word of encouragement and a promise from Jesus to you. 00:43:30.639 --> 00:43:32.880 Here it is, Matthew 10, 22. 00:43:33.280 --> 00:43:37.199 And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake. 00:43:37.360 --> 00:43:39.519 I don't want to stop there, that's the bad part. 00:43:39.679 --> 00:43:47.280 But the good part says, but he or she who endures to the end will be saved. 00:43:47.679 --> 00:43:54.000 Now the word saved here does not refer to salvation in the sense of regeneration, you know, believing on Jesus for eternal life. 00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:55.280 That's not what it's talking about. 00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:58.239 It's deliverance from persecution. 00:43:58.480 --> 00:44:03.360 And more importantly, it's soul salvation that results in reward at the Bema seed. 00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:10.800 So it's you growing in righteousness, growing in maturity, growing in Christ-likeness. 00:44:11.039 --> 00:44:13.679 In other words, Jesus makes you a promise. 00:44:13.920 --> 00:44:24.480 If you will rescue his lost sheep and endure persecution that arises because of it, then you will be saved at the judgment seat of Christ. 00:44:25.679 --> 00:44:29.440 That is, you'll be rewarded abundantly. 00:44:29.679 --> 00:44:40.079 You'll be spared all the shame and agony of those believers who will have to dwell in the earthly realm of the kingdom, regretting that they didn't live for Jesus. 00:44:40.719 --> 00:44:55.920 What this means is that Jesus will count you sanctified unto maturity, and that you're worthy of reward, and he'll declare you a co-ruler to dwell with him in New Jerusalem, and you'll glow with the brightness of glorification, like he did on the Mount of Transfiguration. 00:44:56.079 --> 00:44:59.039 At least we'll glow in some degree if we're faithful. 00:44:59.280 --> 00:45:03.280 Now there are a whole lot more rewards than that, but we're going to save that for our next message. 00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:06.559 Now I ask you a question in closing, too, really. 00:45:06.880 --> 00:45:09.119 Are you rescuing lost sheep? 00:45:09.519 --> 00:45:11.039 Because you should be. 00:45:11.840 --> 00:45:15.679 Or perhaps are you a lost sheep? 00:45:16.880 --> 00:45:17.760 Saved? 00:45:18.400 --> 00:45:19.360 A believer? 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:20.880 A child of God? 00:45:22.000 --> 00:45:23.599 But wandering in sin. 00:45:24.800 --> 00:45:25.840 I pity you. 00:45:26.159 --> 00:45:31.519 It will not go well for you at the judgment seat, unless you confess it now. 00:45:31.840 --> 00:45:34.960 Ask Jesus to forgive you, which he promises to do. 00:45:35.519 --> 00:45:38.000 And then you live for him for the rest of your life. 00:45:38.320 --> 00:45:39.440 It won't be perfectly. 00:45:39.679 --> 00:45:42.239 Nobody lives perfectly, that is, without sin. 00:45:43.119 --> 00:45:48.079 But we want to live consistently for him, and then you'll hear, Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:45:48.320 --> 00:45:49.199 That's what you want to hear. 00:45:49.840 --> 00:45:50.719 Take this to heart. 00:45:50.880 --> 00:45:53.760 It's a matter of rescuing the lost sheep. 00:45:54.320 --> 00:45:56.880 Very important duty in the Christian life.