The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand - What to expect with this proclamation. 7/23/23

Weekly Memory Verse: "and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." - Matthew 10:22

Sermon Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:8-11

-THIS SUNDAY'S SERMON-

River Family, This Sunday we, Lord willing we will wrap up Matthew 10. Read Matthew 10:16-11:1. Today I want to give much of my initials notes as I prepare for Sunday's sermon. There will be two main focuses that have multiple elements.

The proclamation that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" will have varying results: a. it will result in persecution (verses 16-18, 22, 24-25) b. it will result in division (verses 21-22, 34-37) c. it will result in salvation & unity (verses 40-42)

Jesus is gracious to explain to His followers the costs of following Him, therefore He gives them both instruction and encouragement. Jesus prepares His followers for difficulty (found in the instruction), yet He gives His followers great hope (found in the encouragement). There is a pattern of instruction and encouragement through this passage: a. example from last week: verse 19 instruction - "When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say." encouragement - "for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. b. verse 23 (you do this one) it has both the instruction & encouragement in it. c. verses 26-28 What is the instruction? verses 29-32 What is the encouragement?

There are a couple of things I am pondering: verse 22 what does "all" mean? verse 23 what does it mean, "...you will not have gone though all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." verse 42 who are "these little ones"?

I am looking forward to our time together this Sunday. And let us be in prayer for the persecuted church and for us to have courage to proclaim the good news of Christ through the community and world in which we live.

Grace and Peace, Eric