FIELDWORK INSTRUCTIONS (II)

Passage: Matthew 10:16-25

Key verse: 22b

NIV

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.(A) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.(B) 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils(C) and be flogged in the synagogues.(D) 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings(E) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.(F) At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father(G) speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents(H) and have them put to death.(I) 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,(J) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(K) 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.(L)

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.(M) 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,(N) how much more the members of his household!

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Persecution Will Come

16 (A)“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be (B)wise as serpents and (C)innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for (D)they will deliver you over to courts and flog you (E)in their synagogues, 18 (F)and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, (G)to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 (H)When (I)they deliver you over, (J)do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for (K)what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 (L)For it is not you who speak, but (M)the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 (N)Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 (O)and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. (P)But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they (Q)persecute you in one town, (R)flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel (S)before the Son of Man comes.

24 (T)“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant[a] above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. (U)If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign[b] those of his household.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 10:24 Or bondservant; also verse 25
  2. Matthew 10:25 Greek lacks will they malign
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Persecution for Christ is to be expected

In sending out his Twelve, Jesus forewarned of persecutions from religious authorities (17), government officials (18), and family members (21). Those who hate Jesus will hate those who are faithful to him, but whoever stands firm in their faith in Jesus will be saved (22). When persecuted they were to flee. Jesus would come soon to their rescue.

2. Stand firm and don't worry

Jesus gave counsel to his followers who would be persecuted: be shrewd like snakes, but innocent like doves (16); be on guard (17); don't worry, for the Holy Spirit will give you words (2

); stand firm to the end (22). Why are Christians persecuted? Jesus said: 'On my account,' and, 'because of me.' It's an honor to suffer with and for Jesus and for the gospel (24,25).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I count it an honor to suffer for you. Help me to stand firm.

One Word: Don't worry, stand firm for Jesus