HE WHO STANDS FIRM TO THE END WILL BE SAVED

Passage: Matthew 10:17-23

Key verse: 22b

NIV

17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils(A) and be flogged in the synagogues.(B) 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings(C) 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.(D) At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father(E) speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents(F) and have them put to death.(G) 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,(H) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(I) 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.(J)

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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

17 Beware of men, for (A)they will deliver you over to courts and flog you (B)in their synagogues, 18 (C)and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, (D)to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 (E)When (F)they deliver you over, (G)do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for (H)what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 (I)For it is not you who speak, but (J)the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 (K)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 (L)and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. (M)But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they (N)persecute you in one town, (O)flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel (P)before the Son of Man comes.

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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. Don't worry about what to say (17-20)

Jesus looked ahead to the time after his death and resurrection. His disciples would be persecuted, first by the Jews and later by the Romans. When they were brought before councils and courts and kings, they were not to fear; they were to be witnesses to the gospel of Jesus. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would help them and tell them what to say.

2. He who stands firm to the end (21-23)

There would be another kind of persecution which would be harder to bear. Close family members, those they love, would hate them and persecute them because of their faith in Jesus. But Jesus tells them and us to stand firm on God's side to the end. He promises to come again before the evangelization of Israel is finished.

Prayer: Lord, I have no strength and I cannot trust myself. Please give me your Holy Spirit and teach me how to turn every difficult situation into an opportunity to witness to Jesus. Help me to stand firm to the end.

One Word: With God's help, stand firm