Hallmarks of Discipleship – Matthew 10: v. 24-31

There are two hallmarks that are very important in this first section.

1. Submission - v. 24-25. 2. Not fearful of the world – v. 26-31.

1. Submission.

Jesus first of all presents the negative aspect of the truth. (v. 24) Then the positive side in v. 25a and then the result of these two points in v. 25b.

So first the negative aspect - The disciple is not above his teacher no more than a slave is above his master.

The word disciple in Greek means a “learner” he is below his teacher in knowledge and wisdom. A disciple learns from his teacher. A slave is beneath his master in economic terms and in authority.

So a disciple’s responsibility is two- fold. It is to learn from its teacher and it is to obey in the same way as a slave obeys its master.

The two illustrations unite to make a very strong point. The point Jesus is making here is that discipleship is “SUBMISSION”

Throughout Matthew’s gospel from beginning to end it reveals “JESUS” as the Messiah, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. He is the only King, the only Messiah, the only Son of God. ( The first commandment to the Jews was that they shall have no other gods before Him) The clear commandment was that you can’t share your allegiance with anybody or anything else.(Football/Family/personal ambition/house/career etc) Jesus must be submitted to. He is deserving of our submission, He saved our souls, he purchased our redemption, He took the punishment for our sin.

How does this work out practically in our lives?

It is two- fold 1. I run a discipleship programme that teaches disciplines that must be put in place in your life. Anybody can offer to come on that course at any time. These disciplined habits must become part of your life in order for you to be a true disciple. Then there is the teaching on a Sunday and a Wednesday, submitting to God’s word through that is part of your discipleship.

2. The second method is in your own Bible readings and quiet times as the Holy Spirit convicts you in your personal life. If you don’t submit to the authority of God’s word, you are not a disciple of Jesus. It’s as simple as that.

I knew an African Pastor in London. He said to me, I can tell who are God’s people and who are not. I simply apply the acid test, I said what is that? He said “are they teachable” Not just are they listening but are they really hearing and apply the truth to their lives. How are you doing in this area, are you back sliding or are you moving forward. What is God saying to you at this time in your life? Are you willing to submit to it?

Secondly Jesus goes on to say that a disciple is to become like his teacher and a slave must become like his master. Jesus moves a little further in his progression on discipleship.

In Luke 6: 40 it explains the same truth. “ Everybody after he has been fully trained , will be like his teacher.”

So what Jesus is saying here, if you will submit to the teaching of scripture and the advice of your teacher, then you should become like Him. We have to be careful here because the goal is to be like, Jesus and not like Ken or Ernie or myself. Of course something is going to rub off and you will pick up a lot of practical stuff. However Jesus is the goal and being like Jesus is the target, even if you don’t always hit the bulls eye.

However if you never aim for the bulls eye you won’t even hit the target.

There is so much dross in our lives that needs to be removed before we can be like Jesus, God is able to do that as we submit to the teaching of His word.

In this Church we have a lot of very mature people who have had very responsible jobs in science, medicine, teaching, accounting etc. That is wonderful and God can use that. However what we really need is mature disciples who are like Jesus and can influence others who are coming behind.

Jesus moves on to the logical result in the final part of v. 25. Jesus changes the illustration from that of slave and master and disciple and teacher to that of Head of House and members.

The point Matthew is making is that family members should not be expected to be treated better than the head of the household.

Paul hit the nail on the head in Philippians 3 : 10 when he said that to truly know Christ and the power of his resurrection, involves the fellowship of his sufferings.

Beelzebul was originally the name of a Canaanite deity. His name was used by the Jews as an symbol for satan. – (see Matt. 9: v. 34)

What Matthew is saying here is this:

The call to be like Jesus is also a call to being treated like Jesus, with all the suffering that may come your way.

John 15: v. 18-19 says it all.

This moves neatly on to the second point

A Disciple is not fearful of the world. (v. 26-31)

Three times in these verses Jesus says “ Do not fear”

We are warned in Proverbs that the “fear of man brings a snare.”(Prov. 29:25)

Human nature wants to avoid problems and conflicts especially if they bring ridicule or hardship.

We live in a day in which we have to seriously confront the world about its anti God, anti Bible, anti Christian behaviour. (In our booklet I have been given permission to highlight the web site about what is happening in the U.K. – read the article etc.)

1 John 2: v. 15-16 is a big challenge to the evangelical world today.

In these verses that tell us not to fear there are three important statements that Jesus makes here.

1. We will be vindicated by God - v. 26-27.

The world today is great at illusion and deception. It makes a great case for sin, covering it over with great motives and nice words. Gay relationships are promoted as being wonderfully liberating, if you even abstain in voting concerning same sex adoptions, you are off the panel. The world today put a great face on wickedness and a critical face on righteousness. We musn’t be afraid because God said that there is nothing covered that will not be revealed.

God has committed himself to vindicate his children one day. The world’s wickedness will be shown for what it is and the righteousness of Jesus what for that is.

2. We will be honoured by God. (v. 28)

The point Jesus makes here is that the only person we should ever fear is the person who is able to destroy the body and the soul.

John Macarthur says “ The power of human threats seems rather puny in comparison to the promises of God.”

When Hugh Latimer was preaching one day in the presence of Henry V111

He said to himself “ Latimer, Latimer, remember that the King is here.” Be careful what you say. Then he thought for a moment, Latimer , Latimer, remember the King of Kings is here, be careful what you do not say. For his faithfulness, Latimer was eventually burnt at the stake.

If you go to Oxford today, you will see a white cross where he was burnt at the stake.

However through his prayers and those of William Tyndale, God changed Henry V111 heart and later he place a Bible in every Church and they had to be chained to the pulpit.

3. We will be valued by God -( v. 29-31)

Sparrows at that time were regarded as smallest of birds and a copper coin was valued as a 1/16^th of a denarius. So it was the lowest value coin. A cent or penny today. In v. 30 it mentions that the very hairs of our heads are numbered by God. The average hair count on the human head ofv a young person is 140,000.

If God notices even the smallest of things, how much more will he take notice of difficult and hard things.

We don’t have to be afraid of the world, even if we have to be a Martyr for Jesus.

The disciples that took this teaching on board and obeyed and turned the world upside down. Let us go forward determined to follow in their footsteps as true disciples of Jesus.

This will involve Submission to the teaching of Jesus, being prepared to be changed by the Holy Spirit and not rearing the world.

If you do, you will be vindicated by God, valued by God and honoured by God.