Preaching Point: We must see our lives, ministries, and future rewards inextricably linked to Christ and our service to one another, in His name.

Main Text: Matthew 10:40–42 (ESV) 40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Teaching Points:

1. Comprehend Your Union with Christ v40
2. Grasp the Interconnectedness of Our Service v41
3. See the Significance of Personal Generosity v42

Preaching Point: Getting serious about evangelism requires a steadfast commitment to prayer.

Main Text: Acts 1:12–14 (ESV) 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Teaching Points:

1. Pray for Evangelistic Progress v14
2. Pray with Evangelistic Christians v13
3. Pray When You Don’t Feel Like it v12

Preaching Point: We must be thoroughly convinced that God is pleased with those who boldly stand for the gospel while trusting in His providential care.

Main Text: Matthew 10:26–33 (ESV) 26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Teaching Points:

1. Confront People with Gospel Truth vv26-27
2. Rely on God’s Providential Care vv28-31
3. Realize God Cares About Your Faithfulness vv32-33

Preaching Point: We must thoroughly grasp the bad news concerning our position before God if we hope to comprehend the significance of the good news of the gospel.

Main Text: Ephesians 2:1–3 (ESV) 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Teaching Points:

1. Accept Your Helpless State v1
2. Realize the Depth of Your Wickedness v2
3. Confront the Inevitable Consequences v3

Preaching Point: Approach the opposition to your evangelism with wisdom and confidence, knowing God’s plan will not be thwarted.

Main Text: Matthew 10:16–25 (ESV)

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 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 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

Preaching Point: Embrace the mission of Christ by compassionately and urgently calling people to a right response to the gospel while warning them of the judgment to come.

Main Text: Matthew 10:5–15 (ESV) 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Teaching Points:

1. Stay Laser-Focused on Christ’s Mission vv5-8a
2. Enlist Cooperative Co-laborers vv8b-13a
3. Keep Future Judgment in View vv13b-15

Preaching Point: Jesus’ compassionate appeal to his disciples should motivate you to pray fervently for more evangelistic laborers while being an answer to that prayer yourself.

Main Text: Matthew 9:35–10:5a (ESV) 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5a These twelve Jesus sent out…

Teaching Points:

1. Increase Your Compassion for Lost Souls vv35-36
2. Pray for More Evangelistic Workers vv37-38
3. Expect God to use You to Answer Evangelistic Prayers vv10:1-5a

Title: Jesus is Greater: Polarizing Responses

Preaching Point: Every Christian must be prepared to address the polarizing responses associated with Jesus Christ.

Main Text: Matthew 9:32–34 (ESV) 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

Teaching Points:

1 Biblically Engage with People's Positive Responses to Jesus vv32-33

a. Good moral teacher

b. Miracle working sage

c. The God who save

2 Respectfully Address People’s Negative Responses About Jesus v34

a. Did not exist

b. Is not God

c. He’s not my boss

Application Questions:

1 Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.

2 Read Acts 17:16–34. How does Paul’s grasp of God’s Word help him interact with the various beliefs of the Athenians, who were open to spiritual conversation, but seriously lacking biblical truth about Jesus?

• What specific examples can you pick out from this text that show Paul’s grasp of the Bible and his understanding of other religious views that help him reason with people using their language in hopes they will respond to the gospel?
• Why should that motivate you to study the Bible and other worldviews in order to help others respond to the gospel?

3 Read Colossians 4:2–6 and 2 Timothy 2:24–26. How can you practically prepare yourself to engage with the polarizing responses people have about Jesus?

4 Read 1 Peter 3:15. What are some of the dangers you face in your family, your church, and society if you are unprepared to respond to questions or opposition toward Christ?

5 What other negative and positive responses have you heard about Jesus that were not mentioned in the sermon that needed further biblical clarity? How did you respond to them?

6 How has another Christian's willingness and ability to effectively answer your questions about God helped you come to faith or grow in your relationship with God?