* Note: Before I get started I want to announce that today’s message will be the last for the week. Enjoy the 4th of July weekend.
(Read Matthew 10:1-10)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter and our study has brought us to Matthew 10. We have been looking at this passage for a couple of days. Let’s go back to it today and seek to glean more from God about His unearned grace. The Bible says:
Jesus sent the twelve men out with these instructions: “Don’t go to the non-Jewish people. And don’t go into any town where the Samaritans live. But go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that are lost. When you go, tell them this: ‘God’s kingdom is now very near.’ Heal the sick. Bring the dead back to life. Heal the people who have leprosy. And force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help others freely. Don’t carry any money with you—gold or silver or copper. Don’t carry a bag. Take only the clothes and sandals you are wearing. And don’t take a walking stick. A worker should be given what he needs.”
Yesterday I focused in on the fact that Jesus sent out His disciples as “Grace puts the emphasis on God”. In this message I will focus in on relying on God.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- You don’t have the power to perform the supernatural, but God does and His power flows through you when you simply ‘get out of the way’. The key to walking in God’s supernatural power is dying to self, not relying on yourself to do what you clearly cannot do, and putting your total trust in God.
- Jesus expects us to do what He did. But in order to do what He did we must live like He lived – in sync and submission with the Father.
- Jesus’ key to success was simply doing what the Father led Him to do and saying what the Father led Him to say. Guess what? We can experience success in this world by doing the same thing. If you rely on God with your whole heart, He will give you the words to say and He will perform the work through you.
- Jesus sent common men out to heal the sick, raise the dead, and reach the lost. He did not do this based on the men and their abilities. Jesus sent the men out based on the Father and His willingness to use unqualified and seemingly unprepared people by His unearned and amazing grace. God does not use you because of your qualifications (or lack thereof), God uses you because of His grace. He uses you because He wants to use you. So open your heart to be used. Rely on God, not your strength or weaknesses, and He will use you by His grace.
- Jesus released the supernatural power to perform beyond natural abilities to His men by grace. Jesus said He gave them the power “freely”. Guess what? God still does the same today. God freely gives you His unearned grace and once you embrace it, you will be empowered to do what you could never do on your own. Grace comes to you freely. It’s a gift. You can’t earn it. All you can do is receive it. Will you receive God’s grace today?
- When Jesus sent His men out He wanted them to totally rely on the Father, just like He had all His life. He sent them out to do things they could not do on their own. This forced the men to rely on God and His grace. Jesus also forbid the disciples to take any money with them. This forced them to totally rely on God to take care of them. Jesus’ message was basically this: “God the Father is your source. He will empower you to do what you could never do on your own and He will provide for you. Wherever He leads, He feeds; wherever He guides, He provides.” Jesus’ guidance still applies to us today.
We will stop here for today. On Monday I will discuss the money aspect of this further, focusing on God as our source. Have a great weekend.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. The more I learn about Your grace, the more excited I am to live by faith. I am now convinced that You love me with an everlasting love. I know You want to use me, because You are good, and not because I am. Putting the emphasis on You, Your ability, Your power, Your strength, and Your goodness, has freed me from the pressures of human performance. I now simply embrace Your grace and I open my heart to do things I could never do on my own. As You lead me, I go. As You speak to me, I say. As you send me, I rely on You as both the source of supernatural power and my source for natural things. The more I rely on You, the more my life becomes about You and Your plans for me. I enter this day and every day as a child of the Most High God, redeemed by grace, empowered by love, and propelled by purpose! You are my source, I rely on You, and living this way I am convinced I will live an amazing life. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
