(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. Our study has brought us to Matthew 10 and we have been looking at the following passage for over a week. This morning we go back to the passage, because the Lord started dealing with me about this passage again last night. It was the first thing I thought about as I got up this morning. The thought I have been meditating since last night is, “You Can’t Do It!” You will see what I mean as we go through the message.
Let’s get into it. 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.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God’s calling always exceeds human ability. I can only imagine what the disciples were thinking when Jesus said, “You go heal the sick. You go raise the dead. You go lay hands on lepers. You’ve seen me do it, now you go do it. And oh, by the way, you can’t take any money with you. You are going to have to rely on God for it all!” (Rick Pina Version).
a) Jesus expected His disciples to do what He did. He has that same expectation of us today.
b) Jesus put an expectation on His disciples for something they could not deliver… without God. He does the same to us today.
c) God’s requirement of you will always exceed what you can do.
d) God’s assignment will always exceed your resources – your human strength, ability, education, money, etc.
2. God calls you to do what you can’t do without Him.
a) The disciples could NOT do what Jesus was calling them to do without God.
b) You CANNOT do what God is calling you to do, without dying to self and allowing Him to flow through you.
c) You should accept God’s calling with an acknowledgement that YOU CAN’T DO IT! This forces you to live by faith.
d) When Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13), the emphasis was on Christ and not Paul.
e) The statement “I can do all things through Christ” is made with an inherent acknowledgement that you can DO NOTHING without Him.
3. You will never do what you are called to do by human effort.
a) You can’t do what God is calling you to do. YOU can’t do it, but God can do it through you.
b) Your power is not strong enough.
c) Your determination is not resolved enough.
d) Your resources are not plentiful enough.
e) When launching out to do what God is calling you to do, you CAN’T focus on you. You are never enough, but Jesus is ALWAYS enough!
We will stop here for today. I have more to say about this.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. There is an overwhelming freedom found in the deepness of Your grace. There is an overflowing peace found in the vastness of Your love. The more I study Your grace, the more I take the focus of my life OFF of me. I CAN’T do what You are calling me to do, on my own. I could never be good enough. But Jesus was good enough for me. My resources could not fund what You are calling me to do. But Your resources are endless. My education has not adequately prepared me for my divine assignment. But Your wisdom is immeasurable and You give me revelation that far exceeds my education. I don’t know the right people. But You know how to give me favor and bring me before great men. I am never enough, but Jesus is always enough. You are my source and supply. You are my center and circumference. You are my base and boundary. You are my all-in-all. I am nothing WITHOUT You, but I am everything WITH you. I can do NOTHING without You, but with You, I can do ALL things… and I will. Not by my strength, but by Your amazing grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
