Grace for the Opposition

(Read Matthew 10:16-20)

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 walked our way through the first 15 verses.  Today we will look at verses 16-20.  The Bible says:

“Listen!  I am sending you, and you will be like sheep among wolves.  So be smart like snakes.  But also be like doves and don’t hurt anyone.  Be careful!  There are people who will arrest you and take you to be judged.  They will whip you in their synagogues.  You will be taken to stand before governors and kings.  People will do this to you because you follow me.  You will tell about me to those kings and governors and to the non-Jewish people.  When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say or how you should say it.  At that time you will be given the words to say.  It will not really be you speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.”

So what does this mean to you today?  Let’s get into it.

1.  Reaching the world is not easy.  Jesus said, “I am sending you, and you will be like sheep among wolves.  So be smart like snakes.  But also be like doves and don’t hurt anyone.”

a)  Solomon said we have to be wise to win souls (Prov 11:30).  You need the wisdom of God in order to reach the world.

b)  As a believer the Lord sends you out like a sheep among wolves.  In one respect God expects you to be harmless as doves, but the Lord also requires you to be as smart serpents.  Sometimes it’s not easy maneuvering your way through the world.  Some will despise you because of your faith, some will envy your divine success, and others will jockey for position as they devise schemes to bring you down.  But be not afraid, the Lord is with you.  His grace is on your life for divine success and Godly protection.

c)  You can maneuver your way through the challenges of this world when you know God is ON you, IN you, WITH you and FOR you!

2.  You will face opposition.  Jesus said, “There are people who will arrest you and take you to be judged.  They will whip you in their synagogues.  You will be taken to stand before governors and kings.  People will do this to you because you follow me.”

a)  People will come against you solely because of your love for Jesus and your stand on God’s Word.

b)  Today’s society seems to demand consideration for everyone’s position except the Christian.  The world expects us to accept gay marriage, to openly receive whatever they say, and to call Bruce Jenner, Caitlyn.  Anything less is “so called” intolerance on our part, but they fail to have any tolerance for our beliefs.  Whether they accept us or not, we cannot change God’s Word.  We must have more fear for God than for men.

c)  The Bible says, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12).

3.  God can use any situation for His good.  Jesus said, “You will tell about me to those kings and governors and to the non-Jewish people.”

a)  Jesus knew His followers would be persecuted for what they believed, but He also knew God would use every situation for HIs glory.

b)  God can turn any situation around.  He can take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for your good and His glory.

c)  God can take a situation that was designed to destroy and use it to promote you.

4.  True success comes when you know you are not the one doing the work.  Jesus said, “When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say or how you should say it.  At that time you will be given the words to say.  It will not really be you speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.”

a)  Godly success comes when you allow yourself to be a conduit of God’s love, light and power in the earth.

b)  If you allow God to use you, He will give you the words and He will perform the work.

*** We will discuss this last point further tomorrow.

Closing Confession:   Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith.  I read Your Word in order to renew my mind to think the way You think.  I read Your Word so I can know more about You, Your character, Your attributes, Your nature, and Your ways.  Your Word is Your will documented.  Your Word outlines Your standards.  I don’t have a right to change You or Your Word.  I live by what You have said (in Your Word) and what You are saying to me daily (through Your Spirit).  Your ways are sometimes not popular in this world, but I am not in a popularity contest.  You send me out to be light and salt.  You send me out to represent You.  You send me out to leave a mark in this world that will never be erased.  And by Your grace I declare that I will.  I am not moved by opposition.  I don’t change what I believe because of any external pressure.  I don’t allow the public to force me into a box.  I am a child of the Most High God.  I believe You and Your Word.  I stand on Your promises.  I live Your precepts.  I personify Your love, even when I am faced with hate.  I have grace for any opposition I face because of what I believe.  When opposition comes, You give me the words, You perform the work, and You protect me from all harm.  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.