The Strenuous Life
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Prayer:
Predominant Emotion solemnity
How humbling that the God of all creation invites us to colabor with him in the plans and purposes of redemption.
That He has entrusted us with the ministry of reconcilation. We are ambassadors of Christ, God making His appeal through us.
That we are witnesses, or as Matthew writes here… sent ones.
May we not leave here feeling condemnation or guilted in action
But leave with a Holy Spirit conviction that this purpose is for us today, and a new fire to join God in the eternal work of proclaiming the Gospel as we live, work and play.
The Strenuous Life
Before president, he forsaw that the American People, were growing fat and lethargic on the backs of the industrial revolution. For the first 100 years as a nation they had strived, worked, and built a wealthy, successful nation. Now this new generation was enjoying the fruits of those labors but losing the purpose and satisfaction that hard work provides.
So as Governor he gave a speech in 1899 entitled “The Strenuous Life” in an attempt to rouse the American People out of their Lazy Boys and back into the game.
I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph.
Church, I believe we, much like the American People of the late 19th century, have forgotten the doctrine of the strenuous life? Are we guilty of living by the doctrine of ignoble ease?
Have we forgotten that the blessing of our religious liberties, the plethora of options with churches on every street corner, and the surplus of resoruces ranging from books, music, conferences, and podcasts, are intended to equip us for the work, (the strenuous life) of ministry rather than mold us into consumers of religous commodities gourging ourselves on calorie after calorie and growing little by little spiritually obese? A life of ignoble ease.
Here’s the Point: We are called to the strenuous life. To live as Sent Ones. Ambassadors. Witnesses. Co-laborers.
God has blessed us, so that we may then be a blessing ( the call of abraham).
We are called to the strenuous life. Not one of ignoble ease
Because as TR said, “out of the strenuous life we win the splendid ultimate triumph.”… As we look at our passage today I want us to see 3 specific facets of this strenuous life.
#1— The Call of the Strenuous Life (majority of our time).
#2- The Consequences of the Strenuous Life
#3- The Courage required for the Strenuous Life
Read Matthew 10:5-15
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 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. 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.
The Call of the Strenuous Life
The Call of the Strenuous Life: to a Person
Matthew 10:1 (ESV)
And he called to him his twelve disciples...
We don’t know how long the disciples had been following Jesus before he sent them out , but we do know they had been with him.
They heard the Sermon on the Mount, they witnessed Him heal, cast out demons, and proclaim the Gospel. They saw him calm a storm, and even witnessed him raise a girl to life.
So before they attempted to kick down the gates of hell on mission for Jesus, they first and foremost were called to a life of proximity to Him.
This is so significant for us, because our fruit of doing for God is directly tied to our abiding in Him.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
The task that Christ has called us to (as we will see shortly), is a supernatural one. We cannot rely upon our own natural abilities, instead we need POWER that only comes from embracing our weaknesses and tapping into His strength. That power comes from proximity.
Now of course, in our passage Jesus “calling to himself” these 12 was extremly literal. He summoned them. Told them to come in close. Huddle up guys. But he didn’t call them in a vacuum he called them from relationship and proximity.
So the call of the strenuous life begins with a close, personal relationship with Jesus.
Are you walking in proximity with Jesus? Are you close enough to hear His call if he summons? Are you cultivating a sensitivity to the voice of God by feasting on His Word in personal worship and devotion? Are you submitted to the Jesus through His Body, the church, in such a way that others can affirm and confirm God’s call upon your life? The pattern we see in the Book of Acts!
The Call of the Strenuous Life begins with a call to a Person? So often we are well aware of what Christ has saved us from, but we ignore the treasure troves of what He has saved us for… namely a personal relationship lived out through proximity to Jesus.
The Call of the Strenuous Life: to a Place
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
He told them exactly where to go. To the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
This wasn’t mere bigotry and I can say that with authority because, later he tells these same apostles (minus Judas) to go to all nations in Matthew 28.
We see after his resurrection him commanding these same to be His witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation for the JEW first and then to the Gentile.
God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11), but the Gospel came to the Jew first then the Gentile.
Throughout the Gospels and especially the book of Acts we see Jews and Gentiles putting faith in Christ. SO the grand scope of God’s heart is the redemption of peoples from every nation, language, and tribe.
But in this particular comissioning it was to a particular place.
What is your place? Do you view yourself as Called to a Place?
There are two specific things I’d like to share with you regarding this call to a place.
Place by Providence
First, regards the Providence and Sovereignty of God.
Oftentimes as a missionary I would come across such poverty and suffering that I would really question God’s Providence? Meaning this… why this little one and not me? I didn’t choose to be born to a wealthy, white, American family. That little one didn’t choose to be born destitute, impoverished and in a society that labels her as less than with no upward mobility. My takeaway from those musings is that in one sense we have very little control over place.
So… I believe in a sense that your place is exactly where you find yourself now due to the providence and soverienty of almighty God.
Wherever you live. Your neighborhood. Your grocery store. Your kids school. That is your place. Do you view yourself as a “sent one there?” Do you live the strenuous life there?
Wherever you work. Your office park. Your co-workers. Your clients. That is your place. Do you view yourself as a sent one there? Do you live the strenuous life there?
Wherever you play. Your boating club. Golf Course. Gym that you workout at. Restaurants you frequent. Do you view yourself as a sent one there? Do you live the strenuous life there?
YOUR PLACE IS PROVIDENTIAL… and it is yours. Do not live in it with ignoble ease for you are sent.
Place by Surrender
Secondly, although I believe God can be soveriegn over place I also believe we must frequently ask Him where He would like for us to serve!
He died once for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died.
Your life is not your own. You are not its God, Creator, or Master. He redeemed you for a price, the least we can do is lay it all on the table and say, “I’ll go wherever you want me to go!”
Bill said it last week, that this doesn’t mean we all have to go to Africa… He’s right. But some do.
“How are they (the nations, others), to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (romans 10).
The Call is to a particular place, and we better be sure that we aren’t dictating that place in avoidance of the strenuous life!
Picture this: I ask you to come over and help me move an old antique farm table. You show up and see that I’m on one end, and there are 30 others on the other… Which side will you rush too?
This is exactly what exists in world missions today.
96.3% of the world’s unreached people groups reside in what we call the 10/40 window.
“Picture of the 1040 Window).
Totaling 3.16 billion people.
But only 2.6% of the world’s missionaries go there! For every 30 missionaries today, only 1 works among the 1040 window.
Not all are called to a particular place like that, but some of you are. When I read Scripture I see a clear calling to join God in the reconciliation of all peoples to himself… so if some aren’t going it must be because we aren’t listening or responding.
Ignoble ease, not strenuous life.
When was the last time you asked God about a particular place? Becuase the Call of the Strenuous Life is to a Place.
The Call to the Strenuous Life: to a purpose
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Purpose: Proclaimation
They were to proclaim… literally to preach, or publicly declare. To open up their mouths in proclamation. Theh purpose of your call to the strenuous life is first and foremost to preach!
This is so key, because faith comes from hearing! How are they to believe in whom they’ve never heard.
I was among missionaries in the 1040 window one time where we were talking about the blatant risks we were facing in being missionaries in that part of the world. One missionary recommended that we “preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”
The heart behind that is we need to proclaim the Gospel with our lives, not as much our words, but church that is not what Jesus is saying here. For in verse 27 he actually says “what you hear whipsered, proclaim on the housetop.”
The Peace Corps can outwardly do good works. Disciples are to supplement those with proclaimation.
But proclamation of what?
Here they were to announce that the Kingdom of Heave is at hand. The same message of John the Baptist, and Jesus himself.
It’s the message of the Gospel.
It is not a message of economic, political, or societal philosophies. Church don’t get sucked in to believing that an econmic, political, or philsophical message is our task as Sent Ones. For one of these philosophies provide solutions for the deep rooted problem of sin. Only the Gospel has the right answer!
The Call of the Strenuous Life is for a purpose. And I love that we fufill that purpose… “as we go.”
As you live, work, and play. As you shop. Coach T-Ball. Walk the Dog. As you go to the pool, order a meal, or prayer walk your neighborhood. As you go with Jesus, in a particular place, for a particular purpose… to proclaim the Gospel.
Purpose: Meeting Needs
A Purpose of proclaimation, but accompanied by works.
Vs. 8 Jesus gave them power to heal the sick raise, the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons.
To meet real, tangible needs. Those they were to help were the diseased, the dying, the despised, and the dirty.
As you go, are you meeting needs? Those needs could be physical, material, or emotional… but as you go don’t forget the spiritual needs as well.
Finally, as we live into the purpose of the strenuous life we must Trust Him completely.
Matthew 10:8–10 (ESV)
You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
Do you know how much money the disciples could make with this new found power?
I mean yall… supplements and vitamins in America alone is a 1.5billion $ industry.
Essential oils worldwide is 27 billion.
The ability to heal, cast out, raise the dead… you could charge more than Bezos does to go to space.
But that’s not the point. Just as we have received this call to Jesus by grace throug faith, we too are give like Jesus without compensation.
They were commanded to not take money, bags, two tunics, sandals, or staff. But they would be providentially provided for from the HARVEST itself.
Don’t rob someone you are witnessing to of the opportunity to serve you or meet your needs as well. That reciprocal give and takes forms bonds and community.
Vs. 11-13— A worthy person is he/she who experesses interest in your proclamation and acts. i.e. if you bring up Jesus with somebody and they are seemingly interested don’t move on unncessarily. Stay a while. Steward the relationship. Invest. Invite them to coffee. To dinner. SHare the gospel. Invite to study the Bible.
Vs. 14-15 but some won’t welcome you. Some won’t be interested… shake off the dust from your feet. Realize it isn’t personal… they are rejecting Jesus, and unfortunately for them it will be worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, for they were judged and destroyed for sin without warning… how much more so those who have heard the Gospel of grace and rejected it.
So… as of first importance, the Call to the Strenous Life is a Call to a person, to a place, and for a purpoes, but it comes with severe consequences.
Let’s read Matthew 10:16-25
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 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. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 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.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 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.
The Consequences of the Strenuous Life (16-25)
It’s easy to think that just because you’ve responded to the Call to Jesus, to a Place, and obediently walking in purpose that you think it’ll be easy…
We were told “the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.” We have convinced ourselves that if something isn’t safe, it must not be of God. This teaching of His stands in stark contrast to that lie we have bit onto hook, line, and sinker.
The Consequences of the Strenuous Life: ANIMALS
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Sent as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Sheep and Wolves-- In verse 6 sheep are referenced with lostness. or their unique ability to easily wander and go astray. But here its a picture of defenselessness. Without a shepherd, they have no way of resisting fierce enemies. Especially if they are already, not one day, BUT ALREADY in the midst of wolves.
Serpents and Doves— You are to be sheep, but that doesn’t mean you need to be stupid. Picture here Jesus boldly going into the presence of pilate like a lamb led to the slaughter. Even while mocked, beaten, and spit upon he speaks with wisdom.
HE DOESN’T NEEDLESSLY INCITE ANGER OR TROUBLE. That’s shrewdness!
We have missed this I think… the world passionately opposes our values and message as. Christians, usually in the great depersonalized sphere of media, and what do we do??? We retalitate with the venom of asps. Its needlessly inciting trouble. When we are persecuted, we need to be wise. Shrewd.
But also Harmless or innocent. 1 Peter 3:16
having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Don’t let them have anything agaisnt you as it regards your purity or character.
The Consequences of the Strenuous Life: 3 ARENAS
But regardless… you will be persecuted. And Jesus gives us 3 primary arenas that its coming!
#1. Positions of Authority (17-20)
Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 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. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
This happened to these men (the 11), as well as those in the books of Acts. And continues to happen all over the world.
But this too is God’s Sovereign plan… for it is happening to be witnesses before them. And he will be with you in that moment. He will speak through you!
The fierce lockdown in China… officials hearing the Gospel and responsing.
#2. Betrayal of Family
Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,
There is no unit of life where we long to be loved, secure, and accepted within like the nuclear family. Yet, the Strenuous Life we are called to will lead to division there as well.
I’ve spent 10 years training young missionairies. Do you know who the most vehemently opposed people are to their calling? Family.
Name calling. Guilt tripping. Gaslighting. All occurs.
But don’t be surprised. Just beware.
#3. Everywhere and by All— for good measure let’s just throw all in there.
and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Obviously not literally all, for some will welcome, some will respond to your message. But expect it from everywhere!
There are consequences to the Strenuous life. It is not a life of ignoble ease. It comes with grave consequences.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 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.
— but its exactly how they have and treated me, Jesus says. And if you want to be like me… you too will face these consequences.
Conclude: If you want to avoid being betrayed, hated, or persecuted, then don’t be like Christ.
So Jesus tells us… You’re called to the Strenuous Life, but beware it has consequences.
The Courage Required for the Strenuous LIfe (vs. 26-33)
Read Matthew 10:26-42
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 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. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 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. 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.”
Have Courage
3x in this short paragraph Jesus tells us not to fear. Fear is probably the biggest obstacle to obeying Christ’s commission.
Are you JOKING!? I mean you gave me a pretty vivid image of what to expect as a sheep among wolves. But you don’t want me to be afraid. You want me to have courage! How on earth are we to do that? Great Question!
Courage by an Eternal Perspective
You may feel alone, uncared for, unseen. Unfairly treated. But one day it will all be exposed. Vengence will be His says the Lord.
You will be eternally vindicated when you stand before the Father and you hear, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
Hebrews 11 says that those who die in faith desire a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, and has prepared for them a city!
The ultimate risk brings the ultimate reward in eternal vindication.
And I mean, whats the worst they can do… kill the body. Heck to die is gain! Fear rather eternity apart from Christ.
Courage from understanding Your Value
Conclusion (vs. 34-42)
Reminds us of the strife in families
How valuable is Christ to you?
Am I willing to surrender my kids future?
Take the ultimate risk, you find the ultimate reward.
Even those who serve you will gain a reward
Stephen’ martyrdom.
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Response:
Reflect and evaluate rather you are engaged in the strenuous life.
Consider your place, if you sense a stir to missions let us know. We want to shepherd that.
Think about your Place: live work and play. Who are you proclaiming to? Who should you? Will you do that this week?