1. “The Master’s Guide to Greatness”
Part 5
“Dealing with Opposition” Matthew 10:16-33

2. 1971 Ford Bronco II

3. Pruning is what God does in us to make us more like Christ and persecution is what happens to us because we are like Christ.

4. You need to know the “risks”…
Physical assault
“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
- Matthew 10:17

5. You need to know the “risks”…

6. You need to know the “risks”…
Social and political isolation and accusations. (v.18)
… you will be brought before governors and kings… and to the Gentiles.
(Matthew 10:18)

7. You need to know the “risks”…
Family abandonment and death(v.21)
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. - (Matthew 10:21)

8. You need to know the “risks”…
The first time Jesus warns His disciples of the possibility of martyrdom it is in the context of family.

9. You need to know the “risks”…
False accusations (vv.24-25)
“The term Beelzebub literally means “master of the house”.

10. You need to know the “risks”…
A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.

11. You need to know the “risks”…
If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
- Matthew 10:24-25

12. You need to know the “rewards”…
God defends us (vv.19-20)
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,

13. You need to know the “rewards”…
God defends us (vv.19-20)
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. – Matthew 10:19-20

14. You need to know the “rewards”…
God always writes the last chapter
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. – Matthew 10:22

15. You need to know the “rewards”…
God will always do what is right
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

16. You need to know the “rewards”…
God will always do what is right
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

17. You need to know the “rewards”…
God will always do what is right
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. – Matthew 10:28-31

18. You need to know the compelling reason…
Jesus Christ is the only person worthy of such commitment.
I am sending you - v.16
On my account - v.18
All men will hate you because of me, - v.22

19. Bottom Line:
Stay Jesus-centered even when you are facing opposition.

20. How do I respond to spiritual hostility?

21. How do I respond to spiritual hostility?

22. How do I respond to spiritual hostility?

23. How do I respond to spiritual hostility?

24. How do I respond to spiritual hostility?

25. Be shrewd and innocent…
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves – Matthew 10:16

26. Be shrewd and innocent…

27. Be shrewd and innocent…

28. Be shrewd and innocent…
When Jesus told us to be “shrewd” and “innocent” he means we are to use caution and stay pure.

29. Be on your guard against men;
If your present suffering can be directly related to bad choices, sinful choices or unhealthy choices you have made– you are suffering consequences.

30. Be on your guard against men;
If you are suffering because of some bad choices, sinful choices, or unhealthy choices that others have made we call that living life in the middle of a fallen sinful world.

31. Be on your guard against men;
If you suffering and there appears to be absolutely no reason for your suffering (Job) we call that “hard providence”.

32. Be on your guard against men;
If you are suffering on account of Jesus – that is persecution and you should use caution and stay pure when you are persecuted.

33. Be on your guard against men;
I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. - Revelation 1:9

34. Don’t take unnecessary risks
When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. (Matthew 10:23)

35. Live in trust of God not fear of man
… do not worry…the Spirit of your Father - v.19
“So do not be afraid of them.” – v.26

36. Live in trust of God not fear of man
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body…be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – v.28
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. – v.31

37. Put your confidence in the Spirit of God – not your own abilities
…do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. – v.19-20

38. Put your confidence in the Spirit of God – not your own abilities
Finding God in the midst of all the pain, confusion and uncertainty of life is a difficult task.
Trusting God is an even more difficult journey.