1. (TRUTH MATTERS) “The Truth Concerning Being a Christian!” Matthew 10:16-39

2. Call it what you may, false optimism, or false hope the term “false” says it all!

3. Gen. Giuseppe Garibaldi “Soldiers, all our efforts against superior forces have been unavailing. I have nothing to offer you but hunger, thirst, hardship and death; but, I call on all who love their country to join with me.”

4. Sir Winston Churchill “I have nothing to offer you, but blood, toil, tears and sweat!”

5. 2 Timothy 3:12 “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

6. Purpose: to better understand the cost in being a Christian

7. IYou Can Expect HOSTILITY (vv 16-20) A.Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

8. The wolf is the natural enemy of sheep… Keep in mind the world is at enmity with God and anyone who stands with Him!

9. John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

10. Roy Weece Tells of the time when he was preaching in Eastern Europe eating with brethren there who “matter-of-factly” said, “Yes, we may lose our lives serving Jesus.”

11. IYou Can Expect HOSTILITY (vv 16-20) A.Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing B.Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves

12. Christ is not encouraging deceit, but wants you and me to exercise or use our minds, to be mentally alert!

13. IIYou Can Expect REJECTION (vv 21-23; 34-39) A.Hated by All for Christ

14.  Literally means: persecuted with abhorrence or simply detested… This is an intense word!

15. IIYou Can Expect REJECTION (vv 21-23; 34-39) A.Hated by All for Christ B.Hated by Immediate Family

16. Matthew 10:34-37 “…I did not come to bring peace, but a sword… anyone who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me…”

17. IIIYou Can Expect the UNEXPECTED (vv 24-25) A.A Nickname was Given B.Rejection in Total

18. You need to expect the unexpected. This is not suggesting we’ll endure what our Lord did, but to be found faithful you need to expect the world’s worst and that means total rejection!

19. IVYou Can Expect Ultimate VICTORY (vv 26-33) A.Truth Will Win Out

20. Gen. S.L.A. Marshall “Haunted by the memory of the recent conflict and resulting dead, the average soldier will not lie.”

21. IVYou Can Expect Ultimate VICTORY (vv 26-33) A.Truth Will Win Out B.Man Cannot Kill the Soul C.Faithfulness to Him Will be Honored

22. Included in this is an account concerning the Duke of Windsor, England’s former King Edward VIII… “Edward as Prince, as King, as a man was at his best only when the going was good.”

23. Conclusion and Summary For you and me the going will not always, may seldom and in some instances may never be “good.” What our Lord ask is loyalty: “A Call for Loyal Solders”

24. “As a Volunteer” 1. A call for loyal soldiers comes to one and all; Soldiers for the conflict, will you heed the call! Will you answer quickly, with a ready cheer, Will you be enlisted as a volunteer? 2. Yes, Jesus calls soldiers who are filled with power. Soldiers who will serve Him every day & hour; He will not forsake you, He is ever near; Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?

25. “As a Volunteer” 4. And when the war is over and the victory won, When the true and faithful gather one by one; He will crown with glory all who there appear; Will you be enlisted as a volunteer? Chorus: A volunteer for Jesus, a soldier true! Others have enlisted, why not you? Jesus is the Captain, we will never fear. Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?