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This is the audio from the March 16, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Those Who Are SENT!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.
Text: Matthew 10
“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”
Luke 10:2 (NIV)
As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus. As Matthew’s gospel continues, we find Jesus encountering many people who had great needs. As Jesus prepared His disciples for the work ahead of them, He told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field and then He chose them to be those who were . . .
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Selected: Matthew 10:1-4
- Jesus selected those who would be His and those He would send out to share the good news of the coming kingdom of God. While this particular sending in Matthew 10 was of the 12 disciples, He ultimately has selected all who would believe in Him to be sent as His messengers to everyone and everyplace they would encounter.
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Equipped: Matthew 10:5-16
- Jesus not only selected the twelve to be sent out, He equipped them for the task He called them to. While the equipping of the disciples included miraculous gifts of healing and casting out evil spirits, we have been equipped with the Holy Spirit to be the representative of Jesus which He has created us to be. As we are sent by Jesus to share the good news of God’s kingdom, we find He supplies all that we need when we learn to trust Him.
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Noticed: Matthew 10:17-23
- Being selected and equipped by Jesus led to the disciples being noticed as they went from town to village proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God. While some of that notice was positive and welcoming, much of it was not. We must be careful not to allow the notice of others, whether good or bad, influence our obedience to sharing with others as one who is sent.
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Taught: Matthew 10:24-33
- Life itself is a learning process and there is no greater teacher than Jesus being the living Word of God. As Jesus sent out His disciples He made it clear that while a student is not greater than their teacher, their greatness is a reflection of what they do with what they have been taught. As those sent by Jesus, we must pursue a faithfulness in living life consistent with all we have been taught by the Word of God.
Today, how will you live as one who is SENT?
Excellent message Tom! I am living as an example of Jesus’ love. I’m feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. I’m boldly living my faith even when I’m afraid and intimated!
Thank you! Thank you for the encouragement and for living as one who is sent to those in need!