A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Teaching, Training & Commissioning
Chapter 19
MISSION, FOCUS & COMMISSIONING OF A DISCIPLE
“Instructions for Service”
Becoming a disciple of Jesus is a calling from God. It is a difficult and trying experience, and, at times, bewildering, despite what you might have been told. It can also be dangerous and expensive. Dangerous in the sense that it will cost you your life, ether through transformation or through “the fiery trials”, as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:12-14. Expensive in the sense that it will likely cost you everything you had been beforehand, and, everything you had possessed.
Difficult and dangerous as it may be, this Journey will be exciting, rewarding, full of purpose and power. It will give you rewards, worth more than you could even imagine to ask for.
The destination will astound you. Thousands upon thousands have gladly paid the price and would do it again.
The Teachings of Jesus, as pointed out earlier, are antithetical to worldly standards, practices and norms. Jesus was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins. But, as far as the unbelieving world was concerned, it was for His controversial and counter cultural teachings.
Jesus made it clear that if you choose to follow Him, you will have to pay the price of a disciple, and that cost is high. Both the religious and secular worlds persecuted Jesus and His followers because of His teachings. And, they will persecute you, too, if you choose to be His disciple.
A careful and thorough reading of Matthew will give you the teaching you need in order to take the first steps to becoming a disciple of Jesus. Specifically, chapters three through chapters ten will help you focus on Jesus’ teachings, His Works demonstrated and the commissioning and sending of His disciples.
Matthew 10:1-20 says, “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ “
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
“Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.
“And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city.
“As you enter the house, give it your greeting. “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.”
Jesus is now, for the first time, giving His disciples His ‘Authority’. As you progress in your training and preparation, He will also give you His Authority. Just remember, it is He Who is doing the work through you.
And, once again, has given His disciples instructions on how they are to proceed. This is not the conclusion of Jesus’ teaching, but, this is the conclusion of the disciples initial preparation. It will be the same for you and for me.
A Hard Road before Them
Jesus reminds His disciples of the difficulties that await them. You would be wise to settle your accounts and get ready for what is coming for the true disciple of Jesus.
Jesus reminds and warns His disciples, both then and now, in Matthew 10:16-23, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
“But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
“But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.”
The Great Commission
Matthew28:16-20 tells us, ” But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- The disciples proceeded.
- The disciples worshiped Jesus.
- Some disciples were doubtful.
- Jesus sent them anyway, because He will be with His disciples, including you, even to the end of the age.
If you have any questions, doubts or comments, please let me know. None of us should embark on this journey alone, Let’s join together. The Body of Christ, on Mission with Jesus.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Now, go. Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded you.
Please remember to click the blue italicized links in each chapter, in order to get the important details on these Bible teachings)
The Final Episode: “WHAT’S NEXT – AND FINAL NOTES”
(The previous episode can be found at “The Works of Healing – Episode 3”)
(Please also notice, you can listen by podcast as you read along. You can pause the audio in order to click the links for details and references, which are necessary for the entire teaching)
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