St Matthew, Chapter 10, verses: 36-37, Who is worthy to fight?

Our paragraph topic is:  (We must give up all for Christ) Part 3.  

The battle will come.  The war has begun and Christ has issued his decree.  The disciples are his generals and they will carry the banners into battle.  Repent!  Turn back to the one true God.  This is their message to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  For they are the first ones.  They are on the front lines of the battle.  The war will come to their front door.  The war will enter their households.  The war will divide their families.  The war will tear asunder the bonds of the heart.  For Christ has not sent peace.  He has brought the sword of God upon the people and the the demons of the evil one.

Christ says,  "And a man's enemies will be those of his own household."  The enemy has taken a foothold in the minds and hearts of the lost sheep.  He is entrenched in the lives of the people and will not retreat.  His goal is to capture the souls of the people and take them to hell.  Even the children will be separated from their parents.  Daughers separated from mothers and sons from fathers.  Some will accept the message of the kingdom.  Some will not.  And Satan will be the victor over those souls that do not repent, even in the homes of the believers.  For the ties that bind families, the ties that bind brothers, the ties that bind sisters, and parents, and children, and husbands, and relatives will be broken.  Some will go one way and some will go another.  And those who are able to keep their family bonds and fight the battle they will be the victors over evil. 

For Christ has said,  "He who loves father or mother more than me is  not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."  He who is afraid to break the bonds is not worthy to fight.  And he who allows the love of family to sway them against Christ is not worthy.  Christ ask for your alliegance, he ask for your trust, he asks for your love.  Be worthy.  Be loving.  Be trusting.  Aliegn yourself with the true side of light in the life of Christ.  Give not partially.  Give to the Lord totally and you will be rewarded.  He is worthy of leadership.  He is worthy of your love.  He is truthful to the end and the battle will go on.

Stand on the right side of the Lord and he will stand with you.  Trust in the leadership of the Lord and he will lead you to glory and righteousness.  Believe in the love that Christ bears for you and you will know peace.  Let nothing stand in your way. Throw off the bonds of the world that would hold you in boundage.  See the tricks of the enemy and bypass the boobytraps set to destroy you.  Let not the family ties bind you to destruction.  Be a warrior.  Be a soldier.  Be a disciple for Christ and join the battle for the kingdom of heaven.  Are you worthy?  Will your mother or father turn you around because they do not believe?  Will the comments and stabs of your children keep you from the kingdom?  Stand fast!  Trust in the Lord and you will be the victor!!  Be a worthy warrior!!

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 16a, The Enemy

Our paragraph topic is:  (Opposition foretold) Part 1.  

Christ now instructs his disciples about the enemy that they will face.  He tells them that he is sending them into the midst of the enemy clothed as sheep.  He tells them that they will be in the midst of wolves.  He wants them to know who they will face.  Christ says to his disciples,  "Behold, I am sending you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves."   He wants his disciples to appear as sheep to the enemy.  He wants them to be disguised as timid.  He wants them to appear as prey to the wolves that they will encounter in the villages and towns they will travel on their solo journey.

The lines are drawn and the battle is set.  The disciples have had their training and instructions on the enemy.  Christ knows that the evil one has taken over the towns and villages.  He knows that the enemy is well entrenched in the people.  And he knows the type of enemy that his disciples will face.  So he tells them how the battle will begin and how they will encounter the enemy.  A sheep is like dinner to wolves.  And to have one enter into their den is like heaven sent.  It's like the poor animal got lost and just wondered into their midst, onto their plate for dinner.  Seeing this the wolves will be watering at the mouth ready to tear the sheep apart.  But little do they know that beneath the wool of the sheep is a lion waiting to devour them, to scatter them, and put them to the test.

So Christ has given his disciples instructions on what to wear, what to take with them and what not to take.  He tells his disciples go barefoot into the den of the wolves.  They will not see them coming and they will not suspect the outcome.  He has told them that wherever they go, preach the kingdom of heaven.  To the wolves everyone who claims to be spiritual is no match for them.  For they have tricks to deal with the local priests and rabbis.  They know how to take care of that type of person.  They know what to do to turn them around.  They know that the local preacher has no power compared to what they have done to others in the past. 

So the wolves of the towns and villages see a rabbi coming.  They see a preacher coming.  They see a fool coming into their midst and they are laughing among themselves because they will be able to deal with this person.  Little do the wolves know that the disciples have the power of Christ with them.  Little do the wolves know that Christ has given them the power to cast out the wolves.  He has given them the power to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cure the lame.  So they are in for a surprise.  Christ has given them the power to bring hope back to the people, which is what the wolves do not want to happen.

So, we see this battle beginning to unfold.  We see the tactics that will be used by the disciples and we come to know the ravenous behavior of the enemy that they will face.  Christ wants to give you power to face the enemy.  He wants to give us, the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, cure the lame.  He wants to prepare you to be a warrior for him, to fight today's enemy.  The task is not easy.  The reward is great and the victory is yours.  Come, gather up the words of Christ and make them your stronghold.  Feed upon his power and prepare for battle with the wolves of today who would steal, kill, and destroy the children of the kingdom.  Are you ready to join the team of the elite?  Are you ready to accept your orders for battle in the army of Christ???  Come!!!   Join the team!!!