8b

Matt 9:14-15 A little later John's followers approached, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don't?" 15 Jesus told them, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!" Jesus was telling them that they were celebrating the marriage supper of the lamb! Matt 9:27-30 As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, "Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!" 28 When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" They said, "Why, yes, Master!" 29 He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." 30 It happened. They saw They believed that He COULD REALLY DO IT and we have to do the same thing! Matt 9:36-38 36 When Jesus looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. 37 "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! 38 On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" He was helping others Matt 10:1 The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields Even Jesus prayed! Matt 10:5-10 5 Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. 6 Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. 7 Tell them that the kingdom is here. 8 Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. 9 "Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. 10 You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Matt 10:15 15 You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry — but it's no concern of yours now. Your only concern is that YOU are following God Jesus told them to: Matt 10:16 Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove Because the Earth is Satan’s kingdom life as a follower of God will NOT be easy! Matt 10:21-23 When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. 22 There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. 23 It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! A survivor has overcome something very bad, so be a survivor! Matt 10:25 25 Be content — pleased, even — when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get Matt 10:28 Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life — body and soul — in his hands. Matt 10:32-33 Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. 33 If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you? This scripture from God tells you that world opinion of God will not be good Jesus discusses the actual reason that He came to the Earth (this is not taught in Churches!): Matt 10:34-35 Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut — 35 make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law — cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God Matt 11:25-26 25 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. 26 Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."