January 24, 2021

Matthew 10:40-42

1. We began by talking about the overall theme of discipleship that is seen throughout Matthew 10.

-Pastor Laurie said that discipleship is to come to a point where the right to rule my life dies. Take a few minutes to unpack this definition...how does definition challenge us in our understanding of what it means to be a disciple?

-Look at Galatians 1:10, 2:20; Romans 5:5, 6:11; Philippians 3:8-9...what are some of the ways that these passages help us understand the implications of what it means to be a disciple?

-We also heard that the disciples that were being sent out would not know how they would be received & this this highlights the power of the gospel as it unites & divides...it creates new bonds & severs others. How has the gospel shaped the relationships in your life?

2. We then worked our way through Matthew 10:40-42.

-One of the major points in v. 40 is that just as Jesus is sending out the apostles, He was sent in accordance to the Father's will. Looking at John 4:34, 6:38, 20:21...we see that Jesus by the Father. Why is it important to understand that Jesus was sent & was obedient to the will of the Father?

-Pastor Laurie said that the connections in v. 40 show that you can't deny Jesus & accept God...and you also can't persistently deny the people of God & claim to love God...the connections run too deep. How does your receiving of Jesus as Lord shape the way you interact with the church? How does it shape your appreciation of theology & doctrine?

-From v. 41, we see that a person can do the work of teaching, preaching, & speaking the truth of the gospel all the while being the person that is marked by righteous living. In this, blessings abound. How does speaking the message of the gospel & hearing the message of the gospel bless you & others?

-In v. 42, we landed by saying that if we're consumed with loving ourselves, we miss out...what are the ways we can miss out on blessings when we neglect to be faithful to the Lord?

-We ended by being reminded to give up our rights & to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. How can we be intentional to remind ourselves & one another to submit to the lordship of Jesus regularly?