Send us a textMatthew 10:1-23 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Mission of the Twelve."        This chapter in Matthew's gospel details Jesus' instructions to the 12 apostles as he sends them out on what is sometimes referred to as "the limited commission" in contrast to "The Great Commission" in Matthew 28. Matthew lists the names of those Jesus had called and provides brief background information. Then Jesus charges the group to go out not to the Gentiles or Samaritans, but only to the Jewish communities with the news of the Messiah's teachings. He gives them the authority to preach these things and to perform miracles to demonstrate that authority. Jesus also charges the apostles to teach that the kingdom of heaven HAS come near. They were to give freely of their knowledge and gifts to all who were receptive, but to "shake the dust" off their feet for the unreceptive. He cautioned them to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves, but to be on their guard because they sometimes would be hated and betrayed. While this mission of the apostles was a part of the 1st century AD "diaspora" of Christianity, our same mission continues on until Jesus returns! We, too, are chosen and urged to freely give our knowledge of the Lord to others who are receptive. We, too, should be aware of how the world may respond to the message, and we must have courage, standing firm to the end.

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