The Gospel of Matthew: Defeat & Reward

Scripture References: Matthew 10:34-42; Micah 7:6-12; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:19-21

Intro: (Podcast Sermon Title Suggestion: The Cost & Reward of Following Jesus)

• Context: This sermon combines insights from two messages by Gap Year students (Jack and Ethan) on Matthew 10:34-42.
• Theme: Exploring Jesus' challenging call to radical loyalty, which involves embracing apparent defeat (the cross) but leads to finding true life and receiving His reward. (Repetition legitimizes!)

Key Points:

1. The Dividing Sword & The Cross (Matt 10:34-38):
   • Jesus declares He brings a "sword," not worldly peace. Context: Disciples expected a Messiah leading military victory over Rome.
   • This sword divides deeply, even families (quoting Micah 7, a passage about Israel's brokenness), shattering hopes of national unity for war.
   • Loyalty to Jesus must supersede even family ties (v. 37).
   • The call isn't to take up arms against Rome, but to "take up his cross" (v. 38) – an instrument of Roman execution, symbolizing submission to apparent defeat with Jesus.
2. Finding Life Through Losing (Matt 10:39 & Micah 7):
   • Paradoxically, losing one's life for Jesus' sake is the only way to truly find it (v. 39).
   • This connects to the hope found later in Micah 7:7-9: Despite judgment and darkness ("when I fall"), there is a promise of rising, light, and vindication by waiting for God.
   • Requires trusting Jesus through suffering and defeat, believing His resurrection victory follows the cross.
3. Worthiness & Reward Through Christ (Matt 10:37-38, 40-42):
   • Jesus speaks of being "worthy" (Greek: axios - of equal value). We cannot achieve this worthiness on our own merits.
   • Through faith, we are united with Christ (Gal 2:20), and His perfect worthiness is credited to us.
   • Receiving Jesus' disciples means receiving Jesus Himself (v. 40).
   • Receiving Him (or His messengers) brings His "reward" (Greek: misthos - earned payment). Christ earned the reward, and His reward graciously becomes our salvation.
4. Showing Reception Through Love (Matt 10:40, 42):
   • Because Christ lives in us, when others receive us in His name, they receive Him.
   • True reception isn't just passive agreement; it's demonstrated through acts of love and care, even simple ones like a "cup of cold water" (v. 42).
   • Loving God's people demonstrates that we have truly received God's love (1 John 4:19-21). Our reward then overflows into blessing others.

Conclusion: Jesus demands absolute loyalty, a willingness to follow Him even into apparent defeat symbolized by the cross. However, this path of losing our life for His sake is the only way to find true life. Our worthiness and eternal reward are not earned by us, but received as a gift through faith in Christ's perfect life and sacrifice.

Call to Action:

• Examine your heart: Is Jesus your ultimate loyalty, above all else?
• Are you willing to embrace the "cross" – the potential costs and apparent defeats – that come with following Him?
• Receive Christ's perfect worthiness by faith today. Trust Him, not your own efforts.
• Demonstrate your reception of Christ by actively loving and serving His people, offering them the "cup of cold water" that reflects His love.

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The Gospel of Matthew: Defeat & Reward (Matthew 10:34-42)
with Jack Ploegstra & Ethan Alipaz

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