Rev. David Holwick ZH Matthew 10 series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 29, 2006
Matthew 10:40-42
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I. Can one cup make a difference?
It was 11 days before Christmas, 1862.
Peace and good will were far from the thoughts of 200,000 Union
and Confederate soldiers facing each other across the broad,
blood-spattered arena of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The past few days had been gruesome, with more than 12,000 soldiers
killed on both sides.
19-year-old Sergeant Richard Kirkland of South Carolina's Second
Brigade had seen enough.
Kirkland went to see Confederate General Joseph Kershaw.
"General, all night and all day I hear those poor Federal people
calling for water, and I can't stand it any longer.
I ask permission to go and give them water."
Kershaw was sympathetic but shook his head "no".
"Sergeant," he replied, "you'd get a bullet through your head the
moment you into the field."
"Yes, sir, I know that, but if you let me, I'm willing to try it."
The General responded, "The sentiment which prompts you is so noble
that I will not refuse your request.
God protect you. You may go."
Quickly the Southerner walked onto the field and exposed himself to
the fire of every Yankee sharpshooter in that sector.
Kirkland walked calmly toward the Union lines until he reached the
nearest wounded soldier.
Kneeling, he took off his canteen and gently lifted the enemy
soldier's head to give him a long, deep drink of refreshing
cold water.
Then he placed a knapsack under the head of his enemy and moved
on to the next man.
When his canteens were empty, he returned again and again to the
lines where comrades refilled them.
He did this for an hour and a half.
Troops on both sides paid young Kirkland the supreme tribute -- not
a standing ovation, but respectful awed silence."
Years later, a statue was erected in his honor.
#2370
A. The value of a cup of water depends on its context.
1) Any of you would do this for your own child.
2) Who would do it for an enemy?
B. Our final passage in Matthew 10 draws upon this image.
II. We can be part of a receiving line. 10:40
A. The back wall of our church serves as a wedding receiving line.
1) Nobody gets any rice to throw unless they shake hands first.
2) In the same way, Jesus wants to know who is lining up for
him.
3) We line up for Jesus by serving his people.
B. The primary meaning of "receive" here is to show hospitality.
1) Early Christian evangelists traveled from town to town.
2) Those who welcome them, are welcoming Jesus.
3) Those who welcome Jesus, are really welcoming God.
a) Note the close identification Jesus makes between
himself and his followers.
b) When you are supporting a missionary, you are really
supporting Jesus himself.
c) In some situations, this is not a small thing.
The founder of the Mennonites and Amish was named
Menno Simons, and he lived around 500 years ago.
He was a radical Christian and taught that enemies
should be loved, not hated.
Christians should never use violence against anyone.
As the authorities hunted this man down, anyone who
had put him up in their home for the night was
arrested.
One man was even executed. [1]
C. A secondary meaning of "receive" is to accept their message.
1) The apostle Paul alludes to this in 1 Thess. 2:13 --
"And we also thank God continually because,
when you received the word of God,
which you heard from us,
you accepted it not as the word of men,
but as it actually is, the word of God..."
2) To receive the gospel is more than just being exposed to it.
Billy Graham once said:
Many people argue, "I believe in Christ, I believe in the
Church, and I believe in the Bible.
Isn't that enough?"
No! You must RECEIVE Christ.
I may go to the airport.
I have a reservation. I have a ticket in my pocket.
The plane is on the ramp.
I am certain that it will take me to my destination.
They call the flight three times.
I neglect to get on board.
They close the door.
The plane taxis down the runway and takes off.
I am not on the plane. Why?
I "believed" in the plane, but I neglected to get on board.
That's just it!
You believe in God, Christ, the Bible, and the Church - but
you have neglected to actually receive Him in your heart.
Your belief has been an impersonal, speculative thing, and
you have not entrusted yourself to Him.
#29383
III. The church is a symphony rather than a solo performance.
A. We share in the work of the gospel with others.
1) There is a progression of leaders through these verses:
a) The 12 apostles are probably alluded to in verse 40.
b) Verse 41 mentions prophets and righteous men.
1> These are "mid-level" leaders in the church.
c) Verse 42 focuses on "little ones."
1> Sometimes this term means just that: small children.
2> Here, it must mean average Christians.
2) All of these are working together for God's Kingdom.
a) Big Shots have a part to play. So do you.
B. There is also a progression in rewards.
1) Verse 40 encompasses salvation, possessing God.
2) Verse 42 envisions more ordinary rewards from God.
a) Heaven is a gift for all believers.
b) However, some believers will get more rewards.
1> You cannot earn your salvation, but your
efforts make a difference!
IV. Even small efforts bring a reward.
A. How does a cup of cold water rate? 10:42
1) Might be hauled up from a deep well - hard work.
2) Might just be a cup from a jug.
3) Either way, it is appreciated.
B. An Old Testament example. 1 Kings 17:8-16
1) The prophet Elijah asked for a small meal.
2) The woman complies, in spite of a severe famine.
3) Because of her faith, her food is multiplied.
C. God still multiples our efforts today.
Back in the 1950s the most famous missionary in the world was
Albert Schweitzer.
Dr. Schweitzer ran a large hospital in Gabon, Africa.
One young person read an article about his missionary work
and decided to help.
He had enough money to buy one bottle of aspirin.
So he wrote to the Air Force and asked if they could fly over
Dr. Schweitzer's hospital and drop the bottle down to him.
A radio station broadcast the story about this young fellow's
concern for helping others.
Others responded as well.
Eventually, he was flown by the government to Schweitzer's
hospital along with 4 1/2 tons of medical supplies worth
$400,000 freely given by thousands of people.
This, of course, would be the equivalent of millions of dollars
today.
When Dr. Schweitzer heard the story, he said, "I never thought
one child could do so much."
#11170
1) Our Christmas gift boxes are your opportunity to be a small
part of a big undertaking....
V. Doing good doesn't have limits.
A. Matthew 10 focuses on giving the cup of water in Jesus' name.
1) Our goal is to further the Kingdom of God.
2) The glory should go to him, not us.
B. A broader application is also possible.
1) The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:10 --
"Therefore, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers."
2) This is why Christians have always stressed charity.
a) Our church gives food coupons to the local food
panty, which distributes to the needy.
b) All people are created in the image of God and
deserve our help.
c) But the greatest help we can give them is salvation
in Jesus' name.
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
[1] Taken from a sermon by Rev. Larry Wilson of the First Mennonite Church
in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, titled, "Even a Cup of Cold Water,"
June 26, 2005. Sermon #24617 in the Kerux database.
# 2370 "A Cup Of Cold Water To An Enemy," Dynamic Preaching, Fall 1992.
Quoted from William H. Hassler, "The Christmas Spirit," A NEW
CHRISTMAS TREASURY, Jack Newcombe (ed), (New York: Viking, 1991),
pp. 213-215.
#11170 "He Never Thought One Child Could Do So Much," by King Duncan,
quoted in Wit And Wisdom at http://www.witandwisdom.org by
Richard G. Wimer, July 21, 2006.
#29383 "All Aboard," www.sermoncentral.com, newsletter, April 11, 2005.
These and 30,000 others are part of the Kerux database that can be
downloaded, absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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