Its Free (Isaiah 62; Matthew 10)

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received with paying; give without pay.” Matthew 10:8

It was an amazing thing to be a part of.  Even though I have seen it many times before, it is always so amazing.  Yes, two Sundays ago I watched as God opened the eyes of two sinners to their need of Salvation.  It was amazing to see both their brokenness (over their sin) and their blessing (in being cleansed from their sin).

I was also amazed in that God had allowed me to be His mouth peace in sharing the good news of the gospel which is free to all who come to Jesus.  This Jesus is the one who has paid the price for our sins so that we could come freely to Him (Isaiah 55:1).

This morning you and I are reminded of these truths as we read the account of Jesus sending out the disciples on their first assignment in the gospel.  Here is what we discover:

Think it through:

I.  They were to deliver a message.

What was this message, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Jesus has come to bring not the kingdom to this world, but to prepare people for the Kingdom that is to come.

II.  They were given details of their mission.

They were reminded that the gospel was free, Vs: 18, but the mission would be costly.  God promises that He would provide for their needs.  But He also reminds them that not everyone will come to the free gift of salvation.

III.  They were challenged to be faithful in the difficulties of the mission.

They would face unfair treatment.  But they were to remain faithful because in the end they would be victorious in the gospel.  “You who endure to the end will be saved.”  

Our response:

Brothers and sisters, our response must be of surrender to the call of the gospel.  We have received the gospel and now we must freely give ourselves away so that the gospel will freely go forth (Vs: 37-39).

Certainly this is not an easy assignment for us.  But God has promised to be for us and to go before us (Vs: 40-42).  God has promised a great reward to those who freely give themselves to the gospel.

I want to challenge you to freely give yourself to God.  When you do so, you will be free to do the work that brings the greatest results known to man, “Salvation by grace through faith.”