What Jesus Did

When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

—Matthew 11:1 NLT

Key Thought​

For anyone who is easily distracted, the phrase "stay on task" is not only frustrating, but also extremely needed. It seems that almost everything in our modern lifestyles tends to push us into busy distractions. But Jesus remains on task. He is going to do the work the Father sent him to do. His...

 

[Jesus concluded his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."

—Matthew 10:42 NLT

Key Thought​

Little things, insignificant things, are used by Jesus to make huge differences. A cup of cold water is such a wonderful thing when you are thirsty, away from home, and need some time to rest and reflect. A gift of a cup of cold water is so powerful if it...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs."

—Matthew 10:40-41 NLT

Key Thought​

While the previous verses have been about the...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."

—Matthew 10:38-39 NLT

Key Thought​

Far from being a decorative piece of jewelry, the cross in Jesus' day was something hideous and shameful. Roman citizens weren't allowed to be crucified. Decent citizens...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

'I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Your enemies will be right in your own household!'

"If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven."

—Matthew 10:32-33 NLT

Key Thought​

Life is really all about who we are trying to please. When it's all said and done, who do we want to claim they love us, claim they're proud of us, and claim us as...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows — one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!"

—Matthew 10:26-27 NLT

Key Thought​

"Don't be afraid!" That's the key command in the...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!"

—Matthew 10:24-25 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus is our King, Lord, Master, and Savior...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns...