Day 16- Your Turn! Preach the Kingdom and Heal the Sick

The ministry of Jesus takes another significant shift. Up until now He has been the one preaching and performing miracles; but that is about to change. Now He empowers His 12 apostles to go and do likewise- "Proclaim the Kingdom, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead! Freely you have received, now go and give it away." But there is a cost. Are you ready to follow Him and proclaim the Kingdom with signs following?

READ: Matthew 9:35-38; 10:1-42; 14:3-12; Mark 6:6-13, 17-29; Luke 9:1-6

Major Events

Jesus goes throughout the towns preaching and healing (Matt 9)
Jesus sends out the 12 Apostles (Mat 10; Mark 6; Luke 9)
Jesus teaches on the cost of discipleship (Mat 10; Mark 6; Luke 9)
John the Baptist is beheaded (Matt 14; Mark 6)

Major Topics

Gospel of the Kingdom
The harvest
Authority
Gentiles
Samaritans
Cast out demons
Persecution
Son of Man
Prophet
Reward

Kingdom of Heaven
Salvation
Disciple
Preach
Repent
Healing
Fear, do not
Take up cross
Cost of discipleship

Video

Matthew 10

Matthew 13:15-14:12

Luke 9

Key Verses & Words

The Story

Matthew 9:35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Matthew 10:1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Matthew 10:7-8 And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
Luke 9:1-2 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.
Luke 9:6 Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Mark 6:12-13 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Teachings of Jesus

Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
Matthew 10:32-33 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:38-39 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Questions for Reflection

A disciple is one who follows and obeys the teachings of their master. How well do you disciple? How obedient are you to the teachings of Jesus?
What is a disciple?
What has Jesus empowered disciples to do?
According to Matthew 10, how are you living a life of discipleship?
Are you afraid of witnessing to others? How can Matt 10:24-33 help you get beyond your fears?
How has God equipped you for serving Him?
How should you react to people who do not respond to the message of Christ?
What do you need to change in your life to have a stronger witness for Christ?
How can you better take advantage of God's power and authority in your life?

Digging Deeper

David Guzik commentary Matthew 10, Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9

Curious Christians

Who Were the 12 Disciples?

Who were the 12 Disciples of Jesus? Here is an article giving a brief background on each of the 12 disciples.

Living the Lesson

Here is where the Holy Spirit has opportunity to bring great revelation and transformation in your life--in reflection and obedience to what you have been reading and studying in God's Word today. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can respond in obedience to the devotion today. Use the following questions to prompt you.

Is there a...

SIN to confess?
PROMISE to claim?
ATTITUDE to change?
COMMAND to obey?
EXAMPLE to follow?
PRAYER to pray?
ERROR to avoid?
TRUTH to believe?
SOMETHING for which to praise God?