SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/2/2021 11:06 AM
My Worship Time Focus:
“Concentration on Those Who Are Receptive”
Bible Reading & Mediation Reference: Matthew
10:12-13a
Message of the verses: “12 "And as you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13 “And if the house is worthy, let your greeting of peace come upon it;”
Today
we look at the seventh principle of ministry that is reflected in our Lord’s
teaching here is that of concentrating efforts on those who are receptive to
the gospel. Does the words “Divine
Appointment” help us understand this teaching?
We
have recently talked about where the apostles were to stay when they entered a
town, but the word “house” in verse twelve is not talking about that house but
represents the various houses where they would go to minister. The definition of a “worthy house” was one
where their witnesses and work were appreciated and also accepted as being from
God. (Divine Appointment.)
MacArthur
writes “The greeting was the age-old Jewish greeting shalom, which is usually translated simply as ‘peace,’ which
carries the much deeper meaning of total wellbeing and wholeness of body, mind,
and spirit.”
This
household that gladly has received the apostles was to have its greeting of
peace confirmed upon it as seen in 13a.
The implication is that truly receptive listeners were to be ministered
to in the fullest way. These are the
ones whose open hearts to the Lord’s work earned them God’s richest
blessing. Matthew 10:41 “"He who receives a prophet in the name of a
prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man
in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.”
MacArthur
concludes “God does not call His servants to minister only where the gospel is
immediately and eagerly received. Many
fields of service are extremely resistant to the gospel. But the focus of ministry in any area of
circumstance should be on those people who are most receptive. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
are promised satisfaction (Matt. 5:6), and the faithful minister should give of
himself fully and freely in feeding them God’s Word. God’s mandate is that the gospel should be
preached first to those who want it most.
They not only are the most deserving but the ones most likely to believe
and to win still others to Himself.” My
thoughts on this are that being lead by the Holy Spirit to go to people who are
ready to hear the gospel message is certainly a key in fulfilling this seventh
principle of ministry that the Lord is pointing out here in this 10th
chapter of Matthew.
10/2/2021 11:23 AM
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