Matthew Study 11: 10:1-10:31

Dear Student of the Word,

I was home for one day after Nigeria and I am now heading to Texas. I always enjoy the challenge of finding how I am going to send these studies from the road. It's usually not too difficult, but at times it can be. Right now I am in the Pittsburgh airport and there is free wireless internet. That always helps!

This week we see how Jesus chose some disciples to send out and minister in His name. I had this to say about how He chose them and how it relates to you and me:

10:1-4 – When God calls you to a purpose, He calls you by name and He calls you to Himself. It isn’t just a task, it’s a relationship with Him. I have found that when I function in my purpose, God provides for me and takes care of all I need to fulfill my purpose. He speaks to me, and my relationship with Him is somehow closer and more intimate.

Here Jesus called twelve men to Himself and gave them authority. That was a question the Jews always asked Jesus; “By whose authority do You do these things?” Jesus did the things He did in the authority of His purpose. That is all the authority you need as well, for your purpose is your command from heavenly headquarters. When you move in your purpose, you don’t need an invitation to the party, so to speak. You invite yourself. Someone else said that you nominate yourself for the job. I like that.

If your purpose is to help the poor, you don’t need anyone to invite you to do so. You show up where the poor are and start helping them. I was reflecting on this issue of authority the other day, and came up with nine aspects of purpose that give you the authority to do whatever it is God wants you to do. Here they are:

1. The authority of results – your purpose helps you bear fruit; no one can question your authority when you can show them the fruit of your labors.
2. The authority of clarity – your purpose is one clear, concise statement of what you are on earth to do. People will follow and respond to you because you are direct and focused.
3. The authority of knowledge – your purpose enables and even drives you to be skilled at what you do. You will have more insight and knowledge about your sphere of purpose than others.
4. The authority of calling – God assigned your purpose and wants you to fulfill it even more than you do. He will open doors and create opportunities for you to succeed.
5. The authority of integrity – your purpose causes you to live by your values, the things that are most important to you. You don’t want to undermine your purpose, so you have added incentive to be an honest person of your word.
6. The authority of courage – your purpose makes you a leader where you function. You face your fears because your purpose is more important than you are. There are people waiting to benefit from what you do and who you are and you press through obstacles to be there for them.
7. The authority of success – your purpose gives you endurance to press through the barriers and endure long periods of suffering and regular setbacks. You don’t only achieve results; you do so over a long period of time, which constitutes some measure of success
8. The authority of humility – you know your source of strength, which is God Himself. You acknowledge your source but you don’t deny that you are good at what you do because God helps you.
9. The authority of honesty – you do not engage in “false humility” (denying what you can do) but you know your limitations and face your limitations and weaknesses with openness.

Can you think of any others to add to the list?

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Download this week's study: Matthew Study 11.doc