When Jesus sent out the disciples to preach the gospel, He told them if any city recieve not the gospel, shake off the dust of your feet. It was a testimony against that city. Jesus said in Matthew 11:20-29, just such rebukes. He said woe unto Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Jesus said it would have been better for Tyre and Sidon and Sodom. He said they would have received the gospel and repented. Then Jesus began to pray and thank God for revealing Himself. Then He began to call people to Himself. Jesus said I will give rest for your souls. Because My yoke is easy and My burden light. You never know who is going to accept the gospel. This is why we preach the gospel to everyone. As Paul said, that some may be saved. God is the only one who gives the increase or the willingness to accept the gospel. It is the grace of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Jesus talked to the people and said, you are like children in the market place, calling to his friends to come and play. We have played music and you haven’t danced. We have mourned and you haven’t lamented. John the Baptist didn’t eat or drink and you said he has a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking and you say He is a drunkard and gluttonous and friends with sinners. Jesus said wisdom is justified of her children. In Phil.2:15 “that you may blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation.” He who has ears let him hear what the Spirit of God is saying.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 11:7-15, Jesus asked the multitude, what did you go to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken in the wind or someone dressed in fine clothes? Did you go to see a prophet, yes more than a prophet. It is written in Malachi 3:1, I will seen my messager before thy face and shall prepare the way of the Lord. Jesus said there is none greater that is born of a woman than John the Baptist. Then He said that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. Jesus said if you can recieve this, John is Elijah come again. John’s father Zacharias was high priest and entered into the holy of holies. The angel Gabriel told Zacharias that he would have a son named John. And to take the prayer shawl and leather girdle of Elijah that was stored under the show bread table. Because John was a prophet who would come in the Spirit of Elijah. John came with a camel hair prayer shawl and a leather girdle, preaching the coming of the Lord. Then Jesus said, those who have ears, let them hear.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 11:1-6, Jesus had finished instructing His disciples. He began teaching and preaching in Galilee. John the Baptist had been arrested for calling Herod an adulterer. From prison, two of John’s disciples were sent by him to ask Jesus if He was the Christ. Jesus answered them from the book of Isaiah describing the Christ. Why after all that John the Baptist went through with Jesus would he doubt? John was a prophet of God and powerful man of God. But only with persecution do you find out what is in your heart. People don’t want to think about persecution. But it’s the refiner’s fire that purges our heart. And it is something we all must go through. John had to face and conquer his doubt and fear in prison. Which he did. Courage comes to us in the middle of the battle. It’s born out of our belief in Jesus. Just as John the Baptist did.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 10:34-42, Jesus said, I came not to bring peace, but a sword. The word of God is a two-edged sword, that cut both ways. God says to be careful how you handle His word, because it can kill. This is the sword that Jesus is talking about. It will separate family and friends. But Jesus said, that the greatest problems you will have will be from your family. Jesus said if you find your life, you will lose it. If you lose you life for the gospel, you will find it. Then Jesus said if you recieve a prophet or righteous man, you will recieve their reward. The word of God is replete. It says if you cause someone to sin, it is your sin also. Jesus gave his disciples, which we are, instructions to be able to preach the gospel effectively. Now it is time to preach the gospel. Go out and remember what Jesus said and share with everyone that will listen. God will give the increase.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Fear can make us do strange things. Just look at the fear of the Corona virus. People hoarding toilet paper. God said that people are in bondage all the lives through fear. Jesus giving instructions about preaching the gospel, talks about fear. He said don’t fear those who can kill the body. But fear the One that can both kill the body and cast you into hell. In Matthew 10:28-32, Jesus said God takes care of the sparrows and knows when each dies. God numbers the heads of your head. Whosoever confess Me before man, I will confess before My Father. So, don’t fear. These instructions are for the believers. Jesus told them what to expect, but God requires of us. Preaching the gospel is one of God’s commands for us. As He said, be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

People are looking for the signs of the times. And these signs shall follow the believers. Yet most people are not willing that this particular sign would follow them. What sign am I talking about? Jesus talked about this sign many times, but the disciples didn’t understand until they were in the midst of it. The sign I’m talking about is persecution. Jesus said if they hated Me, how much more shall they hate you. The servant isn’t above the Master. But he strives to be just like his Master. If you are doing what God told you to do, the world will want to kill you. Don’t think that it is strange that the world will hate you. In Matthew 10:23-27, Jesus instructed His disciples about what to expect. He was preparing for success. Understand, success is bittersweet. It is never all good or bad. It is somewhere in the middle. But understand persecution is one of the signs of the times.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 10:16-22, Jesus was given instructions to the disciples about preaching the gospel. Jesus was sending His disciples out by themselves and they needed to know what to expect. He said I’m sending you out in the midst of wolves. But you are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. They will bring you the councils, governors and kings and they will kill you. If they hated Me, how much more will they hate you. All this is a testimony against them. Jesus said, take no thought what you will say, because the Holy Ghost will give you what say at that time. He said brother will turn against Brother, father against children, children against their parents. But he the endures to the end shall be saved. Jesus is warning us that in this world you will have tribulation. Because we go out into this world of wolves.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 10:1-15, Jesus called his 12 disciples together. They were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddeus, Simon and Judas Iscariot. It had been about 1 1/2 years since Jesus had started preaching. He taught the disciples to pray and how to use their faith. Now this was going to be their first time to minister on their own. Jesus gave them instructions on what to do. They were to go to Israel only. God begins at our house first. They were to go as they were. No preparations. They were to use their faith and let God provide. They were to heal the sick, cast out devils, cleanse the lepers and raise the dead. Then Jesus said, freely you have received, freely give. Then He said if any city refused to receive, shake off the dust on your feet. And it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrha than that city. In Matthew 11, Jesus talks about the cities that refused to hear the gospel. The disciples were excited and afraid at the same time. Most of them were uneducated. But Jesus was proving a point, that it is God only that makes all things possible.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com