I heard once of a person who used this text for her ordination service, as if starting out expecting a hostile environment. I can't read this text without being reminded of it, and am always cautious. With the clergy shortage, it might be tempting to use this passage harshly on how congregations sometimes treat those sent to serve with them.
Michelle
In the Episcopal Church, third-year (senior) seminarians are required to take a four-day battery of tests called "The General Ordination Exams" between their fall and spring semesters. The year I took them, my class had sweatshirts made with this text on the back: " When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." I can't read this text without thinking of that.
Blessings, Eric in KS
How can we work in a Father's Day message with this message about loving and serving God? I believe that men need to be reminded to be spiritual leaders in their homes and with their families. Anyone have a good approach to tie in with the readings this Father's Day? Pax, priest in Iowa
To Priest in Iowa
The gospel lesson seems to contradict a "normal" father figure. However, I think this borders on apocalyptic writing and as such is used for emphasis rather than as a way of life. It might be that a strong counterpoint can be made in conjunction with the Genesis passage to shore up the need for strong father[and mother] leadership in today's complex society. Too often we as a society have beaten down the notion of someone being a leader in the family unit. The times call for leadership and compassion. Both are available thru the Grace of God and the compassion of the Holy Spirit.
Bob the Builder
This text was life-changing for me. Many years ago I was a chaplain with a boss who needed to control my every move and decision, and I was more concerned with doing ministry as I saw it needed done. I would always bristle at something I disagreed with but was like the son in the parable who said no and later did the will of the father. I eventually did what he wanted but not until I questioned it. Of course he didn't remember that I had done it, only that I had questioned his authority. After nine months he was ready to put me out of the Army and I was ready to resign, when,after an argument I retreated to my office and opened the bible for solace(imagine that). I came upon verse 10:13 about giving your peace,. I figured that giving a peace was like saying "Bless You". I figured if I gave my silent "Bless you" to my boss everytime he upset me and he accepted it he would be at peace and leave me alone. If he refused it, the peace would return to me.
Doing this changed me. Every time I thought "damn you" I replaced it mentally with "bless you". It reminded me who was really in the end in charge. It called me to react to him differently. I could not change him, but I could change how I reacted to him. In the end, he had no choice but to react differently to me. 2 months later he ended up writing me the best efficiency report (yearly report card for officers) I had received up to that point.
It has meoved me personally to reevaluate my reaction to people I meet. I have come to the conclusion from the results of this over the years that those who irritate us the most probably need our prayers and blessings the most.
Just a long thought early in the week.
B Rock in HI
Re:
10:20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
10:21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death;
10:22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
One of my favorite stories for Father's Day is the one called the Wooden Bowl... in it it describes the responsibility we have with how we treat our children... someone joked, "Be careful how you treat your children - for they will choose your Nursing Home!" It's a long read... but a good story if you haven't seen it before... then again, it's a good story if YOU HAVE read it before!
Here is the story as I found it on the net... I have it in a book of stories by "White" I think is the guys name...
THE WOODEN BOWL
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. We must do something about Grandfather, " said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making? " Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up. " The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life".
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about. I just did. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.
People will forget what you said . . . people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
(Contributed by Joyce Ng)
pulpitt in ND
Re:
10:20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
10:21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death;
10:22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
One of my favorite stories for Father's Day is the one called the Wooden Bowl... in it it describes the responsibility we have with how we treat our PARENTS... whoops... I meant to say parents... but children works too...
pulpitt in ND
B Rock in HI, I had a similiar experience, I was a youth director at an affluent UMC in WV, the senior pastor-who by the way i wasn't hired under, and I had a personality conflict. He too was controlling and a male chauvenist- "the good ole boy" club I found that out later. It was a was 2 and 4 month time- and I have the record of stay at that Church0 they are hard on youth directors. But, I like you every time I was reminded of the hurt by him I said a blessing for him and his family- that he would be as blessed as me in my new appointment! There is no such thing as a bad appointment one preacher told me...we need something to teach us and that congregation does too...I realize now I needed that hardness of the youth director's job to be strengthen for this one... Loving people...4 point charge....God has given me another year hear reappointed by bishop Ough... However, I will have something hard to work thru this year, not attitudes, people hurt...but, one of my Churches is located in Cheshire Ohio.. which if you saw on CNN and ABC is being bought out by American Electric power... uncertainity, hurts, and what of the Church? Merger? New Church Start? I have been told I will have my hands full. I am called to love the people and preach the gospel--I said to GOD, "can I do this?" God said, " No Mary, you can't BUT I CAN HELP YOU!" GOd is always with us...still showing compassion like Jesus did in this passage...he needs labors! He will help us stand... That is a great fathers Day meesage I think... Most of us remember our Fathers positively---compassionate Daddys---We have a Heavenly Daddy! (whether we had a postive earthly one or not) Remember the 5 commandment Honor thy Father and Mother...why do that? Because helps us with GOD! GOD in the Lord's Prayer(Disciples prayer) is addressed as father...Really think about what that means---GOD IS OUR FATHER!!! GOD IS ABBA, DADDY!!! What do typical characteristics of daddies... I think about sitting on my dad's knee hugging him as he watched tv. I think about combing my daddy's hair...how he said made him feel good...I think about making my daddy coffee, how he liked it! Little things like that! Pastor Mary Ladypreacher in OH
As I reflect further on this lesson, I see that it is about how we are to carry out our mission of preaching, teaching and healing.
Jesus knows in sending us out that were are sheep among wolves, but we are not to be stupid about it (wise as serpents) but are not to lose who we are in Christ (innocent as doves)and we are not to lose our message. We are to act it out and teach by example the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
We are to expect to be mistreated, but we are to know that God is with us and therefore we have the tools of the spirit to withstand the assaults of the world.
And finally, we need to be able to accept that not everyone welcomes the gospel or is ready for it and we are to be aware of that and after having tried, shake the dust off our feet, and move on to those who are ready. Perhaps we are only planting the seed and the next one will harvest.
In some way these are harsh words, but in others they give us hope that it is not all on us, because it is the Holy Spirit who provides us words and opportunities, and the results come in God's time.
B Rock in HI
"...therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
...but be prepared. The laborer God sends may be you.
Michelle
Avis in KY
Since I'm a Baptist, I use the lectionary by choice, though I'm not "married" to it. The luxury of this is that I get the great option of not using it.
I don't know what denomination you are, but... are you entitled to a little luxury?
However, I do see one thing that intrigues me here. There are three groups of people described and as a perenial three-pointer that's at least a start (though who can say where it will end up).
There are the WANDERERS - the sheep without a shepherd.
There are the WORTHY - those you can count on and those you can stay with.
There are the WICKED - those who will want nothing to do with God no matter what. (Oh, I just know somebody's going to get on my case about that word, but I also get into alliteration.)
I wonder how some of this might connect to Jude 1:22-23. Here it is in NASB. "And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh."
JGinWI
My ex-husband is dying of cancer after a 10 year long battle. Hospice was called in this week and in a week and a half I am going back south, where my sons and ex live to be with them and him in these final days. Just thinking of preaching a father's day message this Sunday paralyses me. I have to worry about what to say so that my emotions do not overflow into the what needs to be said. I can't even begin to find an appropriate message. If ever I was desperate it is now. I thank Joyce Ng for the Wooden Bowl story...that is an acorn of truth about the way in which the dying as well as the elderly are treated. BTW, prayers for Ron, (my ex and good friend, father of my children and 55 years young) are much appreciated. BB in IL
I believe I'll be focusing on 10:8b for my sermon, "you received without payment, give without payment."
I'll relate that to the story of Abraham and Sarah, and then to our own lives.
It'll be a sermon on thankfulness and abundance. If you have a truly thankful spirit, you will live in a sense of abundance. If you have a sense of abundance, you will give freely, not expecting or needing anything in return (which can then be connected with offering peace to all, and allowing it to return if it is unwelcome).
It's still early in the week, but there's my 2 cents.
Momma Helen+
As I read through this passage and try to settle into it, the idea of authority seems to be bubbling up out of it. Not realy sure where I'm going with it or whether I will go with it, but I asked myself these questions:
Where does our authority come from?
To whom do we grant authority?
How do we grant authority?
What authorities do we grant?
With all that running through my mind, and fresh off our Annual Conference ordination service, part of the answer to the first question is ordination. But much of it comes out Jesus sending us out, as he sent the disciples out.
This also seems to have Father's Day tie in as far as the authority a father has and gives. Yet another tie in to Father's Day comes from the Genesis passage with old man Abraham finding out he's going to be a father!
Peace, Mark in WI
Although I do appreciate all the discussion of v. 8b, I find that v. 20 speaks to me on Father's Day!
"[I]t is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." I know that this is meant to refer to God our Father, but how often have I (now that I am 50) thought, after saying something to one of my children, "Gad! When did I become my father?"
In my case, it is my step-father (who married my mother when I was 10 y.o.) whom I hear speaking in my voice. My father died when I was 5 y.o. Today on NPR, the "Talk of the Nation" program was about how men grieve the loss of their fathers -- I only heard a part of the program (about 15 min while driving home), but it really hit me. I was in tears by the time I pulled into our driveway. Fathers are so important -- and their loss is so traumatic. After 45 years I still grieve his loss -- and I still think of him as "Daddy" because our relation never had a chance to mature beyond that.
Anyway, Father's Day is always a tough day for me to preach on ... I relate more to those who grieve the loss of a father than to those who have had a good, mature relationship with their fathers.
This Sunday, I think I'm going to begin with Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gently" poem written when his father was in his death bed.... then go on from there.
Blessings, Eric+
I'm thinking about starting off this Sunday with one of those classified ads where you can make $2000 per week stuffing envelopes at home, then comparing that with the job prospects Jesus offered his followers.
NO pay
NO place to stay
Guaranteed opposition - even persecution
Being dragged to court
Having your family turn against you
etc.
Can you believe these men went for this job?
Why?
I. Because Jesus told them to.
II. Because they had prayed for workers, and a sincere prayer includes the willingness to meet needs.
III. Because Jesus showed them the need. (a great harvest)
IV. Because they had a heart like his. (Moved with compassion)
Why is it that so few are willing to work now?
GC in IL
It seems to me that the second half of this text, from at least 10:17(maybe 10:9), speaks more to the early church after Acts rather than to that first missionary foray by the disciples. Carried before councils and kings? On the other hand, perhaps Jesus wanted them to know that it wasn't always going to be easy even if the first trip was. We must not allow the first blush of success woo us that now we are in. Contrariwise, we must not let the first reversal shatter us with the idea that now we have lost it. Just an observance, tom in TN(USA)
It seems to me that everything that happens here
begins with Jesus compassion (something like gut
wrenching pain if the Greek derivation is followed).
I am overwhelmed this week with the pain I feel for
lost children - the young girl in Salt Lake City and
the countless others telling their stories of betrayal
by clergy on national television. Is this sick, gut wrenching
pain something like what Jesus felt for the crowds?
I am beginning my sermon with a call to notice our gut wrenching
pain - a call to compassion.
To focus on the betrayal of being rejected without
remembering that it is compassion that impels to
action is to only tell half the story.
And, there are two kinds of rejection in this story...the
rejection of the disciples' ministries of compassion,
and the rejection of Jesus by Judas - who is nevertheless among
the called and sent.
We risk rejection as much as we risk being the rejectors.
Isn't what we fear from others mostly what we fear from
ourselves?
As disciples - aren't we called and sent to follow out
gut pain for the lost and hopeless, and to take our chances
with rejection. And if we don't, aren't we the rejectors, rather
than the rejected?
When we are the rejected, then truly, we are in solidarity with
Jesus - and available for resurrection love to do its work, as
some of the postings here have witnessed to.
dks in OH
It seems to me that everything that happens here
begins with Jesus compassion (something like gut
wrenching pain if the Greek derivation is followed).
I am overwhelmed this week with the pain I feel for
lost children - the young girl in Salt Lake City and
the countless others telling their stories of betrayal
by clergy on national television. Is this sick, gut wrenching
pain something like what Jesus felt for the crowds?
I am beginning my sermon with a call to notice our gut wrenching
pain - a call to compassion.
To focus on the betrayal of being rejected without
remembering that it is compassion that impels to
action is to only tell half the story.
And, there are two kinds of rejection in this story...the
rejection of the disciples' ministries of compassion,
and the rejection of Jesus by Judas - who is nevertheless among
the called and sent.
We risk rejection as much as we risk being the rejectors.
Isn't what we fear from others mostly what we fear from
ourselves?
As disciples - aren't we called and sent to follow out
gut pain for the lost and hopeless, and to take our chances
with rejection. And if we don't, aren't we the rejectors, rather
than the rejected?
When we are the rejected, then truly, we are in solidarity with
Jesus - and available for resurrection love to do its work, as
some of the postings here have witnessed to.
dks in OH
Momma Helen, The UM hymnal has a great song,"Freely,Freely" that goes "Freely, freely, you have received. Freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live."
B Rock in HI, good observation on always offering blessings instead of cursing, for your own benefit if not the other's.
pulpit in ND, thanx for the wooden bowl story as a good negative example/illustration of going around and coming around that ties it all together.
JG in WI, May God bless you with more and more luxury! I'm not married to the lectionary either, but we've been keeping steady company for a long time, and she's proven herself faithful. Got cold feet about settling down? Or are you still playing the field with those 3 points over there? I think I'll be monagamous this week and have just one luxurious point. Sometimes less is more! Ha ;>}
Thanx, all for making my work easier this week, back home from 3 1/2 days of mind-numbing Annual Conference. Love you all, tom in TN(USA)
I think I'll be stressing the compassion of Jesus on earth with the Compassion of the heavenly Father...after all it is Father's Day. I am UM, and don't stick with lectionary either, LOL. But, I feel a leaning to use this passsage and Genesis and Exodus this week... I was reading on the other passiage board someone is preaching on 3 P's... I jokingly said to self...what about the 3 R's of christianity... Well, did not know Tuesday that would be my title... THE THREE R's Rebirth, Ressurrection, and Rapture! (yeah, I preach in appalachia, we are pre tribbers here) I should get along with our baptist friend here! I will use Genesis for birth-rebirth correlation and matthew... and Exodus being taken on wings of eagles to bring in ressurection and rapture.... I will allude to how this is ordinary time in the Christian year- but no time is ordinary...in CHRIST! Advent- Christ Born Easter Christ Ressurrected and Ascension day-Christ Raptured... how HE will return again for us- to meet him in the clouds... but to meet him we must be rebirthed- accept Him as Lord and Savior and do Father's will, at that moment He ressurects us and makes us anew! and Someday He will "rapture" and catch us up with HIM! I get back to the basics approach- like schools should do right?? Get back to the 3 r's of Christianity... It will make our Father's Day! Pastor Mary in OHIO
Hi Folks,
Prayers for all of you struggling. We've had a string of deaths, the last being the suicide of a member's son-in-law -- leaving behind kids aged 20-something to teen-aged. So, not the year for a simplistic warm-fuzzies Father's Day celebration.
As one who had a complex relationship with her father, and Father God language, I'm toying with sharing some of my process to meet God the Father. How God has called some men to be leaders, able to exibit characteristics we all wish our dad's had. They are channeling God the Father. Reading this text and the one from Genesis -- I'm "hearing" a message -- God needs us to do God's work. That God isn't the Daddy who magically takes care of everything, but the loving Father who invites us to meet and use our gifts. Something like that. Hope you all well in you're services on Sunday. Kathryn in CA
Thank you, Kathryn in CA, for doing the hard work of trying to work through the troubling relationships of your past in a constructive way. I realize it must be difficult to get your head around all the "Father" language about God in the Bible if your own father/child relationship was not good. To a much lesser degree I had trouble picking out Father's Day cards when my father was alive. He was a good man and a providing father but we never had a "buddy" sort of relationship most of those cards touted. All the cards with hunting/fishing/sports motifs didn't apply, nor did the sappy sentimental ones. We loved each other but he was always either busy at or tired from trying to keep us housed, fed and clothed. I can only imagine how tough the holiday must be for those abused or neglected by, or at odds with, their earthly fathers. Never the less, God stands as a model of what True Fatherhood is shaped like, so we can hold up our human fathers for comparison. You see that, and look for right examples of Fatherhood in men and celebrate when you find them. Thanks for not giving up on men or nuetering God in defense. BTW, God is also a measuring rod for mothers. Here's a rough paraphrase I can't point you to source of, but chances are we all recognise it. "Will a mother forget her child? Sometimes, yes, but God never will!" Our prayers go out for you and all your folks who have lost loved ones, especially for the family of the suicide. tom in TN(USA)
Thanks, Tom. Here's a nice quote from Wayton Choy in his book Jade Peony about a single man who displays noble fatherly characteristics: "In such thoughtful ways, Gee Sook gave away so much of his cleaning and tailoring services, so much of his time at the Free China fundraisers, so much after-hours time reading and writing letters from and to China for those who could not themselves read or write, that the elders said of him, 'This man lives in Heaven already.'" Kathryn in CA
The ground is saturated with moisture in and around our neighbors to the north and east... in Northern Minnesota especially... my prayers join yours... for these people...
10:20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Reminds me of the Lion King and how the voice of Simba's father spoke to him from "the heavens"...
"Luke, I AM your father!" same voice too... hmmm...
Father's Day is one of mixed feelings for most men... I wonder about speaking about Father's Day, much like I hesitate to speak about Mother's on Mother's Day... it is easy to say... well, Father-less men won't come any more than Mother-less women.
Granted, all of us are children... that's usually how I start the service on days like today... "All of you who are children of "Father's" please stand... now I wonder... there are many absent father's out there...
To those who are pained to preach on Father's Day... I don't think God cares if you preach about Father's Day... Hallmark might be disappointed in you... but God won't be.
Still, I'm becoming desperate because I can't seem to get too fired up about this passage. I might have to look at Romans again.
Tony Compolo spoke at an assembly of the Association of Christian Churches in Sioux Falls last week... he told those in attendance...
"We were shocked and grieved when 3,000 people died at the WTC. Still, EVERY DAY 30,000 children die of hunger and we never say a mumbling word! If Jesus has a choice between a stained glass window and feeding a child, what do you think he would do?"
Retired Bishop Leontine Kelly spoke at the opening worship... A tiny 82-year-old woman with a fiery preaching style, Bishop Kelly proclaimed God's involvement. "God doesn't watch the universe, God participates!"... "God is not out of place - we are out of place!"... "God has taken sides in the world and it is with those who suffer."
Dr. Joseph Dudley... spoke about Isaiah 2 and God's covenant people... called to beat swords into plough shares... "Metal was not plentiful and they didn't have enough metal to make both -- they had to choose.
Just some reflections... early in the week... I mean it IS only Thursday and I don't have a wedding this weekend.
With grins, care and thanks,
pulpitt in ND
We have an ugly tie contest. This year our theme is "For Ties in Bad Taste, we have prizes that Taste Good." I have a package of Nerds candy for 3rd prize, a box of 3 chocolate golf balls for second place and I think I am going to have a gift certificate for dinner at a restaurant for 1st place, or perhaps a gift certificate for a local men's store. PH in OH
I usually include Mothers Day and Fathers Day in the sermon only in passing, as they are not part of the church year. They are not even (quite!) saint's days. Yet, they are almost universally observed in this country, and we do give thanks to the honored ones in our prayers and wish them happy days during the announcements.
I am going to focus on "therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
The laborers are not only the pastors and preachers, but the healers (nurses, etc.), teachers, visitors, nurturers (fathers and mothers), all who have been given gifts to use in the community to use to turn others toward God.
Two hymns we will be using are "Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling (or Crying)" and "I, The Lord of Sea and Sky (Here I Am, Lord)." The focus: Here I am. Use me as you will.
I do have a funeral this morning, a wedding rehearsal this evening, a wedding tomorrow, and then worship on Sunday. I'm not ready, yet.
Michelle
Thank all of you for your contributions this week. I pray for those who are hurting, and for those who are still struggling with what to say this Sunday (like me). Here's what I have come up with so far...maybe it will help. I've come up with 7 "opens" Might call my sermon Grand Openings or something like that. 1. Open your eyes - see Jesus' example. He proclaimed, taught, healed. 2. Open your heart - Feel what Jesus felt...compassion 3. Open a dialogue with God..pray that God will provide laborers 4. Open your mind...it's possible God will answer your prayer with YOU 5. Open your hands...receive the authority God gives you to minister 6. Open your arms and embrace your fellow disciples...even the ones different from you. 7. Open a can of worms...ministry is messy God bless y'all!! NBC Preacher
Dear Friends,
Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. I'm not nearly as desperate as I was thanks you your many wonderful ideas and examples. I'm ready to write that sermon now. Will focus on the Genesis passage and the irony of God's "gift" to Abraham and Sarah...the gift of Laughter. Yes even in the face of death, old age, keeping a sense of the importance of Laughter, humor, is truly a gift from God. BB in IL
Eric in KS
Well, my outline has been revised. Maybe it'll help.
I begin with a skit on Adam and Eve ( write to The-Graffs@wi.rr.com if interested ) where, in the end, God punishes them by giving them children who are just like they are. Eric+ spoke of the child's horror when he begins to sound like his father. This, of course, relates to 10:20.
Do we sound like our Father?
As we live and walk in our Christian faith, do we sound like the Father who sent Jesus, and like the Jesus who sent us?
This is, in part, the challenge I present. Here's my full outline, if you wish it.
1. Christ gives an ASSIGNMENT. This is marked by PRAYER (9:38), PREACHING (10:7a), and PEACE (10:13).
2. Christ tells of the AUDIENCE. They are the WANDERERS (9:36), the WORTHY (10:11), and the WICKED (10:14-15).
3. Christ gives us our ANNOUNCEMENT. “The Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” (10:7b)
The gospel (good news) of the Kingdom of Heaven is to be preached (both by word and lifestyle) to all people - the whole audience.
Don't know if it helped, Eric. God bless.
