Lesson 5117

 (Lesson 5117)(02-04-26) Matthew 10:34-38 

   “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” 

 

   In today’s lesson, Christ asserts that His message acts as a divine catalyst for division, prioritizing absolute loyalty to Him above even the most fundamental earthly family ties and requiring a commitment to self-sacrifice (taking up one's cross) as the standard for true discipleship. ~ 

 (Lesson 5116)(02-02-26) Matthew 10:32-33 

   “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” 

 

   Today’s quote is a promise to those who publicly ring out the name of Jesus and a dire warning to those who do not.~

Lesson 5115

 (Lesson 5115)(02-02-26) Matthew 10:23-31 

   “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household. Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus encouraged his disciples to persevere through persecution by moving on to the next city when necessary, always fearing God more and rather than men, reminding us that as that as Jesus was maligned, so will we be, yet we should speak the truth boldly because we are of great, intimate value to God the Father who tracks the even the fall of a sparrow. ~ 

Lesson 5114

 (Lesson 5114)(02-01-26) Matthew 10:16-22 

   “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus warned that those who believe in Him are sent out as "sheep in the midst of wolves," requiring us to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" while we endure betrayal, persecution from all sides, and universal hatred for His name's sake, all while trusting the Holy Spirit speaks through us as we remain faithful to the end.  ~ 

Lesson 5113

 (Lesson 5113)(01-31-26) Matthew 10:11-15 

   “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus instructed his followers to find and stay with those who are "worthy" (receptive), while explicitly commanded to "shake off the dust" of their feet and move on from any house or city that does not welcome them or hear their words, signifying that they should not waste their ministry on those who were/are unwilling to listen. ~