Reflectors of Glory
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Becoming disciples who radically reflect the glory of their Master.
Text: Matt. 10:24-25
Date: 03/25/2012, the Traditional service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 93
Description:
Jesus brings His current discussion of persecution to a close by admonishing His disciples once again they will be persecuted because of Him. He does this by stating an often-used proverb concerning the relationship between teachers and disciples and between masters and slaves. Disciples cannot surpass their teachers, nor can slaves surpass their masters unless the relationship that defines them is broken. What appears on the surface to be a simple proverb is actually a call to radical obedience and discipleship. Jesus should be our only model and guide, and true disciples should perfectly reflect their Master rather than corrupt His teaching with their own ideas and moral standards. We will discuss the ramifications of this both in Jesus' day and our own. We will also explore the deep irony in this passage of what it means when "the Good" is equated with evil and how that impacts our own discipleship. In the end, we will learn there is no greater privilege or blessing on earth than to be a reflector of the glory of the Lord!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Matt. 10:24-25.
A. Context
B. Understanding the proverb, vs. 24-25a, Heb. 1:3.
1. The supremacy of Christ.
a. Teachers and disciples.
b. Masters and slaves.
c. Applying the analogy to Christ's disciples.
i. Humans are finite and fallen.
¥ Human teachers are finite.
¥ Human masters are fallen.
ii. Jesus is infinite and holy.
¥ Jesus is infinite in knowledge.
¥ Jesus is perfect in righteousness.
d. Summation.
2. Disciples should reflect their Lord.
C. The application, vs. 25b.
1. Identifying "they", Matt. 9:34, 12:24.
2. The meaning of "Beelzebul".
3. The imagery of a household, Eph. 2:19.
4. The crux of the application.
III. Application: a call to radical discipleship.
A. Discipleship means radically reflecting Christ in persecution, John 15:18,20.
B. Discipleship means radically reflecting Christ's teaching, Luke 6:39-40.
1. Reflecting Jesus is not optional.
2. Strict adherence to the original, Rom. 1:25, John 14:6.
C. Discipleship means radically reflecting Christ in servanthood, John 13:12-16.
D. Discipleship means radically reflecting Christ's glory, John 13:17.
IV. Conclusion
