Sermon Notes
Matthew 10:1–8 NIV
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
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Anything is possible under the authority of Jesus.
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Under Jesus’ Authority there is:
- Healing
- Freedom
- Restoration
- Unity
John 17:20–23 NIV
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 23 I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Acts 2:42–47 NIV
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
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Series Resources
Go deeper with additional resources from our teaching team.
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Discussion Igniters
(1) Read Matthew 10:1–8.
What is the authority that Jesus gave to the apostles?
What did He give that authority for?
(2) Do you think we have that same authority today?
(3) How can you bring healing, freedom, or restoration to those around you?
(4) Read Matthew 10:2–4.
What stands out to you about the people Jesus chose to be his apostles?
What does this tell us about who Jesus can use, and how?
(5) How can you be an advocate for unity in the body of believers and in the world?