"Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him."

1 Betrayal comes when we preach the gospel. It happened to Christ, and it will happen to us.

We have not been called to a pillow fight, but to the war of faith. Satan is against us. It takes grace to stand. 2 Timothy 2:1, "You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus;" Make up your mind that you'll go to God, and GET JOY from him.

You won't carry the burden. You'll cast it on the Lord, and rest.

2 Follow the instructions of Christ.

Matthew 10:11, "Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave."

We are not commanders. Do, as you are told. Preach his way, walk his way, and then you are safe. 2 Timothy 2:5-6, "Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops."

Don't let privilege drive out obedience. Follow the gospel in all that it teaches - commands and warnings included. We have privileges, and responsibilities. We have power through Christ, and duties. Matthew 10:1, "Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness." Commands, warnings, and promises work together. Take all that he teaches.

Walk in the whole counsel of God, and we'll be safe. Believe all of it!

3 I tell you it's TERRIBLE not to believe the gospel!

Matthew 10:15, "Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."

The wrath of God is sure. We squander our entire life.

In hell, the homosexual is less tormented than the rejector of Christ. Better to have never been born than to hear the gospel, and not believe it [Mark 14:21].

The gospel comes with a death sentence attached! Believe the gospel or else. Matthew 22:7, "The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city." Receive salvation on God's terms, or damnation is yours. We must believe, and repent. God has authority!

4 God will be faithful to us.

Matthew 10:19-20, "“But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you are to speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, “because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you."

Don't worry. He'll give us grace to endure, and he'll sustain us. Power over sin will not be lacking. The gates of hell shall not prevail against us. Like Samson, we'll slay our enemies with the jawbone of an ass. No one can stand against God's wisdom. Truth is on our side, and so is he who raises the dead.

5 Endure, child of God.

Matthew 10:22, "“You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Keep going. Endure to the end. Let nothing stop you. Give up your all for Jesus Christ. Your reward is sure, and he will save you.

The gift of God is the pearl of great price. Matthew 13:45-46, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." He's more precious than anything - the salvation of your soul! Receive Christ with the bitter sufferings. Exodus 12:8, "They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs." Choose him.

6 This is the hardest thing: Proclaim the gospel against all opposition.

Matthew 10:27, "“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops."

Stand for Christ. Don't back down, and he'll receive you. Matthew 10:32, “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven;" Fear God, and pay the price. Matthew 10:28, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

The reward is for SUFFERERS who labor for his name; it's for people who sacrifice themselves.

It's easy to hear, but it's another thing to testify. True faith gets power to stand. It's not cowardly. It fears, and honors God. It puts him first. It puts Christ above friends and family. It values soul comfort.

Don't rejoice only for a season. Mark 4:16-17, "And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away." Stick your neck out, and you'll gain. He won't forsake you, or let you down. His reward is greater than people can take away. It's grace, eternal life, and forgiveness. It's fellowship with God. It's heaven, instead of hell.

7 Christ came to bring trouble, so don't be ashamed.

Matthew 10:34, "“Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

Stand, and fight the fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." Fight for the truth boldly. Love people enough to tell them how it is.

Remember, Christ suffered for you, and it's time to suffer for him. Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death." You'll have all eternity to rejoice. Now, endure the battle. Overcome, like a warrior. Be strong in the strength that he gives. Look to the grace of God.

8 Nothing can stop us, not even family.

Matthew 10:37, "“The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

They think it strange that we've changed our ways, but they don't see the glory that's coming. 1 Peter 4:4, "So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood of wild living—and they slander you." Like Esau, they despise the inheritance. Like Pharoah, they say, "Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice?" They will find out, however, when it's too late.

Let's not go out like them. They are fools, squandering their souls for a little pleasure. They are worse than Satan. He has no hope, but they reject it.

These eternal things are worth everything. Hold on, and don't be shaken!

10 Finally, a reward is coming.

Matthew 10:41, "“Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward."

At the end of time, we'll be justified, and our works will speak for us.