Spread the Gospel, Heal the Sick, Cast Out Demons

In Matthew 10:8 Jesus gives a command to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. We know that he had also given the command to spread the gospel to all ends of the earth. He told his disciples to go out and do all these things. Then in Matthew 10:12 Jesus says “when you go into a household greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly I say to you it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment then for that city. Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men for they will deliver you up to counsels and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and Kings for My sake as a testimony to them and to the gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about what you should speak. For it should be given to you and that hour what you should speak. For it is not you who speak but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you (Matthew 10:12-20).” 

We know that Jesus gave us work to do. He has told us that we would be persecuted for His namesake, but to count it all blessings when that happens. We know that many denied Him even while He was here in the flesh. It is written that a servant is not greater than his master. We are servants of Jesus, and so as He was denied, there will be times that people will deny us as well when trying to evangelize for His sake. But be bold, knowing that he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  He tells us above in Matthew, that we don’t need to worry about what to say, it is not us who speaks but Him within us.  We just need to surrender to Him, and get out of the way for Him to move. 

When Elisha and the servant faced the army, the servant was scared when he saw the army coming against him and Elisha. Elijah told him, do not fear, those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Elisha saw all the heavenly hosts, but at that moment the servant did not yet see it. The servant was seeing what was taking place in the natural and was scared thinking they were going to get destroyed. Elisha prayed for the servant's eyes to be open and they were and the servant then saw horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. In the same way, Goliath laughed at David thinking he did not stand a chance. David said to Goliath that he (Goliath) comes with swords and spears (man made protection), but that he (David) comes in the name of the Lord of heavens armies! David knew who was with him, and who was going to be doing the work for the battle. That it was the Lord and not him. 

“Blessed is he who believes without seeing (John 20:29).”  Have faith knowing that God is with you and has His angels with you, so that you can do His work.  Believe, even if you don’t see with your natural eyes because God’s Word is always true.  The harvest is ripe, but laborers are few.  He needs you to get out there and do His work and He will be with you, lead you, and guide you.

Friends I want to encourage you, go out and be bold for the Lord. Evangelize for him and tell people how much Jesus loves them.  Offer up a prayer to command sickness out of people. Jesus himself said he gives power and authority, remember you are not the one doing it, but the Holy Spirit who lives in you. His power is the one touching and healing. His power is the one convicting hearts to come to him. So ask him to go before you, to touch the people who you come in contact with. And take up your authority serving him with boldness. 

Shake off your feet when you get persecuted or denied for His namesake, and move on to the next. Just like He said in the passage above. If they will not receive you nor hear your words, shake off the dust from your feet. You don't have to try to convince them, you just need to speak the word and let God do the rest. Whether they receive Him or not is not up to you, but up to the Holy Spirit doing the work within them.  Remember he is sending us out as sheep amongst wolves. Ask him for wisdom to be wise, ask for protection and angels to go with you, and ask him for love to be gentle and kind.

Go and make disciples. Spread the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons.