Transcript

Executive Producer

Lifespring Family Berean Brother Paul of Seattle

Associate Producer

Lifespring Family Berean Sister Kirsty

Podcast Introduction

Today is Gospel Saturday. We’ll read Matthew 8-10. Jesus calms a storm, and he chooses twelve ordinary men to take his message to the world.  I’m calling today’s episode “Evidence.”

Comments on Matthew 10

Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33

Those are the words of Jesus. Our Savior and our Lord. You know what “Lord” means, right? It means “one having authority and power over others”. So if he said those words, it’s critically important that we make a stand for Christ, publicly. People need to know that we are followers of Jesus.  

Way back in the olden days, 1979, there was a song by a guy who went by the name of Gary S. Paxton. The name of  the song was Evidence. One of the verses said, 

If you were arrested for being a Christian
Would there be enough evidence to help convict you
If they took you in front of a panel of judges
Could they find a staunch witness to help convict you

“Evidence” Gary S Paxton

That song has been with me, in the back of my mind for over 40 years. I want there to be so much evidence that if I’m ever put on trial for my faith in Jesus that it’ll be the world’s shortest trial. Open and shut. The prosecuting attorney will have the easiest summation ever: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. You see the volumes of evidence against Mr. Webb. Do your duty.” And the jury goes into the jury room, takes a preliminary vote, which is a unanimous GUILTY. 

What would your trial be like?

I like what Spurgeon said: “What Christ is to you on earth, that you will be to Christ in heaven. I shall repeat that truth. Whatever Jesus Christ is to you on earth, you will be to him in the day of judgment. If he be dear and precious to you, you will be precious and dear to him. If you thought everything of him, he will think everything of you.”

The next part disturbs some people:

34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. 35For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36A man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. 39He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

This statement about not coming to send peace kind of flies in the face of what we usually think about Jesus. What gives? 

Of course the overall message of Jesus was one of peace. Look at the Sermon on the Mount. If a man strikes you on one cheek, turn the other. If you are compelled to walk a mile, walk two. And so on. What Jesus meant by this statement here is that he requires such a life changing commitment to Him, that some people will reject Him. That act of rejection will divide people, even entire households. And the commitment to Him must take priority over everything and everyone else.

Ok. So I understand how that might sound harsh to some ears. But hang with  me for a moment. Think of what Jesus did. He gave up the glories of Heaven to be born a helpless, human baby. In a stable, surrounded by animals and their waste. He lived not in a palace, but a working class home. In a fairly primitive time. He lived a sinless life, only to be mercilessly tortured and executed. And Romans 5:8 says he did this “while we were still sinners…”. So, the way I see it, the least I can do for Him is put Him at the tippy top of my priorities. 

And by the way, He is not a hard taskmaster. Next week in chapter 11 we’ll read Jesus’ words, “28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

While there can be a cost for following Jesus, the eternal benefits tip the scales heavily in favor of being a Christian. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 8 ERV; Ch. 9-10 WEB

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Matthew: 8-10: Evidence (LSFAB S13E028)

[TEASER – 0:00]
I want there to be so much evidence that if I’m ever put on trial for my faith in Jesus, that it’ll be the world’s shortest trial.

[INTRO S12E028 – 0:16]
This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we’ll read through the entire Bible in a year, and I’m so glad you’re with me. Today is Gospel Saturday. We’ll read Matthew 8 through 10. Jesus calms a storm and he chooses twelve ordinary man to take his message to the world. I’m calling today’s episode, “Evidence”. But before we read, let’s pray.

[OPENING PRAYER – 0:46]
Our heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you so much for your word, and we thank you for our time together. I pray, Lord, that you would bless this time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Okay, let’s begin.

[MATTHEW 8 (ERV) – 0:59]
Matthew, chapter 8.

(1) Jesus came down from the hill, and a large crowd followed him. (2) Then a man sick with leprosy came to him. The man bowed down before Jesus and said, “Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.”

(3) Jesus touched the man. He said, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Immediately the man was healed from his leprosy. (4) Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about what happened. But go and let the priest look at you. And offer the gift that Moses commanded for people who are made well. This will show everyone that you are healed.”

(5) Jesus went to the city of Capernaum. When he entered the city, an army officer came to him and begged for help. (6) The officer said, “Lord, my servant is very sick at home in bed. He can’t move his body and has much pain.”

(7) Jesus said to the officer, “I will go and heal him.”

(8) The officer answered, “Lord, I am not good enough for you to come into my house. You need only to give the order, and my servant will be healed. (9) I know this, because I understand authority. There are people who have authority over me, and I have soldiers under my authority. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell another soldier, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and my servant obeys me.”

(10) When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those who were with him, “The truth is, this man has more faith than anyone I have found, even in Israel. (11) Many people will come from the east and from the west. These people will sit and eat with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in God’s kingdom. (12) And those who should have the kingdom will be thrown out. They will be thrown outside into the darkness, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.”

(13) Then Jesus said to the officer, “Go home. Your servant will be healed the way you believed he would.” Right then his servant was healed.

(14) Jesus went to Peter’s house. He saw that Peter’s mother-in-law was in bed with a high fever. (15) He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she stood up and began to serve him.

(16) That evening people brought to Jesus many people who had demons inside them. He spoke and the demons left the people. He healed all those who were sick. (17) So Jesus made clear the full meaning of what Isaiah the prophet said:

“He took away our diseases
and carried away our sicknesses.”

(18) When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he told his followers to go to the other side of the lake. (19) Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you any place you go.”

(20) Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes to live in. The birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to rest.”

(21) Another of Jesus’ followers said to him, “Lord, I will follow you too, but let me go and bury my father first.”

(22) But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let those who are dead bury their own dead.”

(23) Jesus got into a boat, and his followers went with him. (24) After the boat left the shore, a very bad storm began on the lake. The waves covered the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. (25) The followers went to him and woke him. They said, “Lord, save us! We will drown!”

(26) Jesus answered, “Why are you afraid? You don’t have enough faith.” Then he stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. The wind stopped, and the lake became very calm.

(27) The men were amazed. They said, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the water obey him!”

(28) Jesus arrived at the other side of the lake in the country of the Gadarene people. There, two men who had demons inside them came to him. They lived in the burial caves and were so dangerous that no one could use the road by those caves. (29) They came to Jesus and shouted, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Did you come here to punish us before the right time?”

(30) Near that place there was a large herd of pigs feeding. (31) The demons begged Jesus, “If you make us leave these men, please send us into that herd of pigs.”

(32) Jesus said to them, “Go!” So the demons left the men and went into the pigs. Then the whole herd of pigs ran down the hill into the lake, and all were drowned. (33) The men who had the work of caring for the pigs ran away. They went into town and told the people everything that happened, especially about the men who had the demons. (34) Then the whole town went out to see Jesus. When the people saw him, they begged him to leave their area.

Matthew 9 (WEB) – 5:26
Matthew, chapter 9.

(1) He entered into a boat and crossed over, and came into his own city. (2) Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”

(3) Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”

(4) Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? (5) For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’ (6) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go up to your house.”

(7) He arose and departed to his house. (8) But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

(9) As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. (10) As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. (11) When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

(12) When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. (13) But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

(14) Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

(15) Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. (16) No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. (17) Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.”

(18) While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

(19) Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. (20) Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; (21) for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”

(22) But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

(23) When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, he saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder, (24) he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.”

They were ridiculing him. (25) But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. (26) The report of this went out into all that land.

(27) As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!” (28) When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They told him, “Yes, Lord.”

(29) Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” (30) Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.” (31) But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.

(32) As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him. (33) When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

(34) But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”

(35) Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. (36) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (38) Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”

[MATTHEW 10 (WEB) – 10:02]
Matthew, chapter 10.

(1) He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. (2) Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; (3) Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus; (4) Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

(5) Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. (6) Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (7) As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ (8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. (9) Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. (10) Take no money for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. (11) Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on. (12) As you enter into the household, greet it. (13) If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. (14) Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. (15) Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

(16) “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (17) But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. (18) Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. (19) But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. (20) For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

(21) “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. (22) You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. (23) But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come.

(24) “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. (25) It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household (26) Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (27) What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. (28) Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

(29) “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. (30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. (32) Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. (33) But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

(34) “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. (35) For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (36) A man’s foes will be those of his own household. (37) He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. (38) He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me. (39) He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

(40) “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. (41) He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. (42) Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.”

[COMMENTARY – 15:02]
Let’s talk for a few minutes about Matthew chapter 10. Let me read a couple of verses for you from Matthew 10, starting at verse 32.

“Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I also will confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Of course, those are the words of Jesus, our Savior and our Lord. You know what “Lord” means, right? It means “one having authority and power over others”. So if he said those words, it’s critically important that we do make a stand for Christ, publicly. People need to know that we are followers of Jesus.

Again, he said, “Anyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who was in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who was in heaven.”

Way back in the olden days, 1979, there was a song by a guy who went by the name of Gary S. Paxton. The name of the song was “Evidence”, and one of the verses said:

“If you were arrested for being a Christian,
Would there be enough evidence to help convict you?
If they took you in front of a panel of judges
Could they find a staunch witness to help convict you?”

That song has been with me, in the back of my mind for over 40 years. I want there to be so much evidence that if I’m ever put on trial for my faith in Jesus, that it’ll be the world’s shortest trial. Open and shut. The prosecuting attorney will have the easiest summation ever: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. You see the volumes of evidence against Mr. Webb. Do your duty.” And the jury goes into the jury room, takes a preliminary vote, which is a unanimous GUILTY. So they turn right around, march into the courtroom and say, “Guilty.”

What would your trial be like?

I like what Spurgeon said, he said, “What Christ is to you on earth, that you will be to Christ in Heaven. I shall repeat that truth. Whatever Jesus Christ is to you on earth, you will be to him in the Day of Judgment. If he be dear and precious to you, you will be precious and dear to him. If you thought everything of him, he will think everything of you.”

I love that. Now, the next part of the chapter disturbs some people. Let me read that to you. Starting in verse 34.

“(34) Don’t think I came to send peace on the earth, I didn’t come to send peace but a sword. (35) For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (36) A man’s foes will be those of his own household. (37) He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. (38) He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me. (39) He who seeks his life will lose it, and he who loses his life, for my sake, will find it.”

Well, this statement about not coming to send peace kind of flies in the face of what we usually think about Jesus. What gives?

Well, of course, the overall message of Jesus was one of peace. Look at the Sermon on the Mount. If a man strikes you on the cheek, turn the other. If you’re compelled to walk a mile, walk two. And so on. What Jesus meant by this statement here is that he requires such a life changing commitment to him, that some people will reject him. That kind of rejection will divide people, even entire households. And that commitment to Him must take priority over everything and everyone else.

Okay. So I understand how that might sound harsh to some ears. But hang with me for a moment. Think of what Jesus did. He gave up the glories of heaven to be born a helpless human baby in a stable, surrounded by animals and their waste. And he lived not in the palace, but in a working class home. In a fairly primitive time. He lived a sinless life, only to be mercilessly tortured and executed. And Romans 5:8 says he did this, quote, “while we were still sinners…,” unquote. So the way I see it, the least I can do for him is to put him at the tippy top of my priorities.

And by the way, he’s not a hard taskmaster. Next week in chapter 11 we’ll read Jesus words: “(28) Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

While there can be a cost for following Jesus, the eternal benefit tip the scales heavily in favor of being a Christian.

[LIFESPRING FAMILY HOTLINE – 20:07]
What do you think? Let me know. Call the Lifespring Family Hotline at 951-732-8511. If you’re outside of the US put a +1 at the beginning of that number. You can also comment on the show notes page for this episode at lifespringmedia.com/s13e028, or you can go to comment.lifespringmedia.com and comment there, or you can email me at st***@*************ia.com.

Tomorrow is Epistle Sunday. We’ll read Romans 9 through 10. The apostle Paul will reveal who can actually be saved. What are the qualifications? Is there a written exam? Don’t miss tomorrow.

[SUPPORTER SHOUT OUTS – 20:50]
Lifespring Family Berean Brother Paul of Seattle came in today with his weekly $22.22 Executive Producer donation. Thank you, Brother Paul. God bless you. And today’s Associate Producer is Lifespring Family Berean Sister Kirsty, who came in with her monthly $20 donation. Thank you, Sister Kirsty, God bless you. And my neighbor from over there in Perris, California, Mike Haner came in with his weekly $7.77 Stryper donation. Thanks Mike. God bless you.

Boost! Boostagram.

And I got a boostagram today, 1000 sats from @thunderkunder from the Fountain app. He said, “ITM. Found you about a week ago and just caught up. Thank you for doing this show.” Well, ITM to you thunderkunder. Wow, you found the show a week ago, and you’re already caught up? That’s some serious binge listening. Happy to have you as a Lifespring family member. Thank you and God bless you. Love to get those boostagrams

[SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER – 21:52]
Well, Sister Kirsty sent out the newsletter yesterday and I would really like to hear from you if you make my bolognese sauce or garlic toast or both. And if you’d like me to share more recipes, let me know. I make a killer cheesecake.

I actually cook quite a bit. You see the Lovely Lady LeeAnn has a more than full time job and I’m semi-retired, so I’ve got more time in the kitchen than she does. Back with the boys were small, she was a stay-at-home mom and a homeschooling mom, so she did most of the cooking while I was out all day doing the family business. Now our roles are somewhat reversed. Well not somewhat, they are reversed, except I’m not homeschooling the kids. They’re long gone. Anyway, I actually love to cook so let me know how you like my recipes. And if you would like to have me share more, email me at st***@*************ia.com.

[SHARE YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES – 22:45]
Sunday’s tomorrow and we’ll be sharing prayer requests and praises. If you have a need in your life that you’d like the Lifespring family to be praying about, or if God is doing something great in your life, let us know about that as well. Go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com and share.

[OUTRO S13E028 – 23:04]
Sister Kirsty does the newsletter. Brother Sean of San Pedro does the chapters. And Sister Denise corrects the transcripts. And I am so thankful for each one of you. Thank you. God bless you. And thanks to Executive Producer Brother Paul of Seattle, Associate Producer Sister Kirsty…yes that Kirsty… and Mike Haner for their support for show s13e028. And thanks to thunderkunder for the boostagram. God bless each one of you.

Comment on the show by calling the Lifespring Family Hotline at 951-732-8511 or by going to comment.lifespringmedia.com, or by emailing me at st***@*************ia.com. Let me hear from you. And if the Lifespring Family Audio Bible is a blessing in your life, please do support it. Go to lifespringmedia.com/support. And until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. Thank you for inviting me into your day. I’m Steve Webb. Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Transcript corrected by Denise