Matthew 10:9—11:6

July 24, 202600:26:01

If you are often puzzled by the events and circumstances in our world, take heart. You’re not alone. When Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He prepared them for the worst. Even John the Baptist was confused. Take Jesus’ instruction to heart in...

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How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord is made for your faith
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in his excellent way. If you ever scroll through the news headlines and think, what in the world's going on? Well, take heart. You're not alone. Welcome to through the Bible as we open God's word this time, Dr. J. Vernon McGee reminds us of something deeply comforting. Even John the Baptist, after seeing Jesus face to face, had moments of confusion about how God's plan was unfolding. And that's good news for us, isn't it? God isn't rattled by our questions. He isn't frustrated by our doubts. Instead, he meets us right where we are and leads us forward. I'm your host, Steve Swetz, and I'm so glad you're here. Why don't you climb aboard the Bible bus and find your seat and open your Bible to Matthew chapter 10. And while you do that, let's listen to what God's doing in the lives of our fello passengers around the world. Pamela writes thank you for offering everyone a seat on the Bible Bus. A member from my local church in Estacata, Oregon would always promote the Bible Bus in her encounters with everyone. She was a very loving deaconess who took her duty of spreading the seeds seriously. I started listening on the app two Julys ago. It greatly strengthened my faith and my daily activities, showing my devotion to God. On Thursday, July 24, 2025, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and invited him into my heart to guide me through life in my temporary home on earth. Thank you for this teaching that shines his light and plan for salvation. Well Pamela, welcome to the family of God. We're all rejoicing with you. And then next we hear from Ruth who shares this. Been listening to Dr. McGee's teaching for 40 plus years. These messages have helped me up through many storms and they are timeless lessons for application in ministry in life. God bless everyone who keeps this ministry going. Wow Ruth, 40 years. That's quite an accomplishment. Thank you for that beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness through every season. And then listen to this email from a listener who hops aboard the Bible bus in Romania. It's a sentiment that I think many of us can relate to. Listening to Dr. J. Vernon McGee explain how to leave our anxieties in God's hands, I realized this is a step that I must take as well. I'm praying that God helps me understand how to apply this practically within the context of my daily life and challenges. Isn't that honest? That's where the word meets real life, isn't it? And let me ask, what about you? What's it about God's word that keeps bringing you back? What's he been teaching you lately? Well, we'd really love to hear your story. You can send us a note right from our app or email us@biblebusttb.org or write to Box 7100, Pasadena, California, 91109 in Canada, Box 25325, London, Ontario, N6C 6B1. And you can even leave us a voicemail at 1-865-Bible. Your story may be just the encouragement someone else needs to hear, so do that today. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for saving, for strengthening, and for sustaining your people all around the world. Would you teach us how to trust you with our anxieties and then show us how to live out what we learn? Shape us, Lord, through your truth and draw us closer to your Son. In Jesus name we pray.
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Amen.
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Here's Dr. J. Vernon McGee with our study of Matthew 10 on through the Bible.
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Our study today brings us here to this ninth verse of the tenth chapter of Matthew. You follow along with us. Now this chapter, I should say again, is our Lord having enunciated the ethic, having demonstrated that he has the dynamic by the miracles he performs. Now he commissions his apostles. They were disciples before, they're now his 12 apostles. And he sends them to the nation Israel, and they are to preach the gospel of the kingdom. Now, they have the same credentials that he has, that is, they are told to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons freely you've received, freely give. I have not heard any that use verse 8. I never hear them use the next verse. And it all goes together, it's in one package. Listen to this. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Now, I suggested some time ago to a faith healer that he go to the hospital. That's where they really needed him. But it's very interesting to me, it has to be in a place where they take an offering. And yet our Lord at this time he told his own, provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Somebody says, well, McGee, you mention the fact that your radio program has to have support. Yes, and I don't use the other either, by the way. But also, I think we need to put this in its correct context. There came a day, this was temporary, during his three year ministry. There came a day when he said, at the end of his ministry. And Luke records it over in the 22nd chapter, verse 35. And listen to this. He said unto them, when I sent you without purse and scrip and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said nothing. Then said he unto them, but now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip. And he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. And the apostle says, the servant is worthy of his hire. I believe that so that my only suggestion is that if you are going to take one of these verses, be sure and take the other verse to go with it. And I do not mean to be rough or rugged, because one of the finest Pentecostal theologians is here in Southern California, and he and I are very good friends. And some of you may be surprised. We have lunch together and discuss these things. We are lots closer together than a great many people think we are. I just mark this down as something for us to pay attention to, you see, and interpret it in the right context. This was temporary, was for that day. Now he says in verse 11, and into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go thence. And that certainly is not for today. The best place to go is to a motel and not worry people today, in the day when people are busy, some folks still have a prophet's chamber. And I know where many of them are in this country in their delightful places. But in this day when people are so busy. But when you go through the country, I found out the best thing to do. Instead of going into a town saying, now who's worthy in this town? Who's your outstanding Christian? Then go over and knock on his door and say, well, look, I'm here. Well, I don't think our Lord would say that this is the way to do it today he is talking to these men under those local circumstances for a three year period. And I trust that we can interpret this in that type of a context. Now he says, when you come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. Now, he's not talking about the physical house, the people that are there, verse 14. And whosoever shall not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Now, that is not quite our commission today. And I don't think this is quite the attitude of modern missionaries. And certainly when we go out to other places to hold meetings, I've never Gone outside of a town and shaken the dust off my feet. Now, I won't say that I haven't felt like it in some places, but I never done that. And I felt this was given to these men for that particular time. He says now in verse 15, verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. And next chapter, we're going to find out what really happened to some of those cities. Now we come to verse 16. And he says, behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore, wiser serpents, harmless as doves. Now, having spoken into the local situation, he gives them certain great principles by which they are to go as his witnesses. These principles are good for time and for eternity, and they certainly are good for today. And the child of God today should be wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove. And it's dangerous to be one and not the other. I've met some that are wise as a serpent. They're clever, but they're not harmless as doves. They take you. If I may use a common expression, then there are others that are quite gullible. They're harmless as doves, but they're not wise as serpents. A serpent is dangerous and a dove is in danger. So that you need to combine both. He says, but beware of man, for they will deliver you up to the councils and they'll scourge you in their synagogues. Now, I've never been scourged in a synagogue, but I have in some of our good churches. Verse 18. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the Gentiles. Now, that was to be in that day and those three years. And it certainly happened to those that were his. And it has happened at times to those in the church. Now he says, but when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Now, I believe that in that day when those men had no opportunity to prepare at all, when they were arrested and brought up, why, that was the thing that they attempted to do. They just made no preparation. Now, should that apply today? And the fact of the matter is, there are a great many people that don't think you ought to prepare a message. I was in seminary with a fellow he was a little odd in more ways than one. And one of the things, he got up to preach without any preparation. A friend of mine in the seminary, he and I decided one night to go and hear him preach. And friends, I want to tell you, you could sure tell he hadn't prepared. On the way back, this friend of mine who had even more nerve than I got, he said to him, said, did you prepare that message tonight? And he said, of course I didn't. Well, he said, how did you do? Well, he said, the spirit of God gave it to me. My friend said to him, says, I don't think you ought to blame that message on the Spirit of God. I think today we should prepare. Another friend of mine was at Temple, Texas years ago when the trains were running and he had to change trains there on a Sunday morning, catch another one. He noticed a man there that had a long frock tail coat and he had one too. And he was walking up and down with his notes because he used to preach that Sunday morning. And this man came over to him and said to him, are you a preacher? He said, yes. And then my friend said to him, are you a preacher? Said yes, and said to him, what are you doing there? And well, he said, I'm going over my notes from a sermon this morning. And this man said, do you mean to tell me to prepare your sermon? He said, yes. Said, don't you? He said, no. Says, I just get up and let the spirit of God speak through me. Well, he says, suppose when you get up immediately that the spirit of God doesn't give you the message. What do you do then? Oh, he says, I just mess around until he does. And friends, that's good. There are a whole lot of them that just mess around today. Now, this is no excuse for a man not studying today. And it has been misinterpreted by a great many folk. But if we put this back in the local situation, we'll have no problem with it at all. Now he says here in verse 21, and the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father, the child and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. The coming of Christ into the world, friends, let's face it, it didn't bring unity. It divided man. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us that are saved, it's the power of God. It's divided mankind. It divides a family. When one accepts Christ and the other doesn't you have a division There and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Now I'll deal with this verse, for it's given again in Matthew 24:13 and in both occasions here it was for a three year period and Matthew 24, it's for the great tribulation period. It couldn't be over seven years. And what he means here, he'll be able to keep them during that period. I'll deal with it when we get to Matthew 24. Now, but when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another. For verily I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, not the cities of the world, but the cities of Israel till the Son of Man be come. Now what does he mean by that? Until he is manifested before the nation, it's difficult for us today to conceive of the fact that our Lord covered that nation and there was a real division in it concerning him. He could ask the question, whom do men say that I, the Son of man am? And believe me, everybody had his opinion about him. And today I still think he's the most controversial person that's ever been in the world. Now he comes back to the disciple here in verse 24 and gives him general instructions. And again, here are great principles which you and I can certainly apply. But the direct interpretation were to those men. Now notice this, the disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord. We need to keep in mind we are merely representing the Lord Jesus Christ, and he must come first, or else we're in trouble. Verse 25 and I mean by the way, in trouble with him. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Don't worry about what they say about you if you are being faithful to him because they didn't say nice things about him. Verse 26. Fear them not, therefore, for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed and hid that shall not be known. Friend, your life is going to be turned wrong side out someday. And mine too. Every individual lost and saved for that matter. And we better have the inside of it looking as well as the outside. Now, verse 27. What I tell you in darkness that speak ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear that preach ye upon the housetops. And you know, I always think of radio and as being the Best way to preach from the housetops. You remember they used to put aerials up there. Many of you folk have an aerial out. Especially if you have difficulty getting a certain station, you put the aerial up there on the housetop. Well, this is the way we preach from the housetop today. I think it's a good way. Verse 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body and hell. In other words, fear God. Someone asked Cromwell why he was such a brave man. He said, I've learned that when you fear God, you do not have any man to fear. That's what our Lord is saying here. Verse 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing. And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father. Isn't that marvelous? He takes care of those little sparrows. You ever watch one of those little old sparrows back east? I was in a hotel and downtown area. And I bet there were a thousand little old sparrows out there around the fountain. And I thought, my, there's not a one of them he doesn't know about. It's marvelous, isn't it? But not only that. Verse 30, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Now. God loves you. The Lord Jesus loves you more than your mother ever loved you. She never counted your hair, did she? He has. He knows the number. Fear ye not, therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows. Just think of that. If he thinks that of a sparrow, you would never get lost friends from him, that is, you can be lost, but you never get to the place where he doesn't know where you are. Verse 32. Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. I don't want to deny him. I don't want to make a fool of myself. Because I think that we need to use wisdom wise as a serpent. But I tell you, we don't want to ever deny him. Verse 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sowing. I wish that little verse could get into the United nations today and into some liberal preacher's thinking he didn't come to bring peace this time. Sin is still in the world. And long as it's here, God says there is no peace, saith my God to The wicked now he says, For I am come to set a man at variance against his father. The daughter against a mother, daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. How true that's been even now, for 1900 years. It was true then, it's true today. Verse 37. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Unless you have really committed your life to him, paid a price. I wouldn't talk much about my commitment to Christ, but I hear a great deal about a commitment to Christ today. I soft pedal that because I find that Simon Peter and myself never been too good at this type of thing. But thank God he's faithful. That's the wonder of it all. He that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, he's not worthy of me. I wish I could have heard him use that expression, not worthy of me. Many of us are not. But thank God he'll not throw us overboard. But it means he's not going to use us unless we are really committed to him. He that findeth his life shall lose it. He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. That's one of the many paradoxes that to follow the Lord Jesus, it will bring right into reality. Verse 40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me. He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. He that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. But whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple. Verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Now, you don't do this for salvation. You do this for a reward. You see, that is the important thing. He's talking to those that are his own. Now, the movement continues. When we come to chapter 11, what is going to be the reception of his message? Now, you see, he enunciated the ethic. He performed the miracles. He sent his disciples out, and they covered all the cities of Israel. They went down the byways and highways of that day. What was the reception? Well, let me Write over chapter 11 what it was. Rejection. Rejection. And this chapter marks a turning point in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. After he sent forth the disciples to present his claims, what's the reaction and reception? Rejection. That's it. And we find as we begin here that even John the Baptist was a little disturbed. Lets get our foot in the door of this chapter came to pass when Jesus had made an end of commanding his 12 disciples. He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now having sent them out, he went out. That's important to see. We need to get the word out today. We need to help others get the word out now. Verse 2. Now when John had heard in the prison and the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples. Apparently John's been in prison a little while because way back in the fourth chapter we were told then that he was put in prison. And John now has heard about Jesus and his disciples been watching him and reporting to John. And John is expecting any day for the prison door to open and Jesus to deliver him because he thinks he's coming immediately to the throne. And he said unto him, sent his disciples now two of them, they came and said, art thou he that should come or do we look for another? John was puzzled. Frankly I think this question is a logical one. Many have criticized him for it. I think he had every reason to believe that the king would have assumed power by this time. And he's now definitely puzzled because he's moving so slowly. And I think the answer of Jesus is remarkable and it can only be understood in the light of the credentials which the Old Testament said the Messiah would have. And you'll notice his answer. Jesus answered and said unto them, go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see. The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the leprous cleanse, the deaf hearing, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Now if you go back to Isaiah 35 and to Isaiah 61, you will find out that when the Messiah came, here would be his credentials. And the credentials were the ones he had presented. Now he said, you go back and tell John what you've seen and John will recognize the credentials. And he says, blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John. Now John, who had been his forerunner, is puzzled. Our Lord now is going to defend him and he's going to pay a great tribute to this man. We'll wait till next time to see that. May the Lord richly bless you, my beloved. Foreign.
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We all sometimes wonder why things unfold the way they do. We don't have all the answers do we? But you know, studying the Word of God, we're reminded of this God has a plan for this world and he's working it out in his perfect time. If you want to look at what the Bible says about the Future More closely, Dr. McGee has got several booklets on prophecy available as free downloads in our app or@ttb.org and then don't forget that there's more great teaching ahead this weekend. So join me for Dr. McGee's Sunday sermon, some seed from Matthew 13. You can also listen with our app@ttb.org or call 1865 Bible for help in finding a local radio station that carries through the Bible. And that same number, 1865 Bible is also your direct line if we can help you find a resource by Dr. McGee to deepen your study of God's Word. And when you reach out, would you tell us how you hopped aboard the Bible Bus? As we've said before, this information really does help us to be good stewards. I'm Steve Schwetz and I'll see you when the Bible Bus comes your way again next time. Or you can always climb aboard anytime, anywhere on our digital platforms. We live in a great day to study God's word.
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Jesus made it home all to be my home.
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Sin had left the Crimson save. Our journey on the Bible Bus today is supported by the prayers and gifts of fellow passengers as we travel through the Bible.

Matthew 10:9—11:6

July 24, 202600:26:01

Summary6 min read

Podcast Summary: Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee
Episode: Matthew 10:9—11:6
Date: July 24, 2026
Host: Steve Swetz
Teacher: Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Overview of the Episode

This episode continues the journey through the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on Matthew 10:9—11:6. Dr. J. Vernon McGee guides listeners through Jesus’ instructions to His apostles as they are commissioned to preach the gospel to Israel, discussing the specific directives given for that moment and exploring the timeless spiritual principles embedded within. The episode also delves into the reaction Jesus received—especially the beginning of rejection, even among figures like John the Baptist—highlighting how God’s plan often unfolds in unexpected ways.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jesus Commissions the Twelve Apostles

Context and Scope ([03:31])
- Jesus, having demonstrated His authority, now commissions the twelve apostles (formerly disciples) specifically to the nation Israel.
- They are given miraculous credentials—healing the sick, cleansing lepers, raising the dead, casting out demons (Matthew 10:8).
Temporary Instructions ([03:41])
- Jesus orders them to travel without provisions or money (“Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses”) as an act of dependence on God for that particular mission.
- Dr. McGee emphasizes these were not permanent instructions: “This was temporary, during his three year ministry.”
Faith and Provision ([04:20])
- Dr. McGee notes an evolution in Jesus’ directives after His resurrection, referencing Luke 22:35-36, which acknowledges the necessity of material provision for the apostles in the future.
- Quote: “If you are going to take one of these verses, be sure and take the other verse to go with it.” ([04:38])

2. Principles for Ministry and Mission

Attitude in Service ([05:30])
- They were to rely on the hospitality of the “worthy” in each town, but McGee cautions that such instructions were for then—not a universal missionary model for today.
Handling Rejection ([06:18])
- Jesus tells them to “shake off the dust” as a testimony against those who reject their message but Dr. McGee notes, “I never done that…and I felt this was given to these men for that particular time.”

3. Timeless Principles for Witnesses

Balancing Wisdom and Innocence ([07:04])
- Jesus exhorts, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, harmless as doves.”
- Dr. McGee explains the importance of both qualities: “It’s dangerous to be one and not the other.” ([07:25])
Endurance in Persecution ([08:32])
- Jesus predicts social and familial division, persecution, and even betrayal: “The coming of Christ…divided man. The preaching of the cross…divides a family.”
Spoken Witness and Preparation ([10:14])
- Receiving words from the Spirit in times of persecution is not an excuse for preachers today to neglect preparation. McGee shares humorous anecdotes illustrating the pitfalls of unprepared preaching:
  - Quote: “I don’t think you ought to blame that message on the Spirit of God.” ([11:10])

4. Spiritual Courage and Divine Care

Fearlessness and Ultimate Accountability ([12:32])
- “Fear not them which kill the body…but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” McGee cites Oliver Cromwell:
  - Quote: “When you fear God, you do not have any man to fear.” ([13:03])
God’s Intimate Care for His Children ([13:17])
- God’s awareness extends even to sparrows and the number of hairs on our head:
  - Quote: “He knows the number. Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” ([13:40])

5. Loyalty to Christ Above All

Confession and Commitment ([14:12])
- Confessing Christ before men secures His confession of us before the Father; denying Him before men brings denial.
- Jesus did not come to bring immediate earthly peace:
  - Quote: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” ([15:05])
Counting the Cost ([15:18])
- Loving Christ surpasses even familial loyalty, and taking up one's cross involves real, personal sacrifice.
Reward for Service ([16:10])
- Acts of kindness to Christ’s followers, even “a cup of cold water,” are acknowledged and rewarded by God.

6. The Turning Point: Rejection of Jesus’ Message

Transition to Rejection ([16:48])
- With chapter 11, a narrative shift occurs: after the gospel and miracles, the main response is rejection.
- John the Baptist himself expresses confusion, signaling the difficulty even for the faithful in understanding God’s ways.
John’s Honest Question ([18:07])
- John, imprisoned and hearing of Jesus’ works, sends disciples to ask: “Art thou he that should come or do we look for another?” McGee defends John’s question as logical and honest.
Jesus’ Affirmation of His Mission ([18:55])
- Jesus replies by citing His Messianic works (healing, raising the dead, preaching to the poor), aligning with Isaiah’s prophecies.
  - Quote: “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see…” ([19:15])
- Jesus also gently encourages John: “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” ([19:40])
Affirmation and Tribute Coming ([20:09])
- Jesus will soon defend and honor John publicly for his role as forerunner.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Misapplied Scriptures:
“If you are going to take one of these verses, be sure and take the other verse to go with it.” ([04:38])
Dr. McGee stresses contextual understanding over selective application of Scripture.
On Preaching and Preparation:
“I don’t think you ought to blame that message on the Spirit of God.” ([11:10])
A humorous rebuke of lazy pulpit habits.
On Christian Courage:
“When you fear God, you do not have any man to fear.” ([13:03])
McGee, quoting Cromwell, underlines Christian bravery rooted in reverence for God.
On Divine Care:
“He knows the number. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” ([13:40])
A comforting word about God’s loving attentiveness.
On Discipleship’s Cost:
“He that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, he’s not worthy of me.” ([15:33])
A challenge to wholehearted commitment.
On Honest Doubt:
“John was puzzled…frankly, I think this question is a logical one.” ([18:24])
Dr. McGee normalizes doubt in the journey of faith.

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|----------------------------------------------| | 03:31 | Start of Dr. McGee’s exposition | | 07:04 | Wise as serpents, harmless as doves | | 10:14 | On preparing to preach | | 12:32 | On fearing God, not men | | 13:17 | God’s care for sparrows and believers | | 14:12 | Confessing and denying Christ | | 15:05 | Jesus brings a sword, not peace | | 16:48 | Transition: The rejection of Jesus’ message | | 18:07 | John the Baptist’s question from prison | | 19:15 | Jesus’ reply to John: evidence of Messiah |

Summary and Conclusion

This episode of Thru the Bible offers a clear, thoughtful walk through Jesus’ instructions to His apostles and spotlights how God’s guidance, principles for living and serving, and loving care remain relevant. Dr. McGee gently emphasizes the importance of context, preparation, and courage in Christian ministry—while reminding listeners that questioning, even among the faithful, is met with Jesus’ patient affirmation. The segment closes by underlining the sober reality of Jesus’ rejection and the beginning of a new phase in His ministry.

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How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord is made for your faith
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in his excellent way. If you ever scroll through the news headlines and think, what in the world's going on? Well, take heart. You're not alone. Welcome to through the Bible as we open God's word this time, Dr. J. Vernon McGee reminds us of something deeply comforting. Even John the Baptist, after seeing Jesus face to face, had moments of confusion about how God's plan was unfolding. And that's good news for us, isn't it? God isn't rattled by our questions. He isn't frustrated by our doubts. Instead, he meets us right where we are and leads us forward. I'm your host, Steve Swetz, and I'm so glad you're here. Why don't you climb aboard the Bible bus and find your seat and open your Bible to Matthew chapter 10. And while you do that, let's listen to what God's doing in the lives of our fello passengers around the world. Pamela writes thank you for offering everyone a seat on the Bible Bus. A member from my local church in Estacata, Oregon would always promote the Bible Bus in her encounters with everyone. She was a very loving deaconess who took her duty of spreading the seeds seriously. I started listening on the app two Julys ago. It greatly strengthened my faith and my daily activities, showing my devotion to God. On Thursday, July 24, 2025, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and invited him into my heart to guide me through life in my temporary home on earth. Thank you for this teaching that shines his light and plan for salvation. Well Pamela, welcome to the family of God. We're all rejoicing with you. And then next we hear from Ruth who shares this. Been listening to Dr. McGee's teaching for 40 plus years. These messages have helped me up through many storms and they are timeless lessons for application in ministry in life. God bless everyone who keeps this ministry going. Wow Ruth, 40 years. That's quite an accomplishment. Thank you for that beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness through every season. And then listen to this email from a listener who hops aboard the Bible bus in Romania. It's a sentiment that I think many of us can relate to. Listening to Dr. J. Vernon McGee explain how to leave our anxieties in God's hands, I realized this is a step that I must take as well. I'm praying that God helps me understand how to apply this practically within the context of my daily life and challenges. Isn't that honest? That's where the word meets real life, isn't it? And let me ask, what about you? What's it about God's word that keeps bringing you back? What's he been teaching you lately? Well, we'd really love to hear your story. You can send us a note right from our app or email us@biblebusttb.org or write to Box 7100, Pasadena, California, 91109 in Canada, Box 25325, London, Ontario, N6C 6B1. And you can even leave us a voicemail at 1-865-Bible. Your story may be just the encouragement someone else needs to hear, so do that today. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for saving, for strengthening, and for sustaining your people all around the world. Would you teach us how to trust you with our anxieties and then show us how to live out what we learn? Shape us, Lord, through your truth and draw us closer to your Son. In Jesus name we pray.
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Amen.
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Here's Dr. J. Vernon McGee with our study of Matthew 10 on through the Bible.
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Our study today brings us here to this ninth verse of the tenth chapter of Matthew. You follow along with us. Now this chapter, I should say again, is our Lord having enunciated the ethic, having demonstrated that he has the dynamic by the miracles he performs. Now he commissions his apostles. They were disciples before, they're now his 12 apostles. And he sends them to the nation Israel, and they are to preach the gospel of the kingdom. Now, they have the same credentials that he has, that is, they are told to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons freely you've received, freely give. I have not heard any that use verse 8. I never hear them use the next verse. And it all goes together, it's in one package. Listen to this. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Now, I suggested some time ago to a faith healer that he go to the hospital. That's where they really needed him. But it's very interesting to me, it has to be in a place where they take an offering. And yet our Lord at this time he told his own, provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Somebody says, well, McGee, you mention the fact that your radio program has to have support. Yes, and I don't use the other either, by the way. But also, I think we need to put this in its correct context. There came a day, this was temporary, during his three year ministry. There came a day when he said, at the end of his ministry. And Luke records it over in the 22nd chapter, verse 35. And listen to this. He said unto them, when I sent you without purse and scrip and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said nothing. Then said he unto them, but now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip. And he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. And the apostle says, the servant is worthy of his hire. I believe that so that my only suggestion is that if you are going to take one of these verses, be sure and take the other verse to go with it. And I do not mean to be rough or rugged, because one of the finest Pentecostal theologians is here in Southern California, and he and I are very good friends. And some of you may be surprised. We have lunch together and discuss these things. We are lots closer together than a great many people think we are. I just mark this down as something for us to pay attention to, you see, and interpret it in the right context. This was temporary, was for that day. Now he says in verse 11, and into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go thence. And that certainly is not for today. The best place to go is to a motel and not worry people today, in the day when people are busy, some folks still have a prophet's chamber. And I know where many of them are in this country in their delightful places. But in this day when people are so busy. But when you go through the country, I found out the best thing to do. Instead of going into a town saying, now who's worthy in this town? Who's your outstanding Christian? Then go over and knock on his door and say, well, look, I'm here. Well, I don't think our Lord would say that this is the way to do it today he is talking to these men under those local circumstances for a three year period. And I trust that we can interpret this in that type of a context. Now he says, when you come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. Now, he's not talking about the physical house, the people that are there, verse 14. And whosoever shall not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Now, that is not quite our commission today. And I don't think this is quite the attitude of modern missionaries. And certainly when we go out to other places to hold meetings, I've never Gone outside of a town and shaken the dust off my feet. Now, I won't say that I haven't felt like it in some places, but I never done that. And I felt this was given to these men for that particular time. He says now in verse 15, verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. And next chapter, we're going to find out what really happened to some of those cities. Now we come to verse 16. And he says, behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore, wiser serpents, harmless as doves. Now, having spoken into the local situation, he gives them certain great principles by which they are to go as his witnesses. These principles are good for time and for eternity, and they certainly are good for today. And the child of God today should be wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove. And it's dangerous to be one and not the other. I've met some that are wise as a serpent. They're clever, but they're not harmless as doves. They take you. If I may use a common expression, then there are others that are quite gullible. They're harmless as doves, but they're not wise as serpents. A serpent is dangerous and a dove is in danger. So that you need to combine both. He says, but beware of man, for they will deliver you up to the councils and they'll scourge you in their synagogues. Now, I've never been scourged in a synagogue, but I have in some of our good churches. Verse 18. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the Gentiles. Now, that was to be in that day and those three years. And it certainly happened to those that were his. And it has happened at times to those in the church. Now he says, but when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Now, I believe that in that day when those men had no opportunity to prepare at all, when they were arrested and brought up, why, that was the thing that they attempted to do. They just made no preparation. Now, should that apply today? And the fact of the matter is, there are a great many people that don't think you ought to prepare a message. I was in seminary with a fellow he was a little odd in more ways than one. And one of the things, he got up to preach without any preparation. A friend of mine in the seminary, he and I decided one night to go and hear him preach. And friends, I want to tell you, you could sure tell he hadn't prepared. On the way back, this friend of mine who had even more nerve than I got, he said to him, said, did you prepare that message tonight? And he said, of course I didn't. Well, he said, how did you do? Well, he said, the spirit of God gave it to me. My friend said to him, says, I don't think you ought to blame that message on the Spirit of God. I think today we should prepare. Another friend of mine was at Temple, Texas years ago when the trains were running and he had to change trains there on a Sunday morning, catch another one. He noticed a man there that had a long frock tail coat and he had one too. And he was walking up and down with his notes because he used to preach that Sunday morning. And this man came over to him and said to him, are you a preacher? He said, yes. And then my friend said to him, are you a preacher? Said yes, and said to him, what are you doing there? And well, he said, I'm going over my notes from a sermon this morning. And this man said, do you mean to tell me to prepare your sermon? He said, yes. Said, don't you? He said, no. Says, I just get up and let the spirit of God speak through me. Well, he says, suppose when you get up immediately that the spirit of God doesn't give you the message. What do you do then? Oh, he says, I just mess around until he does. And friends, that's good. There are a whole lot of them that just mess around today. Now, this is no excuse for a man not studying today. And it has been misinterpreted by a great many folk. But if we put this back in the local situation, we'll have no problem with it at all. Now he says here in verse 21, and the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father, the child and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. The coming of Christ into the world, friends, let's face it, it didn't bring unity. It divided man. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us that are saved, it's the power of God. It's divided mankind. It divides a family. When one accepts Christ and the other doesn't you have a division There and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Now I'll deal with this verse, for it's given again in Matthew 24:13 and in both occasions here it was for a three year period and Matthew 24, it's for the great tribulation period. It couldn't be over seven years. And what he means here, he'll be able to keep them during that period. I'll deal with it when we get to Matthew 24. Now, but when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another. For verily I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, not the cities of the world, but the cities of Israel till the Son of Man be come. Now what does he mean by that? Until he is manifested before the nation, it's difficult for us today to conceive of the fact that our Lord covered that nation and there was a real division in it concerning him. He could ask the question, whom do men say that I, the Son of man am? And believe me, everybody had his opinion about him. And today I still think he's the most controversial person that's ever been in the world. Now he comes back to the disciple here in verse 24 and gives him general instructions. And again, here are great principles which you and I can certainly apply. But the direct interpretation were to those men. Now notice this, the disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord. We need to keep in mind we are merely representing the Lord Jesus Christ, and he must come first, or else we're in trouble. Verse 25 and I mean by the way, in trouble with him. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Don't worry about what they say about you if you are being faithful to him because they didn't say nice things about him. Verse 26. Fear them not, therefore, for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed and hid that shall not be known. Friend, your life is going to be turned wrong side out someday. And mine too. Every individual lost and saved for that matter. And we better have the inside of it looking as well as the outside. Now, verse 27. What I tell you in darkness that speak ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear that preach ye upon the housetops. And you know, I always think of radio and as being the Best way to preach from the housetops. You remember they used to put aerials up there. Many of you folk have an aerial out. Especially if you have difficulty getting a certain station, you put the aerial up there on the housetop. Well, this is the way we preach from the housetop today. I think it's a good way. Verse 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body and hell. In other words, fear God. Someone asked Cromwell why he was such a brave man. He said, I've learned that when you fear God, you do not have any man to fear. That's what our Lord is saying here. Verse 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing. And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father. Isn't that marvelous? He takes care of those little sparrows. You ever watch one of those little old sparrows back east? I was in a hotel and downtown area. And I bet there were a thousand little old sparrows out there around the fountain. And I thought, my, there's not a one of them he doesn't know about. It's marvelous, isn't it? But not only that. Verse 30, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Now. God loves you. The Lord Jesus loves you more than your mother ever loved you. She never counted your hair, did she? He has. He knows the number. Fear ye not, therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows. Just think of that. If he thinks that of a sparrow, you would never get lost friends from him, that is, you can be lost, but you never get to the place where he doesn't know where you are. Verse 32. Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. I don't want to deny him. I don't want to make a fool of myself. Because I think that we need to use wisdom wise as a serpent. But I tell you, we don't want to ever deny him. Verse 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sowing. I wish that little verse could get into the United nations today and into some liberal preacher's thinking he didn't come to bring peace this time. Sin is still in the world. And long as it's here, God says there is no peace, saith my God to The wicked now he says, For I am come to set a man at variance against his father. The daughter against a mother, daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. How true that's been even now, for 1900 years. It was true then, it's true today. Verse 37. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Unless you have really committed your life to him, paid a price. I wouldn't talk much about my commitment to Christ, but I hear a great deal about a commitment to Christ today. I soft pedal that because I find that Simon Peter and myself never been too good at this type of thing. But thank God he's faithful. That's the wonder of it all. He that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, he's not worthy of me. I wish I could have heard him use that expression, not worthy of me. Many of us are not. But thank God he'll not throw us overboard. But it means he's not going to use us unless we are really committed to him. He that findeth his life shall lose it. He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. That's one of the many paradoxes that to follow the Lord Jesus, it will bring right into reality. Verse 40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me. He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. He that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. But whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple. Verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Now, you don't do this for salvation. You do this for a reward. You see, that is the important thing. He's talking to those that are his own. Now, the movement continues. When we come to chapter 11, what is going to be the reception of his message? Now, you see, he enunciated the ethic. He performed the miracles. He sent his disciples out, and they covered all the cities of Israel. They went down the byways and highways of that day. What was the reception? Well, let me Write over chapter 11 what it was. Rejection. Rejection. And this chapter marks a turning point in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. After he sent forth the disciples to present his claims, what's the reaction and reception? Rejection. That's it. And we find as we begin here that even John the Baptist was a little disturbed. Lets get our foot in the door of this chapter came to pass when Jesus had made an end of commanding his 12 disciples. He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now having sent them out, he went out. That's important to see. We need to get the word out today. We need to help others get the word out now. Verse 2. Now when John had heard in the prison and the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples. Apparently John's been in prison a little while because way back in the fourth chapter we were told then that he was put in prison. And John now has heard about Jesus and his disciples been watching him and reporting to John. And John is expecting any day for the prison door to open and Jesus to deliver him because he thinks he's coming immediately to the throne. And he said unto him, sent his disciples now two of them, they came and said, art thou he that should come or do we look for another? John was puzzled. Frankly I think this question is a logical one. Many have criticized him for it. I think he had every reason to believe that the king would have assumed power by this time. And he's now definitely puzzled because he's moving so slowly. And I think the answer of Jesus is remarkable and it can only be understood in the light of the credentials which the Old Testament said the Messiah would have. And you'll notice his answer. Jesus answered and said unto them, go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see. The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the leprous cleanse, the deaf hearing, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Now if you go back to Isaiah 35 and to Isaiah 61, you will find out that when the Messiah came, here would be his credentials. And the credentials were the ones he had presented. Now he said, you go back and tell John what you've seen and John will recognize the credentials. And he says, blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John. Now John, who had been his forerunner, is puzzled. Our Lord now is going to defend him and he's going to pay a great tribute to this man. We'll wait till next time to see that. May the Lord richly bless you, my beloved. Foreign.
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We all sometimes wonder why things unfold the way they do. We don't have all the answers do we? But you know, studying the Word of God, we're reminded of this God has a plan for this world and he's working it out in his perfect time. If you want to look at what the Bible says about the Future More closely, Dr. McGee has got several booklets on prophecy available as free downloads in our app or@ttb.org and then don't forget that there's more great teaching ahead this weekend. So join me for Dr. McGee's Sunday sermon, some seed from Matthew 13. You can also listen with our app@ttb.org or call 1865 Bible for help in finding a local radio station that carries through the Bible. And that same number, 1865 Bible is also your direct line if we can help you find a resource by Dr. McGee to deepen your study of God's Word. And when you reach out, would you tell us how you hopped aboard the Bible Bus? As we've said before, this information really does help us to be good stewards. I'm Steve Schwetz and I'll see you when the Bible Bus comes your way again next time. Or you can always climb aboard anytime, anywhere on our digital platforms. We live in a great day to study God's word.
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Jesus made it home all to be my home.
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Sin had left the Crimson save. Our journey on the Bible Bus today is supported by the prayers and gifts of fellow passengers as we travel through the Bible.