SEPTEMBER Pastoral Letter

Seeking First the Kingdom,
and His Righteousness

Matt 6:33

IN THIS ISSUE:

* INTRO THOUGHTS – BRO ROBERT

* BURUNDI – HARVEST REPORT

* UGANDA – VISION STATEMENT

* RWANDA – HARVEST REPORT

* MATT 10 – EXPOSITION CONTINUES

My Beloved Brethren... be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the LORD.

1 Cor. 15:58

Greetings in Jesus most wonderful Name! We are so thankful to abide with you in the True saving Gospel of Our Lord and Saviour. We know that is will never change! Amen. Yet... in our world today, there are many who are lifting up STRANGE noises... calling out a different gospel than the one we hold to! There are some with very subtle changes which sound very smooth, and yet what they are doing is to remove parts of the Gospel that will take people to hell! All mankind is not saved!

FBF would like to take a moment to expose one, very large and growing false gospel... one that comes under the title of 'UNIVERSALISM!' They teach that because Jesus work on the cross paid the price for all sin..."ALL MEN WILL BE SAVED!" Many, many believe in a feel good gospel that talks about Jesus dying on a cross for our sins, and removing all our trespasses. That part is good... but, they NEVER come to the place of requiring repentance! No... they say NOTHING about confession and repentance as part of their feel-good, do nothing gospel. This, my Brethren, is most troubling!

My beloved Brethren and Friends... this kind of false teaching is HERESY! Make not doubts about it! It is Anathema! Jesus said: Unless you repent, you shall likewise perish! Luke 13:3, 5 We are exhorted to preach a Gospel of repentance for remission of sins! Amen.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name ofJesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and
would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Dearly Beloved... may we pay special attention when people come forward with a smooth word calling themselves prophetesses, prophets, apostles... and Masters! Listen to their words! See if they line up with the Word of God! Look for fruit! And let them know that you and all those who work in Christ Jesus do not hesitate to DECLARE unto them the FULL COUNSEL of God! Amen. Bro Robert

Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

We at FBF would like to Thank you again for your prayers and encouragements as the Teams in East, Central, South and Western Africa are experiencing many advances and serious revival that continues in the East and Central sections... all Glory to God! East India continues to open up new territories with the Gospel, and the Open Air preach continues in the US. All teams are training new recruits at this time. We thank the LORD for the good work of participating with His Kingdom advance... and with all His Church Bride who is eagerly awaiting His soon return. This is the hour for all of God’s children to ‘rise up’ for the gospel of Jesus Christ! It’s TIME to do all we can in Christ. His return is more certain than ever before! Amen.

The focus of the Pastoral Letter (PL) is along the lines of generally edifying and encouraging Preachers to establish more of Christ in our lives; promoting the Kingdom of God where ever we go; establishing God fearing Churches, mission updates (Africa, India, US), missions reports, focus points, teaching, exposition, and providing a short list of mail-ins (with some excerpts). We are committed to the Great Co-Mission for all, as being salt and light are not an option in the church of Jesus Christ. Matt 5:13-16 ... We continue to bless all those who are at work in the advancement of the Kingdom of God... for Jesus sake. We continue to call all men to Jesus, and to the simplicity of Christ that we find in the Book of Acts Church... to His Glory and Praise!

Acts 2:42, 46-47, Mark 16:15-16

May the LORD leave His richest blessings upon each one of you as you Press On with Jesus!

"'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.

~William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

Brother Elie Reports from Burundi on 10 province preach... ministering to FBF churches

Brother Elie and his Team lately finished an extensive tour of churches proclaiming and teaching on the Kingdom of God. He is a humble and devout man of God. (He did not send a picture of himself) Even thought his wife went on to be with the Lord earlier this year, he PRESSES ON with the Priority of the Gospel! His care is "for all the churches!" Here is a committed follower of Jesus, Father, Pastor and Teaching-Evangelist. It is Jesus Christ Who sustains him!

We ask your prayers for him and his several children... especially for his 10 month baby girl who is in the hospital with malaria. Thank you all. To participate, click HERE.

THEY HUNGER FOR THE TRUTH

PURITY IN PRAISE

CONGREGATIONS THAT CRAVE THE WORD!

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE

DELIVERANCE!! PRAISE GOD!

Dear my Pastor Robert,
Again receive my greetings in the name of Jesus Christ thank you so much for your prayer.

I and my team we come back from to the mission we was in 10 provences of Burundi the people received well the message and we received many invitation from different denomitions. please you can see the F.B.F picture I send to you checked my atteched.

I and my team we came back to Bujumbura and now we plan next mission in the 5 prison of Burundi.

we ask for your prayer and stand with us again becouse we have the problem for transport. also my last child she is very sick this time I 'm in hospital we need your help thank you. hope to hearing from you soon.

yours in kingdom of God

Pastor Elie N

National coordinator Burundi

F.B.F

"WITH F.B.F, BRINGING OTHERS TO CHRIST"

Bro Wachana – Uganda Reports

GLEANINGS FROM JOSEPH

Greetings my dear brother Robert, our faithful leader God intended for him to be.

Fair haven believers’ fellowship develops daily, not in a day.

Example: Joseph

Text: Genesis 37-45

As a teenager, young Joseph had a divine dream. God revealed to him that he would one day be in a significant leadership role. Even his older brothers would submit to him. However, years of preparation were required to get him ready. His early pride and immaturity had to be chiseled away-as he became a man worthy to live out those dreams. Joseph progressed from the pit to the prison to the palace-every location representing a growth step from him in the process. He was becoming the leader God intended for him to be. He was thirty years old when he became Pharaoh’s assistant. At least twenty-three years passed between the ‘pit’ and the ‘palace’ when his brothers visited Egypt to get food from him. He was a changed man. The preparation was not an event, but a process. He was prepared in a ‘crock pot’ (a slow cooker) not a ‘microwave’. It was a marathon not a sprint.

Joseph determined to value difficult people and treat them as divine instruments.

Joseph had plenty of opportunities to become bitter against people: his brother, the slave traders, Potipher’s wife, and the liberated inmates who forgot him in prison. Each time, he overcame by seeing God in the struggle and viewing the offenders as instruments.

Joseph knew that God could never use him until he was tested and proven.

One of the reasons Joseph became a leaders in Egypt was that he passed each test that life threw at him. His leadership had been proven by the time he took charge under pharaoh.

He had endured stress and calamity and his experience gave him the wisdom he needed.

I remain yours in Christ.

Brother Robert I do remind you and say welcome to Uganda.

We are ready for you and may the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.

VISION STATEMENT - UGANDA REGIONAL

Beloved brother Robert!

Thanks and greetings in the name of the lord Jesus Christ. Dear Brother, I am so blessed at your excellent sermon (Ps 33:18-22) you sent to us, I have distributed it to our other FBF church leaders and pastors. Again my dear brother thank you for loving us, for all your labor in the lord, for all you toils and all your perseverance in serving the Lord. Thank you. May you never cease to remember that your labour in the lord is not in vain (Galatians 6:7-10) and may our precious lord and savior richly bless you continually.

I remain yours in Christ,

Wachana

PS> our Future Vision for E. Uganda

My dear brother Robert, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the lord, grace be with you.

FBF MISSION STATEMENT: Uganda

Equipping leaders to reach our world. In response to the great commission –we exist to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to unreached people, disciple believers, worship the Lord have a dynamic Christian fellowship and entrust God’s word to reliable men and women who are qualified for the ministry.

VISION STATEMENT:

We are committed to reaching a heart broken world with the fully declared gospel of Jesus, win people to Jesus, equip and help to grow the hope of the eternal destiny of followers of Jesus who are responsible stewards in our generation.

ACHIEVEMENTS

FBF Uganda, has taught both the children and adults the bible and they are now responsible stewards in our country and beyond.

Through FBF many churches have been created in south eastern part of Busoga region.

FUTURE PLAN

FBF Uganda regional is planning to buy a land and construct a house project in Busia town so that it can get extra incomes that will cater for its members in nearly future, construct a house for the FBF assembly, headquarter offices and houses for child development care centre.

FBF is planning to introduce child survival program pregnant mother will be catered.

We hope to open up both nursery and primary school, restoring the hope of vulnerable children.

A secondary school and a technical institution for our children so that they get skills in courses such as tailoring, carpentry, brick laying, mechanics, electricity e.t.c

SUSTAINABILITY FOR FUTURE PLAN:

In order to sustain this project we intend to:

Start up income generating project such as:

Poultry keeping

Diary farming

Agro- vet

Piggery

Crop growing and processing.

All these to be done on a high production (improved/ modernized farming)

CURRENT REQUIREMENTS/NEEDS:

Land for the project

Buildings

Capital for income projects (see sustainability plan)

Vehicle for easy transport.

OUR PRAYER REQUEST:

The word of God commands us to care for our neighbors in need; Mathew 25:31-46

Therefore we call upon any supporting organization/churches or any supporting institutions to support our project to save young and future generation.

FINALLY LET US LIVE BY FAITH:

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded the disgrace of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking a head for his reward (Hebrews 11:24-27)

Another example of faith….

Abraham- was willing to pioneer an entire race of people, leaving everything he was familiar with, and then was willing to sacrifice his son at the bidding of God.

I remain yours in the Lord Jesus Christ.

BRO WACHANA B

Rwanda Report - Bro Joseph & Agnes

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Dear Bishop Robert,

The work of the Kingdom goes on well here. we normaly get out side the markets and tell people about Jesus and his Goodness to us. we gather people of all ages in different areas and tell them to repent and turn away from sins which would lead them to hell. People get saved and teach them about belonging to the church body of Christ. we show them where Jesus said he is the way ,truth and life nobody can see God unless through him. John 3;16, Galatians 5;19-22, Galatians 6:1.......10. after bringing them into the local church, we teach them the characters of God and reasons of being in the church. after that step we teach them about discipleship and leadership. we shall send more about the progress of this recent outreach, as we are able.

Yours, in Christ Jesus,

Joseph and Agnes

MATTHEW 10: AN EXPOSITION - Continues

(Matthew 10:1) And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

In the last verse of chapter 9, the Lord instructed His disciples to pray for more laborers. To make that request sincerely, believers must be willing to go themselves. So here we find the Lord calling His twelve disciples. “Disciple” is a follower, a student, someone learning with the idea of becoming like the one they are following. A disciple is a 'disciplined one' being conformed to their leader... sounding like him, teaching like him, and walking like him in all manner. There were more than 12 disciples, (the 70 he also sent out; Luke 10:1- 24) but these 12 were very special, as they became the “apostles” - sent ones. He had previously chosen them, but now He calls them to a special evangelistic mission to the nation of Israel. With the call went authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all kinds of diseases. The uniqueness of Jesus is seen here. Other men had performed miracles, but no other man ever gave the power to do so to others.

(Matthew 10:2-4) Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Taken from different walks of life and probably younger and middle aged men of average ability, their true greatness lay in their relationship with Jesus. Note how Matthew does not mention any of the disciples’ professions until himself, where he notes that he was a publican (a tax collector).

(Matthew 10:5-6) These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

The remainder of the chapter contains Jesus' instructions concerning a special preaching tour to the house of Israel. This is not to be confused with the later sending of the seventy (Luk 10:1) or with the Great Commission (Mat 28:19-20). This was a temporary mission with the specific purpose of announcing that the kingdom of heaven was near. While some of the principles are of lasting value for God's people in all ages, the fact that some were later cancelled by the Lord Jesus proves they were not intended to be permanent (Luk 22:35-36).

First the route is given. They were not to go to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans, a mixed race detested by the Jews. Their ministry was limited at this time to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This was in obligation and fulfillment of the scriptures... to the Jew first, then gentiles.

(Matthew 10:7) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The message was the proclamation that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. If Israel refused, there would be no excuse because an official announcement was made exclusively to them. The kingdom had drawn near in the Person of the King. Israel must decide whether to accept or reject Him.

(Matthew 10:8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

The disciples were given supernatural empowerings to confirm their message. They were to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Again... this was in fulfillment of scriptures, as evidences of Messiah! The Jews demanded signs (1 Cor 1:22) so God graciously condescended to give them signs. As far back as Moses, the LORD gave signs to convince His people that He was with them.

As to payment, the Lord's representatives were to make no charge for their services. They had received their blessings without cost and were to give them out on the same basis.

(Matthew 10:9-10) Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

They would not be required to make advance provision for the journey. After all, they were Israelites preaching to Israelites, and it was a recognized principle among the Jews that the laborer deserves his food. So it would not be necessary for them to take gold, silver, copper, food bag, two tunics, sandals, or staffs. Probably the meaning is extra sandals or an extra staff; if they already had a staff, they were permitted to take it (Mar 6:8). The idea is that their needs would be supplied on a day by day basis.

(Matthew 10:11) And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

What arrangements were they to make for housing? When they entered a city, they were to look for a worthy host—one who would receive them as disciples of the Lord and who would be open to their message. Once they found such a host, they were to stay with him as long as they were in the city, rather than going from house to house if they found more favorable living conditions.

(Matthew 10:12-14) And when ye come into an 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. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

If a household received them, the disciples were to greet the family, showing politeness and gratitude in accepting such hospitality. If, on the other hand, a house refused to host the Lord's messengers, they were not obligated to pray for God's peace on it, that is, they would not pronounce a blessing on the family. Not only so, they were to dramatize God's displeasure by shaking the dust off their feet. In rejecting Christ's disciples, a family was rejecting Him.

(Matthew 10:15) Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

He warned that such rejection would bring severer punishment in the day of judgment than the perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah. This proves that there will be degrees of punishment in hell; otherwise how could it be more tolerable for some than for others?

(Matthew 10:16) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

In this section Jesus counsels the twelve concerning their behavior in the face of persecution. They would be like sheep in the midst of wolves, surrounded by cruel men focused on destroying them. They should be wise as serpents, avoiding giving needless offense or being tricked into compromising situations. And they should be harmless as doves, protected by the armor of a righteous character and faith unfeigned.

(Matthew 10:17) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

They should be on guard against unbelieving Jews who would drag them into criminal courts and beat them in their synagogues. The attack against them would be both civil and religious.

(Matthew 10:18) And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

They would be dragged before governors and kings for Christ's sake. But God's cause would triumph over man's evil. “Man has his wickedness but God has His way.” In their hour of seeming defeat the disciples would have the incomparable privilege of testifying before rulers and Gentiles. God would be working all things together for good. Christianity has suffered much from civil authorities, yet “no doctrine was ever so helpful to those appointed to govern.”

(Matthew 10:19) 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.

When you have a challenge and you are delivered up for Jesus Christ, He will not waste that opportunity. Disciples will trust in the LORD... and He will supply... even in the midst of extreme trials and tribulations!

(Matthew 10:20) For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Jesus told His disciples that they need not prepare what they would say when on trial. When the time came, the Spirit of God would give them divine wisdom to answer in such a way as to glorify Christ and utterly confuse and frustrate their accusers. Two extremes should be avoided in interpreting verse 19. The first is the naive assumption that a Christian never needs to prepare a message in advance. The second is the view that the verse has no application for us today. It is proper and desirable for a preacher to prayerfully wait before God for a suitable word for a specific occasion. But it is also true that in crises, all believers can claim God's promise to give them wisdom to speak with divine insight and become mouthpieces for the Spirit of their Father.

(Matthew 10:21) 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.

Jesus forewarned His disciples that they would have to face treachery and betrayal. Brother would accuse brother. Father would betray his child. Children would become informers against their parents, resulting in the execution of the parents. We are in good company in enduring the world's hatred. ... The servant may not expect better treatment at the hands of the enemy than the Lord Himself received. If the world had nothing better than a cross for Jesus, it will not have a royal carriage for His followers: if only thorns for Him, there will not be crowns for us. ... Only let us see that the world's hatred of us is really “for Christ's sake,” and not on account of anything hateful in us and unworthy of the gracious Lord whom we represent.

(Matthew 10:22) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Is the servant above the Master? If they hated Jesus Christ enough to crucify Him, how are they going to treat you? Any better? Also, from this verse it is clear that there is no such thing as “eternal security” or “once-saved, always-saved”. We MUST endure to the end if we want to go to Heaven.

(Matthew 10:23) 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, till the Son of man be come.

In Bible passages dealing with the future, the Spirit of God often shifts from the immediate future to the distant future. A prophecy may have a partial and immediate meaning and also a complete and more distant fulfillment. For instance, the two comings of Christ may be combined in a single passage without explanation. In verses 22 and 23 the Lord Jesus makes this kind of prophetic shifting. He warns the twelve disciples of the sufferings they will undergo for His sake, then He seems to see them as a type of His devoted Jewish followers during the Great Tribulation. He leaps forward from the trials of the first Christians to those of believers prior to His Second Coming.

The first part of verse 23 could refer to the twelve disciples: But “when they persecute you in this city, flee to another . . .” They were not obligated to remain under the cruelty of their enemies if there was an honorable way to escape. “It is not wrong to escape from danger—only from duty.” Don’t wait around to be martyred. Leave when trouble brews. Paul once left a potential explosive situation by being lowered down a wall in a basket. Sometimes backing off can be humbling, but wise.

The latter part of verse 23 carries us forward to the days prior to Christ's coming to reign: “... you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” This could not refer to the mission of the twelve because the Son of Man had already come. It seems far more likely to find here a reference to His Second Coming. During the Great Tribulation, Christ's faithful Jewish brethren will go forth with the gospel of the kingdom. They will be persecuted and pursued. Before they can reach all the cities of Israel, the Lord Jesus will return to judge His enemies and set up His kingdom.

There might seem to be a contradiction between verse 23 and Mat 24:14. Here it is stated that not all the cities of Israel will be reached before the Son of Man comes. There it says that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world before His Second Coming. However, there is no contradiction. The gospel will be preached in all nations though not necessarily to every individual. But this message will meet stiff resistance, and the messengers will be severely persecuted and hindered in Israel. Thus, not all the cities of Israel will be reached.

(Matthew 10:24-25) The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 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?

The disciples of the Lord would often have occasion to wonder why they should have to endure ill treatment. If Jesus was the Messiah, why were His followers suffering instead of reigning? In verses 24 and 25, He anticipates their perplexity and answers it by reminding them of their relationship to Him. They were the disciples; He was their Teacher. They were servants; He was their Master. They were members of the household; He was the Master of the house. Discipleship means following the Teacher, not being superior to Him. The servant should not expect to be treated better than his Master. If men call the worthy Master of the house “Beelzebub” (“lord of flies,” an Ekronite god whose name was used by Jews for Satan), they will hurl even greater insults at the members of His household. Discipleship involves sharing the Master's rejection (John 15:18).

(Matthew 10:26-27) Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

Three times the Lord told His followers not to fear (vv. 26, 28, 31). First, they should not fear the seeming victory of their foes; His cause would be gloriously vindicated in a coming day. Up to now the gospel had been relatively covered and His teachings had been comparatively hidden. But soon the disciples must boldly proclaim the Christian message which up to this point had been told them in secret, that is privately.

(Matthew 10:28) 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 in hell.

Second, the disciples should not fear the murderous rage of men. The worst that men can do is kill the body. Physical death is not the supreme tragedy for the Christian. To die is to be with Christ and thus far better. It is deliverance from sin, sorrow, sickness, suffering, and death; and it is translation into eternal glory. So the worst men can do is, in a real sense, the best thing that can happen to the child of God.

The disciples should not fear men but should have a respectful fear of Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This is the greatest loss—eternal separation from God, from Christ, and from hope. Spiritual death is the loss that cannot be measured and the doom that should be avoided at all cost.

The words of Jesus in verse 28 call to mind memories of the saintly John Knox, whose epitaph reads, “Here lies one who feared God so much that he never feared the face of any man.”

(Matthew 10:29) Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

In the midst of fiery trials, the disciples could be confident of God's care. The Lord Jesus teaches this from the ever-present sparrow. Two of these unimportant birds were sold for a copper coin. Yet not one of them dies outside the Father's will, without His knowledge or His presence. As someone has said, “God attends the funeral of every sparrow.”

(Matthew 10:30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

He knows more about you than you do! He cares that much! We can make Him out Trust!

(Matthew 10:31) Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

The same God who takes a personal interest in the tiny sparrow keeps an accurate count of the hairs of the head of each of His children. A strand of hair is of considerably less value than a sparrow. This shows that His people are of more value to Him than many sparrows, so why should they fear?

(Matthew 10:32) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

In view of the foregoing considerations, what is more reasonable than that the disciples of Christ should fearlessly confess Him before men? Any shame or reproach they might bear will be abundantly rewarded in heaven when the Lord Jesus confesses them before His Father. Confession of Christ here involves commitment to Him as Lord and Savior and the resulting acknowledgment of Him by life and by lips. In the case of most of the twelve, this led to the ultimate confession of the Lord in martyrdom.

(Matthew 10:33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Denial of Christ on earth will be repaid with denial before God in heaven. To deny Christ in this sense means to refuse to recognize His claims over one's life. Those whose lives say, in effect, “I never knew You” will hear Him say at last, “I never knew you.”

(Matthew 10:34) Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Our Lord says He did not come to bring peace but a sword. What sword? His Word (Hebrews 4:12).

(Matthew 10:35-36) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

The question may well be asked: “Did Jesus come to bring peace or war?” Here Jesus confirms, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” However, elsewhere He is called “the Prince of Peace” ( Isa. 9:6 ). He also said, “My peace I give to you” ( John 14:27 ) and told His disciples to put away the sword, “for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” ( Matt. 26:52 ). So, which are we to believe? Did Jesus come to bring peace or the sword? The answer to this question is that we must distinguish between the purpose of Christ’s coming to earth and the result of it. His design was to bring peace—peace with God for unbelievers (Rom. 5:1) and eventually, the peace of God for believers (Phil. 4:7). However, the immediate results of Christ’s coming were to divide those who were for Him and those who were against Him—the children of God from the children of this world. But, just as the goal of an amputation is to relieve pain, so the immediate effect is to inflict pain. Likewise, Christ’s ultimate mission is to bring peace, both to the human heart and to earth. Nonetheless, the immediate effect of His message was to divide those in the kingdom of God from those in the kingdom of Satan.

(Matthew 10:37) 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.

The point here is that whenever individuals became His followers, their families would usually turn against them. A converted father would be opposed by his unbelieving son, a Christian mother by her unsaved daughter. A born again mother-in-law would be hated by her unregenerate daughter-in-law. So a choice must often be made between Christ and family. No ties of nature can be allowed to swerve a disciple from utter loyalty to the Lord. The Savior must take preference over father, mother, son or daughter. One of the costs of discipleship is to experience tension, strife, and alienation from one's own family. This hostility is often more bitter than is encountered in other areas of life. Jesus is calling you to a commitment of all that you are, above all other relationships that you have.

(Matthew 10:38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

There is something even more apt to rob Christ of His rightful place than family—that is, the love of one's own life. So Jesus added, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” The cross, of course, was a means of execution. To take the cross and follow Christ means to live in such devoted abandonment to Him that even death itself is not too high a price to pay. Not all disciples are required to lay down their lives for the Lord, but all are called on to value Him so highly that they do not count their lives precious to themselves.

(Matthew 10:39) He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Love of Christ must overmaster the instinct of self-preservation. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for Christ's sake will find it. The temptation is to hug one's life by trying to avoid the pain and loss of a life of total commitment. But this is the greatest waste of a life—to spend it in the gratification of self. The greatest use of a life is to spend it in the service of Christ. The person who loses his life in devotedness to Him will find it in its true fullness.

(Matthew 10:40) He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Not everyone would refuse the disciples' message. Some would recognize them as representatives of the Messiah and receive them graciously. The disciples would have limited ability to reward such kindness, but they need not worry; anything done for them would be reckoned as being done for the Lord Himself and would be rewarded accordingly. To receive Christ's disciple would be equal to receiving Christ Himself, and to receive Him was the same as receiving the Father who sent Him, since the one sent represents the sender. To receive an ambassador, who stands in the place of the government that commissions him, is to enjoy diplomatic relations with his country.

(Matthew 10:41) He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

The Jews regarded the reward of the prophet as the greatest; because, while kings bore rule in the name of the Lord, and priests ministered in the name of the Lord, the prophet came from the Lord to instruct both priest and king. Christ says that if you do no more than receive a prophet in the capacity of prophet, the same reward that is given to the prophet will be given to you, if you help the prophet along. Think of that if you are inclined to criticize a preacher! If you help him to preach for God, and encourage him you will get part of his reward; but if you make it difficult for him to do his duty, you will lose your reward. It is a great thing to help a man who is seeking to do good. You should not look at his dress, his attitude, his manners or his voice; but you should look beyond these things and say, “Is this message of God for me? Is this man a prophet of God to my soul?” If he is, receive him, boost his word and work, and get part of his reward.

(Matthew 10:42) And 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.

No kindness shown to a follower of Jesus will go unnoticed. Even a cup of cold water will be luxuriously rewarded if it is given to a disciple because he is a follower, a Preacher and a Teacher of the Lord our Christ and King.

Thus the Lord closes His special responsibility to the twelve by investing them with royal dignity. It is true that they would be opposed, rejected, arrested, tried, imprisoned, and perhaps even killed. But let them never forget that they were representatives of this Holy King and that their glorious privilege was to speak and act for Him.

Let us also consider, that this same Jesus, is sending out His Church today with the same understanding... that He sends his emissaries NOT to bring PEACE... but a SWORD! He sends them to bring division to those who would set things and family relationships ahead of FIRST LOVE to The King of Glory! They are to declare with the open places ALL these things... that men may BEHOLD the Goodness and the Severity of God! Indeed.... this is where men will fall upon the Rock and be broken... that the Power of the Gospel may continue to save men. However... faithful messengers can never leave out that remission of sins comes only with REPENTANCE! Luke 24:47

Our modern world does not want to hear this, believing that they can keep their sin and and pretended religious church life! This sharp difference will bring persecution, and hatred and much worse to the Ambassadors of the Kingdom! May we never ever forget...that the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force! Amen. It does not just drop into you lap with sign, wonders and miracles giving you everything you desire. No, No! This is not the Kingdom of man that disciples herald... it is The Kingdom of God! Most men still love darkness, rather than the Light! And the Disciples know their reward is 'with HIM!' Amen FBF Staff

Much emphasis is given by our LORD and the Apostles in their teaching on the importance of the PREACHING or DECLARING the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is the POWER of God on earth as given to men (Rom 1.16)... as it provides the most coverage in every area.

The words used for PREACH, PREACHING carry with it the Open Air Proclamation just as a TOWN CRIER! It is never a 2 eay conversation... but a DECLARATION TO ALL! The Church Bride of Christ is to be the VOICE of the Bride and the Bridegroom in this untoward generation.

It has been, and remains the privilege of this ministry to expose men to this dimension of the Gospel as prescribed by our
LORD JESUS CHRIST! May we present the Truth in Love... as Jesus did. Amen.

Mark 16:15-16, 1:14, Matt 9:35, 24:12-14, Luke 4:18, 4:43, 24:47, Acts 5:42, 10:42, 1 Cor 1:18