*MESSAGE THEME: “God has called us all to be investors in God’s kingdom.”

*MESSAGE POINTS:

1.    The Kingdom’s Representation Principle             vs. 40

2.    The Kingdom’s Reward Principle                          vs. 41

3.    The Kingdom’s Equalizing Principle                     vs. 42

*INTRODUCTION

·         Matthew 10:40-42 underscore the significance of hospitality, encouragement, and support, and the rewards that come from welcoming those who come in the name of Jesus.

·         The context is high-risk, a spiritual war-zone. Jesus has been warning His apostles of the dangers they could face.

·         The apostles are taking risks for Christ, and those who help them could assume similar risks.

·         In addition to providing food, clothing, shelter, and money, they are demonstrating personal support for Christ and his church or kingdom.

·         They are serving as encouragers of those who stand on the front lines in the war against Satan and his hordes.

*TEXT

Matthew 10:40–42 (NKJV) “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”