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HOPE in the Church Matthew 10:1-15
Introduction • List of the 12 • ‘schleecha’ Aramaic word for disciple, which also means “sent out” • Why 12 apostles? Messiah was to restore ALL 12 Tribes
Culture • ‘Unclean Spirit’ person surrounded by evil, the ‘klippot’
Culture • ‘Way of the Gentiles’ talk to Hebrews only
Culture • No Samaritan cities forbidden territories in the Near East
Culture • No gold, silver, copper healers got paid, they were told no pay
Culture • No bag what is a bag and what was in it?
Culture • One coat (shirt) clothing culture (when clothes could not be placed in walls)
Culture • One pair of shoes
Culture • ‘Laborers are worthy of support (food)
Culture • ‘Shake the dust off your feet’ not your responsibility
Culture • 7 points were because Jesus was concerned for the apostles’ safety
For us today • Why I like Methodist theology • It used to be safe to voice one’s theology Jesus wanted safety and unity
Culture • General Conference demonstrated that basic concept is dead • Sad to see some UMC church signboards (immoral comments)
For Us Today • Church is HERE at the local level • We can disagree in unity here (we are great at it!) • That’s the treasure of THIS CHURCH • We are the example of John Wesley’s vision and it is still alive • No matter what happens in the hierarchy we CANNOT let it touch us!