Matthew 10:24–42
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
Therefore, do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Whoever confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 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. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
If we ask who God has mightily used in this world to change the course of history, from the human side, you will find it is those who are fully committed to God — those who lived as true and committed disciples of Jesus. Looking at chapter 10, we saw the Lord’s instructions to His disciples as He sent them out until verse 23. Now from verse 24 onwards, the Lord essentially says: if they are to go out and change the world, to have any real impact, there is only one way — they must be totally committed to Him as true disciples. Without that commitment, all His instructions will not help them in any way.
We need to seriously ask ourselves: Are we true disciples of Christ? I ask myself this. I want you to ask yourself honestly. There are millions of people who go to church, but very few true disciples of Christ. Am I really a disciple of Christ? We need to ask our own hearts this question. It is more than just being a church member. Am I a disciple of Christ?
Today I want to talk about two main things:
- The importance of this entire passage from verses 24–42. It is a crucial text.
- Introducing you to the true disciple of Christ — showing you biblically who a disciple is, so you can see if you are one.
In verses 24–25 we will see five basic traits of a disciple of Christ.
The importance of this passage of Scripture (verses 24–32): From verse 24 onwards, these verses are very critical. They talk about the true disciple. Are you a true disciple? We need to repeatedly ask this question because we live in a twisted, upside-down age of Christianity. The Bible calls it a perverse generation. Look at the famous books in Christian stores or listen to sermons — most preaching is about man: about you, how to live a blessed life, how to be successful, “21 Ways to Finding Peace and Happiness” (Joyce Meyer), “Living Life Without Limits” (T.D. Jakes), “Discover the Champion in You” (Joel Osteen), “Your Best Life Now.”
The vast majority of people think the Christian life is all about “me” — my needs, solving my problems: how not to fight with my wife, how not to fall into bad habits, how to manage my troubles, how to have a decent husband, how to raise good kids. But if you have that understanding, you have totally misunderstood Christianity.
Christianity is not about you. It is not about how to live peacefully, happily, and have a good family. It is about Jesus Christ. For you, it is about repenting of your sins, trusting in Jesus Christ, becoming His disciple, dying to yourself, carrying your cross, and following Him. When you live like that, the side effects may be blessings, but blessings are not the focus.
In an age of millions of false Christians and many wrong ideas about Christianity, we need to ask: “Am I a disciple of Christ?” Knowing clearly what a disciple is shows us who a true believer is and who is not.
When you became a Christian, you did not become one just to escape hell. You affirmed the Lordship of Christ and committed your life to live by all He says, not as you want. You committed your life to learn everything He teaches and to live in obedience to Him in all things. He is your Teacher; you are the learner. You must learn all things He has commanded you and obey them. And if you came on any other terms, it is questionable whether you are in at all.
If you have any wrong kind of idea about Christianity, the verses from 24 onwards are going to destroy those ideas. On the subject of discipleship, this section of Scripture is the most crucial, the most definitive, and the most monumental passage ever spoken by our Lord. This is the teaching of Jesus Christ on true discipleship — who a true disciple is, and what price he has to pay. It demands our greatest attention.
When Jesus called disciples to Himself, He clearly told them what His disciples had to be and what price they would need to pay. He never put anything in small print. Loans, credit cards, insurance may offer big, attractive promises but hide responsibilities in small print. The Lord puts our risks in bold and clear.
We saw this earlier: A scribe came saying, “I’ll follow You wherever You go.” Jesus did not say, “Oh wonderful.” He said, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but I don’t even have a place to lay My head.” The man left. Another said, “I’ll follow You, but first let me bury my father” — waiting for an inheritance. Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their dead.” Another said, “I’d like to follow You but first let me say goodbye to my family.” Too tied to the family. Jesus turned His back on him too.
He was very up front: It will cost you your comfort, family, possessions, fame, and name. You may have to leave many things. If you are ready, come. If not, don’t come. Consequently, this kept out halfhearted people who were not willing to make the commitment or pay the price.
We don’t do that nowadays. We say, “Come, come” and try to make it as easy as possible. That is why our generation is filled with Sunday church members rather than true disciples.
These verses are the real stuff of true discipleship. When you decided to follow Christ, this is how it is to be. This passage will force you to face that reality. It will tell you enough of playing church, enough of wasting your time with a form of godliness denying its power, and enough of playing with your eternal soul. Commit yourself today to be His true disciple, or you are eternally deceiving yourself. It is a call for total consecration.
If you’ve ever wondered what real commitment is, and what it truly means to be set apart or sanctified, you’ll find the answer right here. Thinking deeply about these rich truths in this text has led many throughout history to completely commit their lives to Christ and be mightily used by God. Read the biographies of great saints and you will see these verses as the turning point of their lives.
If you are just floating along, half in the world and half in the church, never really making the commitment you ought to make, this chapter will force you to show whether you are a disciple or just a hypocrite.
I warn you: If you are just superficially playing around with Jesus, living one life in the world and another in church, acting holy on Sunday but indulging in secret sins, without order in life, without prayer or Bible reading, with no real commitment but putting on a show — Matthew 10 will confront you directly.
This passage contains some of the most important and essential truths because they are among Jesus’ favorite teachings. Throughout Matthew and the other gospels, you find Him repeatedly saying the same things to different people, in different places, under different circumstances. These are the essence of His teaching. If you don’t accept, believe, and obey these things, you have a wrong Jesus in mind and are not related to Him at all.
Almost all these principles are scattered throughout the gospels. Every principle in these verses is repeated by Jesus multiple times. Since not everything He said was recorded — only a sample — if these things are repeated in the sample, imagine how many times He must have said them in His whole ministry.
This is the body of His favorite teaching on discipleship. You will intersect with these same thoughts again and again as you read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
If the Lord Himself came to preach to us today, knowing we all call ourselves church members and saved people, He would likely open Matthew 10 and preach these verses. This instruction is so near and dear to His heart. That’s why it is repeated so often, and that’s why you must learn it carefully, not just hear it but obey it completely.
The people who have responded to Matthew 10:24–42 have been the kind of people who change the world. The apostles changed the world because of the principles in these verses — total dedication, total commitment, the real thing, not just talk. Those who examine themselves deeply and reach a level of consecration and dedication beyond the ordinary are the ones God uses to change history.
Take George Whitefield, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards — great preachers God used mightily. Jonathan Edwards was used in the Great Awakening in America because he was fully committed to God. He gave everything. He became a full-fledged disciple. He wrote this, which became the turning point of his life:
“I claim no right to myself, no right to my understanding, my will, my affections. Neither do I have any right to this body or its members, no right to this tongue, to these hands, feet, ears, or eyes. I have given myself completely away and retained nothing of my own. I told God I have given myself wholly to Him. I have given every power so that, for the future, I claim no right to myself in any respect. I have expressly promised Him, and by His grace I will not fail. I take Him as my whole portion and felicity, looking upon nothing else as any part of my happiness. His law is the constant rule of my obedience. I will fight with all my might against the world, the flesh, and the devil to the end of my life. I purpose to be absolutely His.”
Now that is consecration. And God used that man beyond his imagination.
We are called to that kind of commitment in this chapter. As we go through it, you are going to be put to the corner every time to evaluate and examine your commitment level.
1. The Chief Goal of a Disciple: Christlikeness
“It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.”
— Matthew 10:25
- The greatest goal of the Christian life is not ministry success, fame, miracles, or even soul-winning, but this one thing:
→ To be like Christ. - Christlikeness is not just a noble aim—it is the only goal that brings deep, lasting joy and satisfaction.
- The phrase “It is enough” means: It is sufficient. It is satisfying. It is complete.
- This echoes our worship: “Yesu Podhum” — Jesus is enough!
2. A True Disciple: Not About Ego, But About Likeness
- True disciples are not in it for personal gain, recognition, or spiritual pride.
- Like Paul, their prayer is: “That I may know Him and the fellowship of His sufferings…”
— Philippians 3:10 - The world says: “Achieve this before you die.”
A disciple says: “It is enough for me to be like my Master.” - They’re not trying to “tear the sky” with their name—they are simply and sincerely trying to reflect Jesus.
3. Christlikeness Is God’s Plan in Everything
- Romans 8:28 – God works all things together for our good.
- But what is that “good”?
→ Verse 29 answers: “To be conformed to the image of His Son.” - Every trial, pain, season, and blessing is aimed at this one outcome:
→ That you and I become more like Jesus. - Even suffering isn’t random—it’s God’s discipline to shape His children (Hebrews 12).
4. A Disciple is Someone Being Transformed
The word “disciple” comes from “discipline.”
- A true disciple is:
- Saved by grace.
- Submitting their mind to Christ’s teachings.
- Submitting their will to Christ’s commands.
- Being transformed into the image of Christ (metamorphosis / உருமாற்றம்).
- This is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’s united goal in your life.
5. Suffering: A Mark and a Means of Discipleship
- Matthew 10:25 teaches: If they called Jesus Beelzebub, how much more will they call His disciples worse?
- Beelzebub = “Lord of the flies” → eventually became a derogatory name for Satan.
- If Jesus was mocked, hated, and misrepresented—how can we expect better treatment?
“The more you become like Christ, the more the world will treat you like it treated Christ.”
- John 15:18–20 affirms this: “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated Me first…”
6. Christlikeness Makes You Spiritually Attractive
- While the world may hate Christlikeness, God uses it to draw people to Himself.
- Most people are saved because they saw something of Jesus in someone else’s life: A peace, joy, forgiveness, or a love they couldn’t explain.
7. Discipleship is Costly But Glorious
- True discipleship involves denying self, carrying the cross, and following Jesus through anything.
- It’s not merely attending church — but becoming like Christ, in:
- Thoughts
- Words
- Reactions
- Daily life
“Do people see Jesus in you?”
- Ask yourself honestly:
- Does your family see Jesus in you?
- Do your coworkers, classmates, or neighbors say, “There is something different about this person”?
- Are your actions and words calm, gracious, faithful—or filled with worry, bitterness, and anger?
8. Suffering Will Make You Like Christ
- Without trials, even worship can become dry and routine.
- But suffering makes the Word come alive. It makes songs melt your heart.
→ You begin to see Christ in a new way. - Suffering removes pride and builds grace, mercy, and humility—Christlike character.
Conclusion: 5 Traits of a True Disciple
A true disciple is someone who:
- Is saved by grace through faith in Christ.
- Submits their mind to Christ’s teaching.
- Submits their will to Christ’s commands.
- Is being regularly transformed into Christ’s image.
- Is willing to suffer anything for the sake of Christ.
Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore 