Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Communique
Know This. Matthew 10:16-33 June 24, 2026
As followers of Jesus Christ, we like to dwell on the positive promises in scripture such as: eternal life, victory, God’s presence and so on. What we don’t want to be reminded of is the fact that we are hated by the unbelieving world and are at war with darkness. Why else would we sing: Onward Christian Soldiers, The Battle Belongs to the Lord, Lead on, O King Eternal or Faith is the Victory and many more? We have an enemy that relentlessly seeks our destruction every day. Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. The meaning for the Greek word hate is: “of malicious and unjustifiable feelings toward others whether towards the innocent or by mutual animosity. (Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.) I’m not talking about Satan or his minions. This is referring to people used by Satan (many unaware) to destroy the true church and everything that speaks of Christianity. This reality is becoming increasingly visible everyday here and around the world. As it gets closer to home it can be a cause for concern and even fear.
Matthew 10:28 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. The most important and valuable thing is our soul i.e., the eternal spirit within us. The enemy cannot extinguish our eternal life given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Instead of fearing the world we need to remind ourselves of God’s authority and justice to assign each of us to eternity. We can lose sight of what comes after life by focusing on the pleasures and things of this world and not be prepared. We all have an eternal soul that will be united with a new body that can live in heaven or hell forever. Jesus is the one who decides based on what we do with Him in this life. After we leave this world there will be no second chance to change our mind. Surrender to Jesus today because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
Addendum
Following church Sunday I was asked about Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Why would anyone sell or buy a sparrow. Well, it turns out that the sparrow refers to a small bird and most likely a house sparrow which originated in the Middle East and migrated to Europe and America. Why would one buy or sell them? They were used as food by the poor people among the Jews, because they were considered a clean food – kosher. It is the “poultry of the poor.”
The Jews would have been very familiar with Jesus’ illustration since the poor ate many sparrows since they cost 1/16th of a day’s wage.
I thought the meat of a morning dove was small, I can’t imagine that of a sparrow. Jesus’ point however is; even the small and insignificant bird is not forgotten by its Creator. How much more are we, whose eye is on the sparrow.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Sunday 28, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: What We Can Expect. Matthew 10:34-42.
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
