The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand, 1:1-28:20
The Revelation of the King (Ch 1-11)
The Galilean Ministry, 8:1-18:35
The King’s Power And Credentials, 8:1-11:1
Into The Harvest, 9:35-11:1; Mar 6:6-13; Lu 9:1-6; 1Co 9:14
The Twelve Apostles Sent Out, 10:1-11:1
The Second Discourse, 10:5-11:1
Facing Dangers, 10:16-23
ENCOURAGEMENT IN STANDING FOR TRUTH (Pentecost 4)
Mat 10:24-33
Reading: 1Ti 4:3; 1:8; 2:3; 3:13-14
INTRODUCTION
A. Permeate our culture and threaten to destroy faith is relativism (the assumption that there is no absolute standard) and subjectivism (the assumption that individuals determine what is right, wrong, true or false, not some objective authority external to each one's self).This truth is seen in that it has become unpopular to take a strong stand on anything except tolerance. Words such as "should", "ought" and "must," are discouraged. Claiming to know a truth which everybody should consider or a behavior that everyone ought to avoid often brings shouts that one is a fascist, a purist, a person of check points. In the church those who hold to a standard of truth in God’s word are often called Pharisees, legalists, check point moralist, etc. The great, tremendous temptation is to lose one's theological and moral nerve. The need for courage is immense.
B. In our text we will learn that Jesus always encouraged his disciples to speak the truth of God's word with clarity and openness, holding to it as the standard in any matter, no matter what the cost.
C. In our text there are three repetitions of the command not to fear, in standing with the truthful standard, Pro.29:25. With these commands we have three powerful reasons not to fear.
Theme: regarding fear and standing up boldly for Jesus.
II. GOD'S VINDICATION, 10:24-27
A. A disciple is not above his teacher ..., 10:24-25; Lu 6:40; Joh 13:16; 15:20
ASV
24 [The - KJV] A disciple <3101> is <2076> (5748) not <3756> above <5228> [his - KJV] his [master -KJV] teacher <1320>, nor <3761> the servant <1401> above <5228> his <846> lord <2962>.
25 It is enough <713> for the disciple <3101> that <2443> he be <1096> (5638) as <5613> his <846> [master - KJV] teacher <1320>, and <2532> the servant <1401> as <5613> his <846> lord <2962>. If <1487> they have called <2564> (5656) the master of the house <3617> Beelzebub <954>, how much <4214> more <3123> [shall they call - KJV] them of his <846> household <3615>!
1. In this passage Jesus discussed discipleship.
2. The context is persecution, that is, as Jesus received, so his disciples could expect to receive - like master like disciple.
B. Fear them not therefore , 10:26-27; 1Co 4:5 v 26-27
26 Fear <5399> (5676) them <846> not <3361> therefore <3767>: for <1063> there is <2076> (5748) nothing <3762> covered <2572> (5772), that <3739> shall <601> <0> not <3756> be revealed <601> (5701); and <2532> hid <2927>, that <3739> shall <1097> <0> not <3756> be known <1097> (5701).
27 What <3739> I tell <3004> (5719) you <5213> in <1722> darkness <4653>, [that - KJV] speak ye <2036> (5628) in <1722> the light <5457>; and <2532> what <3739> ye hear <191> (5719) in <1519> the ear <3775>, [that preach ye - KJV] proclaim <2784> (5657) upon <1909> the [housetops - KJV] house-tops <1430>.
1. The word “therefore” points to to Jesus’ name being linked to Beelzebub, a charge and slur against Jesus which seems to have occurred more then once, cp. 9:34.
2. “Them” is a reference to the Jewish persecutors.
3. “for” points to the reason disciples are not to fear - “there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed”
4. A day will come when the record will be set straight, cp. 1Th 4:18-19; Joh 12:47-48.
5. Knowing that God's truth will prevail, his disciples are to speak and fear not.
a. "Fear not" appears 365 times in the Bible; some examples:
(1) "Fear not, I am with thee." Gen. 26:24; 46:3; 50:19
(2) "Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of God" Exodus 14:13
(3) "Fear not your enemies" Deut. 21:3; 31:8
(4) "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them" 2 Kings 6:16; 2 Chron. 20:17
(5) "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Fear not" Is. 51:7; Dan. 10:12,19
(6) "Fear not to take Mary" Matt. 1:21; 28:5
(7) "Fear not them which kill the body" Matt. 10:28
(8) "Fear not; believe only" Luke 8:50; 12:32
(9) "Fear not, I am the first and the last" Rev. 1:17
(10) "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear" Psalm 27:3
(11) "I will not fear what flesh can do unto me" Psalm 56:4; Heb. 13:6
(12) "They feared exceedingly" Mark 4:41; Luke 9:34
(13) "The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me" Job 3:25
(14) "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Mat. 8:26
(15) "Whoso hearkeneth unto me...shall be quiet from fear of evil" Prov. 1:33
Transition: If we are faithful to speak and teach God's word, we will face persecution. Since persecution can result in physical hurt, Jesus spoke to his disciples regarding fear of what persecutors might do to them.
III. GOD'S POWER, 10:28-30
A. be not afraid of them that kill the body, 10:28.
28 And <2532> [fear not - KJV] be not <3361> afraid <5399> (5676) <575> of them [which - KJV] that <3588> kill <615> (5723) the body <4983>, but <1161> are <1410> <0> not <3361> able <1410> (5740) to kill <615> (5658) the soul <5590>: but <1161> rather <3123> fear <5399> (5676) him which <3588> is able <1410> (5740) to destroy <622> (5658) both <2532> soul <5590> and <2532> body <4983> in <1722> hell <1067>.
1. Persecutors of God’s people can indeed physically and/or mentally hurt our bodies but Jesus demonstrated his ability to heal the bodies, even demonstrated his power over death. Therefore, Jesus’ disciples are not to worry or fear what persecutors might do to their bodies.
a. Recently, along with several others, a young girl was murdered at school in Littleton, Colorado. A report was given that she was frequently seen with a Bible in hand as she went about the school property. The day of her death, the student who murdered her, put a gun in her face and asked if she believed in God. She said yes and the rest is history.
b. Since the days of the early church millions and millions of disciples have died for their faith not fearing what man can do to the physical body.
c. Jesus told his disciples not to fear it.
2. Through Satan's influence man may kill our physical bodies but no one but God can touch our souls.
a. The main point of the text is that Jesus' disciples are not fear the world because it does not have the final say, but instead develop respect toward the wrath of God.
b. The world can attack who you are, even your body (SOMA), hoping to force you to change or even to destroy you, but they can't touch our eternal lives (PSYCHE)
c. Rather than fear man, we ought instead to fear he "who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
(1) Hell is real, 10:28.
(a) All people have immortal souls (and therefore, are destined to live forever), 1Co 15:45.
(b) Death cannot kill the soul (thief on cross - Lu 23:43) and the grave cannot hold it (rich man - Lu 16:22-23; Moses - De 34:5-6; Mat17:1-3).
(c) The Bible declares there exist for each person, one of two possibility for the eternal soul, - hell (Ps 9:17; Is 5:14; 4:9; Mat 25:46) or heaven.
(d) Each of us makes our own decision as to where we will live eternally:
i) John 3:18.
ii) Heb.3:7. Today if you will hear his voice.
iii) Isa. 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found.
(e) Some may say, "I’ve never done anything bad enough to go to hell," but in contrast have they done anything good enough to go to heaven, Isa.64:6?Since none of us can go to heaven based on our own merits, we must rely upon God. Therefore, we must obey God’s will.
(2) In the book of Mark is outlined three reasons most (Mat 7:13-23) people will go to hell for eternity:
(a) The hand, Mar 9:43-44; Mat 18:8
(b) The foot, Mar 9:45-46; Mat 18:9
(c) The eye, Mar 9:47-48
(3) Hell's duration, Mar 9:44; Re 14:10-11
(4) Hell’s occupants, 25:41; 2Pe 2:4; Re 20:10, 15; 21:8
(5) Realizing the eternity that faces the lost, should motivate us to active evangelism.
3. It especially helps lesson the fear of evangelizing when we realize God is aware of everything about us.
B. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, 10:29-31.
29 Are <4453> <0> not <3780> two <1417> sparrows <4765> sold <4453> (5743) for a [farthing - KJV] penny <787>? and <2532> not <3756> one <1520> of <1537> them <846> shall <4098> <0> [not - KJV] fall <4098> (5695) on <1909> the ground <1093> without <427> your <5216> Father <3962>:
30 [But - KJV] but <1161> the very <2532> hairs <2359> of your <5216> head <2776> are <1526> (5748) all <3956> numbered <705> (5772).
31 Fear [ye - KJV] <5399> (5676) not <3361> therefore <3767>: ye <5210> are of more value <1308> (5719) than many <4183> sparrows <4765>.
1. What do you suppose is the reasoning for Jesus having mentioned the sparrows and their value?
a. Obviously, with a value of only a farthing or penny, they were not considered expensive or of great value.
b. Yet, Jesus said, God is aware of each one.
c. It suggests how much more God is aware of each one of us (down to the number of hairs on our heads), we who are of much greater value.
Transition: Jesus finished this text, by offering encouragement to his disciples for putting fear aside in order to preach and teach the word.
IV. GOD'S CARE, 10:32-33.
A. Every one ... who shall confess me before men, him will I confess ... confess before my Father, 10:32; Joh 12:42-43; Ro 10:8-10 .
32 [Whosoever - KJV] Every one <3956> <3748> therefore <3767> who shall confess <3670> (5692) <1722> me <1698> before <1715> men <444>, <1722> him <846> will I confess <3670> (5692) also <2504> confess before <1715> my <3450> Father <3962> [which - KJV] who <3588> is in <1722> heaven <3772>.
1. confess, 3670 homologeo {hom-ol-og-eh'-o} from a compound of the base of 3674 and 3056; TDNT - 5:199,687; v AV - confess 17, profess 3, promise 1, give thanks 1, confession is made 1, acknowledgeth 1; 24 1) to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent 2) to concede 2a) not to refuse, to promise 2b) not to deny 2b1) to confess 2b2) declare 2b3) to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one's self guilty of what one is accused of 3) to profess 3a) to declare openly, speak out freely 3b) to profess one's self the worshipper of one 4) to praise, celebrate
2. There are various ways to confess Jesus.
a. acknowledging
(1) In suffering, cp. 2Ti 1:8.
(2) In general life
b. With the mouth - saying the same thing, ; 1Jo 4:15
3. "before men" he means all men at all times.
4. There can come a time when we might wonder, while in the midst of persecution, whether or not it is worth it to be a Christian. There is no doubt that the first Christians, who were probably rejected, cut off, and disinherited by their Jewish families, put out of the Temple and persecuted for their conversion to the faith, would have considered whether or living for Christ was worth it. Later the same was no doubt true of those Christains persecuted by Rome, those who had their possessions and wealth confiscated or destroyed; their lives taken brutily before gladiators or wide animals. They no doubt wonder whether or not the price they were paying was too high.
B. whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, 10:33.
33 But <1161> whosoever <3748> shall <302> deny <720> (5667) me <3165> before <1715> men <444>, him <846> will I also <2504> deny <720> (5695) before <1715> my <3450> Father <3962> [which - KJV] who <3588> is in <1722> heaven <3772>.
1. deny, 720 ARNEOMAI {ar-neh'-om-ahee} perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and the middle voice of 4483; TDNT - 1:469,79; v AV - deny 29, refuse 2; 31 1) to deny 2) to deny someone 2a) to deny one's self 2a1) to disregard his own interests or to prove false to himself 2a2) act entirely unlike himself 3) to deny, abnegate, abjure 4) not to accept, to reject, to refuse something offered
2. Denying Jesus is the opposite of confessing Him.
3. We can deny Christ by:
a. our words or the lack of them - silence
b. by our actions
4. Let’s take care not to deny Jesus either in word or deed but to confess him, Co 3:17.
CONCLUSION:
Questions:
To what was he calling his disciples, not to fear?
What two ideas was Jesus suggesting in this passage regarding his disciples.
How is a disciple not above his teacher (master)?
How would this information help motivate a disciple to stand up with boldness with God’s word?
Preached:
Fargo, ND 25, April, 1999
Bibliography:
John Piper, A CALL FOR COURAGE IN THE CAUSE OF TRUTH
Coy Wylie, Matthew - King of Kings, Marks of Discipleship - Part ; Part 2
Tom Walker??, HELL
THE BLESSING OF FEAR