Persecution but Not Fear
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Persecution Is Real
Persecution Is Real
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,
18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.
19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,
22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,
33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Last week, we looked at the calling and commissioning of the disciples. Now, Jesus is winding down his instruction of the disciples with warnings of things that are (might) to come. Things that they might face as a result of what they believe. Those same warnings can be spoken all across the world today. Do not be fooled into thinking persecution is not real, it most certainly is! He starts out with the word “Behold” - He is calling them to pay attention, to not miss this point. Jesus knew that there would be great opposition ahead of any who spread the Gospel Message.
He used the analogy of the disciples to sheep. When we think of sheep, don’t we think of innocent, cute, cuddly animals who wouldn’t harm anything? But, one thing we have found out about sheep also is they are fierce defenders. We, too, must be fierce defenders of the faith, but have the meekness and demeanor of a sheep - spreading the gospel message of love and compassion to even those who oppose us and God ( the wolves). We are told in 1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Don’t forget there will be people in our lives that seek to tear us apart, just the same.
We must not forget we, too, will face persecution - the same as the Twelve, Christ, and Christians past have faced it. It may take different forms, shapes, from simple denial up to fearing for our physical life. But, the Good Shepherd is there to protect us, and more importantly the Word of God.
The second thing Jesus speaks of is to beware of men. There are the persecutors. The persecutors are three in number: men in general, religionists, and the state. The believer is to beware, to be on guard and to watch—always. If he lives for Christ—really lives for Christ—he is subject to being persecuted: ridiculed, rejected, disliked, hated, murmured against, abused, physically attacked, jailed, and martyred. Who will do such things to believers? Men, people just like himself, will persecute believers. Men can, will, and do turn into brute beasts when they do not like something. They often attempt to hurt or destroy believers either by reputation or by force. Religionists, people in the synagogues and churches, will persecute believers. The church is full of people who have not really committed their lives to God. They just do not know Him personally, not in a real and personal way. Therefore, the believer who truly lives and teaches and takes a stand for God and His righteousness is sometimes persecuted by those within the church. Civil authorities within the state will persecute believers. Believers all over the world always have been and always will be dragged before state authorities and persecuted.
There are two reasons for persecution given in this passage. The believer is persecuted for the Lord’s sake or cause. The believer tries to live for Christ and to carry out His cause. The natural man, whether in the world or church, does not understand the things of God, so he opposes them. The believer is persecuted so that he might be a testimony to the persecutors. There is no greater testimony for Christ than a believer’s standing up for Christ in the face of persecution. Standing firm demonstrates the truth of the gospel. Its message of love and salvation is clearly seen by the persecutor. It gives the Holy Spirit a unique opportunity to reach the hearts of those standing by with the truth of the gospel. And it stands as a testimony against the persecutors. It shows how deep the wickedness and evil of their hearts is. It shall stand as a testimony against them in the day of judgment.
The third thing Jesus brings forward is to not worry about our defense. What happens when someone is accused of something wrong? Don’t they normally opt for a defense attorney? Someone who can speak on their behalf to prove their innocence? Jesus tells us a believer is never left alone defending himself against persecution. God gives what is to be said. God’s Spirit actually does the speaking “in” the believer. God stands with the believer. When a believer is called upon to defend himself, he is often nervous and apprehensive. He wonders how to speak in his defense. We need to trust God for what is to be said. This does not mean we should not be praying and thinking, but it means that God is to be trusted for the defense. There is a reason for this: only God knows the hearts of the persecutors and any others who are present. Therefore, He alone knows what needs to be said to touch their hearts or else to serve as a witness against them in the future.
The fourth warning given is that there will be families divided. A person’s own family can become his greatest persecutor. Why?
Because of the believer’s commitment to Christ and His righteousness. The family often lives a worldly life and cannot understand a godly life. The family, therefore, opposes a family member who ceases to participate in certain functions and traditions
Because of the family’s orthodox religion or church. The converted family member may wish to change religions or churches. The family opposes such a move.
Because of the believer’s commitment to Christ. The believer should become a dynamic witness sharing the graciousness and love of the Lord. Such an active witness is sometimes an embarrassment to a family.
But Jesus continues by telling the disciples to endure to the end. Again, the believer must expect persecution. All men of the world will oppose him. Why? “For my name’s sake.” The genuine believer lives and witnesses to the name of Christ which is the name of righteousness and self-denial. The person who endures to the end shall be saved.
There is an end to persecution. It is only temporary; it will end.
Endurance is possible. A believer can endure. God will bear him up through the persecution.
Salvation and deliverance are waiting for the person who endures: a life of glory and reward.
Note the words, All men will hate. This means the whole world, everyone in the world: religionists (v. 17), the state (v. 18), and the family (v. 21).
It hurts to be the object of talk, ridicule, slander, gossip, and abuse. The believer must remember three facts. It is for Christ’s sake. It assures salvation. It assures a glorious reward.
The sixth point Jesus makes is to flee persecution. He had already told the disciples if the disciple’s message was rejected, he was to leave the house or the city. He was to get out quickly and quietly. Now, He is to be as wise as a serpent in sensing and fleeing danger. Now, for a third time Christ says: “When they persecute you … flee.” I have often wondered, how often people try to stay around in toxic situations JUST to change one heart only to NOT hear the words Jesus is saying here. He cares for us and our safety, He wants all to hear the Gospel, but not all will accept the Gospel. And, there comes a time where a sinner needs to know just how bad their sins are. If they are left alone, could it be that God will use that so they can see their heart and the condition it is in, and surrender to God?
Have No Fear
Have No Fear
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,
33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
The first word of encouragement is this: do not fear persecutors. There are two major points in this statement of encouragement. The truth shall be revealed; the truth will someday be known. God will reveal the truth in the day of judgment, if not before. The believer is not to fear what his persecutors say. He can rest assured: the day is coming when the truth will be known. The accusations, the talk, the dislikes, the cloaks, the disguises, the secrets of all men shall be stripped and unveiled for all to see. Ever heard the old saying one day they will show their true colors and people will see them for who they are? It’s true!
We are not to fear the damage of our character and reputation by men. What is really in our hearts and lives—what we really are despite all our shortcomings and failures and sins—is known to God. He is going to deliver and vindicate us. He is going to restore our reputation and character and see to it that we “have [the] praise of God”.
The second word of encouragement is this: do not fear men who kill the body. We are not to fear men (persecutors), but to fear God. The reason is simple and understandable: men can kill only the body; God can destroy both body and soul “in hell”.
The third word of encouragement is this: do not fear, for God cares. Christ is clear: if God cares for the common sparrow, how much more He cares for man! He cares for every event, every detail, even the most minute matter in a man’s life. Therefore, there is no need to fear.
The conclusion is that loyalty is essential. Note a crucial point: Christ is talking about confessing Him in the most difficult moment imaginable—while being persecuted. We are sometimes called upon to confess Christ by those who reproach, sneer, mock, curse, question, slander, abuse, and avoid us because of our witness for Christ.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2004). The Gospel according to Matthew: Chapters 1:1–16:12 (Vol. 1, p. 247). Leadership Ministries Worldwide.