Thinking Biblically About Persecution (Part 2)

Let’s pick up where we left of last week. This is part two of “Thinking Biblically About Persecution.”

As we close up chapter 10, you’ll notice that Jesus has more to say about the difficulties ahead for the Apostles. He’s not holding back any information that they need to hear.

But in the midst of the difficult news, he infuses so much hope, and comfort, and and tells them the way to peace in the midst of it.

He begins with a command really…do not fear. Or have no fear of them. Who’s them? The wolves. Those who would be dragging them before rulers, and flogging them in the synagogues. These would be primarily the Jewish Pharisees who will give them so much trouble in the coming days.

Those people who want to harm you because you preach Christ’s Kingdom, do no fear them…Why?

Here’s the reason he gives...

v26...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.

These are meant to instill hope, and dispel fear. At the heart of it is this...

The truth will prevails and God’s people will be vindicated.

The enemy’s of Christ and the Church are in spiritual darkness. The Church is commanded to walk in the light, to be light, to love light, to come into God’s light of truth and proclaim it. Christianity is about the kind of light that exposes what is evil in us and in others in order to conform us to the image of Christ. The light of God is from God, and for God, and is an objective good. It cannot be tainted, do evil, or be changed.

As the Apostles are sent out with the message of Christ, they are going to face people who are real enemies, who hate the light, who will harm them, have secret motives, and hidden agendas. Jesus is saying that this must not stop them from proclaiming truth. In fact, they are to proclaim it from the housetops. Let the message be known that Christ is King and He is Savior.

That is our message, and if you think about it, this is exactly how it came into our possession. The Apostles heard this first from Jesus. It was not published in the paper, or blasted through the streets...and though they would come under great pressure and persecution, they did not conceal it, but spread it.

That’s Christianity…it’s quite literally for the world. Not all will be saved. Not all will receive or love the Gospel, many will hate and oppose it, but it will not be because it was not proclaimed to the ends of the earth by the people of God.

How is this a motivation to not fear? Because it is God’s intention, whether incrementally here in this life, or ultimately in the next,that there isn’t one mystery that will not be revealed. Keep that in the back of your mind as you think about the governments and leaders who conspire behind closed doors, keeping things from the public, and planning great evils. They will not remain in darkness forever…therefore, do not fear them, for God is on our side.

v28,

Another principle for thinking biblically about persecution is this...

2. Order your fears

We see the connection in v26 and 27 between the command not to fear, and God’s purpose for the reveling of things hidden.

Now we see a connection between the command for a disciple of Christ not to fear, and knowing God’s sovereign power and purpose over the body and soul.

Man can harm and kill the body, but has no jurisdiction on the soul of a person. Not even Satan has jurisdiction over the soul. Jesus does not say “Don’t fear man, but let me tell you who you need to be afraid of, and that’s Satan.” No, the place he directs the Apostles to focus their reverent fear is upon God, and to remember that it is ultimately God who determines the destiny of the body and soul.

Now, you need to know that Jesus is not instructing them to be afraid of God in the same way a child would be afraid of an abusive father. The Jewish people would have understood this better.

We should fear God.

Fear Him in the sense that He is Creator, and His voice is powerful to create the oceans and stars. He commands storms, and orders the lighting. He is mighty, and amazing, and wonderful. He gives and takes away life. Life is in His hands.

James 4:12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy

I want to read to you little bit of Job 38:1-18

So, who are we to fear more…those who can kill the body and cannot touch the soul, or the one who has power to save or destroy both?

And in the very next breath, look at the tenderness of the Father’s sovereign care.

v29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

How are we to order our fears?

Do not fear any man, but fear God. It is God who destroys the rebellious in Hell, and it is God who saves. And when you begin to question whether he cares, once again…look at the sparrows. They are cheap to buy. You can get two for a penny in that day…even still, death of a single sparrow cannot happen without the explicit permission of the Father.

3. Remember the sovereign watchfulness of God over your life.

Jesus is giving them ammunition against fear by reminding them how much they are valued and how intimately the Father knows each one of them. If God is watching each sparrow that falls, then what detail is he going to miss in your life? Not one. We busy ourselves trying to figure out why God would allow hardship, and we forget to just meditate on His goodness, his holiness, and power.

Are you more valuable than sparrows, New City?

Yes, you are! So let go of details that God alone controls, and serve Him with all your heart.

look at v32 and 33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

4. Acknowledging allegiance to Jesus Christ in the face of persecution is the ultimate test of genuine faith.

Jesus elaborates on this in v34 - 39. But I just want you to consider this for a moment. Heaven is sometimes described as something like a court room on judgement day. The apostles will each come to places of decision, when their accusers will want them to choose between Caesar and Christ. Or whatever the prevailing god or idol is, and Christ. Or simply to deny Christ for their hatred of His name, and in that moment... Who will thy acknowledge?

This word for acknowledge is also translated, confess. What is your confession, brothers and sisters, and is it unwavering today? That court room in heaven is one day going to occupy every single person who has ever lived on this earth. Acknowledgments will be pronounced by Jesus before His Father. Do you see what He’s saying here? Faith in Christ has to be more than just following him on the good days. It’s about being in Christ, hidden in Him, clothed in His righteousness, covered by forgiveness from His shed blood, and His Spirit dwelling in us, truly saved…so that when that day comes that the perfect and righteous gavel comes down upon your life - Jesus will acknowledge your name before His Father - He’s mine. She’s mine! But there are many on that day that he will be denying, for they did not acknowledge him publicly here in this life.

Church, do not be ashamed of Him!

Are you ashamed of Him? Would you deny Him before man when your life is on the line? If so, then do not expect that he will acknowledge you in Heaven.

look at v34 to 39 with me.

I’m pretty sure that there’s a lot of confusion about what Christianity is.

In just a few verses Christ has spelled out to the 12 Apostles that one intention in His coming to earth was to bring a sword. It’s a sword of division and allegiance, not a sword for killing.

He said that he’s come to set families against each other, and that you will have enemies in your own households. Why would this be part of Christ’s mission?

v37 helps us...

When you say yes to Jesus, and you follow Him…you will be hated by some, and even loved ones will oppose you, and it is in that moment that the division created by the gospel presses on you like a grape in a winepress, or an olive in an oil press…and this is good and purposeful in determining who’s faith is genuine and who’s is not.

How else might you find out what or who you truly are, other than by the pressures of some level of persecution, or hatred for your faith in Jesus?

Let me make a fifth point here...

5. Jesus is always worthy of more

More than your mother, your spouse, your child, grandparent, best friends. How these good things from God can even become idols for us if we’re not careful.

If your mother turned on you and said, unless you stop following Jesus, I’m disowning you…what would you do? Would you forsake Christ to keep that peace, or would you let sword divide?

Fathers, if your sons turned against you and wanted nothing to do with you because you serve and follow Jesus, what would you do?

Let’s just make this very clear what Jesus is saying to us… HE IS WORTH MORE THAN ALL OF THESE?

That phrase…is not worthy of me, it’s like saying, I don’t deserve that. That’s not fitting. Now, what is fitting is to put Jesus first, and let him show you how to love your spouse, kids, parents, friends, etc… but if Christ is not supreme…do we see how clear this is… that person cannot be his disciple until he or she repents of that idolatry and surrenders to the Lordship of Jesus.

v38 and 39

This is the first mention of the cross in Matthew’s gospel, and it’s not directly connected to Christ’s own death. These men lived in a culture where Rome regularly punished by execution. When you see a man carrying a cross through the street, there was no question what that meant. It meant he was going to die. There’s no question that Jesus is asking a lot here. What’s he saying to them? I want your life, all of it, no holding back, not reserving some for something else.

Brother’s and sisters, and you who are not yet carrying the cross, hear me…Jesus bids us come and die, so that we might truly follow him. And why are people so miserable in this life? Because everyone’s trying to live, and find life, and peace - and it’s all found in Jesus. Jesus says that the way to find life is by dying to the lives we now have, and following Him. Make no mistake - this is a choice we all must make…many of you have decided long ago, and only by the grace and power of God is this possible, but you’ve given Him everything…you’ve lost your life for His sake, and in exchange, He has given you His life.

Not following Christ? then you are not living. Want to live…pick up the cross, die to your sin, repent, believe, trust that He is better and worthy…and the only Savior, and follow Him.

6. It will not be all hate and persecution on this mission. Many will listen and receive.

v40 to 42.

Here Jesus encourages them by telling them how he sees them, and that reward and honor is given to the person who receives the message of a disciple of Christ, or a righteous person. To receive the message of Jesus Christ, or to act kindly toward, even if it is just a cup of cold water…is something Jesus sees, and will reward. The message of the Kingdom is about to go forth, many will hate it and come against them, but some will receive it.

Let me share a concluding thought to wrap up the last 2 messages on Matthew 10.

For them, an extreme level of persecution was coming, and it was guaranteed. Still they followed Christ.

For you and I, there is no real indication to determine what level of persecution will come to you, whether it be name calling, division in your family, losing a friend, or losing your life…what is more important is not how much will we suffer, but, in this second, right now, do you believe Jesus Christ is only one who can forgive you of your sins and bring you to Heaven when you die? What matters more than this?

Whether you have 100 years of trouble or 100 years of peace ahead of you, eternity is longer, and we’ll either spend it with Christ or separated from Him forever, so let’s all examine our hearts and ask ourselves honestly, who do we fear, man who can kill the body, or God who judges the soul?

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.