Freely Pt 4: No Fear

No Fear Matthew 10:26-11:1

For context sake, and by way of introduction lets read 21-23 Matthew 10:21 “Now brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 

Matthew 10:22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 

Matthew 10:23 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.

We saw this played out in Acts Acts 9:1–2 “ Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

Jesus brings the comparison to himself and as we were made in the image of the first Adam, we are now made in the image of the second (Jesus) - And we see in this some promises and a warning. Some obvious encouragement and a most damning statement of Christ. And though this is very much a detailed command and teaching to His disciples, we see many principles that can help us to make right decisions in our own life with Him.

Lets get in the fourth part of the instruction of Jesus to freely receive and freely give. Freely Part 5

Where we live v24-25 2. Speak in the Light v26-27 3. No Fear v28-33, if time: 4. Whoever's v34-39 5. Cup of Prophets v40-11:1

We have a lot of text to examine so lets get to it.

Where we live v24-25

Matthew 10:24–25 “ “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.”

Ok, what do we see here. We know they would speak blasphemously about Jesus. Because he is doing what Messiah should be.

John 3:1–2 “ There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”” Nicodemus was of the sanhedrin. One would think he’d know.

But what is Jesus telling us? Simply?

If they called Jesus demon, they should be saying the same about you. Perhaps thats something to ponder. The closer we come to christ, the more the world will reject us. It has too from conviction.

Beelzebub (the Gr. has Beezeboul) was a name for Satan, the prince of the demons, perhaps derived from Baal-Zebub, god of the Philistine city of Ekron (2 Kings 1:2). “Beelzebub” means “lord of the flies,” and “Beezeboul” or “Beelzeboul” means “lord of the high place.”

Matthew 9:34 “ But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.””

I think this is a big deal. those who deny the truth of who jesus is, from cults to progressive churches, etc. And speaking of being accepted by the world Jesus has made this point elsewhere, Luke 6:26 “ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” - if the world admires you, maybe you sound too much like it. Start some loving fights :)

2. Speak in the Light v26-27

Matthew 10:26–27 “ Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.”

Because of this, don’t fear them when they cry their threats and call you devil.

1 Corinthians 4:5 “ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”

As we see over and over, the rejection of Christ, the truths of the gospel, are worth hearing it.

Another amazing thing hear is that Jesus often taught in parables and when he went asisde with the 12 and disciples he taught them the meaning of them. Jesus says, you can let them know now. So when we read the Gospels, the letters, etc, is all from Him. Speak into the light

You don’t have to learn secret knowledge or hidden handshakes, to trust in Jesus for your salvation. Thats the top of it. Jesus shared that you must be born again to Nicodemus at…night.

3. No Fear v28-33

Matthew 10:28–33 “ And 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.

Breaks the brain don’t it? We have to understand that sin, carries more than just a temporary or destructive purpose. Sin is always against God. Always. And it carries a huge price - eternal punishment.

Jesus says, men can only kill you, Jesus (God) can destroy you and put everything you are in hell. This isn't a doctrinal statement per-se but is a comparison. Dont fear them, they can only kill, i can kill and chunk in hell. Destroy: apollumi, Mt +2:13. This Greek word never means annihilate, but rather means to render unsuitable for the use originally intended. A “lost” coin is not annihilated; neither are the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” nor those Jesus came to seek and to save (Mt 18:11). In this very chapter (Mt 10:39), the loss or gain of psyche is spoken of as occurring in this present life, an impossibility if apollumi means annihilation. Simply The idea of it, is the destruction of another in battle. Jesus wins here and in the life/death to come.

Jesus is quoted in, Luke 12:5 “ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” Its not annihilation, its overcome.

Why? This goes to your value. God has complete authority and he is watching you.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

That which most regard as cheap, useless, yet it doesn't escape the attention of God. Jesus even gives us that people are more important, than animals that is valued at about 1/16th of denarius.

but don't ignore that God sees the animals as well.

BUT there is a therefore

So in light of this (therefore), you must confess. Confess what? Jesus as son of God. Jesus as Messiah. Jesus as God. Jesus as Savior alone. Place all of your faith and trust in Him. Confess Him as Lord, and He will declare you His, even before Yahweh Himself.

4. Whoever's v34-39

Matthew 10:34–39 “ “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. thus the violent take it by force. takes real faith to follow Jesus

Though we know it is a blessing to be a peacemaker (between God and men) To be a believer is to be against the world. Counter to the culture of men. This fits right in with Matthew 10:21 “ “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.”

As much as that hurts, Jesus adds, Matthew 10:22 “ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” You are telling folks that no matter what, they need him. Folks dont like that

everything we do righteously to advance the kingdom, even against such force, is worthy of Him. NLT puts Matthew 11:12 “ And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.”

What this looks like:

35 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’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 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. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

This is another statement that causes us to question our faith! Do I love Jesus that much? I my eternal life worth losing every relationship I have? The answer is yes.

Jesus makes the point that and we know that we can truly place our life on/in Him, the apostles knew this was true. Well, all but one. Judas.

When we confess the truth of who Jesus is we lose a life that is temporary and only for this world, to gain an soul and position that will never end - jesus even tells them, he will speak their name directly to Yahweh. i wonder if i will be able to see when Jesus spoke my name into the fathers ear when I got saved. Amazing.

If we truly take up our cross we take up the shame, the mocking, the vile curses, threats, hate even from those closest to us, all of it. Because: Jesus.

5. Cup of Prophets v40-11:1

Matthew 10:40–11:1 “ “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 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. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Those that helped the message by caring for the apostles and furthering the message of the Gospel was worthy of that same reward! Imagine those who just believed and gave a cup of water, received what? What does belief gain us? Eternal life. Change, true repentance!

you and i by hearing the testimony of the apostles in the gospels and letters of the NT, take part in the reward which isn't power, abilities, money, health, etc. It is eternal life.

11:1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.”

Jesus didn’t hang at the crib while they went out, He continued busy at the Fathers work, and still, then and now, His work and command continues. Matthew 10:8 “ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

So what do we do? Come forward for prayer for salvation. Come forward for prayer for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Come forward for healing. Come that you might die to this world and live in Him. Come be in company with Jesus, because his love is perfect and perfect love casts out what? Matthew 10:27 “ “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.” Fear. 1 John 4:18 “ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Let Him bring you into HIS life now.

Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 42). Victor Books.

Smith, J. H. (1992). The new treasury of scripture knowledge: The most complete listing of cross references available anywhere- every verse, every theme, every important word (p. 1051). Thomas Nelson.