Fear God, Not Man
Matthew: The King and His Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 33:04
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· 23 viewsAs the sheep of Jesus’ pasture, we must fear God, not man.
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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.
When Jesus describes fear here, we all may have something a little different in our minds.
For some we may think of someone quaking and shaking about those who will physically harm them.
Though that is true, it’s not where our fears are most evident.
It’s possible that fear actually manifests itself as being “nice.”
That may sound counterintuitive so let me explain what I mean.
When we are nice it’s because we desire to be liked.
Most people don’t like to be hated by others, so in an effort to be liked by others we try to win them over with winsomeness and “niceness.”
Could it actually be that the thing that creates unity in most churches isn’t actually truth but cowardice?
The fear that someone will “rock the boat.”
Could it be that our fears are typically manifested in mild and kinds manners?
The thing that creates unity is truth, not niceness.
The thing that will hold these disciples together won’t be their political correctness or their smiling faces, but the rock-solid hope of the forgiveness of sinners in the blood of Christ alone.
One of the reasons this is avoided is we’re tempted to think,
“What if people will think that I’m mean?”
“What if people think that I’m a bigot?”
“What if people think that I’m a fundamentalist?”
These terms are used to keep the people of God cowed under the fear of the disapproval of the world, the workplace, or even our own family and friends.
Who do you go to when you’re in trouble?
Do you go to the person that only flatters you?
Do you go to the person that only ever has nice things to say to you?
No.
All of us know people in our life that will tell us the truth.
Those are the people we want to talk to when life is hard.
They tell us the truth even if it hurts us.
This is what we need.
People that fear God above everything else and have no fear of the praise of men.
As the sheep of Jesus’ pasture, we must fear God, not man.
As the sheep of Jesus’ pasture, we must fear God, not man.
We must hear the redounding pleas from our Savior today, “Fear not!”
Jesus has just promised the disciples that persecution will come to them.
They must anticipate and beware of people who will hate the truth.
They must prepare to be delivered by families and those closest to them.
They must prepare to suffer.
Which makes what Jesus goes on to say all the more profound… “Do not fear!”
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
Fear not, for all things will be revealed.
Fear not, for all things will be revealed.
The disciples are not marked by fearful wringing of the hands.
They’re not marked by scared and afraid dispositions.
They are marked by confident assurance in the Sovereign and providential hands of their Heavenly Father.
As Jesus has already told them…
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…
This does not mean having good thoughts of tomorrow.
This does not mean having a pleasant disposition toward the suffering.
It actually goes much deeper and further: no fear of the persecutors!
The persecutors are there because they hate the Lord Jesus.
They hate the purposes of God in the gospel.
They surround His followers like wolves surrounding sheep.
They hate the good news of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection for sinners.
More simply, they hate being told that they themselves are sinners.
They hate the stirring correction of the Word of God.
They hate the conviction they feel when they are told from God’s Word, “Repent!”
We shouldn’t be afraid of what they’ll do to you.
We shouldn’t be afraid of what they’ll say of us.
Notice the reason for this…
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
The reason Jesus gives for this is that “nothing will be concealed” but it will be “revealed” and made known to all.
There are two primary ways to understand this passage.
The first, is to see the things “covered” and “hidden” as the teachings of Jesus in private but will soon be declared to all.
The first, is to see the things “covered” and “hidden” as the teachings of Jesus in private but will soon be declared to all.
The disciples have been listening to Jesus in private.
They’ve heard the parables that have been concealed from the outside world but made known to them alone.
BUT NOW, they are to take what is privately given to them and declare it openly and publicly.
While this verse likely refers to the disciples proclaiming Jesus’ teachings publicly.
It also points to the ultimate revelation of truth at the end of time.
The second is to see this as Jesus’ referring to the end-times revealing of all things done in private.
The second is to see this as Jesus’ referring to the end-times revealing of all things done in private.
27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
Jesus clarifies the first interpretation that He is referring to what He has whispered to them will be spoken more broadly.
What He told them in private will be shared before all.
Their ministries will surprisingly be more public than Jesus’ ministry.
Jesus’ ministry was primarily to the twelves and those who followed.
But the disciples will be far more public and known than Jesus’.
See one of the confusions that Jesus wants to make clear up for His followers is that the enemies of God do not fight fair.
Our enemy does not fight squarely.
They fight below the belt.
They fight unfairly.
They accuse unfairly.
The accuse without warrant.
They condemn without trial.
They don’t care about the truth because they have already decided in their minds that the Apostles and disciples are in the wrong.
You know, even in the first century, Christians have always been accused of things that have been untrue.
Cannibalism — Early Christians were accused of being cannibals because of the misunderstandings around the Lord’s supper. “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). They accused them of eating the literal body of the Lord.
Atheism — The Romans especially thought that early Christians were “atheists” because you were never actually able to see their ‘god.’
Incest — They also accused them of incestial relationships because they would call one another “brother” or “sister.” You’d have people married to their ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ in the Lord.
Treason — Romans especially held that Christians committed treason because they did not worship the emperor like the rest of the empire.
These are just a couple of examples of how Christians were viewed even in the 1st Century.
But Jesus assures them that everything that was covered will be brought to light.
Things done in secret will be made manifest.
The truth will ultimately conquer by all the falsehoods being exposed wether in the here and now or in the future.
13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
This does applies to us in two ways.
First, it sobers us to the realization that in the end of all things will come to light.
Every thought.
Every deed.
Every ill-spoken word.
Everything.
It sobers every part of the person that thinks they will get away with it because the truth will ultimately come to bear.
It sobers every seed of hypocrisy that tries to put on a mask to cover up the truth.
Unbeliever — If you think you will get away with the sin you’re currently wrapped up in, but I promise you it will come to light.
God sees all.
He knows all.
Secondly, it also encourages us when we are spoken ill of.
We can’t and shouldn’t respond to every person who thinks ill of us.
We know that in the end, the truth will be revealed.
This frees of the choke-hold that fear can place upon the Christian.
Christian — This makes us live before the face of God in every moment.
“Have you ever bitten your tongue in the name of “unity”? Sat silently while error spread, because you didn’t want to be “divisive”? Nodded along in a meeting just to keep the peace?” –Virgil Walker
He goes on to say…
“Sometimes, what we call “Christian love” is just fear wearing a smile. No raised voices. No hard conversations. Just smooth sailing and surface-level fellowship.”
He goes on to say…
“The Church has not been overrun by wolves because the wolves were clever. It’s been overrun because the shepherds were cowardly. Afraid of conflict. Afraid of offense. Afraid of being called divisive…
[T]he closer we walk with Christ, the more that line of division will become clear. We don’t get to choose whether we’re in a battle. We only choose whether we’ll stand or retreat. Biblical unity isn’t fragile. It’s forged in fire. It grows from shared conviction, not shared cowardice. It flourishes when believers submit themselves to sound doctrine, confess sin, reject error, and pursue holiness together.”
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Fear not, for all that your enemies can do is kill you.
Fear not, for all that your enemies can do is kill you.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
The Christian life goes against every secular understanding of the world.
Let me give you an example.
Recently there were over 70 believers, a whole church, killed at the hands of terrorists.
How should the Christian think of this?
The first thing we should do is grieve and mourn.
It should also drive us to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters.
But it must also be said that these 70 believers are more alive than they have ever been.
This is one of the reasons why the Christian faith confounds the secular person.
19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
The secular person only sees on the horizontal plane.
The Christian faith goes beyond merely this physical world.
It doesn’t mean the physical world is not important.
It means that our lives in this present age are not the only thing that matters.
With great sorrow, we grieve the loss of our 70 brothers and sisters.
But it should also be observed that the absolute worst thing someone can do to a Christian is kill them.
All the terrorists can do to Christians is destroy their bodies.
All they could do is destroy them physically from this earth.
In their death, they were welcomed into eternal joy in the presence of the Lord Jesus.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
The believers who were beheaded experienced what Jesus promised here.
The other sense that the Christian should have when we hear of great tragedy is the abundance of joy, knowing that they are in the presence of our Lord.
All that your enemies can do to you is take your life.
In taking your life, they send you into eternal joy.
The Christian life is not merely about our current physical world.
It transcends it.
Jesus does not say that we should fear nothing.
But there should be a greater and more persuasive fear over our lives.
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.
Fear not, for the wrath of God is coming.
Fear not, for the wrath of God is coming.
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.
In the here and now, it appears that the terrorists have won.
But theres an even more haunting reality for God’s enemies.
There is one who can destroy not only our current bodies, but also holds the destiny of our eternal souls.
The wrath of God is to be feared more than the wrath of man.
The wrath of man is for a moment, but God’s wrath is forever.
Man’s wrath is capricious, does not care for the truth, and only seeks to destroy.
Whereas God’s wrath will be perfect, truthful, and final.
The most fearful thing in all the world is nothing in this world, but something that stands above it.
The eternal God who dwells in eternity will one day come near and judge all the thoughts and intentions of men.
This is what the Bible describes as the great problem of mankind.
Our sin that deserves the just wrath of God.
In the book of Revelation the city of Babylon, which stands as the archetype for all the wicked cities over all time.
Yahweh will come and deal with them in a single moment.
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; 5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
It’s great when God remembers you and I with forgiveness.
But how haunting to know that God will one day remember all the wrongs done.
Judgment is coming and it is coming for those who God has remembered their iniquities.
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
God’s wrath is coming for the ungodly.
Every person will either stand with Babylon or with Christ.
They will stand with the system and people of the world and bear their own judgment.
Or Christ will be the One who stands in the place of our judgement.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
We should be sober minded and live in the “day.”
Awaiting the appearing of the Lord Jesus because we have been destined for salvation and not wrath.
We have been spared the wrath of God, so we should fight to remain sober minded in the day.
Whether we are alive or dead, we have been destined to be with the Lord Jesus.
We are then commanded to encourage one another with these words in times of calamity.
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.
Fear not, for you are valuable to our Heavenly Father.
Fear not, for you are valuable to our Heavenly Father.
The sparrows were the food the poorest people.
The diet of a popper in their society which cost less than a day labor.
To put it in modern terms, it comes to about $3.60.
A modern equivalent for us would be,
“Are not two double cheeseburgers sold from McDonald’s for $3.60?”
Essentially, the cheapest meal in all of our society is provided and cared for by our Heavenly Father.
Not one meal is made and prepared without the intricate care of our Heavenly Father.
Not one burger is fried up apart from the knowledge and consent of our Father in Heaven.
Jesus goes even a step further to describe the intimate care and meticulous Father we have in Heaven.
30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
The very hairs of your head are numbered.
He knows how many hairs you have, whether that number is great or decreasing: He knows and plans for them.
Think of the absolute unfathomable Sovereignty of God that not only knows but directs every hair of our head.
He knows how many and directs each one.
Jesus commands that His followers not fear those who are trying to kill you.
Notice the reason for this…
31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
You are of more value than the sparrows.
You are of more value than even the cheapest and seemingly insignificant thing in our societies.
Not only does God’s care extend beyond the small and minute, He cares for you.
Christian — The God who meticulously cares for your every need, commands you this day: “fear not!”
The God who knows how many hairs on your head in every given moment.
The God who doesn’t let a small bird fall to the ground without His consent cares for your situation.
Every persecution you face is doing something in you.
Every persecution you encounter is shaping you into the person God has made you to be.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
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.
Fear not, for the verdict of heaven matters more than the verdict of earth.
Fear not, for the verdict of heaven matters more than the verdict of earth.
“Acknowledge” here is essentially “be committed to” or to “confess that we belong together.”
Jesus promises that the one who confesses that they belong with all that Jesus is, will be confessed before the presence of the Father.
“Denies” is to “refuse” or show “disdain” for.
Jesus also promises the inverse.
Picture with me a newly married bride to her groom.
There happy when they’re together because why not, they’re newly married.
They’re enamored with each other.
But how weird would it be if this newly married bride would scoff at everything her husband said?
Everything her husband said, she would make comments to other like…
“He always embarrasses me when he speaks!”
“I wish he wouldn’t have those views of the world!”
“I love him, but sometimes I have to plug my nose at what he says…”
What would we think of that?
Unfortunately many Christians live with this kind of posture toward the Lord Jesus.
“We love how Jesus talks about love and acceptance, but not about all this wrath!”
“I love everything Jesus teaches except that I’m embarrassed by Jesus’ sexual ethic.”
This is out of step with being followers of Jesus!
As the sheep of Jesus’ pasture, we must fear God, not man.
As the sheep of Jesus’ pasture, we must fear God, not man.
Benediction
Benediction
6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”
