Examples in Death
Foundation For Legacy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Introduction:
From the years A.D. 64 to A.D. 313 there were ten great persecutions of Christians in an effort to snuff out the church.
God during this time rose up great men and women to champion His name and reveal a real faith in Him to the whole world.
They did so by giving their lives for their faith.
During times of persecution towards believers there is a function that we don’t often realize.
It is a way to purge those who don’t really have a relationship with Christ from the church.
When it’s not popular to be at a church or a Christian because of fear for your life;
The people who are Easter and Christmas Christians are confronted with a choice: Will you boldly stand for your faith or will you apostatize?
Something that also happens are those who God raises up to make profound statements, provide theological understanding, a lot of things that further discipleship to Jesus.
One of those people was a man named: “Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus” Tertullian for short.
He is considered one of the early church Christian who was an theologian, apologist, and writer who was based out of the Roman empire in Northern Africa.
The google says he was “Born to pagan parents—his father a Roman centurion—Tertullian received a rigorous education in Roman law, rhetoric, and Greco-Roman culture, which he later applied in his defense for Christianity.
Initially practicing law, he converted to Christianity around 193 AD, and rapidly became a committed defender of the faith.”
During his life God used him to coin a few theological phrases that are very important to us, or at least should be.
One of which is Trinitas which is Trinity.
Trinitas was a doctrine that Tertullian framed together as God, Spirit, and Jesus all being equally God.
This doctrine was one of which that had to be resolved at the council of Nicea.
Tertullian had some of his most profound revelations under Septimius Servus.
Under Emperor Septimius Servus Christians were accused of:
Rejecting traditional Roman gods.
Refusing to participate in civic religious rites.
Being socially subversive (divisive), which the Romans viewed as political disloyalty.
Bringing an disdain for Christians from the Emperor’s position.
He banned all converts to Christianity to stop the spread.
Tertullian saw many converts die for their faith and witnessed the ramping up of persecution against any proclaiming faith in Christ.
The attempts to snuff out Christianity just fueled the spread of the gospel.
Why?
Because the Christians were given a platform to either deny their faith and live or proclaim whom they have faith in and die in front of everyone.
The main thing that those present witnessed was a real faith and gratefulness to Jesus for extending His grace and forgiveness to them.
Tertullian witnessed how persecutions grew the church instead of snuffing it out, he created the phrase: “The Blood of the Martyr is the seed of the church.”
It can be found in his apologetics writings about A.D. 197.
This prominent truth was shown to the world from A.D. 64 until A.D. 313 until the moment Emperor Galerius proclaimed toleration to for the Christians.
Constantine 1 procured legal protection for Christians with the Edict of Milan.
But up until that point Christians, including all of the Apostles, were being sent to their deaths.
Which brings us into the focus for the part 2 of the series Foundation for Legacy:
Examples in Death!
Jesus continues instructing the Apostles, after telling them how they can be examples in their life, how to be examples in their death too.
It also shifts to us with these truths the Apostles would endure being sent out:
Life by Faith is Difficult (16-23)
Life by Faith is Difficult (16-23)
Jesus tells them:
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.
Jesus doesn’t sugar coat what to expect.
He gives them a word picture for their position and how to handle it.
They first are compared to sheep.
But I don’t believe that Jesus is relaying to them that they are dumb, and susceptible to doing sheeplike things.
I believe that Jesus is highlighting the simple fact that those who are called to preach the Gospel are called to a life of constant labor and frequent suffering.
The position the Apostles are called to is to bleat the Gospel loudly, with no thought of anything else except the fulfillment of that calling.
Not being concerned with any dangers, offences to people listening, or whether or not they are liked.
Sheep rarely realize when a wolf is circling with others to attack because their one track mind gives them blinders.
Connection:
What could each one of us accomplish if we realized we should be the sheep with one goal every day: reach the lost with the gospel.
Not allowing our mental effort to be spent on all of the “what-if’s”?
Jesus wanted them to know there is danger and they will be hated for their message; but not to worry since He wants them to be prepared.
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
His instruction is to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
These pictures aren’t as meaningful to us as it was for the Apostles; but after a little digging we can gain a better application for what Jesus is saying.
Ever since Genesis 3:1 The serpent has always been an emblem of wisdom and cunning.
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Egyptians used the serpent in their hieroglyphics as a symbol of wisdom.
An point to the serpent is it’s ability to avoid danger, specifically to it’s head. This would be something the Lord is highlighting for Apostles.
To be very sharp sighted, cunning to use different strategies to preserve their minds from the insults, rage, and hate from people and not expose themselves to vulnerable scenarios.
Along with keeping 1 peter 3:16-17 to be true.
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
On the other side of that coin of being cunning, sharp sighted and avoiding the traps that disrupt your spiritual mind, Jesus adds the dove.
Specifically saying that they should be innocent as doves.
There is an innocence and harmlessness of doves that anyone who sees them can observe.
The dove is innocent from all cunning and craftiness and yelling hatred and revenge.
The Apostles should carry themselves in humility, avoiding being hateful towards anyone; but also wise enough to carefully enter cities and avoid un-necessary danger.
Connection:
We shouldn't be any different than that:
Be wise, humble, and crafty upholding the context of the 1 Peter passages.
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
And even doing so we get verse 18.
18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.
We will still be illegally and wrongfully accused before high ranking officials.
To which we don’t have to worry seeing how there is nothing we need for our innocence; but more than that God will provide the correct things to say in those moments.
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.
God will guide what you are to say.
Illustration:
There was a discussion with a co-worker about the differences between what I believed and what he believed.
He believed that once we are saved that we are sinless because of a passage in 1 John 4.
Yet the Bible doesn’t teach that position, because you can and do still sin after salvation.
In the conversation I was not prepared, I didn’t get to study what we would be talking about yet I had verses and their addresses that popped into my memory.
I could only explain it by the Lord providing what I needed in the moment I needed it: in the moment I needed wisdom God provided what I needed to say.
As a pastor sometimes people ask you questions that they expect to be answered quickly and be theologically understandable and deep.
I believe and have faith that I cannot study for what I might encounter; but I believe that God will give me what to say.
Because God did exactly that for the Apostles.
In the moments the Apostles were brought to make a defense for themselves God would be there to help.
The most difficult thing to encounter would be the truth of who would be against them.
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.
The main part of these passages is that they will be hated by all.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
What kind of things would these hateful attitudes do?
One would be such a strong hate that families could be divided from their beliefs.
How far would this hatred go?
People were put to death; but before that tortured in ways like:
crucifixion
thrown in boiling oil
burned at the stake
roasted slowly over coals
forced to drink molten lead
torn in pieces by beasts of prey
covered in pitch and lit on fire
All because of a hatred for Christ and those who proclaimed Him.
Living out our faith isn’t difficult like that; but it could be some day.
It was like this for the apostles.
Which would make it a challenge to be:
A Worthy Ambassador (24-25)
A Worthy Ambassador (24-25)
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.
This is the association that the Apostles would have with Christ in the towns they visited.
The people, if they called Jesus Beelzebul then they would associate the Apostles in the same way.
15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,”
Beelzebul, also called Beelzebulb, we first find this name in 2 Kings 1:2
2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.”
This god of Ekron is literally translated “god of flies”, because this idol was supposed to protect them from numerous swarms of flies.
This form here in Matthew is the Aramean form meaning “god of dung” or “filth”.
This name was given to Satan expressing extreme contempt when characterizing him.
Yet they hated Jesus so much that they associated Him with Satan!
The Apostles would have to endure as worthy disciples the hatred and ridicule from people as they showed themselves to be worthy disciples.
Connection:
How do we handle being called names, being made fun of, or even treated poorly for our faith?
sometimes from our own families or acquaintances?
Do we let it roll off our back like water on a duck?
Sometimes when it comes from certain people that you didn’t expect, it stings..
What should we do in those moments?
Keep your mind about you and remember who it is they hate, it isn’t you!
Pray for them, pray that God opens their heart and mind to receive the truth.
But there are times and moments after you pray that you must:
Be Bold in your Faith (26-31)
Be Bold in your Faith (26-31)
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.
How can we be bold in our faith?
Do we belligerently yell what we believe to everyone we come in contact with?
I don’t believe so, I believe that we are to state what we believe and why we believe it with confidence.
No matter who we are talking to about the subject.
These passages can serve as a re-adjusting our focus to what is true.
Whom we are to fear.
Know There is only one who has the authority over each and ever one of our souls.
That is God Himself, not man!
Connection:
Think about people throughout history who folded in the face of worldly authority, money and power.
If they had the boldness to stand firm what would they have accomplished or changed?
Pastor Dave it’s hard to be bold..
Your right it is.
It also requires something from you.
You have to know what you believe and why you believe it!
That is what separates people’s personal faith from the faith their family has, or that their culture has, or that their church teaches.
They believe it because they studied it out in God’s word and it is theologically sound.
Yet because it’s easier to let someone in a pulpit tell you what to believe you rely on him instead of studying it yourself.
Did you know that the number one reason people are scared of sharing their faith is because they don’t believe they know enough to tell others?
Imagine who you would reach if you believed that God would provide what you needed in those conversations.
You may be less likely to shy away from that conversation.
Boldly speak, and live out what you believe.
You are called to be an ambassador, representative of Jesus to the World, with the goal to reconcile souls from bondage of sin to freedom because of grace.
Conclusion:
Living by faith is difficult because people are hateful, mean, and relentless.
Choose to be a worthy ambassador who lives by faith believing that each conversation and situation God is there and will provide what you need.
Knowing and believing that truth allows you the privilege to be bold in your faith.
Charlie Kirk did these things, He boldly lived out his faith
He understood that it wouldn’t be easy; but accepted the call to be an ambassador.
And He was martyred for his faith.
His actions showed the legacy he left behind was a powerful example in death for the Lord.
Look how people are acknowledging the truth!
A man who kept open the conversation between opposite stances in politics religion, and life in general was murdered for doing that.
Unbeknownst to those who devised evil against him and in an effort to silence him gave him the loudest voice and validated what he was doing.
You and I can be an example like him and all the other Martyrs with the legacy we leave behind after death.
-Pray!
