Fearful Christians

Text: Matthew 10:24-31

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (11/04/01)

Introduction:   

Two of the greatest words in Scripture (when together) are found in our text “Fear Not”.

They are not there for the Lord’s sake but for us!!

There is plenty to cause fear in this world.   EXAMPLES….

What you fear most reveals what you love most.  John 12:42-43

The whole context of Matthew 10 is the commissioning of the Apostles to preach, the promise of persecution and the cost of discipleship which accompany that commission.

Christ tells us in vs 24-25 not to think that this is unusual, for He Himself suffered greatly.  Ultimately going to the cross for man’s sin.

The point being that “The disciple is not above his Master”

Beelzebub, or Beelzebul, was a god of the Eckronites. See 2Ki 1:2. The word literally means the god of flies, so called because this idol was supposed to protect them from the numerous swarms of flies with which that country is supposed to have abounded.

The word also signified, among the Jews, the god of filth, and was esteemed as the most low and offensive of all the idol gods. Hence the name was given to the leader, or prince, of all the devils.  By giving the name to Christ, they poured upon him the greatest possible abuse and contempt.

We should not be surprised that…

1 Corinthians 4:13  Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

We should not be surprised that…

1 Peter 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Rather, we must be….

Hebrews 12:2-4  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

There is a needed note of encouragement in this chapter as three times in the next few verses we are given the great words of hope and cheer….

“FEAR NOT”

Reasons why the Christian need not fear…

I. God Sees Everything vs.26-27

God is watching you.   (no virtue or vice among men is hidden from Him).

A. That which is covered will be revealed vs.26

Friend, your life is going to be turned wrong side out someday and so is mine; so you had better have the inside of your life looking as attractive as the outside.

1 Corinthians 4:5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1. Evil Deeds

2. Impure Motives

3. Rejection of Truth

The disciples innocence, their principles, and their integrity, in due time would be revealed; God would vindicate them.  They were, then, to be willing to be unknown, despised, persecuted, for a time, with the assurance that their true characters should yet be understood, and their sufferings appreciated.

B. God will ensure the Proclamation of His Truth vs.27

1. Speak it in the Light

2. Preach it from the Housetops

They were not to keep anything back because of fear.

2 Corinthians 3:12  Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

Unashamed of the Gospel.

John 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

APP:  Meet in secret with Jesus, but let your testimony and your witness be conspicuous.

II. God Alone Has Power Over Life And Death vs.28

A. Man has a Little Control

1. He can kill the body

2. He cannot destroy the soul

3. He can spare the body

4. He cannot save the soul

Ultimately he has no control.

B. God has all Control

1. He can destroy the soul as well as the body.

In Hell – ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION

This passage proves that the bodies of the wicked will be raised up to be punished for ever.

2. He can save the soul and the body.

In Heaven – ULTIMATE SALVATION

C. Conclusion – Fear God and Not Man

Proverbs 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Don't worry about what people say about you if you are being faithful to Him.

ILLUS: Someone asked Cromwell why he was such a brave man. Cromwell replied, "I've learned that when you fear God, you do not have any man to fear."

There is no cure for the fear of man, like the fear of God!!

NOTICE it is not escape from fear that is advocated, but that the lesser fear should give way to the greater fear.

Psalms 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Isaiah 8:13  Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Isaiah 51:12-13  I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;

13  And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

III. God Knows You vs.29-31

… and Cares for You!

A. The smallest of creatures do not escape His attention vs.29

God took care of sparrows, the smallest and least valuable birds

B. The smallest of details do not escape His attention vs.30

He has fixed the number; and though of small importance, yet he does not think it beneath him to determine how few, or how many, they shall be. He will, therefore, take care of you.

C. The believer is of incomparable value to the Lord vs.31

Psalms 8:5  For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

1. The preciousness of a soul.

Mark 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

2. The eternal life of the believer.

3. God’s desire for a relationship with man.

Conclusion:     (Review)

Christian, Do you live in fear

            …of obedience to Christ?

            …of the cost of discipleship?

            …of the reaction of the lost?

Then you are living beneath your privilege!

REMEMBER:

God sees you, He knows you, and He has power over life and death!!