What is your life worth?

(NKJV)

Hebrews 2:14–16 NKJV

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

(TCENB):

2:15 The fear of death enslaves unbelievers in that our fear of death leads us to behave in ways that please Satan (e.g., selfishly, living for the present, etc.). A believer need not have the same fear of death as an unbeliever (cf. ). Consequently we need not feel compelled to live for the present (e.g., put self first, do anything to save our lives, etc.) as unbelievers do. The fear of death tyrannizes many people both consciously and subconsciously.

“It is ironical that human beings, destined to rule over the creation ( LXX, cited in vv 6–8), should find themselves in the posture of a slave, paralyzed through the fear of death (Kögel, Sohn, 80). Hopeless subjection to death characterizes earthly existence apart from the intervention of God . . .”

2:16 Here “the seed of Abraham” probably refers primarily to believers, the spiritual descendants of Abraham (), rather than to Jews, the physical descendants of Abraham (cf. ). The original readers were both the physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham. The contrast is between angelic and human believers in the context. Jesus Christ does not give help to angels in the same way He does to Christians. He helps us uniquely as an elder brother and parent (vv. 11–15).

John Wesley said, “Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the Kingdom of God on earth.”

—The Preacher’s Magazine

When the great Chrysostom was arrested by the Roman Emperor, the latter sought to make the Greek Christian recant, but without success. So the emperor discussed with his advisers what could be done to the prisoner. “Shall I put him in a dungeon?” the Emperor asked.

“No,” one of his counselors replied, “for he will be glad to go. He longs for the quietness wherein he can delight in the mercies of his God.”

“Then he shall be executed!” said the Emperor.

“No,” was the answer, “for he will also be glad to die. He declares that in the event of death he will be in the presence of his Lord.”

“What shall we do then?” the ruler asked.

“There is only one thing that will give Chrysostom pain,” the counselor said. “To cause Chrysostom to suffer, make him sin. He is afraid of nothing except sin.”

—Baptist Standard

When it comes to modern Christianity, I fear that most do not think of their lives as expendable!

You might find that statement contrary to your spirit, and I understand that it is not an easy one to deal with.

But, our understanding is not syncretic to the Biblical model.

In our modern church more prayer is made for

The simple comforts of life.

The end and avoidance of all pain whether physical or emotional.

Protection rather than service.

Easement rather than stamina and endurance.

Slide of the Thomas Family in Iraq.

They minister in one of the most dangerous places in the world. on the front lines of ISIS controlled territories.

They are not an anomaly, but represent many families who have discarded the comfortable life, to serve the unreached people of the world with the gospel, counting themselves expendable for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Did you know that there are 100,000 Christians killed for their faith in Jesus every year?

Our text today has something to say regarding this position of expendability!

So let's look at the two main principals from this passage:

The first principal states that…

I. Jesus came to destroy.

Yes, Jesus came to destroy -

The Devil, and his controlling power over death.

Now, did Jesus not do enough? Because the devil is still here taunting us, accusing us, desiring to devour us! right?

Yes! Jesus did it all. He said it is finished!

Yet, despite His destruction of Satan, the sentance has not yet been carried out!

Our text says, "He might destroy him who had the power over death".

The part of speech that is presented is one that is final and highly probable!

In other words, He has been conquered but the time of execution has not yet come.

The Devil has been condemned and will at an appointed time be executed!

So in the mean time, he is free to taunt us with His ways!

But, because He doesn’t rule over us anymore, because we serve a new Master ( the Lord Jesus Christ), He has no power over us!

The second principal presented is that…

II. Jesus came to release.

But to release what?

Those who were in bondage, through the fear of death.

Some of my opening statements will now begin to make more sense.

First, you need to know that the verb "release" is the same part of speech that destroy is in the first principal!

But this is how it plays out:

Jesus has released us from the fear of death so that we may live eternally for Him! and if we are not, its because we choose not to.

There is nothing stopping us from counting our very lives as expendable except our own fear!

What Wesley was looking for and Chrysostom lived, is fearing only sin and not what man could do!

This in a nut shell, is the true Christian perspective!

I will only tell you the truth every time!

A. Jesus came to release us from Bondage.

Bondage that excuses ourselves from living for Jesus because we love living for ourselves more.

As His disciples, we need to understand that loving our lives will bring loss!

John 12:25 NKJV

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

We also live in bondage to fear!

We need to understand that fear brings torment!

1 John 4:18 NKJV

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.

When we understand the true love of God for ourselves and others, we will be free from the bondage of self.

B. Jesus came to release us to serve Him.

We have been called to serve Him -

Wherever He puts us!

In whatever circumstance we find ourselves!

Regardless of what people think or say!

Regardless of what they do to us, or threaten to do!

We are to lay down our lives for the service of the Lord, not the service of self!

Daniel 3:16–18 NKJV

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

The problem with the church today, is that we have no holy backbone!

We aren’t willing to live for Him when He gave it all for us!

We are the most ungrateful people on the planet!

I’m sorry, but I have no interest in feeding you some mamby-pamby, watered down, feel good about yourself, message. You can get that anywhere!

I will only tell you the truth every time!

This is scriptural!

This is essential to the faith!

Romans

Romans 8:16–17 NKJV

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

So, let me ask you:

What is your life worth?