5 Things You Already Know

Passage Main Point: Don’t fear man, fear God

Passage Main Point: Don’t fear man, fear God

Sermon Main Point: Fear is fake and faith is brave

Problem: We fear death, so we fear man, so we become hypocrites.

Solution: Fear God, not man.

Thoughts

: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

We fear man because we fear death. We fear death because we doubt Christ’s victory over Satan. We are living in unbelief

The warning is against hypocrisy

Not swearing, or gossip, or sexual immorality, or drinking, or being lazy— all of these things are bad and Jesus says you need to live rightly.

But all those things can only be forgiven if you are willing to repent and ask for forgiveness— Something hypocrisy won’t allow

“the leaven”— spreading sin. Infection.

Silly to be hypocritical because everything will eventually be made known

When Peter was concerned with the world’s way more then with God’s way, Jesus called him Satan

Salvation comes when we ask for it because we know we need it and can’t get it ourselves. Hypocrisy stops us from getting there

We lie and fake and be hypocrites because we are afraid of what others might think or do. But, that’s silly because 1) they have no real power, 2) God has all the real power, 3) God is the one that anyone should be afraid of.

Ironically, if we being to fear God correctly, we will find love and that takes everything away that could be scary.

fear=respect. Respect uncovers Love

Thing #1: You are a hypocrite

12:1-7

1

The religion is

Being fake, dishonest, untrue, not real- this is hypocrisy.

Leaven: think poison. Infection.

2-3

Being fake is silly since it will all show eventually

This is usually our biggest fear, because we know it is coming

Thing #2: You don’t want to be a hypocrite

4

We are fake because we are scared. Scared of judgment, being outcast, being made fun of, looking dumb, being hurt or hated.

Thing #3: Your fear will make you fake

Jesus here says that what these people can do is limited

5:

If we are going to be afraid of something what should it be? Shouldn’t it be the one in control?

The one in control has the authority to let people into heaven or send them to hell. Bigger deal than being made fun of.

**$135/hr to hole watch**

Even if we were threatened with death, it still shouldn’t be enough to scare us because Jesus already beat death

: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

He won. There is no other play.

Thing #4: Your faith will make you brave

6-7

Remember for a second the value that you have.

**How much would we pay for someone**

God cares for you so much, it isn’t about being afraid. It is about respecting Him and understanding that He loves you.

Thing #5: God loves you

Passage Summary:

Be careful about what everyone is saying is good, about what is popular. Eventually they will teach you to become a hypocrite. They will tell you to fake it, to lie, to do wrong things in the dark and to keep terrible secrets. But, honestly, don’t fall for such a stupid lie. Everything is eventually going to be found out. There is no such thing as a secret from God. When the time comes, whatever people said or did, whatever you thought you were going to get away with— it will all crash down.

So, why are you hiding things and playing along with hypocrites? Because you are scared. You are scared and you are ashamed. You are scared that people will reject you and you are ashamed that you are not perfect. You are less than what you think you should be, so you play along. But, I am telling you, don’t just play along with hypocritical people because they could say something to you, or do something to you, or even kill you. Instead, you need to be concerned about what God wants. He is the one that will be making the decisions about heaven and hell. He is the one that actually loves you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Are you going to listen to Him or listen to the world?

Fear Man or Fear God?

Are you fake or brave?