05-05-2019 - Lessons from a Thief - DENIAL

Matthew 10:25–39 NLT

25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! 26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! 28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. 34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ 37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

On Resurrection Sunday, in our Second Vignette - Our thief was caught, and began to share his denial of what was truly important - Paying attention to God’s Word… He had denied so much, now a convicted thief and murderer - he was beginning to understand the cost of DENYING GOD IN HIS LIFE

I want to speak to the Christ - Followers regarding DENIAL..

Understanding Denial

Denial Begins with Internal CONFLICT

There is FEAR of Labels (Christians ARE the problem…) - v. 25

There is FEAR of Threats (We will Ruin You) - v. 26

There is the FEAR of Harm (We will Kill You) - v. 28 - Notice the Chiasm, kill the BODY, cannot touch the SOUL, for only God can destroy the SOUL and BODY in HELL - The Chiasm put’s GOD in the central position and FEAR at the beginning and HELL at the End

CHALLENGE: Jesus is Clear, Fear is Set Opposite of HELL - Never Let Your Fear of Following Jesus Put you (or the others you should be telling about Jesus) in Jeopardy of HELL

Denial is Fueled by Family & Social CRITICISM

The Criticism flows from Publicly Declaring What Jesus has shown us in Secret, in our Bible Study, Personal Devotions, as we grow in the word God intends for there to be a SOCIAL OUTLET of what he has done in our private Lives

Today, we are told that Religion is a private thing (in other words go worship and shut-up) - but Jesus Tells us here an in Mark 4 that what we learn of Him in secret MUST FLOW OUT IN A SOCIAL CONTEXT

New Living Translation Chapter 4

21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

CHALLENGE: Failure to CONTINUE Following, Learning and Expressing What Jesus has taught us Results in LOSS of what we already possessed about Him!!!

Deserting Jesus Results not only in Dereliction of Duty but in Him Deserting You in the Wilderness of your choice...

Denial Ends with Public CONDEMNATION

Let’s Return to Verse 33, then add verses 38-39

Matthew 10:33 NLT

33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:38–39 NLT

38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

CHALLENGE: You Have One of Two Choices when it Comes to Denial and Public Condemnation… Choose Peter’s Path and PUBLICLY DENY JESUS…

A Risk-Reward analysis that includes Matthew 10:33 and Matthew 10:38-39 Indicates that this would be a poor choice in light of ETERNAL consequences...

OR

Choose to grow in the teachings of Jesus and Be Ready Always to Give an Answer of the Hope that is in you in The SOCIAL Arenas of your life - Family, Work, Public Discourse - Let what Jesus has taught you flow into the lives of others, without regard for the potential Conflict, Criticism or Condemnation that may arise.