Truth and it's consequences.
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Truth and it’s consequences.
Truth and it’s consequences.
What we are going to look at today is the consequences of boldness and taking a stand for the truth.
Last year, Christians were persecuted more than ever before in the modern era — and this year is expected to be worse: "4,136 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons," according to Open Doors USA in its recently published World Watch List
Sometimes in the Christian life we will be faced with a choice, a choice between compromise or what is right according to God, not what the world says. John the Baptist found himself at a place where he spoke up and spoke out and it literally cost him his head.
We’ve already seen where Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth. There we saw Him rejected by the people who had witnessed Him grow up. And we saw that He did heal a few sick people in the town of Nazareth.
Last week in verses 7-13 we read that Jesus sent out His disciples 2 by 2 and he empowered them to preach repentance, cast out demons and heal people. And they did just that. But Jesus prepared them for rejection.
At this time in our county we are not seeing people killed for their faith. But their are many that are rejecting the truth of God’s word.
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
II Timothy
This is happening in so many American churches in our day. Pastors that will computerize the truth. Allow things to go on in churches that go against what God says. Or just look the other way.
Some pastors are worried about losing their job. $$$$$. Or they have someone in their church that has influence.
This is not just for pastors, but for all Christians to stand up for the truth. Which could mean paying the consequences.
14 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.”
15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”
This was Herod Antipas, he was the son of Herod the Great. He was who dealt with the wisemen. Elab. When they left to go back, he had all the children killed 2yrs old and under.
a. Now Herod Antipas hears about Jesus. Jesus had become well know. Miracles, teachings (one with authority, not like the scribes)
b. The word gets to Herod about this man Jesus. His teaching reminding him of someone else. JTB. The memory of John, was something Herod would have like to forget.
c. When he was told about Jesus, his response. You may say it’s Jesus, but I know you He really is. JTB risen from the dead.
d. What He had done the JTB hunted him.
VS 15 Elab
The Voice of Truth.
The Voice of Truth.
16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
Herod did not agree with the other speculations.
a. Herod had PTJTBS . What he had done to JTB hunted him.
Herod had PTJTBS . What he had done to JTB hunted him.
b.Things he did reminded him of JTB, dreamed about him, he saw his face, the heard his voice, the voice of truth.
c. JTB spoke the truth and it cost him his head.
d. Speaking the truth about God’s word can cost you. Job, friends, family.
Jh
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus is the truth, JTB was the for runner of the truth.
John made one of the most important proclamations in the Bible in
John 1:
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John’s public ministry was abruptly halted when he was cast into prison by Herod. Though he was killed early in his ministry, his words ring true today! John certainly was THE VOICE OF TRUTH! Not only do we see “The Voice Of Truth”, We also see: The source of truth.
The source of Truth.
The source of Truth.
VS 17-20
17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
Mark 6:
17 For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.
He puts him in prison, this would keep him quiet.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way;
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark
1. The purpose of JTB life was to “prepare the way for the Savior”
2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
a. John had a God given platform. God said “Behold, I send my messenger”. John was God’s man. The message he proclaimed was not his own… IT WAS God’s .........
Mark 1:
a. John had a God given platform. God said “Behold, I send my messenger”. John was God’s man. The message he proclaimed was not his own… IT WAS God’s .........
b. There are many men today who have a platform… Preachers, politicians, radio host’s, movie stars etc. They are in positions where they can be heard by many people. The problem is that in most cases these individuals use their platform for selfish gain or to promote their agenda. And it is common for those with a platform to stretch the truth or just outright lie to benefit themselves. (If you don’t believe me, just pay look around, it is an election year)
c. John had no personal agenda, his goal was to proclaim God’s message of repentance! With personal agendas often comes compromise. We find that there was no compromise in this man.
d. John had no personal agenda, his goal was to proclaim God’s message of repentance! With personal agendas often comes compromise. We find that there was no compromise in this man.
17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
17 For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.
18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
By telling Herod it was unlawful, he was speaking of the scriptures.
John could go straight to the scriptures to prove his case and confront Herod’s sin:
6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the Lord.
Uncover their nakedness (sexual relationship)
1) None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.
16 ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife; it is your brother’s nakedness.
2) Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife:
3) Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Mark 6:
19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
19 Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so;
Herodias was a mean, evil, wicked woman. The Jezebel of the N.T.
Though Herod did not like the fact that John exposed his sin, he still respected him.
John 6:20
20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
20 for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.
Herod feared John, he feared in a way of respect. John was a just man, holy. But tragically he did not fear him enough.
a. Herod like to hear what JTB had to say. He seemed to be fascinated by JTB. He wanted to hear what he had to say.
b. Like Ahab in the O.T, where Jezebel was the problem. Herodias was the problem for Herod.
c. JTB called then out. Sin is Sin. But we live in a day where sin has become okay, it has become acceptable.
d. For someone to be saved they have to be forgiven of their sins. TO be forgiven of their sins, they have to know that they are a sinner.
e.
You can call sin okay but it doesn’t make it right!
Man says …it is alright to live together without being married
Man says …men can marry men and women can marry women
Man says … it is ok to get drunk and “have a good time”
Man says … it is ok to partake in illegal drugs
Man says …it is ok to commit adultery
Man says …it is ok to kill unborn babies
In the book of Judges O.T
6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
We are living in a similar day today! And when you stand up for truth …when you become a “Voice of Truth” you will face persecution. That is what John did and that is exactly what he faced.
III. The Enemies Of Truth
III. The Enemies Of Truth
21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
21 But an opportune time came [for Herodias] when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and the high military commanders and chief men of Galilee.
Marl 6:21
This was a day for Herodias to get her revenge on JTB.
a. The day had come, it was Herod birthday, he was the man of the day. A day of pride for him, all the rulers were there. His wife (Herodias) made him feel extra special that day. She went all out for him.
a. The day
b. Lots of drinking going on. Lots of laughter, and drunkeness. Then Herodias puts her plan into action. And used her daughter.
22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
22 and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”
23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.”
The daughter his brother and unlawful wife dances for them. Elab the drunks.
a. Herod has impressed his guest. I’ll give whatever you want, up to half my kingdom.
b. We could have a whole different message from this, but lets stick to the subject. JTB spoke the truth, and there would be consequences.
24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
Elab on this verse.
Mark
25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
25 Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
Elab on this verse
Mark 6:
26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
26 And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.
Herod was caught and he knew it. All his guest there, he could either look bad in front of them and refuse. Or have JTB killed.
a. He is know sorry for what he had done.
b.
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Elab on verses.
i. Are you willing to be a “Voice of Truth”?
Will you take a stand when it is becoming less and les popular and acceptable to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ?
Will you take a stand against those things that are an offense to God?
ii. Do you know the “Source Of Truth”
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Pa
The psalmist says in - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Is the Word of God precious to you? Do you read it?Do you study it?Do you meditate upon it? DO YOU USE IT
iii. Are you willing to face “The Enemies Of Truth”?
In John’s story we saw Herod, Herodias & her daughter. Satan wanted John dead and these folks were used of him to accomplish this goal.
Satan would like to annihilate any who would proclaim the Gospel.
And if you know the “Source Of Truth” and you are willing to be a “Voice Of Truth” the you will encounter the “Enemy Of Truth”
When you possess Christian boldness you will not be the most popular person around. When you take a stand for the things of God you may lose friends. When you take a stand it may hinder your chances of advancement in secular work.
When you take a stand you may face isolation There are many difficulties that you may face as a result of standing for truth. We have recently witnessed this in our own country.
Chick-fil-a Truett Cathy. Closed Sunday. Same sex marriage.
Christianity is being attacked.
