Bible Materials

Matthew 10:16-42

by Paul Choi   06/14/2015   Matthew 10:16~42

Message


Fear God, Not Men

Matthew 10:16-42

Key Verse: 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

  Last week we learned about Jesus’ instructions for his disciples’ mission journey. Jesus instructed them not to take anything for their journey so that they might depend on God alone. God would provide all necessary things for their mission journey and they were worthy of receiving them. Jesus’ disciples would be the ambassador of Christ Jesus, who would bring the good news and peace to every house they visited. They were the peacemakers.

  In today’s passage Jesus’ instructions for their future ministry continue. His disciples would confront more challenges and oppositions, just as we sometimes experience today. Jesus teaches us how to overcome all these persecutions and how to have victorious lives of faith as his disciples.

First, be as wise as snakes and as pure as doves (16) Look at verse 16. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Jesus compared his disciples to sheep and the world to wolves. Sheep are weak and vulnerable animals who are easily attacked by wolves. Wolves are crafty and fearsome beasts. So, in Aesop’s Fables there are many stories about cunning wolves and innocent sheep. This world is full of wolves - people who deceive, manipulate, and attack innocent Christians. Their purpose is to kill and destroy God’s sheep. What did Jesus say to his disciples?  He said, “Therefore be as shrewd (wise) as snakes and as innocent (pure) as doves.” Snakes are known as crafty and evil animals in the Bible. Snakes blend in with the environment, observe a situation carefully, and then strike suddenly and fatally, swallowing their adversary. So we don’t like snakes. We may hate snakes, but we need to learn from their wisdom in order to handle complicated and dangerous situations. Above all, we need God’s wisdom through the Holy Spirit.

 We see doves gathering in the park and eating their food. This is the main picture of doves in our memory. They often look foolish, but Jesus said that they were innocent and harmless. Jesus’ disciples needed to learn innocence and purity from doves. The disciples needed wisdom for dealing with all kinds of people and handling all kind of situations. In doing so, they must not lose their purity as God’s servant. To have both wisdom and purity we need God’s help through the Holy Spirit.

We need wisdom and purity when we go out for outreach (fishing) on campus. We need wisdom to preach the gospel and invite students to Jesus. We do not use one strategy for all people. We need different ways, different attitude, and different words according to the situations. Jesus showed us a good example in John 4 while helping a Samaritan woman. Jesus was as wise as a snake and as pure as a dove. The Samaritan woman, who had five husbands, was quite different from Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. Jesus taught the woman about the way to eternal life from the subject of water, which was their common interest at that time. Jesus was patient and wise enough to open her spiritual eyes to see Him as the true Messiah. Jesus saw the woman as one lost soul, not as an immoral woman. Jesus helped her with God’s compassion and wisdom. We need Jesus’ wisdom and purity when inviting others to Christ Jesus. May God provide all of us with Jesus’ wisdom and purity.

Second, depend on the Holy Spirit. Look at verses 17-20. “Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Jesus predicted the future persecution against his disciples. Paul said in 2 Tim 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” People persecute Christians because of Jesus. Jesus said in verse 22. “You will be hated by everyone because of me…” If the disciples kept quiet, they might escape persecutions. But when they preached the gospel and called the name of Jesus, they would be arrested and stand before the local officials, their religious leaders, and the Gentiles. But Jesus said that they didn’t need to afraid for what to say or how to say it. This is because the Spirit of the Father, the Holy Spirit, would tell them what to say or how to say it. It would be the Holy Spirit, not the disciples, who would defend them and preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and wisdom. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is Another Counselor, Advocate, and Defender. When we simply pray and depend on the work of the Holy Spirit, he will give us courage, words, and wisdom in the time of persecutions.

  Peter and John healed a lame beggar in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. They said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Ac 3:6) The news about the miracles performed by Peter and John disturbed the religious leaders. They arrested Peter and John and put them in prison. They brought them before Sanhedrin to stop their teaching and healing in the name of Jesus Christ. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter proclaimed the name of Jesus before them. He said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Ac 4:12) The religious leaders were amazed by Peter’s courage and wisdom because he was an unschooled and ordinary man. They threatened Peter not to speak in the name of Jesus and released him because they could not do anything against Peter. (Ac 4:21) The Holy Spirit gave courage to Peter.

  Paul was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for trial. He knew that the Sanhedrin was composed of the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection or angels, and the Pharisees, who did believe in resurrection and angels. The Holy Spirit gave Paul wisdom about what to say. Paul said that he was a Pharisee and that he was arrested because he had proclaimed the hope of resurrection of the dead. (Ac 23:6) Immediately a division between the Sadducees and the Pharisees arose. While they were disputing and arguing, Paul was released by a Roman commander. The Holy Spirit provided wisdom for Paul during his trial.

  We need courage and wisdom, which come from the Holy Spirit, in all aspects of our lives. I need words and wisdom for my weekly sermon. Peter said, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God…” (1 Pe 4:11a) We need words and wisdom when we teach the word, counsel children, and even being interviewed for job. We don’t have to worry about what to say or how to say it in advance. We must earnestly pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of our lives. Jesus said, “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father- the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father- he will testify about me.” (Jn 15:26)

Third, Fear God, not fear men. (21-33) Persecutions against Jesus’ disciples would be severe. Persecutions from their own family members would be more unbearable.  Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. (21) Christians would be hated by everyone because of Jesus. But Jesus said that the one who stands firm to the end would be saved. (22) What does “stand firm to the end” mean? It means “be faithful to Jesus to the point of death.” In Revelations 2:10 the Lord Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Polycarp was the disciple of the Apostle John and a bishop of the church at Smyrna. He was arrested and put in prison because he did not burn incense to Caesar. He was threatened to be burned at the stake if he did not deny Jesus. Polycarp said, “During the 86 years that I have served him, my Lord Jesus has never disowned me. How can I disown my Lord Jesus?” Then he surrendered himself to the flames willingly.

In verse 23 Jesus gave another strategy to his disciples in time of persecutions: Flee. When we are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Fleeing from persecution is not a cowardly or shameful action. It is God’s wisdom for future ministry avoiding unnecessary conflict. When the persecutions were severe, Christians were scattered fleeing from persecutors. Wherever the Christians went, they preached the gospel. God used these scattered Christians to preach the gospel in Samaria and established a church in Antioch. (Ac 11:19-21)  We Christians need God’s wisdom whether we endure a persecution or flee.

In verses 26-33Jesus repeated the phrase, “Do not be afraid” three times. (26,28,31) There are three reasons why we should not be afraid in the times of persecution. First, the truth will win in the end. (26-27) Look at verses 26-27. “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” What is the truth?  Jesus is the truth (Jn 14:6).  I was so moved by the message of Pastor Ron Ward in Chicago UBF, who wrote, “After the Jewish religious leaders carried out the terrible injustice of killing Jesus, he was buried. His tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers. They wanted to bury the truth about Jesus along with his body. However, Almighty God raised Jesus from the dead. The Risen Christ appeared to many witnesses, who were so changed by meeting him that they willingly gave their lives to share his message. The truth about Jesus, including his sacrificial death and glorious resurrection is now known to the world. Jesus is the truth that cannot be suppressed. Persecution may last for a season, but truth will triumph in the end. This gives us confidence and a sense of final victory.” The truth always wins in the end! Jesus gives us final victory. Amen.

Second, we don’t be afraid of men because our God is the Eternal Judge (28) Look at verse 28. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The worst thing which may happen to us is death. Satan plants fear of death. Satan uses the fear of death in the times of persecution. But, even death cannot win over us because we have glorious resurrection after death through Jesus Christ. ISIS may destroy our bodies, but not our souls. Our bodies are temporal and perishable. All men will die and our bodies will perish like grass. But, our soul lasts forever. Even though Satan cannot control our soul, God can. God is our Eternal and Final Judge. We are children of God. God is our Father. So, we don’t have to fear those who persecute us, reject us, or threaten us because death cannot stop our eternal life. Death cannot separate us from the love of Christ Jesus. (Ro 8:35-39)When we go out for outreach, we must overcome fear of rejection or persecution. Satan cannot do anything for our soul or for our eternal life. Therefore, let us preach the gospel and invite people to Christ Jesus with confidence and faith. Amen!

Third, we don’t fear people because God will take care of us. (29-33)  Look at verses 29-31. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” At Jesus’ time, sparrows were used as food by very poor people. Two sparrows were sold for ‘a penny’, equivalent to a few dollars in US currency. Even these sparrows did not fall to the ground apart from the will of God. How much more valuable and precious than sparrows are we! We are children of God. God cares not only about our life-and-death matters, but also about very tiny matters in our life. He knows everything about us. He can count even the number of our hairs. God knows when we were born and when we die. He holds our destiny. In fact, our life belongs to God. No one and nothing can take away our lives without God’s permission. David Livingstone said, “We will never die until our mission from God has been fulfilled.” Therefore we must not be afraid of death. God will protect us until we go to heaven. Amen.

  Look at verses 32-33. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” In these verses Jesus teaches us that disowning Jesus before people is not a small matter. If we disown Jesus on this earth, Jesus will disown us before God the Father in the final judgment. If Jesus disowns us, there is no way to be saved. Fear God, not fear men!

Fourth, love Jesus most (34-42) Jesus’ teachings sometimes sound contradictory. In verse 34 Jesus said, “…I did not come to bring peace but a sword…”  “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (Lk 12:51) We know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He promised to give peace to his disciples (Jn 14:27) God said in the Ten Commandments, “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12) But Jesus said in verse 37, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their sons or daughters more than me is not worthy of me.”  According to these words, Jesus did not mean that we must hate our father or mother or children, but that we must love Jesus most. Jesus was talking about priority, not hostility. Jesus is worthy of our love, devotion, affection and everything from us. He is the God of creation and the author of our lives. He loved us and gave his life for our salvation. Who could die for our eternal life? I have wonderful parents. I love them very much. Still, they can’t save my soul. They cannot take death in my place. But Jesus did so. Therefore, Jesus deserves to be loved and exalted above all people and all things on this earth, even our lovely family members.  Jesus said in verses 38,39. “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Jesus encourages us to sacrifice all things for our eternal life. Life on this earth is short, but life in God’s kingdom is eternal. The way of eternal life is to take up our crosses and to follow Jesus, who is the way and the truth and the life. (Jn 14:6)  When we follow Jesus, our reward in heaven will be great. We will be welcomed and rewarded. (40-41) Even when we did small things for others, such as giving a cup of water for the sake of Jesus, we will be rewarded in heaven. (42)  

  In today’s passage we learned Jesus’ instructions. Jesus repeated to his disciples, “Do not be afraid.” We don’t have to be afraid in the time of persecution and affliction because the truth always wins in the end. Jesus will protect us and take care of us. Above all, our life belongs to God. The worst thing which may happen to us is death. But after death we will rise again and enter the kingdom of heaven, where there is no more death, or mourning or crying or pain. (Rev 21:4) Remember that we will never die until we finish our mission which came from heaven. Amen!


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