Comforts and Challenges
Text: Matthew 10:24-33 Time: 22/07/07 Place: Childs Hill Baptist Church
We've begun to look at Matthew 10 and Jesus commissioning his disciples to go out as apostles (sent ones) in his name, preaching the kingdom of God and healing and casting out demons. We have said that what Jesus says here firstly concerns this specific mission but that there are indications that wider concerns are in mind – the subsequent apostolic period and beyond that even to our own day. It's like an extendable telescope – as you open out the verses you see their relevance to later periods.
We began by speaking of the Christian ministry and how Jesus prepares ministers for the task to which he calls them then gives them authority to go out in his name. Ministers greatly vary. Sadly some (like Judas) prove false. They go out preaching, freely giving to others what they have freely received. It is our responsibility to receive them and their message. If we don't the consequences will be dire.
Last week we began with the verse about going out as sheep among wolves and the need to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. We then considered the almost inevitable persecution from one direction or other that is likely when we go out in Jesus' name. We must do what we can to escape persecution but we need to stand firm and keep preaching the good news. God will give us just the words to say at such times.
This week I want us to look at Jesus' words in 24-33 where he continues to talk about persecution but especially bringing words of comfort to his disciples and then giving a powerful challenge to all at the end. So three things
1. Consider worldly opposition and its virtual inevitability
As we've already said, persecution is almost inevitable for the Christian somewhere along the line. We quoted 2 Tim 3:12 Anyone who wants to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. To drive this point home Jesus uses an obvious illustration. These men were his disciples, his pupils, his students. He is their Lord and Master and they are his servants. He is head of the household and they his tenants. So think about this student/teacher, servant/master, landlord/tenant relationship. There is a principle here.
1. Recognise the rule for students and teachers or servants and masters
24, 25 A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. When a teacher in a school sets a piece of work for a pupil he or she does not expect them to do something better than they could do themselves. When someone is learning a craft – painting or sculpture, cooking or playing football. The master, the expert shows them what to do and they copy. They are not expected to be better than the master, the expert, only to do the thing in a similar way.
So here is a simple principle for us. We are not called to be better than Jesus – that would be unthinkable. But we are called to be like him, to resemble him. If we are his students, his servants, his disciples, that must be our aim – to be like him. He is firstly our Saviour but he is also our role model.
2. See that opposition is inevitable therefore for true disciples
Now if we are to seek to be like him, it would be foolish to think that we will not get the same reaction as he got. And so he says If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, that is 'Prince of demons' and that's just one of the unpleasant things they called him, how much more the members of his household! We know, of course, that eventually they pursued Jesus to death on the cross. Now it would be a form of madness to suppose that we will be more warmly received than he was. No, we must expect opposition. Persecution is virtually inevitable.
We began by speaking of the Christian ministry and how Jesus prepares ministers for the task to which he calls them then gives them authority to go out in his name. Ministers greatly vary. Sadly some (like Judas) prove false. They go out preaching, freely giving to others what they have freely received. It is our responsibility to receive them and their message. If we don't the consequences will be dire.
Last week we began with the verse about going out as sheep among wolves and the need to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. We then considered the almost inevitable persecution from one direction or other that is likely when we go out in Jesus' name. We must do what we can to escape persecution but we need to stand firm and keep preaching the good news. God will give us just the words to say at such times.
This week I want us to look at Jesus' words in 24-33 where he continues to talk about persecution but especially bringing words of comfort to his disciples and then giving a powerful challenge to all at the end. So three things
1. Consider worldly opposition and its virtual inevitability
As we've already said, persecution is almost inevitable for the Christian somewhere along the line. We quoted 2 Tim 3:12 Anyone who wants to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. To drive this point home Jesus uses an obvious illustration. These men were his disciples, his pupils, his students. He is their Lord and Master and they are his servants. He is head of the household and they his tenants. So think about this student/teacher, servant/master, landlord/tenant relationship. There is a principle here.
1. Recognise the rule for students and teachers or servants and masters
24, 25 A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. When a teacher in a school sets a piece of work for a pupil he or she does not expect them to do something better than they could do themselves. When someone is learning a craft – painting or sculpture, cooking or playing football. The master, the expert shows them what to do and they copy. They are not expected to be better than the master, the expert, only to do the thing in a similar way.
So here is a simple principle for us. We are not called to be better than Jesus – that would be unthinkable. But we are called to be like him, to resemble him. If we are his students, his servants, his disciples, that must be our aim – to be like him. He is firstly our Saviour but he is also our role model.
2. See that opposition is inevitable therefore for true disciples
Now if we are to seek to be like him, it would be foolish to think that we will not get the same reaction as he got. And so he says If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, that is 'Prince of demons' and that's just one of the unpleasant things they called him, how much more the members of his household! We know, of course, that eventually they pursued Jesus to death on the cross. Now it would be a form of madness to suppose that we will be more warmly received than he was. No, we must expect opposition. Persecution is virtually inevitable.
Every Christian or every person who contemplates becoming a Christian must face up to that sobering fact. As Horatius Bonar put it in the hymn
This is the way the Master went,
Should not the servant tread it still?'
2. Hear these words of comfort – arguments against being afraid
This is rather sobering news and potentially discouraging. What Jesus then goes on to do is to urge the disciples nevertheless not to be afraid. Three times he repeats the phrase Don't be afraid. See
2. Hear these words of comfort – arguments against being afraid
This is rather sobering news and potentially discouraging. What Jesus then goes on to do is to urge the disciples nevertheless not to be afraid. Three times he repeats the phrase Don't be afraid. See
26 So do not be afraid of them
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul
And then at the end of this little section tying it all together - 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows
Jesus often had the phrase Don't be afraid (Fear not) on his lips and it appears many, many times in the Bible. This is because there are things that would naturally make us frightened and because the most natural thing in the world is to be afraid when we see danger. The Lord does not want us to be controlled by fear, however. He has not given us a spirit of fear. Here he not only tells his disciples not to be afraid but gives good arguments as to why they should not be afraid. These are arguments we ought to consider and know.
1. Don't be afraid – the secrets argument
26 So do not be afraid of them. Why? Well, firstly because There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. They were going out as obscure and unknown men. There they were in an obscure and unimportant part of the Roman world, obeying the command of a person who no-one with political power was desperately interested in. People could persecute them and no-one would know.
1. Don't be afraid – the secrets argument
26 So do not be afraid of them. Why? Well, firstly because There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. They were going out as obscure and unknown men. There they were in an obscure and unimportant part of the Roman world, obeying the command of a person who no-one with political power was desperately interested in. People could persecute them and no-one would know.
Often persecution proceeds on that assumption and very dark things are sometimes done on the basis that no-one can see and no-one will know. That fact alone may make us fearful but in fact, says Jesus, it should deliver us from fear because there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. One day the truth will out. There will be vindication for the people of God.
We often see it even before the end. Who remembers the largely nameless persecutors of the disciples now? But their names – Peter, John, James, Andrew, etc – are still held in reverence to this day. It's the same when it comes to the church's subsequent history. It has been remarked that today we call our child Paul and use the name Nero for a dog. Think how highly regarded Tyndale and Latimer and Ridley and other martyrs are now. Who has a good word to say for the Spanish inquisition or any of the other persecutors?
On the great day it will be the names of the persecuted children of God that will be honoured, not the names of those who persecuted them. Any suffering we have to face will not be hushed up forever. It will not be forgotten – the beating up in the police station, the rejection of the candidate who would not offer a bribe, the pain we suffered when the so-called comedian made his joke, the quick punch in the playground, the cruel comment in the office, the unkind comments of a husband or wife. None of it will be forgotten – however secret it was. It will all be remembered and no-one will lose his reward.
On the basis of this fact then Jesus says (27) What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. This was only the beginning of the apostolic era and the NT era that extends down to the present day. Jesus had to tell them many things in secret but now they were nearing the time when they could speak openly.
On the great day it will be the names of the persecuted children of God that will be honoured, not the names of those who persecuted them. Any suffering we have to face will not be hushed up forever. It will not be forgotten – the beating up in the police station, the rejection of the candidate who would not offer a bribe, the pain we suffered when the so-called comedian made his joke, the quick punch in the playground, the cruel comment in the office, the unkind comments of a husband or wife. None of it will be forgotten – however secret it was. It will all be remembered and no-one will lose his reward.
On the basis of this fact then Jesus says (27) What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. This was only the beginning of the apostolic era and the NT era that extends down to the present day. Jesus had to tell them many things in secret but now they were nearing the time when they could speak openly.
For us, we are free to speak entirely open about it all. There is nothing secret about our meetings, nothing clandestine – no cloak and dagger here. We are not like the Free masons or other secretive organisations. I urge you to steer well clear of any such group. It is all open and well above board here. Anything whispered from this pulpit is to be proclaimed from the housetops. Let the whole world know! Listen carefully first and then go our and share it. Pass it on.
2. Don't be afraid – the hell argument
We have another argument in 28. First the negative point is made - Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Naturally we are afraid of a person who can kill us, who can take our life. It is natural to be afraid of such a person. It is not often that drastic but the most they can do to us is to take our lives – kill us - and, of course, many have lost their lives for Christ. But what we must remember always is that, how ever serious it gets, though they may kill our bodies, they cannot touch our souls. This is the Christian's trump card in any such situation. Think of Daniel's three friends or of the martyrs in the time of Mary.
Positively then Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Be afraid of God – he is the one we ought to fear, surely. It's obvious once you only stop and think about it. God has the power not simply to bring about the death of our bodies but also the eternal death of our souls and so our focus must be on him and his unlimited power rather than on potential persecutors and their rather limited powers. To quote another hymn
2. Don't be afraid – the hell argument
We have another argument in 28. First the negative point is made - Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Naturally we are afraid of a person who can kill us, who can take our life. It is natural to be afraid of such a person. It is not often that drastic but the most they can do to us is to take our lives – kill us - and, of course, many have lost their lives for Christ. But what we must remember always is that, how ever serious it gets, though they may kill our bodies, they cannot touch our souls. This is the Christian's trump card in any such situation. Think of Daniel's three friends or of the martyrs in the time of Mary.
Positively then Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Be afraid of God – he is the one we ought to fear, surely. It's obvious once you only stop and think about it. God has the power not simply to bring about the death of our bodies but also the eternal death of our souls and so our focus must be on him and his unlimited power rather than on potential persecutors and their rather limited powers. To quote another hymn
Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you his service your delight,
He'll make your wants his care.
In his Book of Martyrs John Foxe writes of martyrs in Bohemia killed by the Jesuits in the 15th Century. He writes of 56 year old Dionysius Servius who when on the scaffold knelt down and said "They may destroy my body, but cannot injure my soul, that I commend to my Redeemer". We need that spirit too. Pray for it.
3. Don't be afraid – the sparrow argument
The third argument is a famous one that Jesus used more than once. We can call it the 'sparrow' argument because it begins like this (29) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Elsewhere he talks about five being sold for two pennies. They were so cheap an extra one would be thrown in if you bought more! They are very insignificant creatures indeed. Yet says Jesus not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. It is important that we remember not only that God created the world but also that he sustains it and is in control of every event large or small, including the falling of a little bird from the sky. And so even when persecution comes and is very bitter – we must not think for a moment that God has forgotten us or that things are out of control.
Don't miss that word Father. I like the story of the little Dutch boy who lived in a windmill and whose father warned him not to get close to the revolving sails. One day he forgot the warning and suddenly he felt himself yanked from behind and lifted high into the air. You can imagine his fear at what seemed to have happened. But when he looked down he saw that it was actually his father who had grabbed him and lifted him up out of safety. That is the experience of the Christian when things seem to have gone out of control. It's not some mechanical force at work but your Father who has you.
Jesus goes on (30) And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. I saw a sign for a hairdressers the other day - “God gave you hair but we can give you style”. Even they had to admit they could only give you style not hair. The average human head apparently has around 140,000 hairs although there is variety according to type and colour and, of course, if you're bald like me, you'll have less than others. The point is though that not one hair falls to the ground without God knowing it. We don't even notice one hair fall – but he does. He knows all about it.
The conclusion (31) is So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. How many sparrows? To ask the question is to miss the answer. God knows your situation and he cares about you. He will not forget you. You can face your oppressors with confidence. He will be watching over you and keeping you.
3. Consider this challenge to be a brave and faithful witness
So, yes, there may be trouble ahead but there are many comforts to be found in the sovereignty of God. He is King. He rules. Don't forget it. But finally there is also a challenge here in 32, 33. Once again it is put both in positive and negative terms.
1. Positively
32 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. So this is what Jesus wants from us – that we acknowledge him before people. If you really trust in him then let it show. Do not hide the fact. Do not deny him. Yes, it may lead you into troubles. You may suffer many things for speaking up in Jesus' name but don't forget the reward at the end. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
In his Book of Martyrs John Foxe writes of martyrs in Bohemia killed by the Jesuits in the 15th Century. He writes of 56 year old Dionysius Servius who when on the scaffold knelt down and said "They may destroy my body, but cannot injure my soul, that I commend to my Redeemer". We need that spirit too. Pray for it.
3. Don't be afraid – the sparrow argument
The third argument is a famous one that Jesus used more than once. We can call it the 'sparrow' argument because it begins like this (29) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Elsewhere he talks about five being sold for two pennies. They were so cheap an extra one would be thrown in if you bought more! They are very insignificant creatures indeed. Yet says Jesus not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. It is important that we remember not only that God created the world but also that he sustains it and is in control of every event large or small, including the falling of a little bird from the sky. And so even when persecution comes and is very bitter – we must not think for a moment that God has forgotten us or that things are out of control.
Don't miss that word Father. I like the story of the little Dutch boy who lived in a windmill and whose father warned him not to get close to the revolving sails. One day he forgot the warning and suddenly he felt himself yanked from behind and lifted high into the air. You can imagine his fear at what seemed to have happened. But when he looked down he saw that it was actually his father who had grabbed him and lifted him up out of safety. That is the experience of the Christian when things seem to have gone out of control. It's not some mechanical force at work but your Father who has you.
Jesus goes on (30) And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. I saw a sign for a hairdressers the other day - “God gave you hair but we can give you style”. Even they had to admit they could only give you style not hair. The average human head apparently has around 140,000 hairs although there is variety according to type and colour and, of course, if you're bald like me, you'll have less than others. The point is though that not one hair falls to the ground without God knowing it. We don't even notice one hair fall – but he does. He knows all about it.
The conclusion (31) is So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. How many sparrows? To ask the question is to miss the answer. God knows your situation and he cares about you. He will not forget you. You can face your oppressors with confidence. He will be watching over you and keeping you.
3. Consider this challenge to be a brave and faithful witness
So, yes, there may be trouble ahead but there are many comforts to be found in the sovereignty of God. He is King. He rules. Don't forget it. But finally there is also a challenge here in 32, 33. Once again it is put both in positive and negative terms.
1. Positively
32 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. So this is what Jesus wants from us – that we acknowledge him before people. If you really trust in him then let it show. Do not hide the fact. Do not deny him. Yes, it may lead you into troubles. You may suffer many things for speaking up in Jesus' name but don't forget the reward at the end. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
Some of you are reluctant to confess Jesus openly, like Nicodemus was at first. You can't be a secret disciple for long. Acknowledging Jesus now may cost you. It may lead to all sorts of trouble. But in the end your reward will be great. Do not doubt it. To hear his 'Well done good and faithful servant' will surpass everything.
2. Negatively
33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. This is the opposite scenario. You deny that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, you reject him before men.
The great day of judgement is fast approaching and what will you say then if Jesus speaks those solemn words to you 'Depart form me, I never knew you'? But if we acknowledge him here we can be sure that he will acknowledge us then? Some things are just now worth trading and to deny Jesus here and end up in hell is the worst deal anyone could ever make.
Let me quote Horatius Bonar again to close
2. Negatively
33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. This is the opposite scenario. You deny that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, you reject him before men.
The great day of judgement is fast approaching and what will you say then if Jesus speaks those solemn words to you 'Depart form me, I never knew you'? But if we acknowledge him here we can be sure that he will acknowledge us then? Some things are just now worth trading and to deny Jesus here and end up in hell is the worst deal anyone could ever make.
Let me quote Horatius Bonar again to close
Go, labour on! 'tis not for naught
Thine earthly loss is heavenly gain;
Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not;
The Master praises: what are men?
