Question

Fear Him

Luke 12:1-12

Key Verse 5

“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body

has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

1. Read verses 1-3. Why do you think a large crowd gathered until they were trampling on one another? (John 10:1-2, 14) What did Jesus speak to his disciples first and why? (2, 3) How can we avoid hypocrisy? (2, 3)

2. Read verses 4-7. Who do we have to fear and why? (4-5, 2Cor. 5:10) What difference does it make to know that God is the Sovereign LORD? (6-7, John 1:3)

3. Read verses 8-12. Why is it important to acknowledge Jesus publicly? (8, 9) How serious is it to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? (10) Why should we not worry about how to defend ourselves? (11, 12) What can we learn from Jesus’ warnings and encouragements for his disciples?

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Message

Fear Him

Luke 12:1-12

Key Verse 5

“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

Good morning! How are you? The title of my message today is “Fear Him”. We know that “fear” is the sign of unbelief and opposite of faith, so we should not fear anything or anyone except God. That is true and that is today’s topic; whom should we fear and why? The key verse is 12:5. Let’s read it together. “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

Last week, we learn that Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Because they clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside them are full of greed and wickedness. Jesus repeatedly told them, “ Woe to you Pharisees…” pointing out their hypocrisy. Jesus sounds very harsh to anyone in the politically correct term, but Jesus loved even the Pharisees and wanted to give them the opportunity to repent. When we receive God’s discipline, we have two choices; either we acknowledge our sins and repent, which makes us grow and become a great man of God or we resent and become rebellious, which makes us fall and become enemies of God. What was their response to Jesus’ rebuke? Look at 11:53-54. “⁵³ When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, ⁵⁴ waiting to catch him in something he might say.” Instead of repenting, they gnashed their teeth and became very rebellious and tried to catch Jesus. They became fierce enemies of Jesus.

Today’s passage is a continuum of the last week’s passage. Jesus saw their wickedness and unrepentant heart and He wanted to raise new spiritual leaders. Anyone who wants to be spiritual leaders must be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Jesus wants to teach how to overcome the yeast of Pharisees, which is poisonous and whom we should fear. Let’s review what status our faith is.

My message consists of three parts; I. Be on your guard (12:1-3), II. Fear Him (12:4-7), III. Whoever publicly acknowledges me (12:8-12)

1. Be on your guard (12:1-3)

Look at verse 1. “Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Jesus left the Pharisees and the teachers of the laws and went outside (53). Although the Pharisees and the teachers of the laws look like holy and very spiritual, their hypocrisy and pretention were so disgusting to Jesus. The disciples saw Jesus crashed with the Pharisees and the teachers of the laws and they felt uncomfortable and apprehensive. However, many ordinary people liked Jesus and Jesus was like a superstar to them. They were spiritually thirsty and physically sick and hungry. A crowd of many, many thousands wanted to see and listen to him. Because so many people came, standing room only, so they were trampling on one another to come near Jesus. When his popularity was soaring, the disciples probably were relieved and proud to be Jesus’ disciples. They thought they became somebody. They dreamed to be leaders and celebrities soon. Then, what did Jesus say? He focused on his disciples first, saying “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Jesus saw this was the great opportunity for discipleship training. What should we do when our popularity is soaring and many people follow us?

First, be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees.

Here the yeast means a bad influence (Ex 12:14-20; 1 Cor 5:6, 7). Moses warned the Israelites the yeast of the Egyptians, so when they celebrated the Passover, they must get rid of all the yeast from the house and they had to eat the unleavened bread for 7 days. Look at Ex 12:14-15. ¹⁴ “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. ¹⁵ For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.^“

In the New Testament, Apostle Paul also warned. Look at 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7. “⁶ Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? ⁷ Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” The yeast spreads quickly and contaminates the whole batch of dough.

Then, why did Jesus warn the Pharisee’s yeast so much? As we know, the Pharisee was one of the main religious sects at Jesus’ time. At that time, there were two main religious sects in Israel; Sadducees and Pharisees. Sadducees were Helenized, religious group consisting of the priestly class. They were generally wealthy, well-educated and secularly powerful because they collaborated with the Roman rule and controlled the Temple interest. However, they did not believe the resurrection of the dead and they were just like modern day secular humanists. So they were far apart from the ordinary people. However, the Pharisees were different. In fact, the Pharisee means “to be separated”. They claimed they were separated from the unholy people or secular Sadducees. They believed the resurrection of the dead. They tried hard to observe all the laws and regulations. They were indeed popular to many people and much influential to the ordinary Israelites. Many of them were rabies, who were the authority how to interpret the laws. They were well disciplined people, so many of them were well recognized and well respected by the ordinary people. However, we see in the Bible they collided more often with Jesus and Jesus warned his disciples the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

What is hypocrisy? According to the dictionary, ‘hypocrisy’ means “a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles that one does not really possess.” Nobody wants to be a hypocrite from the beginning, I guess. Then, why does anyone become a hypocrite?

First, when we live in the eyes of men, we become hypocrites. We must live in the eyes of God instead of in the eyes of men. We have all expectation and peer pressure, such as for the title of shepherds, missionaries, teachers or messengers. In order to grow spiritually, we need self-discipline, devotion and continual study of the word of God with daily bread and internalization of the word, pray, repentance, etc. It is hard to grow continuously, so cheating starts because expectation and peer pressure are intense.

Second, when we stop growing spiritually, we become hypocrites. At the beginning, we are all full of spirit and passionate for Jesus. We are so thankful that we think we can even die for Jesus. But as the time goes, we have to grow spiritually day by day even up to the point of the holiness of Jesus. We want to remain as sheep forever, but we can’t. Otherwise, we remain spiritual babies though our head becomes so big, which is monstrous. I am one of the oldest wineskins, but sometime in the past, I became lazy and stopped growing spiritually with many, many excuses, so I pretend to be a missionary or a Bible teacher, so I am the full of the yeast of the Pharisees. I need mercy and grace of God.

Will hypocrisy work? Maybe temporarily, however hypocrisy will not work, because everything is revealed before God. Look at verses 2-3. “² There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”

The secrets of people's hearts will be revealed (Rom 2:15; 1 Cor 4:5). God's omnipresence means that there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. This includes words said in the dark or whispered in the closet. So even things said deep within one's home are known to God. Even these things will be proclaimed from the housetops one day. What is done in the basement closet will be revealed on the mountaintops or Youtube so all over the world will see it.

2. Fear Him (12:4-7)

Look at verses 4-7. ⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Most of the religious leaders at that time became hostile to Jesus who taught the truth. Especially, the Pharisees and the teachers of the laws became fierce enemies of Jesus. So the disciples were probably fearful and apprehensive. They may have worried about their future and impending persecution. However, Jesus reminds them that they should fear God instead of fearing the men. They should fear not those who kill the body but the one who has power to throw them into hell. Human beings' power over life is limited. We should not fear rejection or persecution.

In a dire circumstance, we pray and pray to God, but sometimes, there is no immediate answer from God. He seems not to care for us. He seems too busy. However, we can be assured that God is aware of our situation no matter how bad it gets. God is watching over and cares for even five sparrows that sell for just two pennies. God cares for those birds, and He cares for the disciple even more. Nobody knows how many hairs he or she has. However, He knows the number of hairs on each of our heads, and he knows that people are more valuable than sparrows. So we need not fear even the dire circumstances, because God knows what is taking place.

What is our fundamental faith? We believe the Almighty God exists and He controls this world and the next world. We believe He is merciful and He will take care of anyone who comes to Him. Fearing God is the basis of our faith. Look at Proverb 1:7. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Fear of God is the beginning and the end of our faith.

We know God called the 65-year old Abraham and trained him for more than 40 years. During that time, Abraham had had many ups and downs, but he had steadily grown spiritually. Finally, one day, God tested him by commanding him to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham believed God and did not hesitate to obey his command, though he did not completely understand why. When Abraham was ready to slaughter Isaac, what did God say to him? Look at Genesis 22:12. ¹² “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” All these years, God wanted to train him the fear of God.

Then, what does fearing God mean? To fear God means we worship Him with awesome respect and trembling heart. It means we put Him the first priority in our lives and obeying him more than anything else. To fear God means we love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength.

The problem is we live in the visible, secular world and God is invisible. Sometimes, we can’t see Him and He seems far away and doesn’t care us. It is said “Seeing is believing”, and we want to see and touch God. It is our struggle to believe the invisible God by believing his word in this secular world. Although the disciples had followed Jesus three years and experienced many miracles, one of the disciples, Philip demanded Jesus to show him God. Look at John 14:8. “⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” That is not our faith Jesus wants us to have. Look at Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” According to Hebrews 11:1, hope and faith are same and interchangeable. We know that this world is not the end, but there is the next world. Our faith is an assurance about what we do not see. It is to see the invisible and believe the invisible God with confidence.

Most Christians hope and believe the kingdom of God and we all want to be there someday. But nobody wants to be there right away. Yesterday, we had a Pastor John’s mother’s home coming memorial service. I was deeply moved by Pastor John and his message. He did not show any sadness. Not only that, he even showed a gleam of joy because he confidently believed his mother was righteous and the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of Heaven. He could see with confidence that his mother is with God in his beautiful house. Amen

On the other hand, the pagans made idols so they can see their gods and touch them. But God absolutely prohibits this to the Israelites. Look at Exodus 20:4. ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”

However, so many people often try to rely on the visible one as their God such as money or material things because it is easy to believe just like idol worship. When Moses who went to Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments for 40 days, the Israelites were so anxious and fearful, so they completely ignored Moses’ warning and forgot about God. They made a golden cow and worshiped it.

Look at Ex 32:1-4. When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods^[a] who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”² Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” ³ So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. ⁴ He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

The invisible God demands us an absolute faith in Him and his Words, so we have to worship him with a pure heart. Then, He will take care of us and lead us to his place. If we believe, and try hard, eventually we even can see Him. How can we see Him or Who can see God? Look at Matthew 5:8. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” Yes, if your heart is pure, you can see God. The reason that we can’t see Him is that our hearts are full of greed, wickedness, or double minds or triple minds.

3. Whoever publicly acknowledges me (12:8-12)

Look at verses 8-9. ⁸ “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ⁹ But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.” To fear God means that we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord in our daily lives. Nowadays, publicly declaring that we are Christian may not be a big deal and sometimes it would be beneficial because even the worldly people give us Christian a benefit of doubt. However, it was completely different story in the early days of Christian era. Publicly acknowledging Jesus as the Lord and Savior means immediate persecution from family, being fired from the job or expelled from the community, even torture or horrible death. However, whom should we fear? We should fear God instead of fearing anyone or anything else, which is an idol worship. When we overcome this fear of peer pressure, what will happen? The Son of Man will call us one by one in front of many angels in Heaven and says “Good job, my faithful servant, Peter, well done!” Do you believe this, Peter? On the other hand, if we are ashamed of being Christian due to the peer pressure and pretend not to know Jesus before friends, what will happen? When we stand before Him later, He will say, I don’t know you, go away, you evil doers! before the all the angels in Heaven. What a shame! It would be too late to regret it. Then, is there any hope to this guy who disowns Jesus? Yes and No. Look at verse 10. “¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” Our God is merciful, so almost any sins against Him or anyone else will be forgiven if we repent. You know Peter who denied Jesus three times was forgiven. However, anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. We know Judas the Iscariot, who sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver was not forgiven. What was the difference? It seems like little tricky. What are the forgivable sins and what are the unforgivable sins? I don’t know them and you don’t have to try to know what are the sins against Jesus and what are the sins against the Holy Spirit. But we do know all sins make us be separated from God. So avoid any sins as possible as you can and if you commit to any sins, promptly repent and believe in the merciful God in Heaven, who is the Sovereign Lord, who can forgive.

Look at verses 11-12. “¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Now, there was real possibility for Jesus’ disciples to stand before synagogues, rulers and authorities when they stand firm on faith. Then, fear and worry may penetrate into their hearts. But only whom should we fear? We should fear God only, then, we can overcome our inner fear for any human beings. In addition, Jesus guarantees us that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to defend ourselves or what to say at that time. We know this happened in Apostle Paul’s life when we study the Book of Acts. He was brought before rulers, governors or kings, but he was never fearful and he boldly testified about Jesus to them.

In conclusion, we learn from this passage how to overcome the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy and whom we should fear most. We should fear the invisible God only, then we can overcome fear against anything or anyone.

One word: Fear God only

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Biblenote

Fear Him

Luke 12:1-12

Key Verse 5

“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body

has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

Introduction

Out of his shepherd heart, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders who were supposed to be servants called to shepherd over God’s flocks. However they were useless for they were corrupt from the bottom of their hearts. It was beyond cure. Today Jesus speaks to his disciples with his hope that they would grow as shepherds after Jesus’ heart. May the Lord help us to grow as spiritual leaders in our times.

1. Read verses 1-3. Why do you think a large crowd gathered until they were trampling on one another? (John 10:1-2, 14) What did Jesus speak to his disciples first and why? (2, 3) How can we avoid hypocrisy? (2, 3)

1-1, Read verses 1-3.

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

1-2, Why do you think a large crowd gathered until they were trampling on one another? (John 10:1-2, 14)

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another,

• In the previous chapter, Jesus helped religious leaders with many rebukes.

• Despite Jesus’ harsh rebuke, they did not repent.

• However people must have seen where Jesus was coming from.

• In Mark 8:14, Jesus fed 5000 with his compassionate heart.

• In John 10, Jesus pointed out that he is the Good Shepherd.

• Jesus’ truthful message and his compassionate heart as the Good Shepherd drew people to him.

• There were like sheep without a shepherd.

• They must have looked for a true shepherd.

1-3, What did Jesus speak to his disciples first and why? (2, 3)

Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

• Interestingly enough, Jesus turn to his disciples and began to speak first to them despite the large crowd.

• Jesus as the Creator God could have done all works by himself.

• However he chose to work with his disciples together.

• Jesus must have had in mind that his disciples grew continually as good shepherds after him.

• First of all Jesus helped them to be on their guard despite unhealthy influence of religious leaders.

1-4, How can we avoid hypocrisy? (2, 3)

“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

• We can avoid hypocrisy by repenting our sins. In this way our darkness can be dispelled.

• Also we can ask God’s wisdom(James 1:5) to discern hypocrisy.

• Here ‘yeast’ means bad influence.

• Just as yeast works in a dough to be a bread or a pizza, bad influence of the Pharisees spreads fast.

• Jesus must have prayed that helpless sheep may be kept from the yeast of the Pharisees.

• When Jesus saw a large crowd trampling on one another, his heart must have been broken and he must have wanted to lead them to the right path.

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

• Jesus warns his disciples and us that the revelation of all things will come out in time and when we compromise what we know to be right we risk losing our very self.

• Whether in this life or before the judgment seat of God every act, deed and thought will be revealed for what it truly is. God knows and sees everything.

• But too often we live as if God doesn’t see everything. And we do things based on the misconception that either nobody will ever know or based on the desire to please those around us even if it means doing what we know to be wrong.

2. Read verses 4-7. Who do we have to fear and why? (4-5, 2Cor. 5:10) What difference does it make to know that God is the Sovereign LORD? (6-7, John 1:3)

2-1, Read verses 4-7.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

2-2, Who do we have to fear and why? (4-5, 2Cor. 5:10)

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

• These 2 verses are a statement of truth that includes a warning for those who are careless with the life God has given to them.

• In Jesus’ words he is calling us to live before God.

• As a matter of fact, Jesus himself is the Judge for God has entrusted all judgment to the Son.

John 5:22 reads,

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

• God’s character is just and like the judge, sin requires punishment and in heaven he shall bring forth justice against all the wickedness done both in public and in private.

Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

• It is very clear that God has the power and the authority to throw you into hell.

• But nowhere does it state that God does desire to throw you into hell for it was not God’s original intention from the beginning.

• Rather, it is God’s real desire that all men be saved.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 say,

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Psalm 103:8 says,

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

• That being said in the Bible, we better remember his great grace and live before God who is full of grace and truth. (John 1;14)

• May the Lord help us to live a holy life with great thanks.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.(2 Cor. 5:10)

• Jesus even pointed out that he would forgive those who commit sins against his name in verse 10a.

• So Jesus who is the ultimate Judge is very gracious.

• However the time will surely come when there are no chances at all.

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

• Again this verse shows clearly about the time of judgement.

• Each person on earth will die at some point of time, there is no more chance to be saved. So simply time is running out!

• This truth has to do with 10b, that reads “…but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

• Abusing the limits of God’s mercy will one day lead to our day in court before the judgment seat of God.

• Although supreme court ruling made same-sex marriage a right nationwide, we know still that it could not simply override the authority of the living God.

• Then He will have to judge justly and the chance for repentance and forgiveness will be gone soon!

• If we are honest with ourselves including myself, there is a part of us that still holds onto a desire to please others and to receive their praise.

• There is a part of us that still holds onto some darkness or sin in our heart that we can’t let go of.

• We are convicted and challenged to let go of all these things and submit ourselves to God’s will.

• This is the fear of God.

• Noah set a good example in regard to what fear is all about.

• Where the fear of God is, the heart is kept right.

• We pray we might not abuse the love of God and God given freedom.

• Instead we better respond in humility before God who desires to have intimate relationship with us.

Proverbs 16:6b says,

“and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”

2-3, What difference does it make to know that God is the Sovereign LORD? (6-7, John 1:3)

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:3)

• When we make a decision to repent and come back to God, Jesus tells us here that He welcomes us with open arms.

• We are no longer strangers but God’s family as his sons and daughters.

Romans 8:15 says,

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship (and daughtership). And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

• God cares for the sparrows. How much more does God care for His sons and daughters, those who love him and call Him Father? We are so precious to God.

• So intimately does He know us that even the hairs of our head are all numbered. He will never forget us or forsake us.

Isaiah 49:15 says,

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”

• This promise of God’s continuing presence with us is important and Jesus uses it as a source of encouragement to his disciples because he knows that a time is coming when they will be persecuted and threatened. Praise Him!

3. Read verses 8-12. Why is it important to acknowledge Jesus publicly? (8, 9) How serious is it to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? (10) Why should we not worry about how to defend ourselves? (11, 12) What can we learn from Jesus’ warnings and encouragements for his disciples?

3-1, Read verses 8-12.

8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

3-2, Why is it important to acknowledge Jesus publicly? (8, 9)

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.

• The dictionary defines acknowledge as “declare to be true.”

• Why is it important for us to declare the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ before men?

Matthew 5:16 says,

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

• We acknowledge God by doing good deeds and living holy lives.

• When others see the strength of our conviction, they more readily receive the testimony to God’s grace in our lives.

• They see that the gospel is truth and has a real impact on people’s lives.

• It is our responsibility and our great privilege to tell people and teach people about the name of Jesus.

• The opposite is true. Many non-believers were turned away from the church because they neither saw nor experienced the love of God by those who claimed to be Christians.

• We learned in Luke 11 that we have the key to knowledge.

• We must lead others to enter into this same knowledge of the truth of Jesus.

• There is no greater influential testimony than the offering of our lives to Jesus, even to the point of death. (Revelation 2:10)

3-3, How serious is it to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? (10)

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

• Peter denied Jesus’ name three times but later he was forgiven by Jesus’ grace.

• However after receiving the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, he did not deny Jesus’ name but boldly preached Christ to help people repent.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:30-32)

• Again when one abuse the limits of God’s mercy will stand before the judgment seat of God without fail. (Rev. 20:13)

3-4, Why should we not worry about how to defend ourselves? (11, 12)

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

• As the disciples were brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities and thrown into prison we too may suffer at the hands of others because of our faith in Jesus.

• What trial of life are you going through lately?

• Trouble at home with family members. Difficulty at work or with coworkers. Maybe you are looking for a job and can’t find one. Or maybe you're a Bible teacher with no one to teach the Bible to.

• Maybe your health isn’t so good or financially you’re struggling or you have no idea where your life is headed. Maybe it’s something else.

• Whatever it is, we are certain to face personal trials in our life that will tempt us to ask “Has God forgotten me?”

• In these difficult circumstances Jesus encourages us with his words “don’t be afraid” and “do not worry.” Because we are not alone. God is with us.

• Most importantly the Holy Spirit is with us and will teach us what to say and what to do.

• The idea that we are alone in this world and have no one to guide us or protect us should fill us with anxiety and fear.

• But the assurance that Almighty God is with us should fill us with peace, joy and confidence.

Hebrews 4:16 reads,

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

• When trouble comes unbelievers worry and run around frantically looking for solutions.

• When trouble comes, we kneel down and pray for we are worth more than many sparrows.

3-5, What can we learn from Jesus’ warnings and encouragements for his disciples?

• Jesus’ disciples are chosen people and holy nations with a priestly duty to proclaim the gospel of God. (Romans 15:16)

• What a great privilege and blessing it is to become a kingdom and priests to serve our living God and graceful God in this unpredictable times. (Rev. 1:6)

• May the Lord help us to fear God in this incrementally godless society and take care of God’s wandering souls.

• However it is the fear of God that is cure-all(panacea, sovereign remedy) for us.

• Praise Jesus who taught us to fear.

Conclusion

May we be encouraged to stand firm in the face of all earthly difficulties and pray with confidence to our God who is always with us. May God greatly use us to be his faithful witnesses or disciples on earth and testify to the hope of God for all people.

One word: Fear Him only

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