269. Exposition of Matthew

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 In this episode I share from a series on Matthew that I’m going through on Sundays.  Please enjoy this exposition of Matthew 10.  


Transcript is below.  Feel free to use as needed.


 


Matthew 10: 26-42


Matthew Series


Sunday, June 9th, 2024


Introduction


This section of Jesus’s instructions to his disciples goes beyond practical training into deeper waters.  He starts talking about what drives us, what we will face once we start actively following Jesus.  He talks about two motives that can control or inspire us, fear and love.


These forces are incredibly powerful and if left unchecked, fear will keep us living small, meaningless lives.  The only power greater than fear is love.  As the Apostle John says in 1 John 4:17-19, “17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  19 We love because he first loved us.”


There is no fear in love.  Jesus talks about fear and then he talks about a greater motivation, love.  When our love grows, fear shrivels.


1.    Fear


26 “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. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.


32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.


Fear is the key word of this section. 


When we share Jesus, invite people to listen to his word and face opposition we are going to experience fear.  There is no getting around the mission in order to avoid fear.  Jesus says that everything Jesus whispers, everything you hear in a Bible study or sermon, needs to be shouted from the rooftops.  Jewish homes had flat roofs and were used for sleeping, prayer and were great platforms for preaching to a crowd.


We can’t escape fear, but we can choose who to be afraid of.  We can live our lives afraid of what people think about us or say to us or we can live our lives in fear of God.  Fear of man is based on self-interest and self-preservation, it’s just plain cowardice.  Fear of God, however, is something that’s praised throughout the Bible.


I have a message from God in my heart     concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:[b (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...) There is no fear of God     before their eyes.  Psalm 36:1


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Proverbs 1:7


8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”  Job 1:8


When we don’t fear God, the Bible calls us a fool.  When Jesus says that folly comes from within the hearts of man, in Mark 7:22, he is referring to the sin of not taking God into account.  This person thinks he doesn’t need God, have to deal with God or factor God into his plans.


God is highlighting Job as an ideal follower or believer, characterized by the fear of God and avoidance of evil.  He values these characteristics today.


Why should we fear God and not people?  People can destroy our bodies, but God has the capacity to destroy our bodies and our soul in hell.  We don’t know what will happen in hell, but each one of us has the opportunity for eternal life with God.  God has power to bring us into his eternal kingdom or destroy our souls.  This brings up an interesting thought, does God destroy non-believing souls once they die or let them live on separated from him?  Does God annihilate the soul or let it go on in regret that they lived their lives rebelling against God.  In any case, you don’t want to fall into the hands of a God who controls your life now and after death. 


What does fearing people look like?  Some of us puff up and say, “I don’t care what people think or do!”  Really?  So did Peter at the last supper.  He said, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” (Matthew 26:33)  Fear of man shows up every day.  It’s when we walk through a ...