Sermon – July 5, 2020 – Pentecost 5
Printable PDF: Pentecost 5 – Divine Service II
David R. Clark ~ July 5, 2020 ~ Pentecost 5 ~ Matthew 10:24-33
Don’t Be Afraid
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 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.
Dear friends in our Savior Jesus,
There seems to be a commonality in many of the conversations I’ve had with people lately. It’s not COVID-19, although I’m sure that has contributed. It’s about “fear.” So many times, people will say things like this: “I’m afraid that…” or “I’m worried that…”
We all have our fears. Some people fear living things: like snakes, bugs, rodents. Others have fears of losing: their jobs, their health, their lives. Still others have fear of situations: heights, enclosed spaces, change.
A little fear can be a good thing. We teach children to fear walking in the street. Luther’s explanations to the commandments start, “We should fear and love God that…”
But sometimes fear is a lack of faith. We shouldn’t fear for our country knowing that God is directing all things. And we shouldn’t fear what it means to be a believer in an unbelieving world. Jesus knew this would not be easy. Three times, as he was sending his disciples out on their vicar year, he told them: “DON’T BE AFRAID.”
- As you pay a price for being a believer
It is a simple thing to say, “Don’t be afraid.” But Jesus explains what his disciples should expect. Forewarned is fore armed. He explains why they do not need to fear.
(24-28) 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 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.
Remember how they treated Jesus? Remember how he was ridiculed and mocked? Remember how people wouldn’t understand him? If it happened to Jesus, then don’t be surprised if it also happens to you. The denial of Jesus was so strong that some people said: (Mt 12:24) “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” If they treated Jesus this way, disciples should not expect any different.
That’s usually where the fear comes in. Some people claim to like to be unique or individuals, but no one likes to be ridiculed. We want people to like us. That’s when the temptation to fear comes. That temptation is real and it is powerful.
When it seems like everyone is criticizing authorities, it’s hard to be the voice that “honors, serves, and obeys them and gives them love and respect.” When people cheapen human life, whether it be an unborn child, or someone of a different race, it’s difficult to stand up and say, “Jesus considers them so precious, he died for them too.” Shades of truth was originated by Satan. But are you willing to tell that to someone who thinks truth and opinion are the same thing? That’s where the fear comes in.
Jesus was faced with such crises, yet he never hesitated. In love he spoke up, even when people called what was the truth a lie, and the lie, truth; what was bad, good, and what was good, bad. That’s what it took to win salvation for you and me. He pleased God, not his human flesh, or other people, because he loved us that much.
As students of him as our master, we look at it as a privilege to stand up for him. We know that is not always popular. The tongue of public opinion is razor sharp. We may suffer just a little bit of what he suffered for us for doing so. But, don’t be surprise and do not be afraid.
- Because you reap benefits for being a believer.
It’s easier to be confident if we look to Jesus. If we see how blessed we are to have a Savior who has paid for every time we have feared. But there are many more benefits to being a believer than just salvation. You have great benefit right now today. (29-33) 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.
Would you be impressed if someone could tell you exactly how many pigeons there are in downtown Glendale? Would you be even more impressed to have that same person know when one of them dies? Your Father in heaven does. But he doesn’t care about them nearly the way he cares for you. He rose for you. If he cares for something as worthless as a pigeon, imagine what his care for you is like!
You all know what it is to be loved by someone, a parent, a spouse, a child; it shows in the way they treat us. We treasure and appreciate those people. Jesus does better! He knows you so intimately and so personally that he even knows the number of hairs on your head. Ok, he doesn’t have to count as high for some people as others!
What would you do for someone who loves you like that? Would you speak up for him and acknowledge him even when it is uncomfortable. Even if it meant you had to suffer for him? We aren’t afraid because we reap benefits for being believers.
Maybe it’s just a figure of speech when people say, “I’m afraid that,” or “I’m concerned that.” Or maybe we need to look more and more to Jesus. Brothers and sisters, God’s care for you is every day, day by day, forever. Look to him. Grow in him. And as you do, don’t be afraid. Amen.