April 25, 2021

Why fear man?

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 12:1-12
Service Type:

Introduction

As human beings – we all want to be accepted

The fear of man and rejection should not take precedence over right or wrong and God Himself
We should not fear people rather than God

Who do I fear?

Do I fear God or man?

Why fear the status quo? (v1-3)

Everything will one day be known before God
Beware of just following religious leaders and fit in

The passage begins with a large crowd, following on from pronouncing woes (see last Sunday’s sermon)

There was a very large crowd – they were trampling one another
There were those who were there to see miracles and listen out of curiosity
There were others who loved and followed Him – His friends (v4)
Jesus speaks to His friends

Why fear the status quo? (v1-3)

Explanation of the leaven – the hypocritical way of the pharisees is spreading amongst the people

Examples

Is legalism alive today?

Example

Legalism is alive today

The legalist is hard/quick on others and soft on themselves

If we are honest – does this partly apply to us?

The legalist turns other peoples virtues into vices and their own vics into virtues

Reading v2-3

Num 32:23
Your sin will find you out
Also, your witness will go fourth

How are you at home? What is the real you?

We must be the same in all places
1 Tim 5:24-25

Quick Recap

Why don’t you fear God? (v4-7)

Our deepest fear is death – examples
Reading v4-5 – The fear of Hell

The worst can be done is the death of the body

Apostles and disciples were martyred

Jesus gives reason to fear God

He has the power to cast into hell
The word ‘hell’ is Gehenna – literally from the valley of Hennan

An evil and wicked place
Explanation

Example of the Hebrew midwives

Reading v6-7 – The value of human life

God can count all our hairs – He knows us through and through
He values us so much
If He values us this much, why do we fear God?

Why fear confessing Jesus before men? (v8-12)

Reading v8-9

Compare self-adulation vs confessing Jesus before men
Jesus made the same statement in different ways – quote

Explanation
Example of Peter
Quote from Norwegian believer

Are you ashamed of Jesus in different situations?

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
Quote from song

Expect persecution – but do not fear, Jesus will give us the words to say
Reading v10 – a warning

cf Luke 11:15
The religious leaders were attributing a work of God to satan and rejecting the work of Jesus Christ
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven

When a personal final rejects/turns away from God
Not the same as a sinner finally repenting and receiving forgiveness

Reading v11-12 – the encouragement

Example of Stephen, Paul, Luther

We know that some fail – example of Thomas Cranmer

Examples of persecution / difficult days

The antidote:

Honour the Father
Honour the Son
Honour the Holy Spirit
God will stand with and honour us
Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves
Quote from Paul

Closing Remarks