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.
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.
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!
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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