Jesus confronts
Matthew 10:29-33
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Jesus, when speaking to his disciples about disciple making, tells them being a disciple of His costs much. He says because the world has hated Him it will also hate them who proclaim Him. The problem Jesus addresses with his disciples is misplaced fear. Jesus warns sternly not fear man who at his worst can kill your body. Rather Fear God who judges and can kill your body now and on the day of judgment destroying your soul.
Jesus was saying you are placing way too much trust and weight on what people think or do. Do you not know that not single person could breathe a single breath without Jesus’ permission. The Father has a good plan. A plan that is far out of our comprehension- a plan that brings His Son (that is Jesus) and his sons (that is you) through disaster scorn and pain. But He also has promises!! He has promised his kingdom of peace and righteousness will come. He has promised that those who endure to the end will inherit this kingdom. He has promised that nothing can take his love from his elect.
Not famine, not sword, not pestilence, not devils, not earthly kings, nor rules, nothing present and not anything in the future. Not life and not even death! His faithfulness is everlasting.
So then why Vincent Baptist Church do you care what others think of you?
Jesus Comforts
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18
Jesus, the Son of the Living God, took on flesh. He experienced the weakness and the frailty only without sin. Being faced with rejection of men and God he cried out in the garden. He knows your fear. And He took on himself the greater of these fears. He was rejected by God so that He could say to you, “Your sins are forgiven!”
CONGREGATION: PRAISE BE TO GOD!