REMEMBER THE ALAMO!
Matthew 10:16-33
Sermon Objective: As followers of Christ loyalty at any price is expected.
Scripture support: Romans 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:12; Revelation 2:10
SUMMARY
We have begun a new series called “Lessons from the Wild West.” Last week we looked at: “Buffalo Bill Cody” (10:1-15) and discovered that he, just like the disciples of Jesus, was a common ordinary man who seized the opportunities given him and did memorable things. We learned that God wants to use us ordinary people in extraordinary ways too; that availability is more important than ability.
In coming weeks we will look at:
• “The Gunfight at OK Corral” (10:24-25)
• “Lessons from Sheriff Pat Garret” (10:34-42)
This week we will look at Matthew 10:16-33, “Remember the Alamo:
INTRODUCTION
You know the men who were there -- at least some of them. They were notable men like: Lieutenant Colonels Jim (“A knife is always loaded”) Bowie, William B. Travis, and former U.S. House of Representative (Tennessee) Davey Crockett. These three are representatives of the valiant 183 who gave their lives in the battle. Even though not one man survived the war they showed their mettle -- eight Mexican soldiers died at the Alamo for every one Texan. They gave their lives for something bigger than themselves – Texas’ liberation from Mexico. For them it was the ultimate sacrifice -- but it had long reaching rewards for others.
All of the United States was behind the effort. There were men fighting at the Alamo from New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Other countries had representatives too: Germany, England, and Ireland just to name a few. The reason is because this small little fort was a microcosm of the human spirit which refused to be oppressed and longed to be set free.
The slaughter at the Alamo on March 4, 1836 ushered a declaration from Texas to Mexico claiming independence and establishing Sam Houston as the commander in chief. The death of the valiant men incited the United States and, afterward, volunteers came from everywhere. The fight that would come weeks later was swift and certain. In less than 18 minutes the mighty Mexican army under Santa Anna which destroyed the Alamo was slaughtered at San Jacinto. THE BLOOD OF THE ALAMO WARRIORS PROVED TO BE THE SEEDS OF VICTORY. THE CHANT “REMEMBER THE ALAMO!” WAS THEIR BATTLE CRY.
THERE IS A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE VALOR AND THE VALUES OF THE MEN IN THE ALAMO AND THOSE WHO SERVE JESUS CHRIST.
1. Both saw a picture that was bigger than their own wants and needs
2. Both ascribed to a higher calling with more noble values to govern and guide them
3. Both recognized that life does not find its meaning through ease and comfort but through loyalty, obedience, commitment, and sacrifice.
Lieutenant Colonels Jim Bowie and William B. Travis often gave stirring speeches to their men while barricaded away in the little fort against formidable odds. So does our leader. Listen to His words:
THE TEXT
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17 “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them. 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 apart from the will of your Father.
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 men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
SERMON:
Jesus gives a candid speech on the cost and the disciples go out as sheep among wolves. He did not (still doesn’t) withhold the truth about serving Him. JESUS OFFERS NO EASY WAY BUT RATHER A LIFE BUILT ON LOYALTY, OBEDIENCE, COMMITMENT, AND SACRIFICE.
1. CHRIST’S FOLLOWERS CAN EXPECT HOSTILITY AND OPPOSITION (16-25)
There was a striking difference between Travis and Crockett’s band of 183 men and 5,500 Mexican soldiers they opposed. The men of the Alamo were volunteers; in fact, 23 of them actually snuck into the fort after the 5,500 soldiers had already arrived and set up camp. They were driven by ideals whereas the soldiers were there for lesser reasons.
These opposing values and aspirations brought inevitable conflict and tension. It brought war and death too.
I notice that Jesus tells His followers they can expect hostility and opposition if they follow Him. THAT’S BECAUSE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN DIFFERS FROM THE WORLD -- IT IS IN OPPOSITION. The world operates by hostility, greed, anger, power, and force. It is in direct conflict with the values of Jesus’ kingdom which are “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 1:17). Identity with Jesus will bring certain friction (16-20).
Sent as sheep among wolves? Yes.
Sent without a shepherd? No!
Even though human reasoning would say otherwise, there is no need to fear. In fact, over and over our Commander-in-Chief tells us not to fear:
1. Because truth will triumph in the end
2. Because the enemy is powerless over that which is most vital (eternity) (v. 28)
3. Because standing firm to the end brings life and reward
2. CHRIST’S FOLLOWERS HAVE REASON TO BE BOLD. (10:26-33)
I also noticed that the men at the Alamo seemed to have superhuman boldness. When Santa Anna approached with 5,500 men he blew a bugle and sent word to the 183 men inside to surrender. The Alamo’s response was amazing -- they fired the first shot! They were fighting for more than their own lives and the threat of death would not dissuade them.
Before leaving to fight for freedom, one Alamo volunteer wrote: “If we succeed, a fertile region and grateful people will be for us a home . . . If we fail death in defense of so just and so good a cause need not excite a shudder or a tear.”
There is more at stake for you and me than our own lives too. We have families that need us to be faithful. We have a community which needs us to proclaim truth and live as Godly, compassionate representatives of Jesus. We have a world that needs us to take a stand for justice and truth at all costs.
We have ample reason to be bold.
(1) God will personally give us our words (19-20)
Jesus said: “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
(2) The enemy’s power over us is limited (28)
Jesus said: “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.”
(3) God is with us (29-31)
Jesus said: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
CONCLUSION:
Yes, fellow Christ-followers, we can expect hostility and opposition from the world; but we have reason to be bold. We serve a higher calling. Therefore loyalty becomes paramount. Jesus said, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
In a letter to a friend, Davey Crockett said the following about his willingness to die for the independence of Texas:
“The salvation of Texas depends in great measure in keeping Bexar out of the hands of the enemy. . . . (I) have come to the solemn conclusion that I would rather die in these ditches than give it up to the enemy. . . .”
+++++++++++++
“Remember the Alamo!” proved to be an emotionally charged battle cry. It sustained men who might otherwise have shrunk back during the great battle at San Jacinto when Santa Anna and his forces were defeated. It brought victory over a superior army.
In like manner, “Jesus is Lord!” has done the same for the church throughout the centuries. Even when faced with opposition and persecution Christ’s Church has found motivation and strength in His Lordship. “Jesus is Lord!” is more than a well-known motto … it is inspiring truth.
• It provides STAMINA IN SUFFERING
• It provides FAITHFULNESS IN TEMPTATION
• It provides RESOLVE UNDER PRESSURE
• It provides JOY IN THE FACE OF THREAT
• It provides LIFE IN SPITE OF DEATH
The allegiance that Jesus requires is an allegiance of sacrifice. You are called to loyalty and the reward far exceeds anything the world can offer. As Jesus said: “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.”
That kind of allegiance only comes with a bold and public statement that you will give all for Jesus.
++++
Before the Mexican army arrived at the Alamo, William Travis offered to let anyone who wanted to leave. They could escape death by exiting out the back door. One man took the offer -- do you know who he was? No … his name is not recorded and he is not remembered.
Personally folks, “I would rather die in these ditches than give it up to the enemy.”
LIFE DOES NOT FIND IT’S MEANING THROUGH EASE AND COMFORT BUT THROUGH LOYALTY, OBEDIENCE, COMMITMENT, AND SACRIFICE.
The following reading brings that home.
I am a disciple of Jesus
I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.
The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
I’m finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.
I now live by prayer and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me.
And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me for my banner will be clear.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
