1. What I see that we need – Equipping for the time in which we live as Christians
a. We’ve been spoiled to easy living in regard to our faith – that may be coming to an end
b. If/when it does, how will we respond?
c. I see my role is in equipping us to meet the demands that are coming
d. It would be nice just to preach fluffy, feel-good sermons and put my head in the sand, hoping this bad dream will just go away, but it won’t.
e. I am accountable to GOD for what I say and don’t say in the lessons I teach. HE has called me and I believe has put some things on my heart that He wants me to say. So to the best of my ability I will do so until I can no longer go on.
f. Jeremiah struggled with this, too. Jeremiah 20:9
2. Matthew 11:7-11
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[ Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
3. According to some scholars, Jesus may have used Aesop’s Fable, The Oak and the Reed. Its Moral: It is better to bend than break. It is better to be flexible than stubborn. Never be so proud of yourself.
4. In our time are we to be reeds or oaks? The answer is YES! It depends on the context.
a. Bow Like the Reed to
• Worship God – Psalm 95:6-7
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Isaiah 45.22-23 22 “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
• In Matters of personal insult – “turn the other cheek”
• In Matter of opinion
b. Stand like the Oak even if the Bow Breaks:
• Like John the Baptist and Herod
• Like Elijah and the prophets of Baal – 1 Kings 19:18
I. The Negative Side of the Reed
A. The Reed Bows to Every Wind
1. Politicians consistently do this
2. The Winds of PC
a. Q: What happens when preaching God’s definition of marriage becomes a hate crime to those opposed to it? Will we bow to that wind?
b. What happens when we fully lose our First Amendment right to free speech? Will we bow to the wind?
c. This is not a political issue, it is a biblical one!
B. We Can Bow to the Winds of:
1. By listening to false teachers – 2 Timothy 4:3 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[ (or healthy) teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
2. Hypocrisy – Peter in Galatians 2:11-14
3. Denying Jesus – Matthew 10:32-33
4. Self-Preservation – Matthew 16:25
II. The Positive Side of the Oak -- It Bows (a Little) but its Bow will Break
A. Stands Up for God at All Costs
[Do you know these names? A. White; John Cole; __ Baker; Andrew Smith; __ Ginnings; William Smith; Solomon Bardwell; Alfonso Steele; __ Wiley//How about these? Jim Bowie, David Crockett, James Bonham, and William Travis – first 9 – AWOL; the Last heroes who stood as Oak Trees for Texas Independence at the Alamo which cost them everything. Isn’t it interesting how seriously we take our freedom?
B. Even in the Most Violent Winds
1. 3 Hebrew Boys and Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Jews will die before being forced to worship idols; commit immorality; muder
2. To follow Jesus is to risk everything here for everything there – Our Lives; Our Fortunes; Our Sacred Honor
1. Are we “Reeds” or “Oaks”? – It depends on the context.
a. Humble/Meek shall inherit the Land/Earth
b. Oaks stand firm – Ephesians 6:13-14 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
2. Martyrs gave it all – John the Baptist; Stephen; Moderns like Richard Wumbrand’s willingness
3. Polycarp, second century Bishop of Smyrna died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. He had been warned of the mob that was fiercely loyal to Rome, so he hid. The mob thought if they killed church leaders the church would die. Hardened soldiers tracked him down.
He welcomes them as if they are old friends and asks that they be served food and drink, requesting only an hour to pray before being marched to the arena. They agree. Overhearing his godly prayers, the soldiers wonder why they are arresting him. Surely this is a good man! They allow the hour to stretch into two. Finally took him to the arena after trying to persuade him to sacrifice to the gods.
Polycarp said he heard a voice that told him to “Be strong and play the man!” He went forward untroubled by the hatred of the crowd. The Governor asks him to deny Christ and his life would be spared. To which Polycarp replies, “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he has never done me injury; how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”
When Polycarp rejects further pressures to deny Jesus and save himself, the governor threatens to burn him. Polycarp turns the tables and warns him of eternal fire. The governor ignores the warning and orders the execution to proceed. The soldiers prepare to nail Polycarp to the stake, but he assures them nails won‘t be needed, so he is tied instead. The fire is lit, and the flames rise around him. But what is this? The fire parts around Polycarp! It is as if the flames avoid him; eyewitnesses will claim his body glowed like gold in the fire. Finally a soldier, whose usual task is to put wounded animals out of their misery, executes the bishop with a sword. The good old man is dead, an inspiration to others who will perish in similar circumstances for centuries to come.
