Whom Shall I Fear Series

Introduction

There are things that all of us fear. What may cause me fear might not be what causes you fear and vice versa.

Last night we were visiting with some folks and were reminiscing a bit about one of the fear inducing and adrenaline pumping experiences we had - bungee jumping.

Fear, whether it’s real or imagined, has the ability to paralyze us or cause us to make unwise or irrational decisions. It can be accompanied by all sorts of baggage and can load us down with dread.

Fear is a powerful thing. When people in authority wield their power in a way that invokes fear, it is intimidating and life stealing. As we will see today, this was the environment in which Jesus and his disciples lived.

Background

Last week, we got to learn a bit from Jesus as He both scolds the Pharisees and religious lawyers and then encourages His own followers to beware of the hypocrisy that permeates people like leaven does through dough. For the disciples, the religious leaders could have been intimidating people. They wielded their authority with a heavy hammer and could intimidate people into submission.

And yet, right on the heels of warning his disciples not to follow their hypocritical examples, Jesus urges them not to fear other humans - no matter what role they play.

Let’s look at Luke 12:4-12. If you’re a bit unfamiliar with the Bible, Luke is in the back half of the bible. The table of contents at the front will give you the page number for the book - then look for the large numbers as chapter numbers and the small numbers as verses.

Luke 12:4–12 ESV

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

It seems like if we were to narrow down what Jesus is saying here it’s that: In the face of fear and intimidation, Christians are called to find courage in the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s presence and empowerment, which enables them to boldly witness for Christ and assures them of their value in God’s eyes.

As we walk through this passage, we’ll learn for things from Jesus:

a perspective on persecution (4-5)

that we are priceless in God’s eyes (6-7)

that we can proclaim with courage (8-9)

that we have protection through the Spirit as he provides words for us in the face of persecution (10-12)

Jesus begins by providing for us a proper…

Perspective on Persecution (4-5)

Authoritative people can be intimidating, invoking fear in any who would defy them. We don’t have to look very far to see and hear about authoritative people in our society or around the world.

Jesus here provides a bit of perspective in that He helps us to subtly see that there is more to life than simply life - there is an eternity to deal with. In light of eternity, no one on earth can intimidate that away from you.

As we read earlier, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the authoritative whims of Nebuchadnezzar. They did not count bowing down to this statue as a worthy sacrifice for their lives, their integrity, or their devotion for God. They stood firm and God was glorified through that.

In Psalm 91, the Psalmist reflects on the security and safety with which God provides to those who are His - no fear is needed.

Psalm 91:1–7 ESV

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.