Scripture References: Matthew 10:5-31; Psalm 34; 1 Samuel 21
Intro: Welcome to this sermon exploring Jesus' intense "halftime speech" in Matthew 10, where He sends His disciples into ministry. He commissions them with great power but also warns of severe persecution, giving the seemingly paradoxical command to both "fear not" and "fear Him."
Key Points:
- The Mission & The Opposition (vv. 5-25): Jesus sends the Twelve to proclaim the kingdom, heal, and deliver, relying entirely on divine provision. He simultaneously warns them they are "sheep among wolves" and will face rejection, betrayal, persecution, and hatred for His name's sake.
- The Paradoxical Command (vv. 26-31): Jesus repeatedly says "do not fear" those who can only harm the body, yet He commands, "Rather, fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This isn't a contradiction.
- The Solution: The Fear of the Lord: Jesus teaches that the only way to be delivered from the fear of man, suffering, loss, or rejection is to cultivate the overriding, healthy Fear of the Lord. This greater fear displaces all lesser fears.
- David's Example (1 Sam 21 / Ps 34): Even the courageous David was once crippled by fear (running, hiding, lying, pretending). His deliverance, detailed in Psalm 34, came through: 1) Magnifying God above the threat, 2) Experiencing God's goodness ("Taste and see"), 3) Learning the Fear of the Lord.
- Understanding the Fear of the Lord: This isn't being terrified of God in a way that drives us away. It's a reverent awe coupled with a deep fear of going without Him—of displeasing Him, straying from His presence, or forfeiting His protection and guidance. This healthy fear compels us toward Him for refuge and motivates obedience.
Conclusion: Jesus equips us for a potentially hostile world not by eliminating all fear, but by calling us to fear the right One. Cultivating a profound reverence for God and fearing separation from Him more than any earthly threat produces true spiritual fearlessness and faithful obedience.
Call to Action: Identify the specific fears that hinder you from fully following Christ or obeying His commands. Ask God to replace those fears with a holy Fear of the Lord. Practice magnifying Him, reflecting on His goodness, and taking refuge in His presence. Choose obedience motivated by fearing displeasing Him above all else.
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The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus & Your Fears (Matthew 10:5-31)
with Travis Aicklen
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