Fear God: Embracing Faith Over Fear of Man
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound call to fear God rather than man, as we navigate our lives as kingdom people. We began by acknowledging that our worship and right relationship with God are made possible through Jesus Christ. As we read from Matthew 10:26-31, we were reminded of the challenges and persecutions that come with living out our faith. Jesus instructs us not to fear those who can harm the body but to fear God, who holds authority over both body and soul. This passage encourages us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that God's truth will ultimately prevail.
We explored the concept of the fear of man, which often manifests as peer pressure or the desire for acceptance from others. Jesus calls us to rise above this fear and to trust in God's eternal truth. We are assured that God's truth will be revealed, and His judgment is the one that truly matters. This understanding frees us from the judgments of others and aligns our priorities with eternity.
Furthermore, we were reminded of God's profound love and care for us. Jesus uses the illustration of sparrows to emphasize our worth in God's eyes. Despite the challenges we may face, we can stand firm in our faith, knowing that God loves us deeply and provides for us. This assurance empowers us to boldly proclaim the gospel and to live out our faith without fear.
Finally, we were challenged to confess Christ before others. Our public witness is a reflection of our inward faith, and Jesus makes it clear that our confession of Him is crucial. We are called to incorporate our faith into our daily interactions and to share the gospel with those around us. This is not merely a formality but a vital expression of our commitment to Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Fear God, Not Man: The fear of man can hinder us from living out kingdom principles. Jesus reminds us that God's truth will ultimately be revealed, and we should stand firm in our faith, knowing that His truth transcends all human opinions. [56:34]
- God's Judgment Matters Most: While human judgments are temporary, God's judgment is eternal. We should prioritize His standards over societal acceptance, knowing that our lives are ultimately accountable to Him. [01:05:51]
- God's Love and Care: Despite the challenges we face, we are deeply loved and cared for by God. This assurance allows us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that He provides for us and values us greatly. [01:14:30]
- Confess Christ Boldly: Our public confession of faith is crucial. We are called to share the gospel and to live out our faith openly, knowing that our confession before others is linked to Christ's confession of us before God. [01:17:12]
- Courageous Witness: We are encouraged to practice courageous witness, sharing God's word and standing firm in our faith, even in the face of persecution or criticism. Our ultimate acceptance is with God, not man. [01:09:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:09] - Opening Scripture and Worship
- [10:00] - Children's Song and Teaching
- [15:00] - Connecting and Next Steps
- [20:00] - Mission Team to Argentina
- [25:00] - Prayer for Mission Team
- [30:00] - Worship and Praise
- [36:43] - Scripture Reading: Romans 6
- [40:00] - Sermon Introduction
- [45:00] - Fear God, Not Man
- [52:08] - The Challenge of Persecution
- [56:34] - Truth Will Emerge
- [01:01:46] - God as the True Judge
- [01:09:49] - Urgency of the Gospel
- [01:14:30] - God's Love and Care
- [01:17:12] - Confessing Christ Before Others
- [01:25:00] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 10:26-31
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus instruct His followers to do with the truths He shares with them in private? [52:08]
2. How does Jesus compare the value of sparrows to the value of His followers? [01:09:49]
3. What does Jesus say about the power of those who can harm the body versus the power of God? [01:01:46]
4. How many times does Jesus tell His followers not to fear in this passage, and what is the significance of this repetition? [56:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus emphasize the importance of fearing God over fearing man? How does this relate to the concept of eternal truth? [56:34]
2. In what ways does the fear of man manifest in our daily lives, and how can it hinder our faith? [52:08]
3. How does understanding God's love and care for us, as illustrated by the sparrows, impact our ability to stand firm in our faith? [01:09:49]
4. What does it mean to confess Christ before others, and why is this public confession significant in the life of a believer? [01:17:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt pressured to conform to the opinions of others. How might the fear of God have changed your response? [52:08]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you seek acceptance from others. How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's judgment and standards instead? [01:05:51]
3. Identify a specific way you can remind yourself of God's love and care for you when facing challenges. How can this assurance empower you to live out your faith more boldly? [01:14:30]
4. Think about a time when you hesitated to share your faith. What steps can you take to become more confident in confessing Christ before others? [01:17:12]
5. How can you incorporate your faith into your daily interactions at work, school, or in your community? What practical steps can you take to make this a regular practice? [01:17:12]
6. Reflect on a person in your life who may be struggling with the fear of man. How can you encourage them with the truth of God's love and care? [01:14:30]
7. What specific action can you take this week to practice courageous witness, even in the face of potential criticism or persecution? [01:09:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Stand Firm in God's Truth
In a world where the fear of man can easily sway our actions and beliefs, we are called to stand firm in God's truth. The fear of man often manifests as a desire for acceptance or approval from others, which can lead us away from living out the principles of God's kingdom. Jesus reminds us that God's truth will ultimately be revealed, and it transcends all human opinions. By focusing on God's eternal truth, we can rise above the pressures of this world and align our lives with His will. This understanding empowers us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that our faith is anchored in something far greater than the fleeting judgments of others. [56:34]
Isaiah 51:7-8 (ESV): "Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking approval from others? How can you refocus your priorities to align with God's eternal truth today?
Day 2: Prioritize God's Eternal Judgment
While human judgments are temporary and often flawed, God's judgment is eternal and just. We are encouraged to prioritize His standards over societal acceptance, recognizing that our lives are ultimately accountable to Him. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking validation from the world to living in a way that honors God. By understanding the weight of God's eternal judgment, we can navigate our lives with a sense of purpose and integrity, knowing that His opinion is the one that truly matters. This realization frees us from the constraints of societal pressures and allows us to live authentically as followers of Christ. [01:05:51]
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are more concerned with human judgment than God's? How can you begin to shift your focus to prioritize God's eternal standards?
Day 3: Embrace God's Love and Care
Despite the challenges and trials we may face, we are deeply loved and cared for by God. Jesus uses the illustration of sparrows to emphasize our worth in God's eyes, reminding us that He provides for us and values us greatly. This assurance allows us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. God's love empowers us to live boldly and confidently, trusting that He will meet our needs and guide us through life's difficulties. By embracing His love and care, we can find peace and strength to face whatever comes our way. [01:14:30]
Psalm 139:17-18 (ESV): "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you."
Reflection: How does knowing that God values and cares for you change the way you approach your daily challenges? What steps can you take to remind yourself of His love and provision today?
Day 4: Boldly Confess Christ
Our public confession of faith is a vital expression of our commitment to Christ. We are called to share the gospel and live out our faith openly, knowing that our confession before others is linked to Christ's confession of us before God. This call to boldness challenges us to incorporate our faith into our daily interactions and to be unashamed of our relationship with Jesus. By confessing Christ boldly, we demonstrate our allegiance to Him and invite others to experience the transformative power of the gospel. This is not merely a formality but a crucial aspect of our witness as believers. [01:17:12]
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV): "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Reflection: In what ways can you be more intentional about confessing Christ in your daily life? Who is someone you can share the gospel with this week?
Day 5: Practice Courageous Witness
We are encouraged to practice courageous witness, sharing God's word and standing firm in our faith, even in the face of persecution or criticism. Our ultimate acceptance is with God, not man, and this truth empowers us to live boldly for Him. By embracing a courageous witness, we demonstrate our trust in God's sovereignty and our commitment to His mission. This call to courage challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the world around us, proclaiming the hope and truth of the gospel. As we do so, we can be confident that God is with us, guiding and strengthening us every step of the way. [01:09:49]
Acts 4:29-31 (ESV): "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Reflection: What fears or obstacles are holding you back from being a courageous witness for Christ? How can you rely on God's strength to overcome these challenges and share His word boldly?
Quotes
"Therefore, don't be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won't be uncovered, and nothing hidden that won't be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops." [00:51:09] (19 seconds)
"Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Aren't two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your father's consent." [00:51:27] (19 seconds)
"But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. Let us pray. Father, we pray to You this morning and lift Your name up. Because You have given us the great kingdom mission." [00:51:47] (27 seconds)
"Jesus is saying to us today that the fear of man may keep us from living kingdom principles, and we shouldn't allow that fear to do that. What is the fear of man? Well, you've all experienced it. You might not call it that, but the fear of man is peer pressure or the desire to look better in someone else's eyes, to seek the acceptance of others more than you seek the acceptance of God." [00:54:47] (35 seconds)
"He is driving home the point that we don't need to fear man because the fear of man is a snare that keeps us from living kingdom principles and boldly proclaiming the gospel. Instead, Jesus says, fear God, the one who made you, the one who provides life for you in the gospel. Fear God instead. Trust his truth. Submit to his judgment. Rest in his love. Proclaim his name." [00:55:46] (34 seconds)
"Fear God, not man, because the truth will emerge. Verse 26 through 27, Jesus says, therefore, don't be afraid of them since there's nothing covered that won't be uncovered and nothing hidden that won't be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in the whisper, proclaim on the housetops." [00:56:34] (24 seconds)
"As Jesus sends his disciples to preach and teach and share the gospel, he reminds them, don't worry because all truth will be revealed in me. So, when you're challenged or you come across people who fight against it, be reminded that everything that is covered will be uncovered one day." [00:57:05] (27 seconds)
"In other words, that we can stand before men with the truth of God because in the end, the truth of God is the only thing that will remain. So, when we are standing for the truth of God, we can know that the truth of God will transcend everything that this world thinks or believes." [00:57:32] (25 seconds)
"Fear God, not man, because he is the true judge of right and wrong. What does verse 28 say? Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body and hell." [01:02:30] (16 seconds)
"Jesus shifts our focus of the disciples to say you're going to go out and people are going to threaten. We read earlier in the previous section you're going to stand before governors, you're going to be flogged, your bodies are going to go in jail. He warned that this was going to happen but he said don't fear those who have temporal threats of bodily harm when the one that we truly serve is the one who can save your soul." [01:03:10] (25 seconds)
"Friends, we can fear God even in the midst of persecution. Remember, suffering may come, but we are overwhelmingly loved and cared for by God. Verse 29 through 31, Jesus uses this example that he uses elsewhere of sparrows sold cheaply for a few pennies." [01:14:30] (22 seconds)
"Friends, we need to rehearse this provision in our life every day. We need, when fear creeps in, we should always be, already be preparing our heart. God cares for me. God loves me. God provides for me. God is for me. Jesus died for me. I can stand for him." [01:16:10] (27 seconds)
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