Grace Baptist Church, Nokomis, IL.

Text:

There is a massive weight we must be willing to endure if we accept the call of the Great Commission. It’s not about time commitments or simply learning the gospel in such a way as to share it. If were one of these kinds of things, I’m sure more believers would be faithful witnesses. It’s that we must be willing to be hated.

“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 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. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 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. A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 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! So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 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. 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. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Mat 10:17-31 NIV)

In order to be faithful witnesses, we must undergo a massive change in where we find our joy. We must love the Lord, and not love the world. The problem is we naturally love to receive praise from men. This change ought to have happened in us when we came to believe in Christ. But because of sin, many Christians are still struggling with this fundamental change.

Where I grew up, there were many fenced in yards with signs that read, “Beware of dog.” Some of these homes had only very small, seemingly harmless looking pets. People generally are not afraid of small dogs, even though they can still bite like the big ones. But we don’t consider them a threat because we’re bigger than they are. I think the same concept is being taught in this text (v. 17, 28). It’s not teaching us to dread God and worry that He will throw us into Hell. Rather, it’s clearly saying that our God is bigger and stronger than the world.

The world can only do so much to us (v. 21-22). We might consider that a lot, until we compare temporary suffering with eternal joy. Even while the world is seeking to harm and condemn us, God is working through us (v. 18). Through persecution, God gives us more opportunities to share the gospel.

I highly doubt that any one of us will ever be flogged or put to death for sharing the gospel. Although it does still happen in other nations around the world. Yet we do have to endure being shunned, called names, yelled at, and hated. Why are we hated like this? (v. 24-25) We’re hated because we’re disciples and servants of Christ, and they hate Christ.

Just two chapters later, Jesus is accused of healing by the power of Beelzebul (12:22-24). This was a horrible insult! Beelzebul had become a nickname for Satan because it meant “the god of dung.” If this is how the world treats our master, then we, too, will receive the same treatment. But we count it not a disgrace, not as shame, but as joy to suffer with our Lord.

The text gives us at least three commands to follow when we face persecution for sharing our faith.

1. Don’t be anxious (v. 19-20). When this happens, we have the great opportunity to respond as the Spirit leads us. Do not repay evil for evil. Instead, love them and show them how Christ has made us different from the world. This isn’t always easy. In fact, it rarely is.

2. Flee to the next town/house (v. 23). We’re not fleeing because we’re scared, but so that we might share the gospel more! While we still have time, we must spread the gospel to anyone who will listen. When Jesus returns, everything changes. Don’t fear those who may persecute you (v. 26-27). God is in control, and God will bring all people to account for their actions. Just as God will judge the world for their sin, we, too, will be judged for our faithfulness to tell others the good news. What you learn in the church, tell to those outside the church! What you read in your Bible, share with those you come in contact with! Be faithful not to hide your light, but put it on a lamp stand so that it can shine bright in the world.

Our encouragement in all of this is that God loves us (v. 29-31). I’ve always thought those verses sounded a little funny because it just said that two sparrows are worth a penny, yet we’re worth more than a few sparrows. I sure hope so! But what it saying is that if God cares even for them, what we consider to be worth very little, then surely God cares for us as well, who are worth far more to God. God will always be with you and watch over you and we can trust that He will be with us when we need Him most to strengthen us. And at then end our our brief lives, because we know Christ as Savior, God will take us to be with Him forever and ever.