Introduction
Discussed the recent violent events taking place in our country. Went over the Charlie Kirk assassination and how he professed Christ. He was a follower of Jesus and Christ tells us if they persecute me they will persecute you.
Matthew 10:22 (NKJV) “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
False religion: The fallen man apart from Christ cannot change their heart. False religion is self righteous. False religion seeks the approval and praise of men and not of God. It’s the same today. How dare you question a “god” on their identity. False religion only decorates the outside. Many people don’t know it.
False Teachers: they had traditions. They hate those who preach the Word and kill them. They build tombs to honor them but Jesus calls them out on their hypocrisy. They take away the knowledge of God or the key of knowledge. A teacher should be teaching things that lead to God but they take it way by mishandling the Word of life. These false teachers rejecting the old testament promises reject the messiah. Most of them they did not listen. Instead of accepting Him they sought to kill Him. V53-54.
Persecution
Jesus only speaks the truth. In chapter 12 Jesus tells us He will be persecuted and so will His followers. But His goal is to encourage you in spite of this. He also warns those who don’t believe. After the woes there is a massive crowd gathered. He says beware of the false religion of the pharisees. Beware of the leaven of the pharisees. “Leaven” is often used in a negative context. Here Jesus is warning about the spread of false religion. He calls it “hypocrisy” – These religious scribes and pharisees are secretly scheming. They are pretending outwardly to he godly and righteous and holy. Jesus warns us not to follow them or listen to them. He is warning the disciples here too. Let your faith be genuine. There will be and is a great pressure to compromise their faith and our faith. When civil powers come down on us it leads fear which leads to abandoning the gospel. Persecution comes from confessing Christ.
The secret schemes will come out
Luke 12:2 – nothing covered that will not be revealed. V3 whatever you speak in the dark will be revealed. When they try to separate you from the gospel they don’t do it openly. They convince you by whispers. Jesus is also warning His disciples not to listen to them. False religion looks so good on the outside but inside is death. Jesus says it will be exposed. Some people can’t keep their secret venom secret.
Don’t fear when they threaten your life. V4.
Do not be afraid that they can kill the body. Jesus elevates the spiritual. They can kill the body but not the soul. They cannot remove you from God. Therefore we should fear God. God has the power to cast into hell. Jesus preaches about hell. If not for the mercy of Jesus Christ we would go to hell as we all deserve it.
Do not fear persecution believe Christ words that you who follow Him that your life is very valuable to Him.
Psalm 116:15 our physical life and physical death are valuable to Him. V6 – we are very valuable. If we die in service to Christ we are blessed. By His death may the Lord raise up more bold believers who preach the truth. V7 – we are of more value than many sparrows. God knows the amount of hair on our head. God is telling us He loves us and He is in complete control even our life and death. We can’t be harmed unless it is allowed by God. If He does allow us to die it’s for our good and for His glory.
Don’t be afraid of persecution to confess Christ. That confession will be heard. V8.
He will confess us before the Father that we are His. Charlie Kirk openly confessed Christ and it did end in his assassination. He said Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. Tell someone about Jesus.
1 Corinthians 2:8 (NKJV) which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Luke 12:1-12 (NKJV) 1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first [of all,] “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 “Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 “But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Luke 11:52-54 (NKJV) 52 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.” 53 And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail [Him] vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, 54 lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.