These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them. . . .
“Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Ping.
Great post! “We walk by faith, not by sight. We go by what God’s word tells us, not by what our circumstances seem to look like.” This point, as mundane as it is, is a major one that many have not learned. It’s far too common for those who claim Christ to interpret life and Scripture by experience or circumstances rather than submit our lives and circumstances to the authority of God’s Word.
Press on!
Did you actually preach this message ???
I read it once—
and reread it several more times.
Absorbing and delighting in the sparkling and dizzying beauty of what is.
That a Divine plan was revealed so simply and majestically for those that choose to look openly and honestly toward the Prince of Peace.
Thank you for this Sunday message.