Chapter 33
WHOM DO WE FEAR?
(Matthew 10:28-33)
Before we begin our study let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the Name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Holy Father please grant us the spiritual wisdom and understanding to comprehend Your Word. Help us, oh Lord, to see that You and only You are our Savior and Deliverer. Father please forgive us of the many times we looked to ourselves and others for direction, comfort and deliverance from our sinful ways. Holy Father we ask You for these things for Your Holy Name's sake.
Amen
INTRODUCTION
We begin this study by reading the first verse from the theme of this chapter. Specifically, let us read from,
Matthew 10:28
"[28] 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."
After reflecting upon this verse one might ask: "What is our Lord saying? What is He telling us?" I believe we can gain an understanding of this verse by reflecting upon the following questions: "Do we believe and accept that Jesus Christ is our Lord? Do we really and truly believe and accept the fact that no matter what the circumstances or situations we may be in, Jesus Christ is still our Lord and our Savior?"
To address these questions,
SOME EXAMPLES OF THE FAITHFUL
For this portion of our study we will first read two examples of those who were faithful to God while under physical or life threatening circumstances. Then we will read the example of Gideon. We will see that Gideon was faithful to God when he was under peer pressure, that is under the threat of being a social or religious outcast.
Let us now begin with,
TWO EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO REMAINED FAITHFUL TO GOD WHILE UNDER PHYSICAL OR LIFE THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCES
Our first example is that of,
The prophet Elijah and Obadiah
The example we are about to read occurred during the reign of Israel's King Ahab. In reading about the kingship of Ahab we discover that he did much evil in the sight of the Lord. To see this let us read from,
1 Kings 16:29-33
"[29] In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. [30] Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. [31] He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. [32] He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. [33] Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him."
Let us notice the following verses,
31(a) ... Because of King Solomon's idolatry God divided the kingdom of Israel into two. The name of the first kingdom was Judah. It only consisted of two tribes, that is Judah and Benjamin. The first king of this new kingdom of Judah was Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon. The remaining tribes composed the second kingdom. This kingdom retained the name Israel. The first king of the new kingdom of Israel was a man named Jeroboam (see 1 Kings 12:1-24). In an attempt to maintain his authority and control over Israel and prevent the people of his kingdom from going to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem, Jeroboam instituted his own form of worship. To see this let us read from,
1 Kings 12:25-30
"[25] Then Jeroboam fortified Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. From there he went out and built up Peniel. [26] Jeroboam thought to himself, "The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. [27] If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam." [28] After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." [29] One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. [30] And this thing became a sin; the people went even as far as Dan to worship the one there."
Let us now return to return to 1 Kings chapter 16 and notice verses,
31(b)-32 In the Old Testament, Baal was the name of the weather and fertility god of the Canaanites
1. Thus, we find that under the influence of his Canaanite wife, Jezebel, King Ahab and the people of Israel gave homage and worship to the Canaanite god named Baal.33 If the worship of Baal was not bad enough, King Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Asherah was considered by the Canaanites to be the goddess of the sea. It was also believed that Baal came forth from her. Asherah was represented by a tree or wooden pole; hence, the Asherah pole. Worship and homage was paid to Asherah around this tree or pole
2.With all this worship and adoration to the Canaanite deities, one could understand why our Lord and Savior was so very angry with Ahab and the people of Israel. Consequently God sent the prophet Elijah to tell the king that because of their evil deeds He was going to send a severe drought upon the land. To see this let us read from,
1 Kings 17:1
"[1] Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.""
After a few years God told Elijah to return to King Ahab to tell him that He was now going to end the drought and send rain upon Israel. This is recorded for us in,
1 Kings 18:1
"[1] After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.""
Now one might think that Elijah would be welcomed by the king and the people of the land. However, as we continue reading we find that the temperament of the king and the people of Israel was exactly the opposite. What we discover is that King Ahab was not very pleased with Elijah or any of God's prophets. In fact the king had ordered that all of God's prophets be put to death. To see this let us continue reading from,
1 Kings 18:2-16
"[2] So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria, [3] and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD. [4] While Jezebel was killing off the Lord's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.) [5] Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals." [6] So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.
Let us notice the following verses,
2 Because of the severe drought a severe famine had gripped the land of Israel.
3 Notice that Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord.
4 Jezebel, King Ahab's wife, commanded that all of the Lord's prophets be put to death. However, Obadiah, who feared God more than Ahab and his wife, risked his own life by hiding and caring for one hundred of the Lord's prophets.
5-6 The reason King Ahab summoned Obadiah was to have him help look for water.
While King Ahab and Obadiah were looking for water, Elijah, who was going to present himself to the king met Obadiah. Let us now read what happened between the two of them. Their conversation is recorded in,
1 Kings 18:7-16
[7] As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, "Is it really you, my lord Elijah?" [8] "Yes," he replied. "Go tell your master, 'Elijah is here.'" [9] "What have I done wrong," asked Obadiah, "that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death? [10] As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you. [11] But now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' [12] I don't know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth. [13] Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the Lord's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. [14] And now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' He will kill me!" [15] Elijah said, "As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today." [16] So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah."
Let us notice the following verses,
8-11 Elijah told Obadiah to inform King Ahab that he was coming to see him. At this time Obadiah informed Elijah that from the time he left Israel horrible and life threatening circumstances have fallen upon the Lord's prophets.
12(a) Out of fear that Elijah might again disappear, Obadiah was hesitant about announcing to King Ahab the arrival of the prophet Elijah.
12(b)-14 Obadiah told Elijah that he had been a faithful servant unto God. In other words, Obadiah had asked Elijah why are you asking me, a faithful servant of God, to risk my life?
15 Elijah assured Obadiah that he would not forsake him and will certainly present himself to the king.
16 Knowing the potential danger to his life and well being, Obadiah again demonstrated his faithfulness to our Lord by going to King Ahab to announce the arrival of Elijah. In other words, Obadiah feared God more than King Ahab and his wife Jezebel.
The second example for this portion of the study comes from the New Testament and focuses upon,
Stephen
The Bible teaches us that Stephen was one of the church's original deacons, see Acts 1:1-6. In addition, God mightily used Stephen to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, not everyone in Jerusalem accepted truth about Jesus Christ. In fact, many were so infuriated with Stephen that they had him arrested for blasphemy.
It is noted that during this point of time in Israel's history, blasphemy was committed when a person or organization preached, taught or worshipped any other god other than the one revealed in the Old Testament. In today's Western culture this might seem like a big deal. However, at the time of Stephen and earlier, if a person was convicted of blasphemy, they were sentenced to death by stoning. This punishment was in direct compliance with the Law of Moses, see Deuteronomy 13:1-11. Thus, this accusation against Stephen was an extremely serious one.
With this background, let us now read about the arrest of Stephen as recorded in,
Acts 6:8-7:1
"[8] Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. [9] Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, [10] but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. [11] Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God." [12] So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. [13] They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. [14] For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." [15] All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel."
"[7:1] Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?""
Let us notice the following verses,
9-10 Those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen were not able to successfully find fault or contend with what the Holy Spirit spoke through Stephen. (For a more in depth study of how the Holy Spirit will speak through the born again believer please see chapter 31, of these Bible studies, titled: "Our Spokesman The Holy Spirit."
11-12 They stirred up the people to come against Stephen and have him arrested for blasphemy.
13-14 They were so upset with Stephen that in order to get rid of him they perverted and lied about what he had preached and taught.
15 Notice, while Stephen stood before the religious ruling council of Israel, he was in perfect peace and harmony with God.
Doesn't this whole incident with Stephen, the members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen and the ruling council of Judaism remind us of what Jesus said to His disciples just before He sent them out to preach and teach about the Kingdom of God? To refresh our memories let us read from,
Matthew 10:16-20
"[16] I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. [17] "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. [18] On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. [19] 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, [20] for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Let us now return to the account of Stephen and the ruling council and notice the following verse,
7:1 The High Priest asked Stephen to give an account for his actions.
Let us reflect upon the scene that is set before us. Stephen, who had been a faithful and mighty witness to the good news of Jesus Christ is standing before the ruling council of Judaism. He is accused of blasphemy. After hearing all the lies and false accusations against him, he is asked by the High Priest to give a defense for his actions. Stephen knew full well that if he was convicted of blasphemy he would immediately be taken outside the city to be stoned to death. What did Stephen do? Did he fear the power and authority of the elders of Israel and deny Jesus Christ as his Lord and God? (or) Did Stephen fear Almighty God and remain true to his faith?
As we read his defense in Acts 7:2-53 we discover that Stephen remained steadfast in his faith in Jesus Christ. He bore witness to the truth that He, Jesus Christ, was indeed the Messiah, that is the Anointed One. He further said that Jesus Christ was and is the One who the prophets of the Old Testament foretold would come to save Israel.
As a consequence of his speech, Stephen was convicted of blasphemy. He was then taken outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned to death. To see this let us read from,
Acts 7:54-60
"[54] When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. [55] But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. [56] "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." [57] At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, [58] dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." [60] Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep."
It is extremely interesting to note that even under the excruciating pain of being stoned to death, Stephen continued to faithfully serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He did this by asking Jesus to forgive those who were stoning him.
The above two examples are trial and tests of our faith under the threat of physical harm and/or possibly death. What about the ones that are more subtle? More specifically, what about the trials and tests of,
PEER PRESSURE OR SOCIAL/RELIGIOUS ACCEPTANCE
For this section of our study we will go to the Old Testament and read about
Gideon
To do this let us read from,
Judges 6:1-24
"[1] Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. [2] Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. [3] Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. [4] They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. [5] They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. [6] Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help. [7] When the Israelites cried to the LORD because of Midian, [8] he sent them a prophet, who said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. [9] I snatched you from the power of Egypt and from the hand of all your oppressors. I drove them from before you and gave you their land. [10] I said to you, 'I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.' But you have not listened to me." [11] The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. [12] When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." [13] "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." [14] The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" [15] "But Lord, " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." [16] The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." [17] Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. [18] Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return." [19] Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. [20] The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so. [21] With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. [22] When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" [23] But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die." [24] So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites."
Let us notice the following verses,
1 Because of their sin and trespasses God removed His protection from around Israel. In other words, He gave them up to the power and oppression of Midian.
2-5 In these verses we read how ruthlessly the Midianites, Amalekites and others destroyed the livestock raised and the produce grown in Israel.
6 Because Israel was greatly impoverished by the destruction of their livestock and crops, they cried out to God for help and deliverance.
7-10 Upon hearing the cry of the Israelites God sent a prophet to them. Through the prophet God explained to the people that it was because of their disobedience to Him that He allowed all this devastation to occur. In particular God was angry and upset because the Israelites had fallen away from Him and were worshipping the false gods of the Amorites.
11-14 The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and told him he, Gideon, would deliver the children of Israel from the hand of the Midianites.
15 Gideon expressed his doubt, unbelief and skepticism about being able to accomplish such a large and important feat. He explained to the Angel that he was the youngest in the family and further more his family was the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh.
16 Because God had planned to be with Gideon, He told him not to worry. In other words, God told Gideon that it would not be him that will accomplish this task but it would be He, God, working through Gideon Who will do it.
17-18 Gideon still was not sure that the person who was taking with him was really the Angel of the Lord. In other words, Gideon had a hard time believing that the Angel of God would come to appoint him, a lowly person from the weakest clan, to accomplish such a mighty task. Consequently, Gideon asked the person speaking to him to provide a sign to prove that He was really the Angel of God. This is a very good object lesson for us. Before we do or say something in the Name of God we must be absolutely sure it was Him who told us to say it or do it. Unfortunately, much spiritual destruction and damage has occurred within the church by those who falsely or presumptuously claimed that God had sent them to do this or say that. In Gideon's case you can just imagine the devastating consequence that would follow if Gideon waged war against the Midianites and the Lord was not with him.
19-22 The Angel of God gave Gideon a testifying sign that it was really Him. After seeing the sign, Gideon believed he was in fact commissioned by God to go after the Midianites.
Up until this point in time the question of Gideon's faithfulness was in secret, that is it was between him and God. As we read further in the Book of Judges we discover that before God sent Gideon to go after the Midianites God tested his faith in a very public setting. Specifically, God asked Gideon to perform a task that would reveal to his family and friends his commitment and faithfulness to Him. To see this let us read what God asked Gideon to do. It is recorded in,
Judges 6:25-26
"[25] That same night the LORD said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. [26] Then build a proper kind of altar to the LORD your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.""
Remember, during this time of Israel's history the worship of the false gods, Baal and Asherah was rampant through the country. As seen from the above Scriptures, even Gideon's own father had constructed, in their yard, an altar to Baal and an Asherah pole. Hence, the question of, "What did Gideon do?" Did Gideon fear the wrath of his father, family and friends more than he feared God? To find out let us read from,
Judges 6:27
"[27] So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the men of the town, he did it at night rather than in the daytime."
Even though Gideon obeyed God's request a night when no one could see him, he certainly must have known sooner or later he would be found out. As a matter of fact, it was the very next morning that everyone discovered Gideon's act of faithfulness to the Lord. To see this let us read from,
Judges 6:28-29
"[28] In the morning when the men of the town got up, there was Baal's altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar! [29] They asked each other, "Who did this?" When they carefully investigated, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it.""
Thus, it is probably reasonable to assume that the reason Gideon tore down the altar to Baal and Asherah pole at night, was to insure that his family and friends could not forcibly stop him from destroying their false gods and idols.
Because of Gideon's faithfulness to God, in the Book of Judges (6:30 through 8:21), we read how through Gideon God brought about a great and miraculous defeat of the Midianites.
THE REASON FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS
Why? Why did Elijah, Obadiah, Stephen, Gideon and countless others risked their physical and social well being to remain faithful to God? I believe the answer to this question lies in the fact that they all had a close and personal knowledge of God.
First of all they knew, believed and had faith in God. They knew of God's majesty and of man's humility. To receive a glimpse of their understanding and knowledge of the majesty of God let us read from,
Psalm 95:1-7
"[1] Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. [3] For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. [4] In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. [5] The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. [6] Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; [7] for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. "
To receive a glimpse of their understanding of man's humility let us read from,
Psalm 103:11-18
"[11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. [13] As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; [14] for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. [15] As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; [16] the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. [17] But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- [18] with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."
Secondly, in addition to God's majesty and power they also knew, believed and had faith in the fact that God was and is their only savior. To get a glimpse of their understanding let us first prayerfully read what God had said through His prophet Isaiah as recorded in,
Isaiah 43:9-13
"[9] All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, "It is true." [10] "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. [11] I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. [12] I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-- I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. [13] Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?""
In the new Testament we come to realize that the salvation from the penalty and power of our sins, that was foretold in the Old Testament, came into fruition through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To see this let us read the following proclamation Peter made to the rulers, scribes, elders, the High Priest and the High Priest's family concerning Jesus Christ. It is recorded for us in,
Acts 4:12
"[12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.""
We now come to the acid question and to the topic of this study. Specifically,
WHOM DO WE FEAR?
To address this question let us search our hearts by reflecting upon the following set of questions.
First of all, are we afraid of being chastised, mocked or put out of fellowship from our family, friends and acquaintances for our belief, trust and faith in Jesus Christ and His Word? Remember it was because of this issue that many of those who believed in Jesus did not confess Him or faithfully serve Him. To refresh our memories let us read from,
John 12:42-43
"[42] Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; [43] for they loved praise from men more than praise from God."
Secondly, do we look to other people for direction? In other words, do we tend to listen to, follow and be led away from the faith through the advice of those who are considered, by the world's standard, to be wise and great? (or) Do we listen to and follow the commands, statutes and direction that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave to us in His Word, that is the Holy Bible? With these questions in mind let us read how Jesus addressed them to those who did not believe that He was truly their Lord and God, that is they did not truly believe in Him. His response to these people is recorded in,
John 5:39-44
"[39] You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me to have life. [41] "I do not accept praise from men, [42] but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. [43] I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. [44] How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God ?"
THE MESSAGE OR POINT OF THIS STUDY
So what is the message or point of all we covered in this study? More specifically, how does all what we covered apply to you and I today? I believe the answer to this question is found in,
Matthew 10:24-33
""[24] A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. [25] 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! [26] "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. [27] What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. [28] 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. [29] 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. [30] And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. [32] "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. [33] But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."
Shall We Pray?