Lord’s Day, Vol. 7 No. 37

Fear Not

Luke 12:4-9.4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

 Our Lord Jesus taught His disciples to fear God and to trust God to take care of them as they entrust their lives to His care.

God is to be feared because He has the power to cast a soul to hell after death. He brought before them the prospect of eternal judgment in hellfire. That is most fearsome for mankind, Jesus truthfully explains, for our understanding and eternal benefit. He tells us that a man escapes this eternal judgment when he confess that Jesus is his Saviour and Lord.

John 3:16-17. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

This is the good news of salvation. The Apostle Paul was one such recipient of the good news when he testified after his conversion – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Jesus tells His disciples that they must not be afraid of them that kill the body, men that can inflict bodily harm upon them even unto death. He tells them truly, “and after that have no more that they can do.” That’s all they can do. But life goes beyond this physical life on earth. The soul of man is immortal. There is a place of rest for the soul after death. Jesus was sent by God the Father to bring these souls to the place of their eternal rest in heaven after death.

Jesus predicted to His disciples He will be betrayed and crucified on the cross. He will resurrect from the dead the third day, conquering sin, death and hell. He will ascend thereafter to heaven to prepare “a mansion” for each soul that will confess Him as Saviour and Lord. He will come again to bring them to their eternal home in heaven. He urged His disciples not to fear. Let not their hearts be troubled after His ascension to heaven.

John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

He promises God’s care for them as they entrusted their lives to Him citing God’s care for the seemingly valueless sparrows. He assures His disciples that they are of more value than many sparrows.

What is more astonishing and mind-boggling was that Jesus promises God’s care for them will be to the minutest detail, even the very hairs of our head are all numbered. In other words, God’s care for them will be so complete and thorough they have no need to fear as they entrusted their lives to His care.

 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 Dear friends, have you entrusted your life to God through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son? If you have, the promises that Jesus gave are yours.

Jesus says to you in John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 As you come to Jesus, repenting of your sins, and turning to Him, taking hold of His finished work of salvation for you, these promises of God’s care are for you! Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee