7, . ee CDpetya mins yaar oe 12" Sunday A) 2SJune 2017 it frees us from the tyranny of sinful pride, 2 Smal torrie rte) 250207” et ea eo on GOSPEL TEXT: Matthew 10: 26-33, deception. We must trust in God's grace and mercy and submit to His word. Theme: TRUST IN GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY IV Sharing Guide: \. Opening Prayer © Have you ever felt God relieve you of worry or Lord, it Is my joy and privilege to be your disciple, fear? Give me strength and courage to bear any hardship ‘and suffering which may come my way in your Service. May | always proclaim and acknowledge you > fitck be before all men. Amen. iden ta . clan” upon Veet es ee the housetops. 28 And do not fear those Who kill the hear_whispered, proctaim upon the_housetops: body but cannot kill the soul) rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in bal 29 Are im two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one them wil fll to the round without your Father's will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more Iue than many sparrows. 32 So every one who knowledges me before men, I also will [acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Jesus gave three reasons not to fear: 1) the Lord wil both bring to light the hidden shings of darkness and will vindicate the ae cae ae evil to Win. 2) the limited power of our opponents. kill the body, which will die soon anyway, but they have no power over the soul. Only God has power over eternity. 3) Gad = «alls the disciples tg proclaim boldly and publicly that ‘which he has taught them in private, } 'V28 And do not fear those who kill the body but =! Sannot_kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell: Scripture often * speaks about fear of the Lord but we prefer to think of God's love rather than God's judgment, and have lost our sense of awe in God's presence. it is appropriate then to fear the Lord, because God has authority over body and soul throughout eternity. God will have eternity to right the wrongs that people inflict. V 29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?... ‘many sparrows: Sparrows are symbol of inconsequential value but our Heavenly Father knows and cares about each of the millions of sparrows that populate the planet. The God who cares for a small bird also cares about the small things of our lives, even the hairs on our head. . If the Father cares about a sparrow, which has litle value, will he not much more care for humans. V 32-33 So every one who acknowledges me before | i men, | also will acknowledge before my Father. | also will deny before my Father who is in heaven: mee Jesus promises loyalty to those who are loyal to him. ra Christ's acknowledging us in heaven is tantamount to granting us salvation. While denying Christ is f } ie 4 guaranteed damnation. | | h h fl v Reflection/Deepening: . Fear is a powerful force. It can lead us to panic and flight or it can spur us to faith and action. The fear of oD God is the antidote to the fear of losing one's life. 1 i a) . sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered MW p v i” fi ‘me from all my fears. Godly fear is reverence for the Ae One who made us in love and who sustains us in mercy and kindness. The greatest injury or loss which we can ? experience is not physical but spiritual ~ the loss of ‘one's soul to the power of hell. A healthy fear of God leads to spiritual maturity, wisdom and right judgment