February 2, 2010
HoW CAN WE DIE, YET LIVE FOREVER?
Matthew 10:24-42
Johnny Hawkins
Central Truth
We will all die, but God promises eternity for those who know Him.
Key Verse | Matthew 10:28
"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
Matthew 10:24-42
24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant 1 10:24 Or bondservant; also verse 25 above his master. 25 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 2 10:25 Greek lacks will they malign those of his household.
Have No Fear
26 So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 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. 3 10:28 Greek Gehenna 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 4 10:29 Greek assarion, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/16 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges 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.
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Rewards
40 Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 10:24-42
We live in a culture of fad diets, juicers, magic pills, ultimate workouts, lipo-ing this, and tucking that—all in an effort to capture our fountain of youth so that our bodies can live forever.
Okay, I admit I have gotten caught up in it as well—not the new fads, but some old-school methods. Recently, I took two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar three times a day for a few weeks. I can’t say that I had any more energy as was touted, but I did notice shorter conversations with people. Maybe it was the foul, dirty-sneaker smell that the vinegar was giving off.
That is why I love the reminder from God in this verse.
Though we sag, widen, and grow gray and sometimes ill as we get older, what should our ultimate fear be at any age? Or what should we not fear as followers of Christ? In what does our hope rest?
The contrast in perspectives slapped me in the face a year ago when our next-door neighbor’s wife died of cancer. She was from China, and her parents were in the U.S. anticipating her death. My wife and I knew that she had trusted Christ to be the Lord of her life a short time before, but her younger brother, parents, and husband had not. Nor did they understand the fullness of her decision. Her brother spoke English, and I had an opportunity to tell him about the hope and promise his sister had come to know, which was eternal life with God. God is still helping him understand the fullness of this truth. But my heart broke for her parents at the funeral as the last words were being spoken over their “little girl's” casket. They wailed and sobbed and had to be dragged away from the burial site.
In their minds, death was it. They didn’t know that there is more—so much more—for their sweet daughter! She is no longer in pain. There is no more suffering, and she will forever be with her God.
Discussion Questions
1. Hebrews 2:14-15 proclaims that because we are His children, God made Himself flesh so that He could conquer death and its power over us and so that we would no longer have to fear it. Have you fully grasped this gift and thanked Him for it?
2. 2 Corinthians 5:1 says that even if our earthly “tents” are destroyed, we have the promise of an eternal “house” not built by human hands. Are you living in fear of death?
3. Many martyrs have died for a cause that they felt was worth dying for, but God asks us to live as salt and light. In Philippians 1:24-26, Paul says that to remain here for now was desirable so that he could disciple others. If you are not afraid to die, are you afraid to live and live fully for Him?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. When you read verses 29-31, what does this tell you about what God knows?
2. How does this truth make you feel?