GRACIOUS JESUS(MATTHEW’S PERSPECTIVE WITH GOSPEL PARALLELS)

1. Presenting the King (Matt 1-4)

2. True Blessedness (Matt 5:1-12)

3. Kingdom Lifestyle – Part 1 (Matt 5:13-48)

4. Kingdom Lifestyle – Part 2 (Matt 6)

5. Kingdom Lifestyle – Part 3 (Matt 7)

6. Master Strokes (Matt 8)

7. The King Calls (Matt 9)

8. The King Commissions (Matt 10)

9. Signs, Sinners and the Saviour (Matt 11)

10. Power Games and Names (Matt 12)

11. Hidden Wisdom (Matt 13:1-43)

12. Hidden Treasures (Matt 13:44-14)

13. The Gall and the Glory (Matt 15-17:9)

14. Winning Others Over (Matt 17:10-18:35)

15. Kingdom Values, Kingdom Wealth (Matt 20)

16. The King Enters Jerusalem (Matt 21)

17. The Chosen Few (Matt 22)

18. The King’s Glorious Coming (Matt 24:1-44)

19. The Final Countdown (Matt 24:45 – 25:46)

20. The King’s last days (Matt 26)

21. Desertion (Matt 26:36-75)

22. God’s Lamb Sacrificed (Matt 27: 1-50)

23. The King Conquers (Matt 27:51-28)

GRACIOUS JESUS8. THE KING COMMISSIONS

The First CommissionSheep among Wolves

Fear God AloneLose Life to Find itWelcome the Righteous

FEAR GOD ALONEPRESENTATION OVERVIEW

Bible Passages: Matt 10: 26-33; Luke 12:2-9What is fear?Who causes fear?Have no fear Reasons ResponsesFear God alone Reasons ResponsesRecapDiscussion

FEAR GOD ALONEOBJECTIVES

To understand:• What it means to

fear God• In what ways we

compromise this fear

• How do demonstrate this fear in our lives

FEAR GOD ALONE BIBLE PASSAGE26 “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. Matt 10

FEAR GOD ALONEBIBLE PASSAGE29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 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. Matt 10

WHAT IS FEAR?“So have no fear of them…Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”Fear drives actions to obey and prioritize God, to dispel every hint of darkness from our lives

THE FEAR GOD PROGRESSION

Fear God above fear of man (Matt 10:28)

Love God above fear of man. 1 John 4:10

Love God above fear of God. 1 John 4:18

WHO CAUSES FEAR?Both Matt and Luke passages refer to the Pharisees – the fake religious leaders of God’s house. What is the equivalent today?

FEAR GODFearing God takes us to that level:When thoughts are so tuned to God that words spring from the heart and intentions become actions

HAVE NO FEARRepeated three times with three reasons: Gospel will be

communicated. Greatest worldly

power is confined

God has you covered

REASONS: GOSPEL WILL BE COMMUNICATED

26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” The disciples are starting a revolution. One day the gospel will ring throughout the world – it is happening

GOSPEL WILL BE COMMUNICATED: RESPONSE

“27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” Announce the word - speak the truth/ stand for the truth

REASONS: GREATEST WORLDLY POWER CONFINED

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Don’t let them confine you.They cannot touch the soul unless we let them.

GREATEST WORLDLY POWER CONFINED: RESPONSE

“Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”Align with kingdom values - stick with the truth

REASON: GOD HAS YOU COVERED

“29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 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” We can take His cover or the world’s cover – depends on whose line we toe.

GOD HAS YOU COVERED:RESPONSE

“you are of more value than many sparrows.”Accept your worth – surrender to His protection

HAVE NO FEARRESPONSES

Announce the word - speak the truth/ stand for the truth

Align with kingdom values - stick with the truth

Accept your worth – surrender to His protection

FEAR GOD ALONE32 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.

FEAR GOD ALONEReasons: He will acknowledge you in the only place to the only person that countsResponses: Acknowledge via words and actions – from the heart (Is 29:13, Matt 15:8)

RECAPWhat is fear?Who causes fear?Have no fear – Reasons• Gospel will be communicated. • Greatest worldly power is confined • God has you coveredHave no fear - responses• Announce the word - speak the truth/ stand for the truth• Align with kingdom values - stick with the truth• Accept your worth – surrender to His protectionFear only God Reasons: He will acknowledge you in the only place to the only person that countsResponses: words and actions, heart – Is 29:13, Matt 15:8

DISCUSSION1. How can we prepare to be persecuted and pray for the

persecuted?2. In situations where there is no persecution, what are

other unhealthy fears that drive us.3. Differentiate between fear of God and fear of man.4. Explain “Perfect love casts out fear” 1 John 4:16-18

REFERENCES1. Christianitytoday.com