Matthew 10:26-31 – Protect Yourself – Bible study

Matthew 10:26-31, Hebrews 10:26 Protect Yourself I noticed Jesus, in teaching to His disciples, said three times within a space of just six verses, "Fear not" \#26,28,31\ Jesus was telling the disciples that they should not fear what man can do to them. Indeed, what wicked man can do to us should be of very little concern to us. Jesus said in \#28\ that ALL they could do is kill our bodies. The implication is that does not amount to very much. However, just because we are not to be afraid of people does not mean we should not have some fear. Some things can harm us much more than wicked people whose only weapon is death. Such as? Such as sin. Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Such as sin. If there is anything that believers should fear it is sin. I think many Christians have it backwards. We fear sin very little and what man thinks or does to us very much. We must fix that and in so doing, we must learn to protect ourselves from sin. How do we do that? I. Make ourselves strong in the Lord. Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. A. Salvation brings us into great spiritual privilege but with privilege comes great responsibility. 1. We are responsible to grow in Christ. 2. Like a soldier, make yourself strong in the Lord. 3. A soldier prepares his/her body and mind to understand and defeat the enemy. B. How do we do this? 1. Learn truth. a. Unless you had some wise, godly parents, most everything you have been taught or were led to believe is likely wrong. (1) Evolution – wrong. You were created by God. (2) The best family time is sports, outdoors, and having good hobbies. Wrong, the best family time is at church and at home reading the Bible and praying together. (3) Freedom gives you liberty to do what you want. Wrong. Freedom gives you the opportunity to do what is right. (4) The accumulation of riches is the score card of life. Wrong. Serving Jesus and serving others is. (5) Retirement is a time for you to kick back and take it easy. Wrong. Retirement is the time for you to do for the Lord what you have not had time to do before. b. Most every notion ever planted in our heart was mans philosophy of life, but in Christ, we have access to the truth. John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. c. Now, our minds must be realigned to the truth. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 2. Live in righteousness. a. It is amazing to me how much of the Bible deals with our behavior and just as amazed that it is constantly commanding us to be a forgiving, tolerant, loving model of righteousness. (1) Over and over again, God commands us to be sheep- like in our behavior even while living in a world of wolves! (2) Christians are to ALWAYS take the high road and there is no high road too high to take. b. We must settle now that we are going to do what is right because it is the right thing to do. c. Not because it pleases us, rewards us, or is convenient for us. d. Whatever God in His Word and by His Holy Spirit directs us to do, we are going to do it. 3. Comprehend salvation by grace based on the death of Jesus when we believe and repent. a. We did not get salvation because we were worthy. We got saved because God paid the price and we heeded the call. b. We are not going to keep our salvation because we are good. c. We are not going to lose our salvation because we are bad. d. Even so, if we appreciate what God freely gave us, we will honor God all the days of our life. 4. Walk in faith. 2Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) a. The very nature of walking by faith implies we do not know every bump, curve, and stop sign ahead. b. Men, if we have to know how it is going to end and work before we do what you feel God is leading us to do, we will not accomplish anything for the Lord. c. But we learn to walk every day in obedience to the Word of God and listening to the Spirit of God. d. This process is also called walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. e. There is nothing magical or mystical about it. (1) Pray over everything. (2) Screen every option through the Word of God. (3) Take a step, then verify it is correct through the Holy Spirit. (4) If not correct, back up a step and start over. (5) If it is correct, then start over from where you are. f. When it is finished, you will look backward and see you have traveled a long journey, every step in the will of God and under the direction of the Holy Spirit. 5. Become skilled in the Word of God. 2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. a. Every believer has the right and obligation to read, study, and obey the Word of God as they understand it. b. You do not have the right to create your own doctrine, but you do have the right to obey the Bible. c. Our history is being re-written but that is what our country has always been about. d. That is also the history past down to you through the name of the Baptists. 6. Practice praying. II. Remove ourselves from temptation. A. The Bible teaches the believers that we must distance between us and whatever tempts us to do wrong. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 2Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. B. Every persons temptations are unique, but the method of overcoming then is always the same. 1. Separate yourself from the things that tempt you. 2. Expose yourself to abundant doses of prayer and the Word of God. 3. Hold yourself Accountable to other believers in your church. 4. Get involved in service to the Lord Jesus Christ. III. Seek strength in numbers. Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. A. Gods people need to realize the asset we have in the church. 1. There are reasons God has linked us together into a family instead of leaving us independent agents in His service. 2. It is because we can be more and do more for Him together than we can separately. B. Gods strength is both to us and through us. 1. If our church is godly and Biblical, we grow stronger there. a. You will be fed Gods Word there. b. You will learn and develop your spiritual gifts there. c. You will practice the character of God there: humility, submission, leadership, co-operation, unity, forgiveness, love, etc. 2. If our church is godly and Biblical, it grows stronger while we are there. a. Your interaction with others will encourage, teach, and train others while you are there. b. You are not just receiving. You are giving and the more active you become, the help you will give. C. And considering the close proximity the write attendance to the church and sin, I would say there is a strong chance you will suffer much if you give up your attendance there. IV. Realize that in sinning, we will lose something both valuable and irreplaceable. Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. A. Esau is not a very inspiring Bible character. 1. Here he is called profane because he did not appreciate the blessings God had given to him. 2. He sold Gods blessings to him for a "morsel of meat." B. But, in his later years, Esau demonstrated Gods grace. (When Jacob returned to Canaan, Esau went to meet him. It was obvious he had forgiven his brother and loved him. Perhaps it was Uncle Esau that taught Joseph how to forgive his brothers! C. Even so, Esau could not get back the things that he lost. 1. Lost opportunities 2. Lost relationships 3. Lost time 4. Lost blessings 5. Lost gifts from God In short, take sin seriously!