Spoken at SGBC
9-21-97
#101
Luke 12:22-34
Fear Not, Little Flock
In the text for last week, verses thirteen through twenty one, Christ warned us about greed, every form of greed. Be on guard, He said, be aware, watch out for greed. Christ offered the parable of the rich farmer to illustrate the folly and futility of placing one's hope and trust in earthly treasure.
This farmer was a godless man concerned with meeting his own physical needs and with nothing else. He had no love for God or his neighbor. Hear the words God spoke to him. (Luke 12:20-21 NASB) ". . . &lsquoYou fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' {21} "So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Our lives are not our own, they belong to God to do with as He pleases. At the appointed time God gives life. At the appointed time He takes life away. Some will be old when they die and some will be young. It all depends on what pleases the God who made and owns us. Therefore, we must be ready at all times. I have said in the past and still maintain that there is only enough time in this life to get ready for the next. This is why Jesus speaks the following words.
(Luke 12:22-34 NASB) And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, (Do not focus on the physical issues of life.) as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. {23} "For life is more than food, and the body than clothing. (That is, true life, is spiritual and eternal. Jesus now reveals that God will give us the physical things we need.) {24} "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! {25} "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span? (No man can add even one second to his life span. The day of our death is determined by God.) {26} "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, (extend your life) why are you anxious (fearful) about other matters? (as if you could change them) {27} "Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. {28} "But if God so arrays the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, HOW MUCH MORE will He clothe you, O men of little faith! (Little faith is evidenced when one is overly concerned about temporal things. It is evidenced by fear and anxiety over things God has promised to take care of.) {29} "And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and DO NOT KEEP WORRYING. {30} "For all these things the nations (unbelievers) of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you NEED these things. {31} "But SEEK for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. {32} "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to GIVE you the kingdom. {33} "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. {34} "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
I want to spend our time today on two verses, thirty one and two. {31} "But SEEK for His kingdom, and these things (physical and temporal necessities) shall be added to you. {32} "Do not be afraid,(fear not) little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to GIVE you the kingdom."
First, Jesus says that His little flock must SEEK the kingdom then He calls it a GIFT. How do these things work together. Does one seek and apprehend the kingdom or is it a gift? Do these two ideas oppose one another? The answer is no. Both are true. The kingdom of God must be sought and it is a gift from God. William Hendriksen offers this illustration to help us understand. He speaks of the nature of a tree and says. "Of itself a tree has no power to maintain itself. Its roots are, as it were, empty hands stretched out to the environment. It is dependent on the sun, the air, the clouds, and the soil. It does not even have the strength to absorb the nourishment it requires. The sun is the source of its energy. But does this mean that the tree is therefore inactive? Not at all; its roots and leaves, though completely dependent, are enormously active. For example, it has been estimated that the amount of work performed by a large tree in a single day to raise water and minerals from the soil to the leaves is equal to the amount of energy expended by a person carrying three hundred buckets full of water, two at a time, up a ten-foot flight of stairs. The leaves too are virtual factories. They are tremendously active. The same holds true with respect to the citizens of the kingdom. They receive the kingdom as a gift. Yet, they become very active seekers. They work very hard, not by means of anything in themselves but by the power that is being constantly supplied to them by the Lord's Spirit." They "work out their own salvation," and are able to do this because "it is God who works in them both to will and to work for His good pleasure," (Philippians 2:12-13, Matthew 7:13, Luke 13:24; 16:16 b). (End Quote)
The illustration makes clear how it is that the kingdom is both a gift form God and something we must seek. Hear again the words of our text. {31} "But SEEK for His kingdom and these things will be added to you. . {32} "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to GIVE you the kingdom." Like the tree who is dependant on the Sun for all things so we are dependant on the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ. He gives life and breath to all. He alone can make the sinner live and seek Him. Seeking the kingdom is a duty before and after salvation but it is impossible to do if God does not first call and enable us to seek. So, God has chosen to give us the kingdom further He commands us to seek it. Jesus then counsels fearlessness.
Considering this paraphrase of our text. "Don't be afraid to take your eyes off the things of this world. Don't be afraid to stop worrying about your needs and the needs of others. God will give you all that you need. You are free to occupy yourself with seeking the kingdom of God. You may do so with confidence. For God has already given you the kingdom as a gift. Fear not little flock."
What are Christians likely to be afraid of? If you tell me you are never afraid or anxious you're not telling the truth. He who knows our frame, our character, our nature says "be not afraid. He who searches the minds and hearts of all knows your constant or at least your periodic fear. But what are Christians afraid of? We are capable of being anxious about and fearful of everything. The things that frighten are found in only two categories, physical or spiritual.
We fear for our physical future as the farmer did. We are anxious about jobs, homes, automobiles and especially, for some, our children. We are afraid for their safety both spiritually and physically. At times we might worry about the state of the nation or the world. As Christians we may fear trial, temptations or perhaps disease. We may fear the frowns of men. We may be afraid, since becoming Christians, for now we know something of our own personal weakness. In light of this knowledge many are concerned that they will not remain faithful to the end. Many are afraid they will loose their salvation. There is no limit to the things Christians can worry about and be fearful of. How gracious it is of our Savior to remind us that we have NO reason whatever to fear any one or anything but God. Jesus gives us two reasons for not being afraid.
First, He tells us that our Father knows we need physical provisions and will see that we have them. To believe this is to be free from fear and anxiety over earthly and temporal things. To believe this is to be free to seek the kingdom. Then He frees us from inordinate concerns over spiritual matters by telling us that God has determined to GIVE us the kingdom! There it is! The Christian has no cause for worry, anxiety or fear. Every expression of fear reveals our lack of trust in the promises God has made to His little flock.
These promises are repeated again and again throughout the Bible. Hear the word of the Lord.
Here is a comprehensive statement concerning our salvation and the blessings that accompany it. (Ephesians 1:3-14 NASB) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, {4} just as He chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love {5} He predestined us to ADOPTION AS SONS through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, {6} to the praise of the glory of His GRACE, WHICH HE FREELY BESTOWED ON US in the Beloved. {7} In Him WE HAVE REDEMPTION through His blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR TRESPASSES, according to the RICHES of His grace, {8} which He LAVISHED upon us. In all wisdom and insight {9} HE MADE KNOWN TO US the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him . . . {11} also WE HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, {12} to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. {13} In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, YOU WERE SEALED IN HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, {14} who is given as a PLEDGE OF OUR INHERITANCE, with a view to the REDEMPTION OF GOD'S OWN POSSESSION, to the praise of His glory."
Here is the Kingdom God commands us to seek and has already given from before the foundation of the world. Therefore, fear not! Do not think that you might fail to apprehend the kingdom for God has given it to all who believe. Do not be afraid! All believers in Christ have been sealed or locked into salvation by God the Holy Spirit! Do we seek the kingdom? By all means! But do not be anxious and fearful that you will not reach your goal for the kingdom belongs to all true believers.
Isaiah 40:11 speaks of God's tender care of His little flock. "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs,(the spiritually young and weak) And carry them in His bosom; He will GENTLY LEAD the nursing ewes." The Good Shepherd will not loose even one of those given to Him by the Father, (John 6:39).
Isaiah 41:14 speaks to those whose weakness and failure is ever before their eyes. "Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; (A worm is a very weak and lowly creature. So are all those who make up the true Nation of Israel. . . . ) I will help you," declares the LORD, and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel." When your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, God, you have nothing to fear.
Isaiah 53:6 speaks to those whose sin seems so evil, so big, so black that they have no hope of heaven. I spoke to a pitiful man some time ago who was concerned for another but had abandoned hope for himself. He said I have been so wicked, so evil there is no hope. But there is hope for all. Hear the word of the Lord. "All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him." All who believe and trust in Christ have Him as their sin bearer. He bears the guilt and the punishment for us. Therefore, we need not be afraid.
Matthew 18:12-14 tells us that even the weakest members of God's little flock will persevere but not because they are personally strong. "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Thus it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."
God is not willing that any true member of His flock should perish! Trust in God beloved! For He has promised that all who believe in Jesus for salvation shall not perish but have everlasting life! He has given you the kingdom! Fear not little flock!
For those mistaken Christians who live in fear of losing their salvation we read John 10:26-30. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I GIVE eternal life to them, and THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH; and NO ONE SHALL SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY HAND. My Father, who has given them to Me, is GREATER THAN ALL; (all the enemies of the believer) and NO ONE IS ABLE to snatch them out of the Father's hand. "I and the Father are one." Fear not little flock! The sinners salvation from beginning to end depends on the strength and integrity of the Blessed Trinity, not upon man.
If you say I can't do it! I am not strong enough or faithful enough to make it, hear the word of the Lord. Philippians 2:12-13 "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (keep seeking the kingdom) {13} (you can do this) for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." If it were by your strength that the kingdom was apprehended you would surely perish but it is not. God supplies the strength so that you can stretch out your withered arm, walk on those lame legs, exercise your feeble faith and see His promises fulfilled. You will be strong in the midst of your weakness because He is working in you to bring about His will for your life. Fear not!
If you are crippled with anxiety over the salvation of others hear the words of Matthew 11:25. ". . . All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to REVEAL Him."
Also Romans 9:16 speaking of all aspects of salvation the apostle declares. "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." Here we see that the salvation of our loved ones has nothing to do with our ability to convince them of the Bible's claims. It has nothing to do with their willingness or lack of it. Salvation is by revelation, power and mercy, all of which are gifts from God to helpless sinners. Therefore, do not be afraid for yourself or for others! Simply let your light shine before them and pray for God's will in their lives.
In Romans 8:28-39 Paul gives us many reasons to be fear and anxiety free. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (All Christians have been called according to the purpose of God. All Christians love God. Therefore, this promise applies to all Christians. God causes all things to work together for Good. Fear not! Do not be anxious over spiritual or physical matters. God is in charge of it all!) {29} For whom He foreknew, (The word means loved before hand. Those He loved in eternity past . . ) He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, (God has determined that all Christians will be just like Jesus. Therefore, all Christians will be just like Jesus! Do not be anxious about your sanctification, just seek His kingdom and it will be given to you!) that He might be the first-born among many brethren; {30} and whom He predestined, (made redemptive decisions concerning) these He also called; (to faith in Jesus) and whom He called, these He also justified; (declared righteous in the sight of God) and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (The calling and justification will lead to final glorification or our becoming Christ like. This is so certain that it is spoken of in past tense.) {31} What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (That is, what enemy can prevail against us. No one! So, "Fear not!") {32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us ALL THINGS? (The answer is He will give us all things necessary to life and godliness. So, "Fear not!") {33} Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; {34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (The question is this. Who can overthrow the verdict God has handed down? He says that believing sinners are righteous or justified by faith in Jesus. Who can say and prove we are not and, therefore, separate us from God? No one! So, "Fear not!") {35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} Just as it is written, "FOR THY SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." {37} But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. {38} For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, {39} nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This is the truth about the Christian. This truth will set you free. Ignorance brings bondage truth brings freedom. If you know who God is, what He is doing and what He has promised you can be fearless and free to seek the kingdom.
Who is God? He is the creator and governor of all things. What is He doing? He is running the show! He is working all things after the counsel of His own will. He is doing all things for His glory and the good of His children. He is working in all Christians causing them to want to please Him and enabling them to do so. His saving His lost sheep one at a time, right on time. What has He promised? He has promised to give us everything pertaining to physical and spiritual life! He has promised to mold every Christian into the very image of Christ. God has promised to take all His sheep to heaven. This is why we can be anxiety and fear free. God is on duty and we can rest. Do not be afraid! Seek the kingdom of God which He has given you. Seek the righteousness which He has given you. Trust God to do what He promise to do. Our closing text is 1 Peter 1:3-5 NASB.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has CAUSED us to be born again to a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} to OBTAIN AN INHERITANCE which is IMPERISHABLE and UNDEFILED and will NOT FADE away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, {5} who are PROTECTED BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
(Luke 12:32 NASB) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."