Don't Be a Coward
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Introduction
Introduction
Charles Blondin walking tightrope across Niagra Falls. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-daredevil-of-niagara-falls-110492884/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-daredevil-of-niagara-falls-110492884/
Many are willing to walk right up to the edge - to say, “Yes, I believe!” But unwilling to put your life in the hands of God in complete faith.
Instead, hold on to what’s comfortable, easy, what we know instead of living by faith. Call it what it is: spiritual cowardice.
The very people who were respected as spiritual heroes were actually spiritual cowards! Jesus exposes them for who they really were. In this passage, Jesus exposes the scribes. We’re going to see in them three characteristics of spiritual cowards that I want you to avoid.
Spiritual cowards are afraid to embrace the truth.
Spiritual cowards are afraid to embrace the truth.
Vs. 34 - No one dared to ask Jesus anymore questions. Jesus gives last public sermon. NOT what you would expect. Expect a recap of , a strong invitation, Just as I am, every head bowed, every eye closed. INSTEAD - Jesus asks a question - to show how little the scribes actually knew.
Scribes - Bible scholars who should have had the insight to know the identity of Jesus and the desire to make that knowledge known. Jesus exposes their spiritual blindness. Jesus turns the tables and asks a question - THE QUESTION - Identity.
Scribes - Bible scholars who should have had the insight to know the identity of Jesus and the desire to make that knowledge known. Jesus exposes their spiritual blindness. Jesus turns the tables and asks a question - THE QUESTION - Identity.
And, not only is the subject of Jesus’ last sermon odd, the Bible passage He preaches from is odd as well - - It’s almost as if Jesus is teaching in a riddle… (How much wood could a woodchuck chuck…)
Jesus: “Let me help you understand how the OT points to me. The scribes don’t get it, but I want you to get it. How is it possible that Christ is the Son of David?” Everyone knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David - the greatest king in Israel’s history - BUT - - David speaks of coming Messiah and calls him Lord! How can David’s descendant be his Lord? He could only be his Lord if he was greater than David - more than a man - God Himself!
Crowd hears Jesus gladly! Here is there Messiah who has stood up to the questioning of the religious leaders - who has demonstrated through His teaching and His miracles that He’s more than a man - Now, boldly declaring to the crowds in the temple during the Passover exactly who He is.
Two truths: 1. Jesus is David’s son (human) 2. Jesus is divine - He must be both - man to be the sacrifice we need. Divine to be able to perform the sacrifice we need - so that our enemies can be put under His feet (sin and death)
Crowds hear gladly - but imagine religious leaders in the background listening - SHOCKED! Mind-boggling - How can Jesus say this? In John’s Gospel, when Jesus made these kinds of statements, he was called a blasphemer! And they tried to stone Him!
Reality: Truth was staring the scribes in the eyes. Truth was in their Bible and truth stood before them - but failed to embrace. Spiritual cowards are afraid to embrace the truth about Jesus because if they embraced the truth it would change everything about the worldly existence they were fighting to hold on to.
Truth is staring you in the eyes as well - If Jesus is God:
I can’t refuse Him - He has claim on my life - There’s no area in which I can say, “Hands off God - you can’t have this area of my life...”
I can’t limit Him - I can’t say my problems are too big for God, or I can’t trust God in a particular area of my life - my marriage, my finances, etc.
I can’t minimize Him - treat Him as an add-on. God is good but so are lots of other things. He’s an accessory - He makes my life better - but He’s not the totality of my life.
Ill. - Getting battery at 6:45 in morning - necessary - good, but I don’t like it. Some of you like Jesus like you like your veggies - Just get your dose of Jesus to get it over with.
The constant temptation is to make Jesus small and insignificant so we can make ourselves big.
Spiritual cowards refuse to bless others.
Spiritual cowards refuse to bless others.
Jesus specifically talks about scribes - warning - these men are not what they seem. Biblical experts that don’t live the Bible. They’re takers not blessers.
They take the accolades of others. (vs. 28) - Wanted to be noticed for their position.
They take the honor from others. (Vs. 39) - True believers lift others up, not themselves. Not the case with Scribes - seats of honor - sat in front of synagogue facing crowd (Like big chairs on stage at traditional churches.)
They take the wealth of others. (vs. 40) - Preyed on poor widows - why? Scribes couldn’t receive payment for their teaching. (servants of God - from priestly line - they lived off of the offerings of the people.) They weren’t as wealthy as Sadducees - maybe a bit jealous. They made money off of widows. (Speculation as to how) Depended on their hospitality, some instances they actually convinced widows to deed them their property.
Judgment coming for these cowards! They were supposed to bless the people with their biblical knowledge and understanding, yet they took. Spiritual cowards refuse to bless others!
Spiritual cowards live to be blessed instead of being a blessing. Spiritual cowards say:
Look at me - Look at how much I serve. Look at how much I know. Look at what a blessing I am to God’s Kingdom.
Give me - Give me positions, give me honor, give me titles, give me money… OR, give me ministries that will help me. Give me programs for my kids. Give me all your attention when I’m sick, or have needs. Give me…
OR Don’t expect from me. - “I know God has given me talents, time, and treasures, but don’t expect me to use them for His Kingdom. Don’t expect me to use my time in meaningful ministry. Don’t expect me to invest my money into the ministry of the church especially when I’m trying to pay off car loans, pay for travel ball, next vacation, etc. My talents! I’ll use those to benefit me - to make some extra cash, etc.”
Spiritual cowards take - they don’t bless. Spiritual cowards are afraid to trust God with what they have. Spiritual cowards are afraid to put their lives in God’s hands and say, “USE ME!” But, what could God do through you if you quit holding back? Through our church? 80/20 rule - what if we reversed that? What if at least 80% of us gave the best of our resources, time, and talents? (Serve Sunday)
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2018/june/banned-soccer-fan-rents-crane-to-watch-match.html - We’ll go to extremes for our desires, but not to do Bless others!
Spiritual cowards never sacrifice
Spiritual cowards never sacrifice
Jesus taught and then sat down in the court of women. Collection boxes for the upkeep of the temple. Boxes for your shekels, wood, and other things needed in the temple.
Imagine the scene - Jesus and disciples watch - People come in and put money into the collection boxes. The wealthy pour in their coins - you could hear the clashing of the money in the boxes. The smiles on their faces as they gave - “look what we’ve done...” The priests watching - they see the money go in - and think of the improvements they can make at the temple. Can almost imagine that as they see the large sums of money go in - they grab the rich by the hands and say, “Thank you, thank you...” Everyone in awe of wealthy - but not Jesus - instead in awe of an oppressed widow.
An unnoticed widow whose faith had not wavered in a corrupt system - kept believing and trusting. Doesn’t stop her from expressing faith that is very different from the scribes. The scribes had cowardly faith. She has courageous faith - she gives all she has - sacrificially - trusting that the God she gives to would ultimately supply all her needs. (Two copper coins = lepta = smallest coin in circulation. 1/64 of a day’s wage for a common laborer.)
She gave not knowing the Savior of the World was watching and about to go to the cross to give His life for her! We know! How much more should we give because our trust is in the Lord who died for us and not people!
It is possible to give lots of money without giving sacrificially. It’s possible to give and it doesn’t really affect your life.
God delights in sacrificial giving that is motivated out of gratitude for the sacrifice that He has made for you.
Sacrificial giving is not:
For most, throwing a $20 in the basket when it comes around is not sacrifice.
For most, it’s not even serving an hour a week in the nursery. (Doesn’t take real sacrifice.)
Sacrifice is:
A willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel.
Financially giving in such a way that you have to reprioritize your lifestyle so you can give to God’s Kingdom work.
Opening your home to orphans for the sake of the Gospel.
Saving up the money and giving a couple of weeks of your vacation time to go on an international mission trip instead of saving for the Disney Cruise.
Sacrificial giving is giving a significant portion of your time to being a reading partner in a local school or weekly mentoring that at-risk teenager.
We willingly sacrifice because:
We know who controls our lives.
We know whose Kingdom ultimately matters.
We know where true riches are found.
Spiritual cowards are afraid to make the sacrifice because it’s inconvenient
God was more than willing to inconvenience Himself for you. To leave the riches of heaven for this broken world. To die a criminal’s death so you could be set free. To invest His life into the life of sinners. To be despised for your sake.
Lost: See the sacrifice of Christ and respond in faith and repentance.
Believer - Coward or courageous? Sacrificing for the sake of the Gospel or holding on to everything for yourself? When was the last time you made a real sacrifice for the Kingdom? What sacrifice is He calling you to make right now? Faithfulness in your regular giving? Time? Talents? Will you obey?