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The Problem of Fear

Text: Matthew 10 : 16 - 31

How did the disciples feel as they stood on the verge of a new horizon in their life? How wonderful it must have felt to be selected and set apart as apostles! How their hearts must have thrilled to the thought of being so greatly empowered for life and ministry! Imagine being able to heal the multitudes of all their diseases! Imagine demons being subject to their word of command!

However as they listened to Jesus further, perhaps some felt fearful of the future. There was much talk about persecution and suffering. Would they be able to cope with the intense suffering that Jesus warned about? Being new in the ministry, and being human, fears were to be expected.

Once again, as One who knew them very well, Jesus addressed the questions that were hidden in their hearts. To help them battle feelings of fear, Jesus gave them this special word of encouragement.

“Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing
covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that
will not be known. Whatever I tell you in the dark,
speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear,
preach on the housetops.”
Matthew 10:26-27

BATTLING FEAR IN THE FRONTLINES

Fear must be battled each and every time it appears. The disciples were going to be in the frontline. They cannot afford to let fear rule their hearts! If fear did that, they would be soundly defeated. Generally speaking, Jesus addressed the initial fears of the ministry that novices usually feel at the outset.

Jesus was urging His disciples not to be afraid of preaching boldly. How may this fear be countered?

1. Overcoming the fear of audiences

Fear is natural. The challenge is to face fear and overcome it. To the disciples who were not used to public speaking, the only answer is to face up to it. Each time they fight their fears, they will find greater courage and strength.

The audience may be critical of the way they speak. They may even challenge what was spoken. Nevertheless, the fear of people must be overcome!

2. Overcoming the fear of preaching

What Jesus taught them may seem to have been spoken “in the dark”. He taught them many rich and deep truths that the general multitude was not privileged to hear. Those deep lessons would be their rich source of knowledge. They must know their material well. They must dare to preach so boldly, they would even dare to publicly proclaim their message on the housetops. (Many homes had flat roofs, and thus meetings could even be held on these rooftops).

3. Overcoming the fear of preaching on sensitive issues

One of the things that the disciples would have to preach on would be the subject of sin and repentance. That kind of topic is usually not very popular. Often people will resent and resist the preaching of such messages because people do not like to have their consciences prick them. Nevertheless, the “hidden” things must be preached!

4. Overcoming the fear of persecution

If the disciples were to preach as Jesus instructed them, they would invite unwelcome responses! People would try and silence them if they could! Nevertheless, the disciples were not to flinch from the challenges that lay ahead of them! Fear must be fought at every level!

ANOTHER WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Jesus then went on to give another word of encouragement to His disciples concerning how they may battle fear.

“And do not fear those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who
is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28

“Do not fear those who kill the body”

This may be said to be “the bottom line”. The deepest fear that must be dealt with is the fear of death! Were the disciples afraid that they would lose their very lives in the cause of preaching the Gospel? Some if not all must have felt chills of fear as they heard the instructions of Jesus!

“But rather fear Him…”

The reference was obvious. Jesus was bringing up a thought that was emphasized numerous times in the Scriptures! It was God who taught Israel never to fear anyone except Him!

“Fear Him who is able to destroy soul and body in hell…”

Jesus was teaching His disciples how to fight fear with fear. This was the most effective way to battle fear! Fear of the Divine will win the battle against fear of human beings!

CONFRONTING FEARS

Jesus had to teach His disciples how they must always confront fears. They must be surfaced and then dealt with summarily. There was no other way of dealing with fears! The disciples of course knew that Jesus was right. They would have to pray and work even harder at overcoming all their fears! They must triumph over all their fears!