Hypocrisy and the Fear of God

Luke 12:1-12

Introduction:

• We live in a world that is increasingly hostile towards Christianity.
• This isn’t a new revelation.
• Open Doors in institution started by christians to support persecuted churches puts out a world watch list annually
• More than 365 Christians suffer high level persecution for there faith currently
• 1 in 7 christians are persecuted worldwide
• 1 in 5 christians are persecuted in Africa
• 2 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Asia
• 4,998 Christians were murdered in the last year
• Over 14,000 properties vandalized or destroyed
• Over 4,000 Christians detained.

• Jesus over the next 59 verses or so is going to teach us how to live in a world hostile towards Christ.
• The previous section had been dealing with response to Christ
• Luke 12:1 people had gathered  Vs 54- He also said to the crowds- This all connects this address together.
• This section of Luke deals a lot with living as a Christian in a dark and hostile world.
• This next section in Luke really vs 1-48 deals with How Christians live in the midst of a anti-Christian World?
• Vs13-21 would say lay treasures up in heaven not in this life.
• Vs 22-34 Entrust God with your heart, don't be anxious.
• Vs 35-48 Be ready and serving, awaiting the coming of Christ.

How do Christians live in the midst of a anti-Christian World?

Main Point: To live for Christ in a hostile world Christians must have a proper fear of God.

Perhaps we could say the greatest issue in our world today is a lack of fear for God.

Fearing God…..

1. Fearing God Guards you against Hypocrisy(1-3).
2. Leaven has a pervasive effect (vs 1)
3. What’s done in secret will be brought out into the open (2-3).
4. Fearing God Keeps you from fearing man (4-7).
5. He is clearly still talking to his disciples “friends” 
6. The fear of man..
7. What is he addressing?
8. People can harm you.
9. Fear God for he holds our eternal life (5).
10. We’re not afraid because he cares deeply for you (6-7).
11. As Christians we want to properly understand and hold in tension our fear of God and our love for God.
12. Fearing God Makes you a witness of Christ (8-12).
13. A true biblical fear of God will consist of awe and reverence for him.
14. True fear of God will help you proclaim him (8).
15. Vs 10- The one who denies Jesus can be forgiven the one who blasphemes the spirit cannot be.
16. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit seems to be an act of persistent or ultimate refusal and rejection of the truth of scripture and along with that the rejection of the person of Jesus Christ.
17. The Spirit guides the Christian on how to respond during times of hostility (11-12).

Conclusion:

We live in a hostile world dealing with those who oppose from without and our hearts that fail us within. In the midst of this World we need to Fear God first. We must see his power and majesty and also his care for us. When we see him, love Him, follow Him, serve him. We will be a light, a witness, and a testimony in our dark world. The Spirit will guide us to point others to the one true God.