St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 28b, Heavenly Protection not Fear.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Confidence in divine protection) Part 5.  

Christ has told his disciples not to be afraid in several ways.  He does not want them to have fear.  He does not want them to open the door to fear and thereby allow the minnions of the evil one to enter into their hearts and minds to destroy their defenses.  They are the warriors.  They are the victors.  They are the conquerers.  The Spirit of the Father is with them and will arm them with words of wisdom.  Have confidence in heavenly protection.  So Christ has given them the pep rally and boosted their spirits in preparation for battle.

He has told them not to fear those that can destroy the body.   Though they may cause pain in the physical realm, there is no harm in the spiritual realm.  The soul will remain and will rejoice in the presence of the Lord.  Christ tells them however, to be afraid of Satan.  He says, be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  So he wants us to know that there is destruction in hell.  He wants us to know that there is a physical place called hell where Satan reigns.  And in this place Satan can destroy the body and the soul.  He can cause pain.  He can cause suffering.  He can cause disease.  He can cause all manner of physical and spiritual destruction.  This is what we should fear.  We should fear going to hell.  We should fear being in a place where there is no hope.  We should fear being in a place where we will live in eternity in pain and suffering. 

So Christ is instructing his disciples about this place called hell and what will happen in this place.  This is not the place where his disciples will go.  But he gives them a picture of this place so that they will know where those who do not accept the message, will go.  Christ wants his disciples to understand the immense pain and suffering that the unbeliever will undergo when they leave the physical realm.  He wants them to have complete knowledge so that they can speak to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and convey to them the choice that they will make.  For they are the first to hear the message of the kingdom of heaven.  They are the first to see the disciples of Christ.  They are the first to have the opportunity to repent and turn back to the Lord.  After these, then the rest of the Gentiles will hear the message of the kingdom of heaven.

So we have our warning.  Just as Christ told his disciples back then, he is telling us today.  Fear the one who can destroy the body and the soul in hell.  Fear the place called hell, where one will live in eternal damnation.  Fear Satan. 

Will you hear the message?  Can you understand the meaning of the message or are you deaf to it?   The evil one will use all his tricks and traps to prevent you from hearing it.  He will attempt in every way to keep you from the kingdom of heaven so that he can get you in hell to destroy what God has created.  Are you afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell?  You should be!!

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 28a, Heavenly Protection not Fear.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Confidence in divine protection) Part 4.  

As Christ speaks to his disciples about the things of the spiritual realm that they are to repeat in the light, they become afraid.  He has spoken to them on several occasions about fear, telling them that they should not be afraid.  They should not have fear or allow fear to enter into their hearts.  For that fear opens the door for the evil one to enter in and to destroy their defenses.  Instead, he has told them to keep their minds and hearts focused on his words and the words of the father.  They are to remain calm in their thoughts and hearts so that the Spirit of the Father can come in and destroy the plans of the evil one.

Now Christ gives his disciples another warning as to who they should and should not fear.  He tells them,  "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."   Christ wants his disciples to know the truth of their nature.  The disciples have a body and a soul.  One is distinct from the other even though they exist together as one  being.  The evil that men do when possessed of the evil demons would destroy the body.  They cannot destroy the soul.  As we look back on history one can see how the prophets were persecuted and killed because they obeyed the will of God and not the will of man.  Satan would destroy the body of those he cannot reach.  But he would prefer to destroy the body and the soul in hell. 

Christ tells his disciples not to fear those who would destroy the body.  Do not let fear of the loss of physical life of the flesh take hold of you.  This is nothing to fear.  For those who would destroy the body can do nothing else.  They cannot destroy the soul of a person and therein is the difference.  For those who belong to Christ will leave the physical realm and go to be with him in the spiritual realm.  They will live in heaven with their heavenly father.  So Christ provides to his disciples an explanation of the battle that lies before them.  This is a battle for the minds and hearts and souls of men.  This is the harvest of the ones who are the fruit of the spirit that belong to Christ and not to Satan.  The devil wants to take as much fruit as he can from the harvest.  But Christ and his disciples are there to collect the good fruit that belongs to the father.  The rest will be harvested and thrown into the lake of fire.

Often times death comes like a thief in the night and brings pain and suffering to those who are not prepared for the transition.  Loved ones grieve for their lost friends, spouses, children.  And yet the transition is one of joy and peace and happiness for those who are prepared.  Christ told his disciples in this passage not to be afraid of the destruction of the body because that destruction can not kill the soul.  Instead death is but a transformation.  So be not afraid of anyone or thing that can kill the body.  For happy are they who are prepared. 

When we live in the world and are fully present in the world, death comes as a shock.  The world has led us to believe that we are to live a full life and die at an old age of 80 to 100 years old.  So we do not prepare for that circumstance.  We prepare to live in the world.  We prepare to enjoy the riches of this life.  We prepare for the passion and lust and selfishness of this world without any forethought of the afterlife.  And yet it comes. 

It comes when one is not prepared.  It comes sometimes in unexpected ways.  It comes in illnesses.  It comes in disease.  It comes in accidents.  It comes by design.  It comes through the actions of those possessed by the suggestions of demons who kill without any forethought or remorse.  And sometimes it comes through a move of God who allows nature to take its course.  Yet we are not prepared and find death unexpected. 

The medical miracles of our modern times imply to us that we will live forever.  With time we will be able to cure diseases.  With time we will be able to repair broken limbs and hearts and replace organs.  With time man may be able to live eternally.  Yet death comes and man can not stop its progress.  Christ has given his disciples spiritual principals by which to do battle.  He has told them not to be afraid of one who can kill the body and not the soul.  Will you believe in Christ and prepare yourself for the coming of death?  Are you afraid of those who would kill the body?  Christ tells us not to!!!

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 27, Heavenly Protection not Fear.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Confidence in divine protection) Part 3.  

And the mysteries continue to unfold as Christ tells his disciples about the words that he speaks.  He says to them,  "What I tell you in darkness, speak it in the light."   Christ, the light of the world, speaks in the darkness.  His light is a light that transcends all light.  It permeates all darkness where there is no corner to hide.  Yet there is darkness in this world.  The light of Christ is his spiritual life given to him through the love from his father.  So as he speaks in the darkness, he speaks to those of the darkness.  He speaks to the evil in the darkness.  He tells his disciples that they are to speak what they hear in darkness also in the light.  They are to use his words in the darkness and in the light to speak to the evil that hides there.  Even in the light they are to speak his words to the evil that may be lurking in the corners and the dark places.

The disciples do not have the ability to see that which is in the spiritual realm.  They do not hear what is spoken in the darkness.  So Christ speaks for them.  He hears for them.  And he keeps them safe.  And there is another who works to protect the disciples from the tricks and traps of the evil one.  Christ tells his disciples,  "And what you hear whispered, preach it on the housetops."   The Spirit of the Father will speak to them.  The Spirit of the Father will guide them.  The Spirit of the Father will tell them what to say.  So Christ tells them what they hear in a whisper preach from the rooftops.  What the spirit tells them in a soft voice shout it from the roof tops of the villages and towns.  Let all know what they have heard from the Holy Spirit of God the Father.

For Christ has told them that nothing will be concealed that will not be revealed.  And nothing will be hidden that will not be made known.  For they have the Spirit of the Father to protect them.  They have the Spirit of the Father to guide and keep them from harm.  Christ told them,
 "Therefore do not be afraid of them."    This does not mean that the disciples of the evil one can not harm them.  This does not mean that they should not be on their guards.  This means that they should constantly guard themselves against the tricks of the evil one who is waiting for them to make one mistake so that he can bring about their destruction.  The ultimate goal of satan is the destruction of Christ and his mission.  But the forces of heaven and earth battle against him and his minions, and the heavenly battle plans go forth to completion.

So let us who are the disciples of Christ today not be afraid.  Let us repeat in the light what Christ will tell us in darkness.  Let us shout from the rooftops, in the stores and malls, and at work and at home, and in the churches and synagogues what the Holy Spirit whispers softly to us.  For he is our protector.  He is our guide.  He is our shield.  He lightens our path.  He guards our footsteps and leads us into paths of rightness.   The Holy Spirit is poured out into our souls and abides with us as our spiritual light.  Have you spoken out what was whispered to you?  Have you spoken what Christ told you in darkness, in the light of the world?  Come let us be renewed!!!

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 26b, Heavenly Protection not Fear.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Confidence in divine protection) part 2.  

Christ continues to build up the confidence in his disciples by giving them additional information that will give them the knowledge and wisdom they need to cope with and fight the enemy.  He tells them, "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed."   He tells them this so that they will be assured that they will have all understanding and all knowledge that has been kept from them through their limited understanding.  That there are things concealed now, is given.  But all that is concealed from them now, will come to light through the Spirit of the Father, who will come to them.  All will be disclosed and made available to them. 

Christ is preparing his disciples spiritually.  He wants them to know fully of the kingdom of heaven.  He wants them to understand who they do battle with and why.  He wants them to understand the tricks and trapes of the enemy.  And all that, will be made available to them.  Christ further tells his disciples, "Nothing is hidden that will not be made known."   Agin he assures them of the things that they do not understand now, will be made known to them in time.  They are the chosen ones, the twelve disciples.  Christ picked them to continue his ministry here on earth after his work is completed.  They are the ones who will become preachers.  They are the ones who will become teachers.  They are the ones who will follow in his footsteps when he leaves.  All that they do not understand now, Christ assures them that it will be made known to them.  They will have complete knowledge of all.

This must have been great news for the disciples, for they must have had many questions.  Christ assured them that in due time all will be made known.  I imagine that the disciples must have inquired as to how he walked on water.  They may have asked how the leper was cured, how the paralytic was made to walk, or how the woman was healed of her issue of blood, or how the 
ruler'sdaughter was raised from the dead.  They walked with the Lord of the Universe and wanted to know many things.  Their minds were full of questions that needed answers and Christ was the key to the door of wisdom and knowledge.  He cave them the key but told them not to use it just yet, for they were not prepared to receive all that would be given to them.

For us today, we are told many things about the confidence that we should have in the Lord.  We are preached to, about taking authority in sickness.  We are told to take authority in our lives and to cast out lack.  We are told to believe that we have the power to heal the sick.  We are given many positive beliefs in the abilities that as believers of Christ, we are supposed to possess.  Christ assured us, as he did the disciples, that all things will be made known to us.  We want them now.  We want to have these abilities like we have fast food, quick and right now.  And this is the message that we are given by our ministry leaders and pastors throughout the church.  Buy this book, play this tape, listen to this CD, purchase this DVD and you will be taught how to have the powers that are promoted.  People want to know.  People want to discover the secrets that are concealed.  People want to find the things that are hidden from us so that we may prosper.  Christ assured us that they will be revealed, that they would be made known.  What must we do to reveal all that is concealed and to unveil all that will be made known?  O, knowledge and wisdom where can I find you??? 

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 26a, Heavenly Protection not Fear.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Confidence in divine protection) Part 1.  

Christ has been telling his disciples about the enemy that they will face in the previous verses.  He has told them that a disciple is not above his teacher indicating that they will face disciples of evil and not the teacher.  For no disciple is above his teacher.  A disciple only strives to be like his teacher.  In the case of disciples of evil, they strive to do greater evil than their teacher.  So they willingly serve their master seeking to win his favor by doing evil to mankind.  

Christ has trained his disciples for their solo journey.  He has given them the tools that they will need to do battle with the enemy they will face.  He has given them a battle cry to find the one that is worthy.  He has strengthened them mentally and spiritually through the training of the mind and the heart in preparation for the coming of the Spirit of the Father who will give them words of wisdom to speak on their behave when they face the governors and kings possessed by the evil one.  He now gives them the confidence in their battles by telling them,  "Therefore do not be afraid of them."

He tells his disciples this to build up their confidence in the protection that they have from their heavenly father.  He wants them to be assured that they have nothing to fear.  He wants them to know that they are of greater value than anything on earth and will be protected.  Sure they will face demons.  Sure they will see all kinds of deformities in the bodies of men.  Sure they will come in contact with all kinds of illnesses and diseases.  Sure they will hear the lamentations of the bereft in the loss of their loved ones.  But he assures them that they are divinely protected above all other things.

This is a clear message for us today.  Do not be afraid of them.  Do not fear.  Do not allow yourself to open the door to anxiety and allow it to enter your heart.  For you are protected.  You are watched over.  You are secure in the hands of your heavenly father if you are a disciple of Christ.  For there is the decision that must be made.  Either you follow Christ or you follow the evil one, whether you accept it or not.  Most would criticize this statement by saying that they do not believe in Christ and the message of the kingdom.  But they will not say that they do not believe in the evil one.  So one must make a decision.  Ignorance and failure to do so does not excuse that the decision has been made for you. For if you do not choose the one then the other is your decision.  Therefore, make the decision and know where you stand.  Are you afraid of them?

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 22a, The Enemy and The Final Outcome.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Opposition foretold) Part 9.  

We have now seen the results of the battles with the evil demons that possess the villages and towns of the house of the lost sheep of Israel.  These are the locations that Christ sent his disciples to preach the kingdom of heaven.  He did not want them to go in the direction of the Gentiles.  He did not want them to go to Samaria.  He wanted them to first go the the lost sheep of the house of Israel to present to them the kingdom of heaven.  These are the people that have strayed.  These are the people that were first chosen by God.  These were the descendants of Abraham.  And Christ wanted to first bring them into the fold.  He wanted to offer first the opportunity for them to turn back to the one true God from which they had been led astray.

Christ trained his disciples so that they would know what to do when they faced the tricks of the enemy.  He fortified them with the weapons of war so that they would not be overcome.  And he instructed them how to bring forth the Spirit of the Father when they faced the kings and governors possessed by the evil one.  He now tells them of the final outcome of the battles they will face.  He shows them the destruction that will be brought about by the evil one who will seek to kill and destroy those who return to the teachings of Christ.  There will be division.  There will be separation.  There will be bloodshed amongst family members, brothers against brother, father against child, children against parents.  The evil one will seek to destroy all who do not follow his way.  He will seek to eliminate all who believe in Christ.

Christ tells his disciples,  "And you will be hated by all for my name's sake."   For he knows the operations of the enemy.  He knows that the enemy will spread hatred like wildfire spreads throughout the dry grasslands.  He will inflict fear in the minds and hearts of those who do not believe.  He will drive the people like cattle to the slaughter the innocent and encourage them to kill, like a crowd mentality without a mind.  The new doctrine of Christ will be rejected by those who do not believe.  It will be cursed by the unbelievers.  It will be blasphemed against.  And the evil one will rejoice in his accomplishments.  And the name of Christ will be hated by all the demons who possess men.  And the men of this world who follow the evil one will come to hate the name of Christ also.  He is the light of the world.  His message is true.  And they will hate him.

Throughout time the battle continues.  For Christ's  name those who believe are hated.  Those who follow the teachings are scorned.  Those who believe in the principles are set aside.  For the world does not believe.  The world believes only in itself and what it can conceive.  This is the world of the evil one.  This is the world that we live in.  And many are blinded.  Many are deceived and do not know.  Many have been brought up to believe that the world is the way.  Many think that they are part of the world and do not know the difference.  For they have not been told.  They have not seen.  Their ears have been shut and their hearts filled with the lust of the world.  For they believe that the world provides for their needs, both physical and spiritual, and they do not know. 

There is no place for spiritual principles in the way of the world.  The evil one has diluted the true message so that now there are several messages, and several platforms that deliver the message.  Each platform claiming the true message, having the right to deliver its own version.  So now as a result no one message comes forth and no one message has the right to come forth over another, for that would be conflict and would infringe upon the rights of other platforms.  So confusion reigns.  And the harvest withers on the vine because the harvesters are in confusion.  And the lost sheep continue to be lost.  Those who are lost use doubt and ambiguity as the source of their disbelief.  The lost sheep turn from the message because they see uncertainty, they see ambiguity, they see confusion, they see many messages and platforms.  And Christ said that the disciples will be hated by all.  All the demons and the people possessed by them, hate those who carry the message of Christ.  Are you hated by the people because of your belief in Christ?  Know that the demons despise you but Christ loves you.