First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day October 19, 2003 Anno Domini

Matthew 10:16-33

To Confess Christ Before Men

  I.  Sheep in the midst of wolves.
 

      A.  Warning: I am sending you out as...[Acts 20:29; 1Cor 14:20; Eph
5:15; Phil 2:15]
      B.  Beware of men. [Acts 27:24]
      C.  Do not worry for words. [Prov 16:1; Isaiah 54:17]
      D.  The Spirit of you Father is with you in the labors of the
harvest. [John 17:11]
     

  II.  A disciple is not above his teacher.
 

      A.  Warning: they called your master Beelzebub.
      B.  Do not worry about their lies. [Micah 7:6]
      C.  Flee their persecution; I will come to deal with them.
      D.  Preach the word I have given you. [Isaiah 40:9]
     

   III. Do not fear them.
 

      A.  Beware of men but do not fear men.
      B.  Men can only kill the body.
      C.  God cares especially for you, his servants. [Phil 1:21]
      D.  Preach publicly and boldly.
     

  IV.  Confess Christ openly.
 

      A.  Your confession today has consequences in eternity.
      B.  Your fear and faithlessness today have consequences in eternity.
[Matt 7:22-23; John 21:17; 2Cor 12:9]
      C.  God’s Spirit, God’s providential care, God’s word, God’s Son all
work together in his harvest with his laborers.
      D.  Do not fear to confess Christ before men.
         1.  When you serve Christ openly in the world, anticipate that you
may be harassed and persecuted.
         2.  If you are persecuted, do not panic. Be wise, be harmless, try
to leave.
         3.  If you cannot flee and you are put to the test, don’t worry.
         4.  When you encounter intimidating people, do not be afraid of
them.
         5.  In every situation when you live and work as a witness to
Christ, remember that God extends his fatherly care to shield you from
ultimate evil.
         6.  Confess Christ before men; you share holy fellowship with
Christ and with the Father.
        

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

pastor@reformedprescambridge.com phone: 617.864.3185