Baptist Catechism 28

Q. 28. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself, a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. (1 Peter 2:24; Heb. 9:28; Eph. 5:2; Heb. 2:17; 7:25; Rom. 8:34)

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7:11–28

“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.” (Hebrews 7:11–28, ESV)

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Introduction

As you probably recall, we are in the middle of a section in our catechism wherein we are considering the work that Jesus Christ has done to redeem us from our sin and misery. Our catechism presents the work of Christ to us in a very helpful way, that is, through the lens of the threefold offices of Christ. An office is a work to be performed. And we are learning that Christ has fulfilled the office of prophet, priest, and king. Today, we are considering Christ’s priestly work. 

Consider four things about Christ the Redeemer and his priestly work (these observations will sound familiar): 

First, Jesus Christ was not the first priest of God.

In the days of Abraham, there was a priest of God named Melchizedek.  You may read of him in Genesis 14:l17ff.  He’s a bit of a mysterious figure, but he is very important.  We will return to him shortly.  And in the days of Moses, Aaron was consecrated to fulfill the office of priest in Israel.  From that day forward, it was the descendants of Aaron and Levi who were to hold the office of priest.

What work did these priests do?  They ministered at the tabernacle, and later, the temple.  They were to keep the temple pure.  They were to offer sacrifices and prayers to God on behalf of the people.  The priests were intermediaries and intercessors. The people of Israel were to approach God through the priesthood, at the temple, and through the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant. 

The second thing I would like you to consider is that long ago it was promised that a great priest would arise, not in the line of Aaron or Levi, but according to the order of Melchizedek.

The writer of the book Hebrews makes much of this in Hebrews chapters five through seven.  In that long passage, he quotes Psalm 110:4.  This Psalm was written by King David about 1,000 years before Christ was born.  This Psalm is about the promised Messiah.  And one of the things it revealed was that the Messiah would be a priest.  Psalm 110:4 says, “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4, ESV). 

Two things about this verse are shocking. 

One, it revealed that the Messiah would be a priest, not in the line of Aaron or Levi, but in the order of Melchizedek, that mysterious figure mentioned in Genesis 14.  The reason for this is that the Messiah would not be called to function as a priest according to the order of the Old Mosaic Covenant (see Exodus 19-Deuteronomy).  As priest, he would not offer up animal sacrifices or incense at the temple.  He would not be concerned with ceremonial washing or the holy days of the Old Covenant. No, as a priest, the Messiah would serve under a different Covenant — the New Covenant — and according to a different order.  Melchizedek lived long before Moses.  Melchizedek predated the Old Mosaic Covenant.  Melchizedek ministered in the world in a time when only the Covenant of Grace was present in the world, and then only in the form of a promise.  For this reason, Christ is said to be a priest, not in the line of Moses, Aaron, or Levi, but Melchizedek.  Just as Melchizedek served the Covenant of Grace, so to Christ would serve the Covenant of Grace.  In the days of Melchizedek the Covenant of Grace was promised.  In the days of Christ, it was fulfilled.  As it pertains to the priestly office, Jesus Christ has more in common with Melchizedek than Moses, Aaron, and Levi.  

Two, Psalm 110:4 says that Messiah will be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. This is shocking because the priests who descended from Aaron would serve for a time but their service would always come to an end because they would die.  All of the priests of the Old Covenant order were eventually removed from office by death.  But the Messiah, Psalm 110:4 revealed, would serve as a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.  As I have said, Psalm 110 was written by King David about 1,000 years before Jesus the Messiah was born.  From that time until the arrival of the Messiah, God’s people lived with a sense of anticipation wondering when this great priest would arrive, who he would be, what work he would do, and how he could possibly serve forever, in fulfillment of this ancient prophecy (see 1 Peter 1:10-11).

A lot more could be said about how the priestly work of Christ was anticipated under the Old Covenant.  In brief, though the Messiah would be a priest, not in the order of Aaron or Levi, but in the order of Melchizedek, the priesthood of Aaron and Levi and their ministry at the tabernacle and temple under the Old Covenant did foreshadow the priesthood of Christ in many ways.  The continual offering up of the blood of bulls and goats, the perpetual need for cleansing, and the cycle of priests being ordained to the office and then being removed by death, anticipated the arrival of the one who would actually atone for and cleanse from sin, who would mediate forever and ever so as to bring us into the presence of God.  The book of Hebrews has a lot to say about these things, especially chapters seven through ten.    

This leads to our third consideration concerning Christ’s priestly office.  Though Jesus Christ was not the first priest, he is by far the greatest priest, and he is also the last.

The priests of the Old Covenant offered up the blood of bulls and goats.  This animal blood could not actually atone for human sin and make one right with God (see Hebrews 10:1-4).  These sacrifices did point forward to the sacrifice that Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, has offered up.  And what sacrifice did Jesus offer up?  He offered up his own life as a substitute for sinners.  He shed his own blood for the remission of sins.  ​​Christ said, “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28, ESV).

The priests of old were able to cleanse the body and make one ceremonially pure according to the conditions of the Old Covenant, but they could not cleanse the conscience.  It is Christ who cleanses the conscience, for Christ actually removes the guilt of sin.  This is why the writer to the Hebrews says, “and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:21–23, ESV).

The priests of old, though they were able to intercede from on earth on behalf of God’s people, were not able to reconcile people to God, for they themselves were sinners in need of cleansing.  And though they fulfilled an important ministry for a time, their ministries were always cut short by death.  But Christ, our great High Priest, is able to bring us to God, and he intercedes for his people continuously, for he lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death for his people, was buried, and on the third day, and was raised to life eternal and incorruptible.  He ascended to the right hand of the Father where he makes continual intercession for his people.  None of the priests of old ascended.  They served God and his people on earth.  But Christ ascended into the heavenly holy of holies. 

This is what Hebrews 10:12-14 speaks about, saying, “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:11–14, ESV).

I could say a lot more. The priests of old were good and even great, but Christ is much greater.  Christ was raised from the dead.  He has ascended.  His blood actually cleanses from sin.  He has the power to reconcile us to God.    

The fourth and final thing I would like you to consider about Christ’s priestly work is that in this office, Christ the Redeemer meets our needs.

Because of sin, we need to be cleansed.  We need to be made right with God.  We cannot ascend to heaven on our own.  Someone needs to take us there.  Jesus Christ is the one.  His blood cleanses (see 1 John 1:7).  He gives his righteousness to all who turn from their sins to trust in him (see Isaiah 61:10).  He reconciles us to the Father (see Romans 5:11).  He intercedes for us continually (see Hebrews 7:25). 

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Conclusion

Baptist Catechism 27

Q. 27. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. (John 1:18; 14:26; 15:15)

Scripture Reading: John 15:12-17

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:12–17, ESV)

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Introduction

We are entering into a wonderful section of our catechism wherein the work of Christ is considered through the lens of his threefold office. An office is a work to be done. And with the help of Baptist Catechism 26, we learned that Christ fulfilled three offices: the offices of a prophet, priest, and king. Here in Baptist Catechism 27 we turn our attention to the prophetic office of Christ.

Consider four things about the prophetic work of Christ the Redeemer:

First, Jesus Christ was not the first prophet of God.

Hebrews 1:1 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…”  So, before the birth of Jesus Christ God appointed many prophets.  Moses is to be regarded as very great.  Deuteronomy 34:10 says, “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face…”  God spoke to Moses face to face, as it were. And Moses was faithful to communicate the word of God to the people.

John the Baptist, the relative of Jesus, and his forerunner, was also a prophet.  In fact, he is to be regarded as the greatest of the prophets of old.  Why?  Because he had the distinct privilege of announcing the arrival of the kingdom of God.  He preached, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, ESV).  He was blessed to point at Jesus and to say, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, ESV).  In a sense, this is what all of the prophets did.  In different ways, they pointed forward to Christ and his kingdom.  But John the Baptist was blessed to announce his arrival and to prepare the way for his ministry. 

What was the job of these prophets of old?  What work did they do?  In brief, they declared the word of God to the people.  Most often, they preached the law and the gospel.  They would apply the law of Moses to the people and urge them to turn from their sins and to God.  So then, the prophets were preachers.  Sometimes, they would foretell the future.  Being inspired by God, the prophets would sometimes warn of impending judgment.  And as I have just said, the prophets would also point forward to the Messiah, the arrival of his kingdom, and to the New Covenant that he would mediate.

The second thing I would like you to consider is that long ago it was promised a great prophet would one day arise from within Israel.

Deuteronomy 18:15 is important.  Here we find the words of Moses.  He spoke to the people of Israel, saying, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers — it is to him you shall listen —” (Deuteronomy 18:15, ESV).  As I have just said, many prophets would arise within Israel from Moses’ day onward.  But in this passage, Moses speaks of “a prophet” and says, “it is to him you shall listen.”  From that day forward the people of Israel were to live with a sense of expectation and wonder as they awaited the arrival of this great prophet.  

This leads to our third consideration concerning Christ’s prophetic office.  Though Jesus Christ was not the first prophet, he is by far the greatest of the prophets.

I’ll start by reminding you of the story found in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36 about Jesus being transfigured up on the mountain in front of Peter, James, and John.  These three disciples of Jesus saw him glorified in front of them.  And who appeared with Jesus?  It was none other than the great prophets of old, Moses and Elijah.  And do not forget what God said.  In Matthew 17:5 we read, “Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5–7, ESV).  So, over a thousand years earlier Moses spoke to Israel, saying, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers — it is to him you shall listen —” (Deuteronomy 18:15, ESV), and up on the mountain, Jesus was glorified with Moses and Elijah at his side and God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”  The message could not be more clear.  Jesus Christ is the great prophet of whom Moses spoke (see Acts 3:22–26).  Jesus is like Moses in that he is a prophet and a mediator of a covenant — Moses of the Old and Jesus of the New.  Jesus is not like Moses in that Moses was a servant in God’s house whereas Christ is the Son of God.  Moses was a great prophet of God, but Jesus Christ is a much greater prophet. 

Listen to Hebrews 1:1-2:  “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1–2, ESV).

Hebrews 3:5-6 says, “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.  And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (Hebrews 3:5–6, ESV).

Prophets speak to God’s people on behalf of God.  In other words, prophets reveal God and God’s will for our salvation.  Many faithful prophets lived during and before the time of Christ, but Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different kind.  He is not a servant in God’s house; he is God’s Son.  In other words, God did not merely give Christ the words to speak to his people; Christ is the eternal Word of God incarnate.  

Listen to John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1–3, ESV).  John 1:14 then says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, ESV).  And John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18, ESV).

Can you see why I have said that Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different kind?  He is no mere man speaking the words of God to the people of God.  No, he is the eternal Son or Word of God incarnate.  One of the key purposes of his mission was to reveal the Father to us and to make known the way of our salvation.  This he has done supremely and most perfectly.   

Listen to the Word of Christ in John 15:15:  “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15, ESV).  Listen to the words of Christ in John 17:6-8.  He prayed to God, saying, “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.  Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.  Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.  For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me” (John 17:6–8, ESV). 

The prophets of old spoke the word of God to the people of God as servants.  Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different order or kind. He speaks the word of God to us as the eternal Son who came down from the Father.  His word is the supreme word.  His word is the final word.  All prophecies uttered before and after his incarnation are from him (through inspiration) and have reference to him (he is the fulfillment).  

The fourth and final thing I would like you to consider about Christ’s prophetic work is that in this office, Christ the Redeemer meets our need.

If we are to know God truly, God must reveal himself to us.  How much more do we stand in need of God’s revelation now that we have fallen into sin?  Adam was created with true knowledge, remember?  But now that we have fallen, our minds are darkened because of sin (see Ephesians 4:18).  We need God’s word if we are to know God and the way of salvation.  Jesus Christ is the Word of God.  He reveals to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation, our catechism says. 

The little phrase, “by His Word and Spirit”, is interesting.  By it we are reminded of another way in which Christ is greater than any other prophet.  The prophets of old were empowered by God to speak the word of God.  But they did not have the power to enable men and women to understand or believe the words they spoke. But Christ reveals to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.  Not only does he have the power to deliver the message, he also has the power to open the minds and change the hearts of God’s elect to make them willing and able to believe his word. This he does by sending his Word and Spirit.  The little phrase, “by His Word and Spirit”, prepares us for what we will learn in Baptist Catechism 33 and 34 regarding effectual calling. 

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Conclusion

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 86

“A PRAYER OF DAVID. Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” (Psalm 86, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 12:4-7

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4–7, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

1. Introduction
   1. God’s word is amazing. I can’t tell you how often that thought comes to my mind when studying the Scriptures in preparation for preaching. God’s word is amazing. Luke’s gospel is amazing. And I particularly appreciate this portion of Luke’s gospel. 
   2. In the introduction to the previous sermon, I drew your attention to the fact that in Luke 12:1-53 Christ has his attention fixed on his disciples – the 12 Apostles and probably the 70 others as well. Luke 12:1 says, “In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy’”, etc.  
   3. Why did Christ focus his attention on his disciples? Did he not care about the great multitudes that came to see him and to hear his teaching? Yes, he cared for others besides the 12 and the 70, but it was the will and way of Christ to minister to the multitudes – yes, eventually to all nations – through his Apostles and other eyewitness. And so, while Christ often ministered to the multitudes, he especially poured into the 12 and the 70, for they would be his witnesses and special ambassadors. These men would take the gospel to all nations. These would establish churches. These would see to it that elders were appointed in every place. As you probably know, Luke’s second volume, the book of The Acts Of The Apostles, tells that story. We should not be surprised, therefore, to hear that Christ focused his attention on his disciples,
   4. Here in Luke 12:1-53, he instructs his disciples to prepare them for the work they would soon be called to do. As I said in the previous sermon, I think it is right to see these teachings as being for all Christians, but especially for leaders within Christ’s church. Here Christ warns against the danger of hypocrisy, the fear of man, covetousness, anxiety over the cares of this world, inattentiveness (irresponsibility), and people-pleasing. These heart sins are a danger to all Christians, but especially pastors and elders within Christ’s church. These are temptations that threaten to render all Christians, and especially ministers of the gospel, ineffective and unfruitful, if not worse.   
   5. As you know, Christ began by warning against hypocrisy. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy”, Christ said. We considered the sin of hypocrisy in the previous sermon. I cannot take the time to review all that was said in that sermon about hypocrisy. Perhaps a few bullet points will help to jog the memory of those who were present to hear that sermon and provide a sufficient foundation for those who were not so that we can get on with our text for today.
      1. One, a hypocrite is two-faced. A hypocrite does not live one life, but two or more. They love the praise of man and to appear righteous in public, but in reality, their hearts are filled with wickedness. The Pharisees were notorious for their hypocrisy. Christ confronted them about this, saying, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you” (Luke 11:39–41, ESV).
      2. Two, hypocrisy is, at its core, a heart problem. What the hypocrite needs is not better behavior, but a renewed heart, mind, and will. It is not the good and holy behavior in public that makes the hypocrite a hypocrite, but the fact that the good behavior in public is nothing more than a mask used to conceal a corrupted heart, words, and deeds.   
      3. Three, Jesus Christ is the only real solution to hypocrisy. Christ gives his elect a new mind and heart to make them willing and able to believe in him. Christ forgives his people and cleanses them from all unrighteousness. And Christ sanctifies and renews his people further by his word and Spirit so that they actually make progress in holiness. You see, the cleansing and transformation that Christ brings does not start with the outside, but the inside. The behavior of the true Christian changes, not because of self-effort, but because of inward renewal worked by God’s Word and Spirit. Yes, true Christians still sin, but this does not make them hypocrites. When Christians sin, it will grieve them to the heart, lead to true repentance, and further the progress of sanctification in them. Furthermore, no true Christian claims to be self-righteous in the way that the Pharisees did. True followers of Christ readily admit that are not righteous, in themselves, but stand in need of God’s grace and of a Savior. We stand right before God only because God has washed us in the blood of Christ, has clothed us in Christ’s rightousness, and is sanctifying us further by his Word and Spirit. 
   6. But this does not mean that the sin of hypocrisy is not a danger to the Christian.  If it were not a danger, then why did Christ warn his disciples about it? Hypocrisy is indeed a danger to all of us. There are many ways in which our hearts can be drawn away from a single-minded devotion to Christ, leading to a hypocritical, clean-on-the-outside, but filthy-on-the-inside, way of life.
   7. I’ve taken the time to review what was said in the previous sermon about hypocrisy for a reason. I do believe that the passage that is open before us today (Luke 12:4-7) along with the following passages (through Luke 12:53) all have relation to the warning of Luke 12:1: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” In other words, after warning his disciples against the sin of hypocrisy, Christ goes on to warn against several sins of the heart which, if allowed to remain, will lead to a hypocritical life.
      1. The fear of man, if allowed to remain in the heart, will lead to a compromised and hypocritical walk (Luke 12:4-12). 
      2. The sin of covetousness, if allowed to remain in the heart, will lead to a compromised and hypocritical walk (Luke 12:13-21). 
      3. The sin of fear and anxiety over the cares of this world, if allowed to remain in the heart, will lead to a compromised and hypocritical walk (Luke 12:22-34). 
      4. The sin of inattentiveness or negligence, if allowed to remain in the heart, will lead to a compromised and hypocritical walk (Luke 12:35-48). 
      5. And finally, the sin of people-pleasing, if allowed to remain in the heart, will lead to a compromised and hypocritical walk (Luke 12:35-48).
         1. Admittedly, these passages that I have previewed all stand very nicely on their own, but I do believe they all relate back to the warning about hypocrisy. 
   8. It is not at all surprising that the very first heart-sin that Christ addressed is the fear of man. The fear of man has, no doubt, caused many professing Christians to hesitate and even pull back from their devotion to Christ. Some who professed faith in Christ have even abandoned the faith because they allowed the sin of the fear of man to reside within their heart and consume them. 
   9. Fear is a very powerful emotion. It has the power to consume our thoughts, hijack our emotions, and drive the direction of our lives. 
   10. Here in our passage, Christ warns us about the danger of the fear of man, and he presents us with three remedies. 
2. Do not fear man
   1. Firstly, Christ commands his followers to have no fear of man because man’s ability to harm is limited.
      1. Look with me at Luke 12:4. There Christ says, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.” (Luke 12:4, ESV)
         1. Notice that Christ calls his disciples, friends. I think that is wonderful to consider. Christ is a friend to sinners. He is a friend to all who come to him by faith. And it is not we who make Christ our friend, but he who has makes us his. Christ calls his followers, friends. No doubt, his decision to call his disciples friends here was intentional. He is about to say something hard and challenging. Knowing that Jesus is our friend and that he cares for us as friends will strengthen us to receive these challenging words.
         2. When Christ says, “​​do not fear those who kill the body”, he means, have no fear of man. Do not fear man, is the general command. When Christ originally spoke these words to his disciples, he no doubt had the Pharisees, lawyers, and scribes in mind.
            1. Do not forget the predictions Christ made back in Luke 9 regarding how he would be treated by the religious leaders of the day.  He spoke to his disciples, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22, ESV).
            2. Do not forget about the conflict Christ had with the Pharisees and layers as recorded in Luke 11. He condemned them for their hypocrisy and pronounced many “woes” on them. Luke tells us, “As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say” (Luke 11:53–54, ESV).
            3. You are probably aware that these disciples of Jesus would suffer persecution and even martyrdom at the hands of these religious elites after Christ’s ascension to the Father.  
         3. It is no wonder that Christ addressed the problem of the fear of man first. If these disciples feared man and what men could do to them, they would not remain devoted to Christ for long. Very soon, the fear of man would drive them to act hypocritically as they sought to appease those with the power to persecute.
            1. Remember that the Apostle Peter slipped into hypocrisy on the night of Jesus’ arrest. A servant girl began to question his allegiance to Jesus. Peter, in a moment of weakness, was driven by the fear of man. He denied knowing Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. And then the rooster crowed.  That story is told in Luke 22. Peter’s faith in Christ was true. The fear of man that resided in his heart drove him to put on the hypocritical mask of unbelief temporarily. Thankfully, he did remain in that state of hypocrisy. He repented and was restored.
         4. Brothers and sisters, fear is a very powerful motivator and it is very tightly linked to what we love. We fear what we love. Stated differently, we fear losing what we love. Fear will always drive us to take action to avoid losing that which we love.
            1. Now, there is an instinctual kind of fear. It is this instinctual kind of fear that moves you to run away when someone threatening approaches or to avoid certain activities and behaviors knowing that they might lead to your demise. Typically, it is perfectly good and right to listen to these instinctual fears and to seek to preserve your own life and the lives of others. In fact, I do believe the sixth of the Ten Commandments requires this. This is not the kind of fear that Christ is here addressing. 
            2. Instead, Christ is addressing a kind of fear that is deeply rooted in the heart and mind, everpresent, often unnoticed, and yet greatly impactful as it pertains to the direction of one’s life. This kind of fear (I’m not sure what to call it – convictional fear, maybe?) is not the same as the instinctual fear mentioned above. The emotion of instinctual fear will come on hard and strong to drive us either to fight or to flight when a threat arises. This other kind of fear, though often unnoticed, is always with us. And it is always determining the priorities and direction of our lives. 
            3. As I said just a moment ago, fear has a lot to do with love. The question, what or whom do you fear ultimately, and the question, what or whom do you love ultimately, will most likely receive the same answer. To give an obvious example, what do you think most people would say if you asked them the question, what do you fear most? If honest, I think most would say, death. And does this not reveal that the thing they love most is life on this earth? Some might say that losing their wealth is their greatest fear. Others might say the loss of their children. For others, it is the loss of their good reputation. And if the loss of these things is their greatest fear, does this not reveal that these things are their greatest love and treasure?   
         5. In the previous passage, Christ warned his disciples to beware of the Pharisees and the lawyers. Here he clarifies that they are not to be afraid of them. After all, Christ said, the worst thing they can do is kill you. 
            1. Let that statement sink in for a little. 
            2. Does the statement sound absurd to you? I’m sure it sounds absurd to most. Do not be afraid of man!? The worst they can do to you is kill you!? What do you mean!? But this is what Christ taught his disciples. We are to take him seriously.
            3. Think of the deeply held beliefs and convictions required to hold such a view: This life is not all there is. Death is not the end. There is something more and better for those who are friends of Jesus on the other side of the grave. The violent man – the persecutor of Christians –  can only do so much. He can defame your name, steal your possessions, throw you in prison, abuse you, and kill you. That’s all. The violent man cannot reach you beyond the grave. As pertains to love, the Christian must not love his life here on earth or the things of this world supremely. If he does, he will bristle at Christ’s command, “do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.”
         6. Persecution has a way of exposing the sin of the fear of man in the heart. When a Christ-follower is pressed to choose between faithfulness to Christ and death, or faithfulness to Christ and beatings, or faithfulness to Christ and prison, if the fear of man is deeply rooted in their heart, they will quickly deny Christ to protect the thing they most love, namely their own life and their comfort here on earth.
            1. Not long ago, some of us gathered to read a biography on the 17th century Particular Baptist Pastor, John Bunyan. Did you know that man spent 12 years in prison? He was separated from his wife and children. He suffered under very harsh conditions. Why? Because he refused to stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ? If Bunyan had the fear man in his heart, he would not have lasted long in his devotion to Christ. Many others have remained faithful to Christ even to the point of death. These knew that “those who kill the body… have nothing more that they can do.”
         7. But it is not only physical persecution that exposes the sin of the fear of man in the heart. Sometimes professing Christians are driven much more easily by the fear of man into compromise and hypocrisy.
            1.  How many young people have acted one way while at church and in the home and another way while out with non-believing friends? What drives them to act hypocritically except for the fear of man? If is not something as heavy as death they fear. No, they fear that they will be made fun of, ridiculed, or disliked if they do not conform to the ways of the world. 
            2. How many businessmen have compromised as it pertains to their devotion to Christ teh Lord out of fear of losing income or a job?   
            3. How many pastors have held back from declaring the truth of God’s Word out of fear of losing members or a ministry?
            4. Need I go on? Fear is a powerful motivator. If there is the fear of man and of what man can do to you embedded in your heart, hypocrisy will soon follow. 
            5. And so Christ speaks to us, saying, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do” (Luke 12:4, ESV).
   2. Secondly, Christ commands his followers to have no fear of man but to fear God instead.
      1. Look at verse 5. There Christ says, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”
         1. What are the remedies to the sin of the fear of man in the heart? Firstly, we must come to see and truly believe that man’s ability to do us harm is very limited. The worst thing man can do is kill the body! Secondly, we must replace the fear of man with the fear of God and Christ, for, on the last day, God will judge the world through Christ the Son. Man can only affect us in this life. Once we pass from this life, man can no longer reach us. But in the life to come, all will stand before God and Christ to be openly judged (or acquitted) for all eternity. Do not fear man. Fear God instead. 
         2. Perhaps you have heard it said that everyone loves someone or something supremely. Human beings can not not love. The question is, what do we love supremely? And the very same thing may be said about fear. Human beings cannot not fear. Every human being trembles at the thought of losing their greatest love. What (or whom) should we love supremely? We ought to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And what (or whom) should we fear supremely? Our greatest fear ought to be the Lord, the thought of coming under his wrath, being cast into hell, away from his blessed presence forever, and judged by him for all eternity.
         3. You are probably familiar with Proverbs 1:7, which says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Proverbs 9:10 is similar: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Why is the fear of the Lord called the beginning of knowledge and wisdom? Well, it is because the fear of the Lord is the first step towards a life lived according to true knowledge and wisdom. Before we can come to faith in Christ, be forgiven of all our sins, live for the glory of God, and enter into the blessed presence of God for all eternity, we must first believe that God exists and fear him.
            1. Many who fear the Lord run away from him. This is what those who are left in their sins will do. If they fear God, they will run from him because of their sin. 
            2. By God’s grace, some who fear the Lord will run towards him. This is what the elect of God who are regenerated and effectually called by God’s Word and Spirit will do. First, they will fear the Lord. After this, they will perceive that he is merciful, gracious, and kind. And seeing that God has provided a Savior, Christ the Lord, they will not flee from him, but towards the God they love and fear through faith in Christ Jesus.   
            3. Here in the text that is open before us, Christ warns his disciples  – his friends – not to fear man but to fear the Lord. This will produce within us a constant and faithful walk. Instead of living to please man and to preserve our lives here on earth, we will live to please God and to preserve our lives before him for all eternity through faith in Christ the Lord.         
   3. Thirdly, Christ commands his followers to have no fear of man knowing that God cares for them.
      1. Look with me at verse 6: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6–7, ESV).
         1. Christ had just mentioned that man does have the ability to kill the body. Of course, this implied that the disciples of Christ would suffer persecution, even martyrdom,  at the hands of sinful and violent men. Here he comforts them by reassuring them that God will exercise a special kind of providential care over his people.
         2. Not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of our Father in heaven (see also Matthew 10:29). Even the hairs of our head are numbered by God. In times of persecution, or when enduring suffering of various kinds, even the prospect of death, God’s people are sometimes tempted to think that God has abandoned and forgotten them. This is not true. God has promised never to leave us or forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5).
         3. So near is he to us that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. God does not forget or neglect the sparrows, as small and numerous as they are. And so Christ comforts his friends with these words: “Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  
3. Conclusion
   1. Christ is the only real solution to hypocrisy.
      1. We must be regenerated and enabled to believe in Christ.
      2. Christ justifies sinners. 
      3. Christ sanctifies sinners. 
   2. Sanctification is that it is a work that must be done inwardly in the mind and heart and not merely externally in the realm of words and deeds.
      1.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
      2. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” 
      3. This is why our catechism says, “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.” Before we can truly put to death sinful deeds and actions, we must put to death sinful thoughts and emotions. 
      4. Stated negatively, those who attempt to change the way they speak and act while neglecting the renewal of the mind and heart will inevitably slip into hypocrisy. Or to use the language of Christ from Luke 11, do not merely clean the outside of the cup, but by God grace and through faith in Christ, clean the inside of the cup also. If the inside of the cup is clean, then all will be clean.