Fear Not Little Flock - Part 1 of 2

Sherry Bradley Junior welcoming you to one of the broadcast of the Baptist Bible living in a time when many are group fear.

We understand when you see the pictures on television of hospitals are overcrowded and get the report numbers of people die, yes, in human nature, we tend to fear, but over and over again in Scriptures were told not to fear today were going to begin a message entitled, fear not, little flock, if our trust is in the living God. Although circumstances may be perplexing.

Although the things that we observe the things that surround us are challenging and bring about a tremendous amount of uncertainty. One thing is certain.

God is sovereign God is on the throne. Jesus Christ said to his followers when he was here fear not, I hope that you are right and let us know that you listen to the program.

Our address is the Baptist Bible. Our box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217. It was said of Jesus that never did a man speak as he spake he spoke, stinging words to the Pharisees when necessary.

He spoke words of confrontation to his own followers. Some of the most precious words that he spoke those words of comfort and consolation directed to his people look at one of those this morning turned the gospel of Luke chapter 12 reading verse 32.

Fear not, little flock 40 is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Many ways in Scripture, in which the relationship of the Lord and his people is described speaks of the children of his family. The servants of his kingdom. The sheep of his flock, all designed to show us the special relationship that we have to him this text is sometimes been applied in ways that would not really fit the context in the general teaching of Scripture that wants to look at it in each part of each phrase and hopefully draw from its very practical lessons can be useful in our lives.

The glory of our Savior.

First he says fear not many things it can cause God's people to be alarmed to be fretful to worry. The people of anxiety and the context reveals that he was addressing the issue of anxiety that comes about temporal things back in the 22nd verse of Luke chapter 12 and he said unto his disciples. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat neither for your body, what you shall put all life is more than me and the body is more than raiment consider the ravens for they neither sow nor reap which neither have storehouse nor barn, and God fetus man that's an important phrase to remember in the overall lesson is being conveyed here is saying.

Do not be anxious. Do not be full of worry about material things God feeds the ravens if not please them is not going to care for you for a sense of how much more are you better than the file's an interview with taking thought can add to his stature. One cubit if he then be not able to do that thing which is least wide to fault for the rest. Consider the lilies how they grow, they toil not, they spend not.

And yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of the if man gone so close back in verse 24 and said, God feeds.

Says God close. If God so clothes the grass switches today in the field and tomorrow is cast into the oven. How much more will he clothe you, all ye of little faith, and seek not be what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink neither be of doubtful mine for all these things do the nations of the world seek after and your father know with that ye have need of these things, but rather seek ye the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you many times have you been filled with great concern have been actually gripped by fear. As you anticipate in the future, particularly in this day when the economy is weakening. When there are massive layoffs with some companies but there's downsizing and companies are bought out jobs can be very uncertain.

The man has dedicated his life working in a particular field and for a company where anticipated getting a good retirement all that seems to be in jeopardy be very easy from a human standpoint. To be fearful when I got a new working to find employment is my retirement secure what I want to do little things comes it's possible for those of younger years in facing the challenges that come in this day. How are we going to get back. How can I provide for my family and all that's my obligation.

And so you begin to worry. Clearly, Jesus is telling us in this lesson that we must not worry, does that mean that we all ignore our responsibilities. Obviously not the man that will not work not to eat, says the apostle Paul book of Proverbs makes it clear that with a little sleep, a little slumber, little folding of the Hansons of poverty, you must apply yourself. You must be willing to work and not be guilty of slothfulness or indifference, but the same God that gave you the job that you currently have can give you another job or if you don't have a job. Your job is to get a job and he can bless you in the accomplishment of that task in whatever format the Lord may be pleased to bless the point is clearly made that the same God who feeds the birds and who close the grass is able to take care of you. So Jesus says fear not, fear not only may there be anxiety when you think about temporal things material needs, but when the trials of life come.

Certainly, the thought of needing those things to sustain life again in another themselves be a great catastrophe trial, but there are many other things that come in way of sickness. Various conflicts, difficulties and setbacks. Physical pain disappointments our hearts being broken by variety of circumstances in life. The loss of loved ones. All of these trials that come our way can cause us to fear, but to get through the storm, how to face life without this dear one that I have relied upon so much. Another thing going away, go to make us turn to the gospel of Matthew chapter 14, Jesus had instructed his disciples to get on board the ship is not bored with family went to the mountains and prayed and when you see that the ship encountered such a terrible storm. The question might be raised in your mind. Why since the Lord knows all things.

Why would he put his disciples on the ship that was going to encounter such terrible difficulties difficulties that appear to be life-threatening. As far as the disciples were concerned. But in his sovereignty. The officer had a purpose and in the 24th verse, but the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves for the wind was contrary to nighttime terrible darkness prevailed on the sea, the wind was blowing. The ship was being tossed about and of the fourth watch of the night Jesus went on to them walking on the sea and when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled. Put yourself in the picture you're there, laboring, rolling, toiling, trying to get to the storm using the make no progress under ordinary circumstances, he supported me into the land you're not near land at this point and then you see this figure moving across the water, walking on the sea were troubled, saying it is a spirit, and they cried out for fear is fear.

Fear came because they didn't have a clear understanding of what was going on. Fear came because I didn't realize that while they were out there rolling Jesus was back on the mountain.

Praying for them.

I would attend as if Jesus is praying for you. You're in good shape and he continues to make intercession for his people. How good to know that he ever lives to make intercession for us becomes walking on the water. He certainly was not coming to do them any harm. He was coming to comfort them. He was coming to deliver them and to take them safely to their desired haven, but they feared because they didn't have clear sight of who he was. Many times you suppose you have been gripped by fear. Just because you didn't really understand the situation you looked at what part of it was evident and apparent to you, you reviewed the circumstances that you drew a conclusion that it was not an accurate one. Consequently, you're full of fear you are looking at the present situation, but you weren't looking to the Lord were claiming his promises. And so you're full of fear. But straightway Jesus think of them saying, be of good cheer.

It is, I be not afraid that with Jesus present that indeed there was no cause for alarm.

In fact, Peter got so excited when he realized the Lord that he wanted to jump in the water and go to in and he started himself walking on the water began to sink. When he got his eyes off the Lord and looked down the angry see the Lord. Of course rescuing but then Jesus got in the boat with them and immediately they were in land without the point is that whatever your trial.

Whatever the darkness of the night comes into your life. Whatever heartrending experience that you say. I just can't bear the words of Jesus are appropriate for you.

Be of good cheer, you can have courage you can have hope because he says it is the not afraid, be not afraid of you been afraid of what somebody was going to do to harm you, even the point of being afraid of what somebody was going to say about you and sometimes you care to step farther. You were concerned about what somebody was going to think about you and you allowed the fear of man to control you to gripped you to impair your effort to serve God and do what was right in the book of Hebrews chapter 13 verse five says let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have for he hath said, I will never leave the nor forsake me.

There's another reason for casting all fears the Lord says I'm not one for sake, I'm going to be there in the time of your greatest trouble in the days of your most difficult conquest.

I will be with you. I'm not going to forsake you so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do on the main talking about casting out fear I will not fear what man shall do on the main young people need to take this to heart because so often, you're looking around at your friends concerned about what they think you want to fit in. You want to be accepted. You want to dress like make grass you want to listen to the same music they listen to you want to be with. If you want to be up-to-date and when your parents give you a set of rules that differ greatly from those under which other families operate. You sometimes resented in the real concern is your afraid your afraid of what somebody will think of what somebody will say, he says fear not, don't be afraid. Do not fear what man shall do unto you. So somebody gives you a long stare somebody like you somebody I want to be your friend anymore.

Don't be afraid of what man shall do unto you occasions after preaching a sermon where somebody would refuse to shake hands with me because I honestly didn't like what I said I've had times that people have made very unkind remarks about things that I try to advocate for the word of God from a human standpoint makes us feel bad for moment, but when we stopped to realize we are to keep our focus on the Lord and what man thinks what man says what man does in the final analysis really doesn't matter if our ways please the Lord. We need not be afraid of man. Fear not, is the first expression of these beautiful words of Jesus actually says little flock, fear not, little flock first thing that comes to mind when I think about the flock is affection.

The shepherd loves the she John chapter 10 verse 15 as the father knows me. Even so, no, I am the father and I lay down my life for the sheep. No stronger love than that, I lay down my life for the sheep.

John chapter 17. This began in the 17th verse sanctify them through thy truth by word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent Mama to the world and for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.

Jesus is praying for his followers who were with him at that time and for those that believe in days to come through their word that they all may be one as thou, father, art in me and I in the that they also might be want to get us that the world might believe that thou hast sent me, and the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one notice. Notice the language I in them and thou in me but about affection. Talk about love. Jesus himself says that I am pleased that thou hast given me, that they may be perfect and one that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved playing on is now a slovenly I wanted to be in heaven says Jesus loves them my love, my sheep father. I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I how marvelous that Jesus in his prayer to the father says it is my desire. It is my pleasure that these be with me where I someday that prayer will be fully answered today. If you are one of his if you're a child of grace. If you're one of the sheep of his flock. He is with you in you Christ in you the hope of glory. But someday, when life is ended, you will be where he is and that's what makes heaven some strange conceptions of what Kevin is like nuclear expressions main that have no basis at all is just about as others in the lab think it is the thing that so glorious about heaven is that Jesus is there. Jesus said to the thief this day shopping with me in paradise. The thing that would like paradise or thing that would make it glorious is that that's where the Lord laws I will that they shall be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me, in order to fill the holders glory we not have a new capacity to do so every time God has revealed his glory is manifest in Scripture. The impact was very much the same Manoa and his wife sent will surely die. Isaiah fell down saying woe is me. I'm a man of unclean lips. John saw the glory of Christ. Now the pack was spelled out just because dad we can in this present situation. In these next robotics. We cannot truly behold his glory and fathom his greatness. But one of the marvelous things about the resurrection is that we will then be totally fitted and have a capacity to see and appreciate and enjoy his glory forever and that's his prayer that they made a whole lot glory, which thou has given me for thy love is made before the foundation of the world all righteous father the world have not known me, but I have known the and these have no that thou hast sent me, and I have declared under them by name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast love me. Maybe I am and I in the talk about affection, this love that you had for me may be in them and be in there.

What more could you ask all you can see that this is tremendous display of the grace of God. Christ is not in you and you and him because there was some intrinsic value in you because it was some worth and merit that attracted disfavor but is my divine grace that he has drawn you to himself.

When we read then fear not, little flock, we think of affection. The affection that the shepherd has for the sheep. We think also of direction John chapter 10 verse 14. I am the good shepherd and know my sheep and I'm known of mine. Not only did he laid out his life for them. But the shepherd knows that she did she know the shepherd and they follow him on the 23rd Psalm very familiar passage which brought comfort to multitudes and time of struggle and sorrow and heartache. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. You see, he provides direction. If the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Whatever the legitimate means are he will provide them came to lie down in green pastures. We often by our failings to apply his word in our life.

We often because of our attraction to worldly material things tend to travel in the dry barren places of the desert, but he makes me to lie down in the green pastures through his rod of correction by his divine providence. He draws us back. He pulls us in. He brings us to the green pastures and leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake direction. Sheep tend to wander sheep go astray is not open been so in your own travels. You look back over the way that you have, you can see how many times you have veered off the path. Many times he had to come and rescue you when you allowed worldly interests.

When you allowed various sins of mind and heart to hinder you in your daily walk in communion with him.

But oh, how great is his grace that he did not forget you.

He did not leave you out in the barren desert place but came once more to give you the direction and guide you in the past that you should travel and not only is there seen in this phrase the affection that the shepherd has for the sheep. The direction that the shepherd gives to the sheep but also the protection that the shepherd provides for the sheep in the fourth verse of Psalm 23 gave though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and by staff they comfort me. Here is protection going down in the dark places going through the deep valleys, I will fear no evil.

That's the essence of what the phrase is all about that. We have taken for our text. Fear not, little flock, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Not because all the circumstances appear to be pleasant, but because thou art with me by rod of our staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies that would notice my head with all of my cup over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. What more could you ask what better protection could ever be so far penned that the Lord would be there to sustain you to watch over you to defend you, even to the point of preparing a table in the presence of your enemies blasting you to be anointed with all of the oil of joy so that your cup overflows kind that you would dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Yes, this protection. This once again connect with John chapter 10 right tells us of the 26 verse talking to the Jews. The Pharisees were present there. But he believes not because you are not of my seat as I said in the you know only Jesus could make a statement like that Jesus being the shepherd knew the sheep we might observe somebody who, at the present time is an unbeliever, and yet they meet one of God's elect and at a later time when being drawn and called the spirit they would become a believer. But Jesus did say emphatically here. The reason you have not believed is that you are not of my seat. Verse 27 my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me the indication, then one is a sheep belonging to the shepherd is that they follow him.

They hear his voice. Here's the protection and I given them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My father, which gave the me, is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand.

I and my father are one. What was the response. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him generally be surprised when the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not popular today. Could we be surprised when we talk about God's absolute right to work his will in the Army of heaven among the heavens and the earth to execute his purpose is to save according to his own pleasure that some will oppose it when they took up stones to stone Jesus himself, but what words of comfort are these are given to them eternal life. They show never perish, never perish absolute total perfect protection were living in a time when many of the circumstances that we face on a daily basis are prone to generate fear and anxiety. And yet over. Nowhere in Scripture we are told not to fear because we stick your head in the sand and pretend that there are no dangers. There are no problems with trusting to see us through you would like to get this complete message. Fear not, little flock question when writing us at the Baptist Bible box 17 old 37 Cincinnati, OH 45217 to reach you next time. This is Sherry Bradley Junior beating you goodbye and may God bless you and all