Matthew 10:32-33 (p. 1511) 

 

        There is a common thought that runs through our Bible readings for this 5th Sunday after Pentecost, and even through our hymns for the day.  That thought is, “Do Not Be Afraid Of Men.” The prophet Jeremiah certainly had cause to fear people since everyone he knew, including his friends and family, were plotting to kill him.  Yet we heard Jeremiah make a firm and courageous declaration of his faith in God in our first Scripture reading this morning.  In our Gospel reading Jesus warned his disciples that they too would face rejection and persecution because of him, but he told them, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Then Jesus gave us a warning – a warning and a promise that are linked together.  It is a warning and a promise that are based on our relationship with him, and our eternal fate that will be based on that relationship.  

        Based on what Jesus tells us in our text this morning, we ask the question, …

 

Acknowledged Or Disowned? 

 

  1. What does it mean to acknowledge Jesus? 

  2. What does Jesus want us to acknowledged him to be?  

  3. In our text, what does Jesus not ask us to acknowledge him as? 

  4. How does a person acknowledge Jesus as his or her teacher? 

  5. How does Jesus teach us today? 

  6. How does a person acknowledge Jesus as his or her master? 

  7. How does Jesus want us to serve him today? 

Since “disowning” stands in opposition of “acknowledging” in our text, a failure to acknowledge Jesus is in fact disowning him.  

  1. How do Christians disown Jesus as their teacher? 

  2. How do Christians disown Jesus as their master? 

  3. Do you think that this disowning of Jesus is intentional or unintentional for most Christians today? 

  4. Are most people even aware that they are disowning Jesus as teacher if they fail to read and study his word, and disowning him as Master if they do not deliberately follow his instructions in their lives?  

  5. What consequences does Jesus say are connected with the way we treat him? 

  6. What does Jesus mean by acknowledging or disowning us before his Father in heaven?

  7. Where Do You Stand With Jesus?