There’s a razor’s edge difference between bravery & stupidity. Check out today’s message looking at the bravery of Jesus and other early Christians and see how it challenges you. Jump in with us in Sections 30 of the Gospel Harmonies @ https://www.harmonychurch.cc/tracking-jesus-timeline/. IT’S EASY TO GIVE at Harmony, text any amount to (859) 459-0316 to get started (or give online @ my.harmonychurch.cc/give ).
OPENING ILLUSTRATION:
When I was a kid, I really only got in one fistfight. There was this kid in my neighborhood named Matt Peeka – Matt was the kid everyone loved to pick on. He was a year older than me, but I was bigger than him..
My buddies and I had this tree house down at the Creek that was near my house that we had all worked on building together. There were these tall reeds there. I can remember that day, we were all hanging out at the treehouse and for some reason, we all started talking about fighting. Now, ladies, you might not get this, but the guys will. Matt and I weren’t mad at each other, my buddies just were like, “you two should fight” and I was dumb enough to be like, “yeah, why not…”
I figured I was bigger than Matt, but let me tell you something, the kid who gets picked on all the time, is not the kid you should choose to fight when you’re not mad. Not only that, but Matt came from an abusive family – I know for a fact his dad had beat him before with a bicycle chain (which I on a side note, if you are doing that and you are in here – come talk to me and get help and you get out of your family until you can be a different kind of parent).
So, when I stepped out in those reeds with Matt with all the guys standing around yelling “fight, fight, fight” – as the camera swooped around us, I had no idea what I was in for… Matt came out like a caged tiger. He just started pounding my face over and over again. I didn’t know what to do – I pushed him, I punched his body but couldn’t bring myself to hit him in the face and all the while, he just bloodied my face…
I’m not proud of it, but I finally just ran away…
Don’t be sad for me though, I’m kind of glad it happened, I figure Matt probably needed that “win” in his life 🙂
Here’s what I’m reminded of though
There is a razor’s edge difference between brave and stupid.
b
Knowing when you’ve crossed from brave to stupid is key.
Today, I want us to look at Jesus in a peculiar spot and what I want you to notice is how Jesus walks the razor’s edge into bravery. Then we’re gonna look at why He does this and how others have followed His example and you can too…
Mk 1:14-15
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
THE STORY:
Herod Antipas – this is the son of Herod the Great who killed the babies @ Christmas. Antipas has taken his brother’s wife, Herodias as his lover. John the Baptist had been preaching against this union saying it was unlawful and he had been put in prison. John will eventually be beheaded when Antipas throws a birthday party for himself, inviting all his generals and military people. Herodias’ daughter Salome, a teenage girl will dance for Antipas – think dirty old man. Antipas is so turned on, he will offer her up to half of his Kingdom and after talking to her mom, all she asks for is John the Baptist’s head on a plate…
The Herods are serious people to be messing with. We know from Josephus that John the Baptist was put in prison in Macherus – a fortress near the Dead Sea – on the west Side.
Jesus has been in the south, which is where Macherus is, Galilee is in the North
When Mark says Jesus, after John is put in prison, heads to Galilee – it looks like He’s running away from the lion’s den
Matthew tells us that Jesus has gone to Capernaum in Galilee.
It might look like He’s running away, but that’s only because you are not first-century Jews.
b
Antipas actually ruled two territories as a client-state King for Rome.
B
He ruled in the south West of the Jordan near the Dead Sea.
b
But his capital was in Tiberius, off the Sea of Galilee, 3.5 hours walk from Capernaum.
B
Jesus isn’t running from the fight – He’s running to it.
b
so just a question…
Brave or stupid?
I want you to be aware of what the Gospel is that Jesus preached – I know you think the Gospel is “come and get saved so you can go to heaven….” But that’s not what Mark said Jesus preached, is it?
Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
B
Jesus is preaching a Kingdom, and the implication is He is the King…
b
In the heart of Herod Antipas’ territory.
b
Do you see how gutsy Jesus is?
again, brave or stupid?
Why would He do this? Capernaum is not just in Herod’s Territory, it’s on the border of His brother Phillips’s Territory, Jesus is in this place where these two fraudulent Kings are set up and He’s saying, I’m bringing the true Kingdom.
Can I tell you something? This kind of bravery is something SO many Christians have embraced throughout history…
The apostle Paul, while he is in prison asks the Ephesians this:
Ephesians 6:19
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel
Paul, who was in prison for His faith, believed so much in the Kingdom Jesus came to establish that even while he was in chains by the Kingdom of the world, he wanted to Fearlessly make known the mystery of God’s Kingdom..
there was a guy in the book of Acts named Stephen who was killed by being pelted with stones for his declaration of Jesus and His Kingdom
Peter was crucified upside down
Christians were thrown to lions sewed into animal skins
Even to this day around the world, people are put to death for being Christians.
So, why do they do it?
I think Matthew hits it when He shares why Jesus, with all bravery, went into Antipas’ territory to preach His Kingdom
[Anthony, please put the underlines in the scripture when on screen]
Matthew 4:12-17
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”[a]
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus’ bravery and the bravery of subsequent Christians was about bringing light to those in darkness – even to the point of giving their life.
b
It’s because the Kingdom of God is an eternal Kingdom, it extends into heaven, but it starts in the here and now.
b
and Christians have been willing to give their lives so others might experience it.
Let me tell you something unfortunate about Christianity in our modern times.
We have let the idea of being a consumer taint the way we live in the Kingdom of God
b
We are always looking for what we can get instead of what we can give.
b
and it makes us cowards when we should be brave.
You were made for so much more, you were made to contribute.
That’s why as a church our mission is
Advancing the Kingdom by living for God and loving people
What would it look like for you to live that out in your life?
Where have you been hiding from the challenge of standing for those who are outside the Kingdom?
ILLUSTRATION:
Have you ever told your kid to clean their room, but it’s such a mess, they don’t know what to do? And you’re like, “just start cleaning.” Advancing the Kingdom is a little like that. It’s already in there what to do.
Live for God
Love people
When you step into those two things in bravery- you are advancing the Kingdom.
Christian, it’s time for us to return to our roots of bravery.
Will you? Where are you feeling convicted that you’ve not been brave – not asking for bible thumping – again, live for God, love people…
