Series: Disciples Of Christ: Sermon # 2
Fearful Disciples Of Christ
In the 1st sermon of this series we examined the life of Judas Iscariot as we considered “False Disciples Of Christ” Today we will see the story of a man named Joseph. His story will represent those far to common “Fearful Disciples Of Christ.Last week we saw that False Disciples are quick to proclaim their faith, they are proud to be associated with the things of God. There is a stark contrast in those that we will consider today. Fearful Disciples go to great lengths not to be identified with Christ.
The biography of Joseph is an interesting one. Joseph was a man of character and integrity. Yet, he was also a “secret disciple” We read that he possessed a great fear of the Jews. There is much to be learned from this portion of scripture! There are many who, like Joseph, live their lives are “secret disciples” of Christ.
Lets take some time and see a few facts about “Fearful Disciples”
I. Fearful Disciples May Possess Good Moral Character
We read that Joseph was from Arimathaea. He was a wealthy man who had purchased a “garden tomb” near Jerusalem”
Notice the description of him in - Luke 23:50 ¶And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and just:
Just - Upright. Joeseph was a man who possessed high moral standards. He was also a religious man. There is another title given to him in - Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counsellor,
Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a 70 member body that was the supreme ruling body of the Jews. These were the men who condemned Jesus to death.The word “honorable” means that he was “in good standing”He was well-respected by the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Scribes.
There are many people who are believers in Christ. As a result of their faith they possess good moral character. They have high standards and would be described by others as “good people” . The problem is that we are designed to be a “Peculiar people” & “Zealous of Good Works “
Paul says that we are to “come out from among the world and be separate” We are also told that “those that are in Christ are new creatures… old things are passed away and all things have become new”
There are people that are lost who possess good moral character! We are not to simply be good people We are told to be HOLY PEOPLE!! When you are holy, it will not be a secret.Holy people are not afraid of ridicule. Holy people are not “secret, fearful disciples.”
Not only do Fearful Disciples May Possess Good Moral Character, but we see through Joseph’s life that:
II. Fearful Disciples Have A Concern For The Things Of God
Mark 15:43 says that - Joseph “waited for the kingdom of God”
Joseph, was more than just a religious Jew… he was a man with genuine faith in God… who longed for the appearance of the Messiah. Though Joseph was a Jewish leader, he became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw Jesus as the Messiah that was to come and save Israel.We do not know how Joseph came to his faith in Jesus Christ. But, something led him to faith in the Lord.
There is a difference between the “false disciples” that we considered last week and today’s subject of “Fearful Disciples” Those that I am referring to today are people who have had a conversion. These are people who were once lost but HAVE BEEN SAVED! They have trusted in Jesus as Savior, they have a personal faith but will not publicize it!
Like Joseph, they have a concern for the things of God.
They talk to the Lord.
They read their bible
They may attend worship
They may give a tithe of their income
They may even hold a position in their church.
Note: It is easy to be a Christian in the walls of God’s house. It is much more difficult in the office or the classroom! Without getting off track, let me note that there is an element of hypocrisy among those who are “fearful disciples”
Fearful disciples look forward to heaven. They rejoice when others come to faith in Christ. They are even offended when Christ is attacked in society. They have many of the same attributes as a full fledged sold out faithful disciple of Christ. But they just keep it to themselves. This brings us to the 3rd point I would like to consider:
III. Fearful Disciples Often Conceal Their Beliefs
Joseph was a believer, but he kept his faith a secret. John 19:38 says, “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews…
Joseph was afraid of what would happen to him if the other Jews found out.
We don’t know how long Joseph believed in Jesus, but we do know that he opposed the efforts of the Sanhedrin to condemn Jesus to death, - Luke 23:51 (Joseph…had not consented to the counsel and deed of them ;)
Today, many believers who are much like Joseph. Their neighbors… coworkers …classmates and friends do not know they are saved. Everyday they live their lives little evidence that they are saved.There is no real difference in their lives and the lives of the lost around them. They do not attend church faithfully ...They never take a stand for Jesus ...They never witness ...Never share their testimony with others ...They do the same things and go the same places as the lost around them ...They intentionally hide their faith ...They fear what people will say about them.
Pro. 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”
When Satan silences your testimony, he can hinder the cause of Jesus. When he can prevent you from standing up boldly and declaring your faith, he can prevent others from hearing the Gospel. There may be some negatives that we observe in the life of Joseph, but there is great hope found in his story as well.
IV. Fearful Disciples Are Not A Lost Cause
At first, Joseph was not willing to pay the price of identifying himself with the Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph had purchased a tomb near Jerusalem for himself. Only the very rich could afford a tomb hewn out of stone. As Joseph watched Jesus die that day, something changed in him. No longer would he remain silent, he would not hide his faith any more!
A. The Courage Involved
The Jews had already made a deal with Pilate that the bodies would be taken down from the cross, John 19:31 ¶The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
The Jews wanted the bodies taken down and disposed of before the start of Passover.
Our text says that Joseph “went in boldly” to ask for the body of Jesus.
That phrase means “to work up the courage”.
he same man who had been afraid to openly take a stand as a disciple of Jesus. now, having seen Jesus die on the cross, he is emboldened. He walks into Pilate’s presence and asks for the body.
B. The Care Involved
Pilate releases the body to Joseph and he, along with Nicodemas, John 19:38 ¶And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Joseph & Nicodemus took the time and handled the body of Christ with care and respect. They brought costly spices to perform the burial ritual. They took Jesus Body and wrapped Him in linen cloths. These two men, who were both described as secret disciples at one time, publicly retrieved his body and cared for it. What a change! WHAT BOLDNESS!!!
C. The Cost Involved
By identifying himself with Christ:Joseph might have been implicated as a traitor to Rome.He would have been expelled from the Sanhedrin.
The common Jew would have turned on him too. Joseph would have lost money, power, prestige and popularity.By touching a dead body, Joseph defiled himself and would not have been permitted to participate in the Passover meal.Joseph paid a high price for standing up for the Lord Jesus.You may be here and you fit the description of a “Fearful Disciple”
I hope that you can see through Joseph’s story that you case is not hopeless! You do not have to remain a silent, fearful disciple! You can take a bold stand for your Savior who went to the cross for you!
Shout from the housetops about the One Who:Redeemed your soul from Hell, Forgave your sins , Changed your life, Has promised and prepared a place for you in Heaven
1) God Directed Us To Be Bold Witnesses For Him - Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
2) God Christ Deserves For Us To Be Bold Witnesses For Him - Psalms 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 2 For the LORD most high is a great King over all the earth.
3) God Demands Us To Be Bold Witnesses For Him - Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
We must openly declare our faith, love and allegiance to, the Lord Jesus Christ! Refuse to remain a fearful disciple! To be a bold disciple of Jesus is to live a life where you give up your rights and your will.
You deny yourself, giving yourself over to the will of the One Who died to redeem you from your sins on the cross, 1 Cor. 6:19-20. It is to live a life that is out of step with the world around you.It is to live such a radically different life that the world looks on you with hatred, distrust and misunderstanding! For those who feel that you are ok and that you are justified in being a “fearful disciple” I leave you with scripture that directly contradicts your mindset.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…
STAND UP!! STAND UP FOR JESUS!!!
