Sunday Sermon Summary – March 16 2025

Facing our Fears 

Luke 13: 31-35

The Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to threaten him asking him to flee to another place because Herod would kill him. Jesus was not afraid of their threats.  In this passage Jesus teaches us how we should face our fears. 

1. Reject threats

 Go tell that fox Luke 13:32

The first thing Jesus spoke was. “Go and tell that fox that I have healings and casting out demons for two more days and on the third day I will be done.”  Jesus directly addressed Herod the tetrarch as Fox. He called him a fox because he was cunning and ruthless. He didn’t care for his own people. He only wanted to keep his power and position.  Jesus has set an example for us to follow. We must always remember to reject threats because our God is with us at all times to protect us and to guide our steps. 

2. Remember ourcalling 

I must journey today, tomorrow and the next day 

Luke 13: 33

Jesus continued to tell the Pharisees that he remembered his calling. He had all his plans in place. He will journey for three days and then return to Jerusalem.  Jesus reminded them that he will not be killed outside of Jerusalem.  God’s eternal plan is that Jesus will be crucified in Jerusalem.  Jesus calls us to always remember that God has an eternal calling for our lives too.  Even when we fail to follow God’s plan for us, God graciously works again with us to fulfill His calling for us and our families. So we must be mindful that whatever we go through; God is with us to fulfill His calling in our lives. 

3. Resilience towards our purpose 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem Luke 13:34

Finally, Jesus wept over Jerusalem because Jerusalem refused to recognize Jesus as their Messiah.  Their refusal was going to be detrimental to Israel.  Nevertheless, Jesus was resilient in moving forward towards his purpose of coming to this world. His ultimate purpose was to pay the price for our sins by giving his life for us.  God calls his people to be resilient as he was and pursue towards God’s purpose for us. Even when our journey is difficult, we must keep moving with courage because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8   

Today we remember bishop Polycarp of Smyrna in the early second century AD. He was arrested when he was 86 years old and was asked to confess that he was wrong about all his ministry. Bishop Polycarp said that he cannot blaspheme his God who is his king and saviour.  He was burned on the stake and when the fire went out they stabbed him to death.  God calls his followers to be courageous and face our fears with defiance as Jesus Christ has taught us.  Amen