Dear Christian friends:

The most important duty we Christians have is to speak for Jesus. Speak to others about sin and salvation in Jesus Christ. If we would gladly and bravely do that duty Jesus' church would grow much faster. Also, our own faith would grow stronger as we do that duty.

But you know that we often fail to speak to others about Jesus. We wait for a better time. Or we don't want trouble. So we keep still when we ought to speak for Jesus.

In our text Jesus gives us such encouragement. So let us attend to our text and consider the theme:


We don't want trouble, so we keep still. We must expect trouble if we wish to be Jesus' friends. He says, "I am sending you like sheep among wolves." We Christians are the "sheep", but who are the "wolves"? They are the people who fight against the true teaching of Jesus Christ. It means all who do not believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who became Man and was born of the Virgin Mary, that He could be our Substitute and die for our sins.

Proud men are against such teaching. Some are not in the Church, we know who they are. But many "wolves" are in the church. Yes, many are preachers and leaders in the church. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly (in their hearts) they are hungry wolves." (Matthew 7:15)

Jesus says here in our lesson, "Be careful and watch out for men, because they'll hand you over to their courts, and whip you in their places of worship." This happened to the disciples after Jesus ascended into heaven. The Jewish Church court, called the Sanhedrin, arrested Peter and others because they preached that Jesus who was crucified arose from the dead. They commanded them to be whipped and not to preach the name of Jesus any more.

But you say, "That will not happen to us today." It is happening now. Many preachers in protestant churches do not believe the old Bible teachings anymore. Some of our Lutheran theologians also no longer accept the old Bible teachings. They say the first 12 chapters of Genesis are not true historical events, but myths and legends. They say that the miracles of the Bible did not really happen; Red Sea, Jonah and the great fish and the miracles of Jesus. They say that Jesus was not the Son of God that he was not born of a virgin. They agree that Jesus was a good man and that He was crucified, but they deny that He arose from the dead on Easter morning. They also say that our bodies will not arise from the dead.

More and more pastors are accepting these ideas and are trying to win others to accept them. They say we are naive, childish, if we believe everything exactly (literally) as it is written in the Bible and explain it literally.

Pastors and churches who criticise these liberal professors and church officials are being persecuted. So don't think it can't happen here today. It is happening all around us. We should not expect to have no enemies. If we truly believe in Jesus and speak for Him, we will find many people who disagree with us, who will mock us and persecute us. The true, pure teaching of Jesus does not agree with the proud nature and ways of man.

The proud men of Jesus' time both outside and inside the church persecuted Jesus. Jesus says, "Don't think you will fare better than I did. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."

This should help us and encourage us. When Peter and the others were whipped they were not ashamed or afraid. They rejoiced because they could suffer for Jesus' sake. We, too, should be glad if we must suffer hardship for His namesake. Jesus says, "Blessed are you when men will mock you and say all kinds of evil against you for My name's sake, great is your reward in heaven.

Jesus also encourages us to speak for Him by telling us how to behave. He says, "Be wise like serpents and harmless as doves." When you speak for Jesus and live a true Christian life use your head, too, and make a strong good speech, but don't get angry or blowup. Be like a dove. Martin Luther King is like a dove in His non-violent protest marches. Father Groppi is not a "dove." Obey the laws, don't use force, use peaceful demonstrations and keep talking the truth.

Do kind things to your enemy and win his respect. Maybe he will listen to you when you talk about Jesus. Overcome evil with good. Bless them that curse you, bless and curse not. That's what Jesus means to be like a dove. A dove is a bird of peace, symbol of love. So we should always speak the truth of Jesus with love, not in anger or revenge, as some do.

You say, "Yes, I want to speak for Jesus, but I don't know what to say." Jesus says, "Don't worry how you'll speak or what you'll say. When the time comes, you will be told what to say. It isn't you speaking, but your Father's Spirit speaking through you."

Jesus promises to give us His Holy Spirit so that we will say what He wants us to say at the right time. So we have no excuse. We can't say, "I am ignorant and can't speak. I am deaf, what can I do? I don't know anything. "The first disciples of Jesus also were unlearned men. They did not go to school like the scribes and Pharisees. But they have been with Jesus, and therefore could speak boldly and truthfully.

So, also you, spend time with Jesus by attending Church by reading your Bible and by going to Bible Class. Then you will have many things of God in your mind and heart and you will know what to say when you have the opportunity. The Holy Spirit will speak through you and give you love and boldness to speak.

One day an old man was standing on the street looking into a store window, a book store. He was looking at a large picture of Jesus crucified. Soon a little boy came up and looked with the old man. The boy said, "That's Jesus. He died on the cross for our sins. Then the boy went on. The old man continued to look at the picture. Again the boy came back, "Hey mister, I forgot to tell you, Jesus arose from the grave on Easter morning. He is alive." The Holy Spirit helped that boy.

Let us remember that we also have the Holy Spirit to help us.

Amen.