Consequences can be very serious.
"Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. 'Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith." Mark 6:1-6
They knew He did miracles and knew He preached truth but instead of believing in Him they were offended by Him.
"17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[a]; yet he liked to listen to him." Mark 6:17-20
John is preaching the truth. Even though Herod knows John is right and righteous, to make Herodias happy he imprisons John. It's easier to go against John than Herodias. Herod is actually going against God.
Expectations vs. Reality
1. Israelites escape slavery in Egypt: God got them through the Red Sea. They had a great celebration -- a few days later they were grumbling.
"22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[a]) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”" Exodus 15:22-24
Moses is so overwhelmed by their sinful grumbling he sins himself and doesn't get to enter The Promised Land!
2. Jesus Calls the Disciples: They think -- miracle working Messiah, Yeah! Life will be Good.
"17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:17-22
Consequences are a natural result of a fallen world.
"23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23
Consequences of sin? Of course.
Consequences of truth? Are you ready for them?
"20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a]23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:20-24
We are called to be dead to sin.
Consequences after ...Happily ever after? Christ was arrested, tried and crucified. He told them it was going to be rough.
"19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:19-20
You're following -- you will lead. Spirit gives us new perspective. Truth is more important than consequences. Salvation, Forgiveness and the Love of God -- preaching this is our job but there will be consequences. Speaking the truth -- earthly consequence is death.
2021 -- more martyrs in our time than ever before. Will you speak the truth irregardless of consequences? Our life, our goal is to stay steadfast. Be good soil.
"7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11
Everything in my life is gone. Good riddance. And then He met Jesus. Jesus, I'm Yours. Then everything else was rubbish. Finish the race. That is our happily ever after.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
Go, go go. Get rid of the junk. And go. Run the race.
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31
Speak the truth. Don't blow it off. Just speak. Help me to step out in boldness. I'm not here to make the world happy. We need to keep running our race -- never stop