Sermon preached at West Side on June 15, 2014 am Adapted from sermon by Joe Price in the Spirit’s Sword, 12/21/12 Print Slides 2-6

Hiding Your Faith Psalm 25:1-5 “Let me not be ashamed” (2) Want to look at some examples of people who hid their faith, and ask why? It is not acceptable to God to be “ashamed” of our faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33), “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. “On you I wait all the day” (5) Our focus is to be on God. He is not to be ignored or sublimated

Peter hid his faith Matthew 26:69-75 Pride goes before a fall (Prov. 16:18) To deny Him who you know is tantamount to lying! (70,72,74) Leads to other sin (74) Earlier in the day, Peter had claimed, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble” (26:33) (Proverbs 16:18), “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (72), “I do not know the man” (74), “Then he began to curse and swear…”

People of Jerusalem hid their faith John 7:1-13 (esp. 13) Anything worthwhile brings opposition (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12) When we fear others we are allowing the faithless to define our faith. (13), “However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.” (2 Timothy 3:12), “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” It is appalling when mere opposition to a good thing can stop it in its tracks. Quote: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

rulers of Jerusalem hid their faith John 12:42-43 Honor from men was more important to them than honor from God (cf. John 5:39-47) In truth, God’s word has been confirmed, and the evidence is sufficient for the honest heart! (Acts 17:30-31), “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” However, some people allow other things (desire for men’s approval) to preclude their professing their faith. (READ John 5:39-47)

The one talent man hid his faith Matthew 25:24-27 He was afraid (25), but used his fear as an excuse (26). His fear condemned him (30) Entire account (Matthew 25:14-30) (25), “And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.” (26), “You wicked and lazy servant.” (Note: Fear can be overcame. However, for many, fear is simply a way of rationalizing and unwillingness to obey God!) (30), “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Conclusion If we desire eternal salvation, we must confess Jesus! (Matthew 10:32-33) (Matthew 10:32-33), “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.