Fear not little flock

[0:00] We shall turn again for a short time this evening to the chapter which we write together, Luke chapter 12. And I would like us to focus our meditation this evening on the words of verse 32.

[0:17] Gospel of Luke chapter 12 and verse 32. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

[0:33] Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And I would like, as the Lord enables us, to focus on the counsel of the Lord to fear not.

[0:49] And then secondly, to look at this little flock. And thirdly, to focus on the Father's good pleasure. You see, this counsel of the Lord Jesus we find frequently in the scriptures.

[1:08] And throughout the scriptures, we are told to fear not. Fear not. How often the Lord encourages his disciples not to fear.

[1:22] Now fear is something that we all struggle with. We are besieged by fear. Fear entered the experience of man in the Garden of Eden.

[1:39] When Adam transgressed God's holy law. When Adam sinned. Fear took hold of the heart of man.

[1:54] And there we find Adam in the Garden. And he turns his back on his Maker. On his Creator. And he goes and tries to hide himself amongst the trees of the Garden.

[2:12] Wrathed with guilt. Guilt for his sin. Conscious of his sin. He seeks to hide from God.

[2:24] And then we hear these words from his lips. I was afraid. I was afraid. There he is, temperated.

[2:37] From the fellowship. And the communion that he had previously enjoyed. And fear takes hold of his heart. And there is Adam.

[2:50] The federal head of mankind. Representing mankind. And this fear that Adam experiences.

[3:03] Is passed down to all of his descendants. Fear not, the Lord says. It's a comforting word here.

[3:16] From the Saviour to his little band of disciples. Fear not. And though we have the grace of God. In our hearts this evening.

[3:28] Let us not mean that all fear is dispelled. There is no guarantee. That being found in Christ. That we are not afflicted by fear.

[3:40] We have many fears. And the Lord in this passage. Highlights. Highlights. A number of fears. In verse 4.

[3:52] He says. Do not fear those who kill the body. And after that. Have nothing more that they can do. But fear him.

[4:03] Who after he has killed. Has authority to cast into hell. Yes I tell you. Fear him. He brings us to the fear of man.

[4:14] And he shows us how we ought to fear God. And he shows us. How intimately the Lord looks upon the affairs of his people.

[4:25] When he speaks of two sparrows being sold for two pennies. And not one of them will fall to the ground without our Father in heaven knowing.

[4:37] And he says. Of what value then are you? All you are valued to the Lord. He says. He says that even the hairs of your head are numbered by him.

[4:52] You, friend, are of more value to him than many sparrows. In verse 11. He says. When they bring you before the synagogues.

[5:04] The rulers. The authorities. Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself. Or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what you want to say.

[5:18] Well, friends. Isn't this so applicable to the day in which we are. When we see the persecution of Christians for their faith.

[5:32] And many have been persecuted and been brought even before the authorities in our land. But the Lord says. Do not fear. For he has given to us his comforter.

[5:46] And even at that hour of trial. He will deal with us. And the promised comforter. Will tell us what we ought to say.

[5:57] In verse 22. He says to his disciples. Do not be anxious about your life. What you will eat. About your body.

[6:09] What you will put on. For life is more. Than food. And the body is more than clothing. He asked them to consider the ravens.

[6:22] They do not sow. They do not plant. They do not harvest. They don't have storehouses or barns. But the Lord provides for each and every one of them.

[6:37] And if he provides for the ravens. Will he not provide for you. Why be anxious. Why be anxious.

[6:47] About having clothing to put on. He says look at the lilies. Consider the lilies. How they grow. They toil not. Neither do they spin.

[6:58] And I tell you that not even King Solomon. In all of his glory was arrayed like one of these. So he asks us not to be fearing.

[7:11] About the temporal things of life. We should not be consumed with fear. Little flock he says.

[7:24] Do not fear. For it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. We have this parable then.

[7:38] Of the foolishness of worldly mindedness. As we presented with the rich young farmer. We are all familiar with the rich young farmer.

[7:52] And how he focused his life. On getting more and more from the land. He was not content with what he had.

[8:02] But he always wanted more. And he built for himself bigger barns. To hold all his goods. And he said to his soul.

[8:15] Soul take thy needs. You have many goods stored up for many years. Eat, drink and be merry. But what did God say.

[8:26] Of that young man. God said thou fool. Thou fool. This day thy soul shall be required of thee.

[8:38] And then whose shall all these things be. Well is that not so typical of the day and generation that we live in.

[8:51] Men and women are consumed. With filling their lives with material possessions. And they think that if they have this latest gadget or piece of technology.

[9:06] That they'll be happy. And they fill their lives. With things of this world. To the neglect of the needs of their soul. And he brings before us.

[9:21] What our great need is. The great need of man. Is to be found right with God. To be found in Christ.

[9:33] We ought to be like the Apostle Paul. Who could say. I have learned in whatever state I am. Therewith to be content.

[9:44] Our Father in heaven will provide. For all of the temporal needs of his people.

[9:54] The man who can say in his soul tonight. The Lord is my shepherd. It's the man that can say with confidence.

[10:07] I shall not want. Because this is the shepherd. The Lord takes care of each and every one of his flock. The psalmist could say.

[10:20] I have been young. And now I'm old. And yet I have never seen. The righteous forsaken. Nor his seed begging for bread.

[10:35] The Lord takes care. Of those that are his own. But there are many believers. In this world. Who are besieged by fear.

[10:48] They are like John Bunyan's Mr. Fearing. Always fearing. Always anxious. Always worried. Always concerned. Though there are many reasons.

[11:00] That give cause for fear. In our souls. There are some who fear. That they are standing before God.

[11:12] And they ask. If they are found in Christ. Or if they are not. They have this great fear. That they are not in Christ. They ask.

[11:24] Am I saved? There are others who fear. That they didn't start out. A right in the Christian life.

[11:34] They hear testimonies. They hear testimonies. Of others. And they have no experience. Like the Apostle Paul. On the Damascus road.

[11:45] When he met with Jesus. They didn't have the experience. Of John Newton. Nor the Philippian jailer. And they question.

[11:57] Whether the Lord. Ever began. A work in their souls. Perhaps. They had an experience. That was more akin.

[12:08] To the experience. Of Lydia. Whose heart. Was gradually. Opened. By the Lord. God. And slowly. They were drawn.

[12:20] To the things of God. And drawn to God. It was such a slow. And gradual conversion. That they cannot say. The day. Nor the hour.

[12:31] Where they came to faith. Reverend Woodrow Campbell. Says. In one of his books. That God. Is as effectually present.

[12:42] In the dew. Of his grace. As he is. In the stroke. Of his sword. Or the thunder. Of his power. God.

[12:53] Is as effectually present. In the dew. In the still. And calm. Working of his grace. As he is. With his thundering. Powerful voice.

[13:06] Maybe you fear. Tonight. And this is your fear. That you were never. Really converted. That you've. Never found. Christ. For yourself.

[13:19] Well. Spurgeon. Says. We do not. Need to know. The day. Of our birth. To know. That we are alive. And what is.

[13:32] True of the natural. Is true of the spiritual. Maybe you can't. Tell the day. Or the hour. When you came. To Christ. Christ. But friend.

[13:43] If your desire. And if your love. Is for the Lord. Then you have evidences. Of the grace of God. In your life. Some feel.

[13:55] Some feel. That the rest. Of God's people. Have something. That they lack. They feel. That they have less. Than all. Of the rest. Of God's.

[14:05] People. They love. The company. Of these people. They love. Their fellowship. But they fear. That they are not. One of their number.

[14:17] That they are outsiders. Church. There are some. That fear. That they were not. Elect. They were not.

[14:29] Called by God. Now we are asked. In scripture. To make our calling. And our election. Sure. There was a question.

[14:40] Meeting. Once took place. In the north. Of Scotland. And this was the text. That they had. At that question. Meeting. Make your calling.

[14:50] And your election. Sure. Because this is something. That many struggle with. Within the church of God. And there was an old man.

[15:04] An old. Retired soldier. In the company. That day. And he was asked. To speak to the question. And he's mentioned.

[15:15] When he spoke. That he received. That he received. Regularly. As a pension soldier. The king's allowance. And he said.

[15:29] That he had never seen his name. In the great book. In London. But the fact. That week by week.

[15:40] He was provided. With his allowance. And his purse. And his purse. Contained the king's coins. That that was an evidence.

[15:52] That his book was there. In that. That his name was there. In that book. In London. Similarly. He said. It is true of God's people.

[16:06] There are those. Who receive. That portion of grace. That portion of grace. In life. They receive. That portion of grace. And that in itself.

[16:18] Is a proof. That their name. Is to be found. In the Lamb's book of life. Oh there are many. Of God's dear people.

[16:29] Who live their lives. Under the shadow of fear. Under the shadow of fear. And anxiety. Hector Macphail of Resolus.

[16:42] Was once preaching a sermon. And he was preaching on this. Cry of Job. That cry of despair. Oh that I knew.

[16:54] Where I might find him. And Dr. Hector Macphail asked. Where can we find Christ for Job? Well he said.

[17:06] Surely we can find him. In that cry of Job's heart. In that cry. Oh that I knew. Where I might find him.

[17:19] Friends. We must remember. That the natural man. Does not want. The things of God. He does not desire. The things of God.

[17:30] The things of God. Are foolishness. To the natural man. But to the man. Who has been born. By God's grace.

[17:41] The word of God. Is the power of God. Unto salvation. To all who believe. Sometimes our fears.

[17:53] Our anxieties. Our worries. Are in themselves. A token. That we are in Christ. There are others.

[18:05] Of God's. Flock. Who fear. Because of the dark. Providences. That afflict them in life. They meet with these hard.

[18:20] Difficult providences. And they ask. Why has that. Been placed. In their portion. In God's plan. And though God.

[18:33] Assures us. In his word. That all things. Work together. For good. To those. That believe in him. Sometimes.

[18:44] The Lord's people. Are like Jacob. Where he was. Bowed down. With grief. And where he cried. All things. Are against me.

[18:56] Sometimes. That is how we feel. Fear. Takes hold. And with fear. That everything. Is against us. But the Lord.

[19:07] Calls us. Not to fear. Fear not. But by faith. To seek. After. The kingdom.

[19:17] Of God. Fear not. Little flock. Can we look at this. Little flock. Of God. Here is the Lord.

[19:31] Jesus. With his little. Band of disciples. These ordinary men. These fishermen.

[19:44] They were not. Held highly. By society. Society. Society did not. Regard them. But notice. Friends. How kind.

[19:55] How kindly. The Lord. Jesus. Speaks. To this group. Of men. How tender. He is. In his words.

[20:05] With them. They are here. The few. Number. Father. But he calls them. His flock. They are.

[20:16] His flock. And by calling them. His flock. He makes himself. Their shepherd. The Lord.

[20:27] Is their shepherd. Notice in this. Little verse. Verse 32. We have there. Christ. In his office.

[20:38] As a shepherd. Fear not. Little flock. If there. If his people. Are the flock. Then he is their shepherd.

[20:49] For it is your father's. Good pleasure. He is our father. He is our shepherd. To give you the kingdom. Well if there is our kingdom.

[21:00] Then he is the king. He is. Our shepherd. He is our father. He is our king. As a shepherd.

[21:10] Christ. He will take care. Of his little flock. He will feed them. He will tend. To their needs. He will protect them.

[21:21] For they are. Every one of them. Precious to him. Not one of them. Can be lost. How many there are.

[21:33] That are cast down. And despondent. When they look at. How small. The church of Christ. Seems. In our day. But he says to us.

[21:44] Be not afraid. Perhaps you can remember. Better days. Days. Where the churches. Were full. Where there were those.

[21:55] That believed in Christ. In almost every house. In your village. And now. They number. Such a small. A small group. But remember.

[22:09] That Christ. Has always. Got a small flock. They are a small flock. That believe in him. And he has often. Displayed his richest.

[22:20] Blessings. Where there are two. Or three. Gathered in his name. Christ's flock. Friends. Is a small flock. Whether it's in a congregation.

[22:33] Of five. You're to be found. Or a congregation. Of five thousand. It's a small flock. When you compare. That number. To the multitudes.

[22:43] That know not God. Those that are to be found. That great mass. Of unbelievers. That surround us. That are millions.

[22:54] Who do not know God. And when we see. The church decline. And the world. Becoming more. And more antagonistic. Towards the gospel.

[23:06] Maybe we are. We tend to fear. And this little band. Of disciples. They had left all.

[23:17] To follow Christ. They left their boats. They left their nets. They left all that they had. And they followed him. They were poor men.

[23:28] And like their master. Here they are. And they have not. A place where to lay their hands. They had little prestige. They had no.

[23:41] Social status. Education. Influence. But when the Holy Ghost. Was given to these men. And they spoke.

[23:52] With their country accents. They were accompanied. With great power. And these were the men. That the Lord had selected.

[24:04] To turn the world upside down. To convert the world. Believers. Are a little flock.

[24:14] They always wear a little flock. Those that believed in the Lord. Since the beginning of the world. Straight is the gate. Narrows the way.

[24:26] And few there be that find it. And here is Christ. With his little flock of disciples. Notice how Christ. Often speaks sternly.

[24:38] He speaks. Sternly. To those who are out with. Those who are out with the camp. But he speaks kindly.

[24:50] Graciously. Lovingly. To his own disciples. He opens his heart. To this little band of brothers.

[25:02] And he shares all with them. Didn't he say to them. On one occasion. If it were not so. I would have told you. He reveals to them.

[25:15] What he receives from the Father. He has sympathy. With his little flock. The world despises them.

[25:26] The world ridicules them. But how precious. This little group are. In the eyes of the Savior. This little flock of God.

[25:40] Are often persecuted. They are often mocked. Ridiculed. Here on earth. Like their master. They are despised.

[25:52] They are despised. And rejected of men. And if we are members. Of this. Flock of Christ. Then we ought not.

[26:03] To be afraid. For we have been entrusted. With great. And precious promises. In scripture. If you are in Christ.

[26:13] Today. Then all things are yours. God is yours. Christ is yours. Greater are those.

[26:24] That are for us. Than those. That are against us. The world. The flesh. And the devil. Are our enemies. But with Christ.

[26:37] As our shepherd. Taking care for us. We have no cause to fear. Perhaps. As a believer.

[26:48] Tonight. You feel. That you have. So little love. For the Lord. You're of. Such little usefulness. In the service. Of Christ.

[26:59] You have such little. Holiness. In your life. Compared to what. You ought to have. But friend. Even in your weakness. If you are.

[27:11] One of Christ's shape. Weak as you are. Christ says to you. Fear not. Not many great.

[27:23] According to the flesh. Were ever numbered. Amongst this flock. Not many great. Not many mighty. Not many nobles. I've called. God has chosen.

[27:35] The poor. And the meek. And the lowly. And he enriches them. With the gifts. Of his kingdom. For it is your father's.

[27:47] Good pleasure. To give you. The kingdom. The kingdom. Notice that he says. Your father's. Your father's. He doesn't say.

[27:58] It's my father's. Good pleasure. To give you the kingdom. He says. It is your father's. Good pleasure. To give you. The kingdom.

[28:11] He recognizes here. That intimate relationship. That he has. With his disciples. And if God is their father.

[28:24] And his father. Then he becomes their brother. He puts himself. On an equal footing.

[28:35] With the disciples. In this regard. They beheld his glory. As he dwelt amongst them. The glory.

[28:46] Of the only begotten. Of the father. Full of grace. And truth. And when the Lord. Departed. From his. Disciples. His believing people.

[28:58] The comforter. Came into their experience. To console them. Notice. The words here. It is your father's. Good pleasure.

[29:09] To give you the kingdom. He doesn't. Grudgingly. Accept them. Into the kingdom. Of heaven. It is his.

[29:21] Good pleasure. To give them. The kingdom. He is not. Unwilling. To receive them. They have not. Given a cold. Reception. From the father. No.

[29:32] No. He rejoices. Over. This little. Flock. As members. Of his own. Beloved son. As they believe.

[29:45] In this. Son of his. His beloved son. In whom he is well. Placed. He sees all of their. Children. In Christ.

[29:56] And he welcomes them. Into the kingdom. With exceeding joy. With exceeding joy. Well friend. Are you a member. Of Christ's little flock.

[30:06] Tonight. Are you numbered. Amongst that. Number of his sheep. Well if you are. Amongst them. Then you ought not.

[30:17] To be afraid. Here friend. Is the only kingdom. That is worth. That is worth. Laboring for. There are many.

[30:28] In our world. Who labor. For their own kingdoms. Of the kingdoms. Of this world. But here. We have a kingdom. Which has foundations. Whose builder.

[30:40] And whose maker. Is God. You see. The kingdoms. Of this world. They rise. And they fall. We saw that. With the great empire. The Roman empire.

[30:54] The British empire. There were times. Where they rose. And times. Where they fell. But here. Is a kingdom. That shall stand.

[31:05] Forever. The kingdom. Of God. Here. Is a kingdom. That will not. Pass away. You know. Those who are. Preoccupation.

[31:16] Fight. With the kingdoms. Of this world. And they put. All their energies. Into these kingdoms. And have no word. Of the kingdom. Of God. They're like children.

[31:29] Building sand. Castles. By the seashore. Building castles. In the sand. And very soon. These castles. These kingdoms.

[31:40] Will be swept away. But God's kingdom. Shall endure. And shall endure. And shall endure. Always. Do you belong. To the kingdom. Of God.

[31:50] Tonight. Do you live. For the kingdom. Of God. Or how we ought to. Seek the increase. Of this kingdom. How we ought to.

[32:02] Exhort. Our neighbors. Our friends. Our families. To seek. First. The kingdom. The kingdom. Of God. Well.

[32:14] If we're seeking. This kingdom. Of God. Tonight. Then we do not live. As though we are. Nothing in this world. But a body. We live like those.

[32:27] That have. A never dying soul. A soul. That is to be lost. Or saved. A death. That we must die. A God.

[32:39] To meet. A judgment. To experience. And an eternity. In heaven. Or in hell. Let us not fear.

[32:51] Friends. About earthly things. Your father. Has given you. A kingdom. And that kingdom. Is worth. More than all.

[33:01] The gold. Of this world. I heard. A story. Once. About a man. And he was.

[33:11] This was in the 19th century. He was employed. As a street sweeper. In one of the great cities. Of the UK. He was a diligent.

[33:24] And a hard worker. And he had bought. For himself. A broom. A broom. And it was with this broom. That he earned. To slough. And he took great care of it.

[33:36] He had paid. A few pence. To purchase. This broom. And one day. As he was. Sweeping the streets.

[33:48] He felt a tap. On his shoulder. And he turned round. And this was a solicitor. From the town. And the solicitor.

[33:58] Asked him. Are you Mr. So and so? And he said. Yes I am. And the solicitor. Asked him. Did your father. Loom in such and such a place?

[34:10] And he said. Yes. He did. And he asked him. Did your brother. Loom in such and such a place? And he said. Yes. He said. He did. Well the solicitor.

[34:21] Sent. I have pleasure. In telling you. That you have. Come into an estate. That is worth. Ten thousand pounds. A year.

[34:34] And with that. This man left his work. And he left his broom. Those things. That he had counted. As precious before.

[34:45] In light of this inheritance. His perception. On the things. That were of value. Changed. Friends.

[34:58] Is it not so. For those. Who are seeking. The kingdom of God. When we are seeking. A great inheritance. That God has prepared.

[35:10] For his people. Does our perception. Of the things. Of this world. And the things. The material things. Of life. Not change.

[35:20] Do we not seem. To build. For that kingdom. That shall endure. For a. Spurgeon says. We are on board.

[35:32] A ship. Today. We are going. To a land. Where every one of us. Shall be princes. And kings. And let us.

[35:43] Take courage. And take heart. Though the passage. Is rough. Though the wind. Is boisterous. There is a kingdom.

[35:53] In prospect. So let us. Make the best. Of the voyage. For where your treasure lives. There your heart.

[36:03] Will be also. We ought to live. In this world. Like servants. Who expects. Their master. To soon return.

[36:15] Fulfilling. All our duties. For the Lord. Well friends. Is that. How you live your life. Are you a member.

[36:27] Of this little. Flock of Christ. Maybe you are. And you feel. Your faith. Is like a. As small. As a grain. Of mustard. Seemed.

[36:40] But what a prospect. Awaits us. Have you come. To seek. The saviour. The one. Who is willing. To save. To the uttermost.

[36:50] All those. That come to him. By faith. Have you. Passed. From death. Unto life. Have you. Laid hold.

[37:01] On the righteousness. Of Christ. Have you. Laid hold. On the gospel. Of his grace. The Lord. Who is calling. Each and every one.

[37:12] To come. To him. That you might. Have life. And have it. More abundantly. Well. If you are a member. Of this little flock.

[37:23] The Lord. Says to you. Tonight. Fear not. Do not. Be anxious. Do not. Be afraid. The father.

[37:33] Delights. To freely. Give you. The kingdom. The kingdom. Of God. It was. Purchased.

[37:43] With a great. Price. It was. Purchased. With the blood. Of Christ. But it is. Freely. Given. To all. Those.

[37:55] That. Put their. Faith. In him. May God. Grant. That each. And every. One of us. Will be found. Numbered. Amongst. The sheep. Of Christ's. Floop. Let us. Pray. Gracious.

[38:11] And ever. Blessed. God. As we come. Into thy presence. Once more. This night. We thank thee. O Lord. For the warnings. And the comfort. Of scripture. We thank thee.

[38:22] That thou. Has provided. All that we need. For this life. And for eternity. In the gospel. Of thy son. We ask. That thou. Wouldst accept. Our worship. This night.

[38:33] That thou. O Lord. Would reveal. Thyself. Unto each of us. That thou. Wouldst purchase. Us. With thine own blood. That we would be. Brought. Into that.

[38:44] Flock of God. Hear. All the prayers. Of thy people. Here. And continue. With us. As we go. Into another week. That we would. Set Christ.

[38:55] Before us. That thou. O Lord. Would go. Before us. As the breaker. Up of our way. That thou. Would watch. Over us. And lead us. To thyself. Wash us.

[39:06] In the precious. Blood of Christ. For we ask. All in his name. And for his sake. Amen. We shall.

[39:17] Bring our service. To a close. Now singing. In Psalm. One hundred and forty. Psalm.

[39:28] One forty. Five. The second version. Of that psalm. Psalm. One forty. Five. Reading to sing.

[39:39] From verse. Nine. That's on page. Four hundred and forty. Four. Psalm. One forty.

[39:50] Five. The second version. At verse. Nine. Good unto all men is the Lord. Over all his works. His mercy is. Thy works all praise to thee afford.

[40:02] Thy saints. O Lord. Thy name shall bless. The glory of thy kingdom. Thy kingdom show. Shall they and of thy power tell. That so my son sustenance may know.

[40:13] His kingdom's grace that does excel. Thy kingdom hath none end at all. It does through ages all remain. The Lord upholdeth all that fall.

[40:26] The cast down raiseth up again. The eyes of all things Lord attend. And on thee waits that here do live. And thou in season do dost send.

[40:39] Sufficient food them to relieve. Yea thou thine hand dost open wide. And everything dost satisfy. That lives and does on earth abide.

[40:51] Of thy great liberality. The Lord is just in his ways all. And holy in his works each one. He is near to all that on him call.

[41:02] Who calleth truth on him alone. These verses to God's praise. Good unto all men is the Lord. Over all his works is mercy is. Good unto all men is the Lord.

[41:22] Over all his works is mercy is. Thy works of grace to thee afford.

[41:38] Thy sins, O Lord. Thy name shall bless. The glory of thy kingdom show.

[41:55] Shall thee and of thy power tell. Where will thy kingdom катgoes inization we?

[42:08] Hear thyoutez and God. Children with thy father to make the currentступ. Thy kingdom have 달라 drметic light.glied and o'er sacred esemp.

[42:20] Thy kingdom have reserved. Amen. Amen.

[43:25] Amen. Amen.

[44:25] Amen. Amen. Amen.