Pastor Scott Andrews | November 2, 2025
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Luke 12:4-7
Today is November 2 – two days after Reformation Day. If you’ve been around awhile, you know Reformation Day – October 31 – is one of my very favorite days. You’ve perhaps heard me say how thankful we should be that we live on this side of Bethlehem, this side of the cross, and this side of Reformation Day. You see, you could have lived in 1516 and never heard the gospel. As many of you know, Tana and I were able to lead our very first Reformation Tour in September, traveling through many European countries and cities where the Reformation took place.
Now, I have a collage of pictures in my office that Ebbie Hendrix gave me – it was a picture that hung for some time in her father’s office who was a pastor– and she thought I’d like to have it. I treasure it. It has some important reformers, like John Calvin, John Knox and Ulrich Zwingli, among others. When I returned from the reformation tour, the staff had had some fun with that picture. Actually, they took that picture down and duplicated it, replacing those Reformers with pictures of men on the ABF staff. Only, they used AI to transform those staff pictures to look like 16th Century Protestant Reformers. They wanted to see how long it would take me to notice – I noticed right away the morning I returned, because staring me in the face was a black reformer in a monk’s habit with a tonsure haircut. (Pic). Look closely, and you’ll see Pastor Dom.
Here are the others for your enjoyment – first without the names to see if you can recognize any…here are their names. So much fun – had to share them. Notice – doesn’t it look like Michael and Clayton are getting ready to kill some heretics? By the way, Nicholas also fed AI with the women on staff – their pictures were not as flattering. But I’m sure for the right price, Nicholas would be happy to share them with you.
That was just for fun – it goes to show what happens when I’m away – when the cat’s away, the mice will play. Back to the Reformation. While there were some pre-reformers who recognized there was significant doctrinal and behavioral corruption in the Church, it was Martin Luther who, on October 31, 1517, posted the 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany that was the proverbial shot heard round the world. Please notice the event was called the Protestant Reformation – it was the early Reformers desire to reform the biblically and doctrinally corrupt church. The church, however, was not interested, and so the church divided and unfortunately has been dividing ever since.
That date thrust Luther and others into the European limelight that has lasted to the present day. For the next few years, Luther became more strident in his opposition to indulgences, purgatory, papal authority, the seven sacraments, veneration of saints, Mariolatry, etc. From his and other writings emerged the motto of the Protestant Reformation, Post Tenebras Lux – After Darkness Light and the movement’s guiding principles: Sola Scriptura, Soli Gratia, Soli Fide, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria – that is, Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, and to God the be the Glory Alone. Said otherwise, justification comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as declared in Scripture alone, to God to be the glory alone.
Well, as Luther became more vociferous through his writings in opposition to the doctrinal errors and sinful practices in the Church, he was eventually threatened with excommunication by Pope Leo X in 1520 in a Papal Bull or decree entitled Ex Surge Domine – Arise O Lord. When Luther received the decree in October of that year, he was given 60 days to recant his positions and writings. He responded by publicly burning the bull on the 60th day on December 10. He was therefore excommunicated in January 1521 and summoned to the Diet of Worms where he would face the two most powerful institutions of his day – the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire. Charles V, the newly-named Holy Roman Emperor was actually at the Diet.
The Diet of Worms took place in April 1521. Martin Luther left Wittenberg to attend the Diet, some 300 miles to the southwest. He fully expected he was going to his death. You see, 106 years previously, a priest from Prague named Johann Huss was similarly called to the Council of Constance and given the promise of safe passage to and from the council. But when he arrived, he was quickly arrested and burned at the stake in 1415. Luther expected the same fate. So, here’s the question – how could he go? Expecting the same fate as Johann Huss, who by the way, taught some of the same things Luther was teaching, how could he go?
Further, when Luther arrived in Worms on April 16, he was summoned before the council the next day – April 17. As he went into the crowded hall, there Johann von Eck, representing the Catholic Church, met him. There on the table were spread Luther’s works, which were quite numerous by this time. He was asked two questions: first, are these your works? Luther glanced over them and affirmed that they were. Second question, do you recant what you have written?
Luther began to tremble, and asked permission of the Council 24 hours to give his reply. The Emperor Charles V granted the request. Why, at that moment, did Luther tremble? He had just made the 300-mile trip to Worms. His friends had warned him not to go, fearing the fate that awaited him – certain death. Luther had replied, “If there are as many devils in Worms as tiles on the housetops I will still go there.” So, why the trembling now – why the sudden fear? Was it because he stood before these two powerful institutions? Was it because he feared death?
No. Luther went back to his room and wrestled through the night of April 17. You see, when faced with the question, do you recant, he began questioning himself – am I alone right? It was Luther contra mundum – Luther against the world. Was he right? He wasn’t wrestling with the thought of death, he was wrestling with God’s truth.
The next morning, April 18, he arose with steel in his spine. When he made his way back to the Diet that afternoon, they had to move it to a different room since so many were there. It was literally standing room only, except for Emperor Charles. Johann von Eck asked Luther the same questions – are these your writings? Yes, Luther replied. Eck followed, do you recant them? Luther began to explain that they were of different sorts or kinds. Eck interrupted, “I ask you Martin—answer candidly and without horns—do you or do you not repudiate your books and the errors which they contain?” Luther responded with those famous words – first in German, then in Latin:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they often err and contradict themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen.”
The Diet erupted. Dr. Eck could hardly be heard above the pandemonium. The emperor rose from his seat, showing little patience with Luther. The next day, Charles told his courtiers that he could not see how a single monk could be right and the testimony of a thousand years of Christendom be wrong. The Emperor’s Edict of Worms was released. Luther was free to return to Wittenberg – given 21 days to return safely. But after that, he was fair game. Burn his books, seize his belongings, and kill him.
What’s my point in all that, besides the fact this could be considered a Reformation Sunday? Simply this: Luther understood the truth of the text before us today in Luke 12. He understood whom to fear, and whom not to fear. Read the text with me – Luke 12:4-7.
This has become one of my favorite texts, and you say, really? I will explain. Jesus is making His last trip to Jerusalem. Like Luther, He expected certain death. Unlike Luther, certain death awaited – God ordained that His Son would die for the sins of His people. It will take a few months for Jesus and His disciples to arrive. Along the way, three things are happening. First, Jesus continues to heal those in need. Second, the religious opposition continues to rise. And third, He continues to teach His disciples and prepare them for His departure. In fact, those last two are somewhat related. As the opposition rises leading to His death, He teaches His disciples, and prepares them not only for His death and departure, He prepares them for the inevitable opposition that will rise against them as His followers. How do they, how do we respond? He prepares them in two ways:
I. First, with the Warning of Opposition and Rightly-placed Fear (4-5)
II. Second, with the Promise of the Father’s Care in the midst of Opposition for His People (6-7). It is, after all, how Luther was able to face seemingly certain death – because he had a rightly-placed fear and a well-placed certainty in God’s care for him.
This is an incredible passage. There is a sense in which Jesus puts the fear of God in them, and follows that with the love and care of God for them. By the way, please notice the Trinitarian approach in these next few verses – The Father in our text today, the Son in verses 8-9, and the Spirit in verses 10-12.
But today, the Father. The disciples are certainly aware of the rising opposition. The end of chapter 11 finished with Jesus pronouncing a series of woes against the Pharisees and the Lawyers – the religious leaders of the day. Not the best way to build a spiritual movement. These religious leaders began to be very hostile toward Jesus, plotting against Him and seeking ways to destroy Him.
Under these circumstances, a large crowd of many thousands gathered around Jesus. But Jesus turned His attention to His disciples. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Don’t be hypocrites like them – follow Me. And when you do, you will face certain opposition. And so, under the Trinitarian person of the Father, you will be tempted to have a misplaced fear. Under the Son, in this rising opposition, you will be tempted to deny. Under the Spirit, you will be tempted to blaspheme. Don’t succumb to any of that.
First, have a rightly-placed fear. Verse 4, “I say to you, My friends.” This is the only place in the gospel of Luke, in fact in all the synoptic gospels, that Jesus calls them His friends. Meaning, He actually begins with much encouragement. You see, in the Roman culture of the day, to be a friend of the emperor was a big deal. You were safe, else face the full might of the Roman Empire. Everyone knew that. Here, Jesus says, you are My friends. That meant something incredible – you are safe, else they fact the full might of God’s attention and ultimate retribution. You’re okay – what’s the worst they can do?
Since you are My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more they can do. Yes, there is rising opposition – but what’s the worst they can do? Kill you. All that will do is speed your trip to heaven and the presence of God. I suggested this during the early days of Covid when the prognostications were hundreds of millions of deaths worldwide – millions in our country. Was that a time for misplaced fear? What did Paul say in Philippians 1 when he faced potential martyrdom? Let it come – to depart and be Christ is better by far. Believers need not fear death – it’s simply doorway into the presence of God. It’s the worst our opponents can do.
And so, we need not fear those who oppose us, even to the point of martyrdom. They have no power after physical death to do anything. Rather, verse 5, “But I warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed you, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Notice, Jesus uses the word fear five times in this passage. He starts by telling us whom we need not fear – those who only have authority which ends with death. Rather – three times in verse 5 – I’ll tell you whom to fear – the One who has the authority to inflict physical death and also has the authority to give spiritual death – in hell. Yes, fear Him.
Let’s be clear – Jesus is talking about the Father. He’s not talking about Satan. Nowhere are we told to fear Satan. We are to be aware of his wiles and deceptions, we are to resist him by coming near to God. Further, Satan is not the ruler of hell, and it is not his hell, it is the place of his future judgment. All these pictorial depictions of Satan sitting on a throne in hell, flames around, demons serving – is false. Hell is not Satan’s kingdom – he will be eternally judged there. Further, Satan has no power to cast anyone into hell – he doesn’t even have the power to keep himself out of hell. No – Jesus is talking about God the Father. He is the only One who can kill and cast the sinner into hell. There is a mild assent to the truth that our good God is ultimately sovereign over death, even our own.
The word for hell is the word Gehenna. The Valley of Hinnom, to the southwest of Jerusalem was at first the valley where idolatrous Israelites, to include some of their kings, would sacrifice their own children in the fire to Molech. Later, after King Josiah’s reforms when he tore down the idols and altars and purged Israel of this atrocity, the valley became the place where refuse was burned – it was a garbage dump, where even dead criminals were cast. It was a place of perpetual fire, and became the perfect name for hell – Gehenna, the place of eternal fire where the worm does not die.
This is one of the clearest places where Jesus – who talks about hell more than anyone – talks about its reality. It’s not a metaphor – it is a place of conscious, eternal punishment. So Jesus says, fear the One who not only kills – again don’t miss that – there is no physical death without God’s sovereign control – fear the One who not only kills, but then has authority to cast the sinner into hell for eternal punishment. There is reason to fear that – yes, fear Him.
I told you last time we were in Luke there was a time when preachers were not fearful of speaking of the reality, the horrors, and possibility of hell. Few do so today, as most don’t want to hear of the wrath of God. And yet, Jesus here uses God’s wrath as reason to fear. And by the way, we have become adept at redefining the fear of God as simply reverence or awe. While it includes those ideas, the word fear here means to have a holy dread of what God can and will do.
I mentioned Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon during the Great Awakening, a revival of the 18th Century. Edwards was a pastor in Northampton, Massachusetts and a brilliant theologian. I read again his sermon titled Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God. He paints a vivid picture of the wrath of God in the fires of hell that are imminently difficult to read. But as I read through the portion that talks about God’s anger rightly poised against unregenerate, rebellious sinners, Edwards quotes Luke 12:4-5. He was instilling rightly-placed fear in his listeners. Fear God.
There is a story told of Hugh Latimer, the 17th Century English reformer. Once, when he was preaching, he noticed that King Henry VIII was present. Latimer later wrote in his diary that he said to himself, “Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the king is here; be careful what you say.” Then, he said to himself, “Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the King of kings is here; be careful what you do not say.” Latimer had his fear in the right place. By the way, Latimer was eventually burned at the stake. Which is the worst that King Henry VIII could do to him. But what could God do to the likes of King Henry? Get your fear right.
Another English reformer, sentenced to die for preaching the gospel of grace, John Hooper was encouraged by his friends to recant. Fearing not those who could only kill the body, Hooper replied, “Life is sweet and death is bitter. But eternal life is more sweet, and eternal death is more bitter.” Get your fear right.
One final reformer who was said to have his fear in the right place. As John Knox, the great reformer of Scotland, was being lowered into the grave, the Regent of Scotland spoke at his gravesite saying, “Here lies one who feared God so much that he never feared the face of man.”
Again, we don’t much fear God anymore. We would much rather hear of the love of God – which is appropriate. But here, Jesus tells us to fear God. All over the Bible, we read things like the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. We find when Moses came face to face with God, God told him to take of his sandals, because he was standing on holy ground. In Isaiah, when he had his vision of the throne room of God, he cried out, woe is me, for I am undone. I know, you say, that was in the OT, before Christ. But when we go to the last book of the Bible, when the Apostle John has his vision of the resurrected Christ, he fell at His feet as though dead. A healthy fear of God – awe and reverence, yes, but actual fear of His sovereign might is in order.
But Jesus does not leave us quaking in fear. You can almost see His posture change, a smile spread across His lips. Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. A penny or cent was 1/16 of a day’s wages. The sparrow was considered food for the extremely poor. After all, sparrows are everywhere, but who would consider eating one. It would take several to make a meal. In Matthew’s account, Jesus says one penny for two sparrows. Apparently, if you had two cents, you got an extra one – five sparrows. What a deal.
In Matthew’s account, Jesus says, not one of these meaningless sparrows falls to the ground apart from your Father – that is, without His sovereign control and notice. In Luke, Jesus says not one of them is forgotten by God. Can you imagine how many sparrows there are in the world – He knows them all – none are forgotten. He provides food for them, and cares for His creatures, no matter how small or insignificant. Verse 7 – indeed, the very hairs of your head are numbered. The average head has around 100,000 hairs. He knows exactly how many – not because He counts them – that would presuppose He doesn’t know till He counts. Nope – He’s omniscient. He just knows. Take a shower, five go down the drain – He knows.
If He knows that seemingly insignificant detail of your life, don’t you think He knows about the big things in your life, like, opposition. The end of verse 7, Do not fear. Wait, He just told them to fear. Yes, fear God. But you need not fear anything in the world – to include death. After all, you are more valuable than many sparrows. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. My brothers and sisters, have a rightly-placed fear and a well-placed certainty in God’s love and care for you.
Let’s return to Martin Luther as we close. I suggested Luther was not afraid of physical death, although he lived under its threat for the rest of his life – from 1521 till 1546. There is a story told that when Luther’s writings were being circulated in which he condemned monasteries and convents; in which he condemned clerical celibacy, monasteries and convents began emptying out, especially in Germany. One such convent was found in Torgau in an abbey – part of the Cistercian order. It was about 30 miles southwest of Wittenberg, so the nuns there reached out to Luther and asked for his assistance to leave. On April 4, 1523, Luther had a fish monger named Leonard Koppe who delivered herring in barrels to the abbey to sneak the nuns out. The story is he delivered 12 barrels of herring and left with 12 barrels of nuns.
Koppe delivered the nuns to Wittenberg. Three of the twelve returned to their homes, but most of their families refused to take them back, fearing repercussion. So Luther set about getting them married off – and was successful with those who remained. By 1525, there was only one nun left. Katharina von Bora.
Oh, not because Luther didn’t try to play matchmaker for her. The truth is, Katharina had more than one suitor – but she always demurred. History tells us she did want to get married – but she only had eyes for Martin Luther. Finally, Luther relented. Oh, not because he didn’t care for her – but it was more a responsibility he fulfilled. The reason he didn’t want to get married? He thought he would become a martyr any day and did not want to leave a widow. Further, Philip Melancthon urged against it – suggesting it would just add scandal to the movement.
Well, as fate or God’s will have it, Luther decided to marry Katharina because, “it would please his father, rile the pope, cause the angels to laugh, and the devils to weep.” Further, he thought his marriage would seal his witness to Reformation truth regarding marriage. So 41-year-old Luther and 26-year-old Katharina got married on June 13, 2025. Luther says when he woke up the next morning and saw pigtails on the pillow lying next to him, he thought, “What have I done?”
But something happened he never expected. He fell madly in love with Katharina. He called her my dear Katie. They moved into the Black Monastery of the former Augustinian order. It contained the dormitory and the educational hall. With all the comings and goings of guests/students at her house, Katie proved to be an able administrator and wonderful homemaker. She bred and sold cattle, and she had a brewery in their home. She raised chickens and pigs for their needs, and gardened faithfully, tended an orchard, raising and growing much of their food. She was responsible for the family finances and running the household, freeing Luther to run a Reformation.
Their home was a happy place filled with music and catechism where husband and wife, mother and father loved each other and their children. As you may know, Luther did not die a martyr’s death, and he and Katharina spent 21 years together. He once said of his wife, “In domestic affairs I defer to Katie. Otherwise, I am led by the Holy Spirit.”
None of that has much to do with the sermon, other than to encourage you to be thankful for your wives and children. Two years later, Luther sat down to write again. It was 1527, and he was reflecting on all God had done in the decade of this new movement. It caused him to write this time a song in praise to God, one of the best ever written, one you likely know, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Verse 4 ends the hymn with these words:
That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever!
Let’s pray.