THE DANGER OF FEARING MAN

John 12:42-50

I. (v.42-43) A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF FEARING MAN

1. The ROOT of the problem – “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God”
2. The FRUIT of the problem – they were controlled by men rather than God

1. Who were they afraid of? “The Pharisees”
2. What were they afraid of? “lest they should be put out of the synagogue”
3. What did they do as a result? “they did not confess Him”

a. They were peers

b. They were experts

c. They were popular

d. They were manipulative

a. There were social consequences

b. There were religious consequences

c. There were personal consequences

II. (v.44-50) THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF FEARING GOD

v.49 – “the Father who sent Me gave Me a command”

1. Jesus knew that the Father had sent Him
2. Jesus obeyed the Father’s will

Conclusion: Jesus went to the cross in spite of the three things that many people fear:

1. Shame
2. Rejection
3. Physical harm