Rev. David Holwick A
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
January 1, 2017
Matthew 11:12
CIRCLE OR STRIKE?
I. Circling the wagons.
A. It is a staple of Old West movies.
1) Pioneers prepare camp by putting their wagons in a circle.
2) Indians arrive and circle around taking potshots, but the
pioneers are protected by their wagons and Remingtons.
a) In the 1920s a movie director recruited some locals
to re-create a wagon train.
They brought wagons which their forefathers had actually
used to cross the Great Plains.
As the civilians acted out an Indian attack, one of the
women spontaneously picked up her child and hid him
in a large water barrel on the side of the wagon.
The director liked it so much he made it a prominent
scene in the film.
b) In reality, Indians were the least of their problems.
Pioneers circled their wagons to keep their animals
corralled at night.
Otherwise they would wander over all creation.
And that was the real Indian danger - cow theft.
Less than 350 pioneers were killed on wagon trains
from 1840 to 1860 - a higher number of Indians
were killed.
But pioneers were very fearful of Indians attacks and
armed themselves to the teeth.
Ironically, large numbers of them accidentally shot
themselves.
Disease was the biggest killer - 20,000 died from
diseases like cholera.
And although Hollywood wagon trains had huge water
barrels dangling off the wagon boxes, few historic
wagons carried more than a few gallons of water.
At eight pounds a gallon, it weighs too much.
The wagons would have tipped over.
[1]
B. We live in a “circle the wagons” period.
1) Around the world, societies are retrenching, becoming
defensive.
2) Should you?
II. There are reasons to hunker down.
A. We live in dangerous times.
1) I watched some of the Times Square festivities and in the
back of my mind, wondered if a bomb would go off.
2) Few people feel completely safe.
a) Political movements in Europe and the United States
are reacting against foreign entanglements.
b) People yearn for the “good old days.”
3) Some people feel VERY unsafe - “preppers.”
a) They often have a Christian background.
b) They expect the world to end violently, and soon.
c) They want to be ready for anything that comes.
d) Even less extreme people are wise to prepare for crisis.
B. Jesus also lived in troubled times.
1) He had many enemies and the opposition was increasing.
a) Even local people were becoming more hostile to him.
b) Some of his sayings reflect this.
2) Matthew 11:12 is one of the more difficult ones.
a) It can be translated several ways.
b) The newest version of the NIV puts it this way:
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the
kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,
and violent people have been raiding it.”
1> Shortly after this, John was beheaded in prison.
2> Jesus seems to be saying that the kingdom he has
been proclaiming is under attack.
3> The violent people would either be the persecutors,
or radical Zealots who were trying to take over
the Jesus movement from within and make it a
political weapon against Rome.
A> Many see Judas falling into this category.
III. Defensiveness is sometimes necessary and wise.
A. If you are under attack, you need to protect yourself.
1) Jesus spoke of the disciples needing to retrench (get swords)
after he was gone. (maybe the preppers have a point!)
2) I read a friend’s troubled Facebook post yesterday.
a) Few specifics were given, but they feel they are
facing great opposition and bad things may happen.
b) They asked for prayer.
c) Trouble at work? Bankruptcy? Fight with a relative?
All I know is that it wasn’t their spouse.
3) Even nations need to dial it back at times.
a) Changes can come so quickly we need to stop and get
our bearings.
b) Old attitudes and actions may not work anymore.
B. Life is not always “onward and upward.”
1) At times, “holding on” is the best you can hope for.
2) It is better than sliding backward.
IV. Defensiveness doesn’t have to be negative.
A. It gives you an opportunity to rebuild your foundations.
1) Reassess what you really want out of life.
a) I know people who have sought “demotions” at work so
they would have less stress and anxiety.
b) They earn less money, but they feel it is worth it
for the peace of mind they have gotten.
2) Is there anything out of balance in your life that is
causing you turmoil?
a) Consider your habits with money, your relationships,
your recreations...
b) What can you do about problem areas?
c) Bold changes can produce good results.
B. Your reassessment should include seeking God’s will.
1) Do you have a solid faith in God?
a) Not everyone genuinely believes in and loves God.
b) If you do believe in him, he can protect and guide you.
2) At Mision Latina’s New Years service last night - which
had over 100 in attendance - they focused on this verse,
Isaiah 41:10 --
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
a) Fear and discouragement are common factors in
defensiveness.
b) Make sure you are defending yourself with God’s
strength.
3) Don’t make rash decisions, but pray about it, study the
Bible, consult mature spiritual friends.
C. There can be strength and comfort in numbers.
1) Seek out people who support you and bring out the good
things in you.
2) I would hope that your church family could be an asset here.
V. There is another way to interpret the passage.
A. The original NIV translation hints at the power of overcoming.
1) 1984 version of Matthew 11:12 --
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the
kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing,
and forceful men lay hold of it.”
2) Instead of having force used against the kingdom, here the
kingdom is the one who is being forceful.
a) A Greek word in the sentence can give both senses.
b) So in this previous translation, the theme of violence
is changed to a theme of boldness or audacity.
c) God’s Kingdom is so awesome that people will do
dramatic things to get into it.
3) The Gospel of Luke’s parallel passage supports this
interpretation:
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John.
Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God
is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way
into it.” (Luke 16:16)
a) Here, the violence is replaced by strong preaching.
b) The “force” is the zeal of people to become saved.
c) Most scholars feel Matthew’s context requires the
harsher translation of the new NIV version, but the
context of Luke supports the optimistic reading.
B. There may be times to circle, but also times to strike out.
1) Defensiveness is never God’s final word.
a) His Kingdom is on the move, and we should, too.
1> The early Jews advanced into the Promised Land.
2> The early Christians boldly proclaimed Jesus
to the Roman Empire.
b) The essence of the gospel is positive, forward-looking
and life-changing.
1> It is optimistic even when are surroundings are
discouraging.
2) Where should you advance?
a) What do you want to accomplish in your life?
b) Instead of complaining about your problems, what are
positive steps you could take to improve your life?
c) Luke’s version calls us to be bold and forceful.
1> Does this describe you?
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SOURCE FOR ILLUSTRATION USED IN THIS SERMON:
#65486 “Circling the Wagons,” by Rev. David Holwick, December 31, 2016.
Sources used:
“Crossing the Plains, 1865,” EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1999).
“Oregon Trail Trivia,” <http://www.oregon.com/attractions/oregon-trail-trivia>.
“Salt Lake—Los Angeles a Tough Trail For Pioneers,” by
Will Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, September 9, 2001;
<http://historytogo.utah.gov/salt_lake_tribune/history_matters/090901.html>.
“Trail Basics: Indians,” National Oregon/California Trail
Center at Montpelier, Idaho;
<http://www.oregontrailcenter.org/HistoricalTrails/Indians.htm>.
This and 35,000 others are part of the Kerux database that can be
downloaded, absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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