“Failing Flesh, Faithful Father” (Matthew 10:21-33)

Series: Say it Out Loud!

by Pastor Nate Walther

Fourth Sunday of Pentecost, 06/21/2026

                This weekend’s holiday gets us thinking about fathers, and one of my favorite things about being a dad over the years has been building the “legend of dad”.  When my boys were little and they were afraid of monsters under their beds or hiding in their closets, I assured them that the monsters couldn’t possibly get them: not when monsters had nightmares about little boys’ dads under their beds and hiding in their closets!  Along those lines, I always told my boys growing up that dads were the strongest force on earth, and that’s why Jesus gave dads to families: to take good care of them. 

            The thing about legends is they aren’t always accurate, even if they contain some semblance of the truth.  It’s why, as my boys have gotten older, they have seen their father’s failures.  One small example of it?  For all the things I’ve managed to fix around the home, they’ve also seen many things I’ve failed to fix with our vehicles.  For as much as my heart swells with pride when they call Menards our second home, it deflates with disappointment when they call the mechanic’s our third home.

            It’s a minor example of what we see in our sermon text today: FLESH FAILS.  Massively, in fact.  Issues “home & auto” are the least of our concerns when we think about all that we’re up against.  In those moments we need a FAITHFUL FATHER, who can do for us all the things we cannot do for ourselves, including us dads.

Jesus describes just such a father in our sermon text today in Matthew 10.  Before he does so, he gets into a serious topic.  If home & auto are the least of our worries in this world, verse 21 is about as bad as it gets: relationship problems among flesh and blood.  And we’re no strangers to such issues.  But notice that Jesus doesn’t really describe a case of common family feuds – involving the budget, or chores, or who left the toilet seat up.  No, in verses 22-23 Jesus makes it clear that these are divisions caused by faith.  When some people don’t accept Christ or follow what comes from him, that itself becomes reason for division.  Jesus made it clear his Disciples would face that in the future, and in verse 24 he makes it clear we should expect this too.  If ever we think we must be doing something wrong when we have turmoil in our own lives and in our own families, remember that Jesus experienced it too.  One of his own disciples—the closest thing he had to family—betrayed him!  As he adds in verse 25, if that happened to the master of the house, it will happen to those under him also.

All of which makes verse 26 striking. Still, Jesus says, “don’t fear.”  Don’t let this stop you!  In fact, Jesus continues by encouraging us to embrace our faith and to be even more bold with it.  The reason for it is simple. Verse 28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”For as much as our flesh may fail, and for as many problems we face in this word, there’s still the soul and there is only one “threat” to that.  Who alone can destroy both soul and body in hell?  You might think of the devil, but remember that hell was actually created to destroy him!  No, this is talking about God the Father.  As we think of our struggles, what’s most important is that we’re square with a Heavenly Father who alone can save body and soul in heaven.

Fortunately, that’s exactly what God wants for us.  It’s what this whole bit about the sparrows reminds us in verse 29.  Think of it, God takes care of birds.  Sometime when you’re out hunting, or mowing the yard, or working your garden, watch the birds fly around.  See how they have everything they need.  Then think, “Those are birds!  I matter more than birds!!!”  So, no matter the cost, follow the Lord.  He will take good care of you, no matter what problems you face.  Finally, he proved that in his Son Jesus, to whom the final verses direct us.  Everyone who confesses Christ’s name, He will confess before his father in heaven. 

            There’s so much in these words we could dig into—there are a million sermons I could preach here—but as we consider Father’s Day this weekend, it focuses our attention uniquely.  How often do we see what Jesus describes among families?  Kids not in church.  Siblings not getting along.  Family members no longer interested in doing things God’s way; maybe you know you will invite their ire if you try to talk to them about it… And dads, maybe you bottle it all up.  These and other failings eat at you.  You feel like you should be doing more to correct these issues among your families and for those under your care.  But you’re not sure what to do, so you just try to keep the peace and remain silent.

            Is there any greater proof of sin in this world?  Seriously.  We see sin in all the small things that go wrong, but at least we can find refuge in family and in our relationships with others.  So when that’s not right?  What a serious problem our sin is if it can lead to conflict among flesh and blood!  Especially if that conflict is caused by faith itself!  It’s a powerful reminder that sin is an issue beyond our ability to fix.  Sin infiltrates all good things in this world, even family, even faith.   It proves all too well the first half of our theme today, FLESH FAILS. 

            It’s why the second half of our theme is so important.  We need a FAITHFUL FATHER.  One who handles not just the little stuff – like sparrows, like home & auto – but one who handles all the big stuff too.  That leads to the end of our sermon text about confessing Christ…  I can’t even imagine it.  Let’s say sacrificing one of my two boys would save the world?  If I gave one of them up up—to suffer body & soul in hell—I could redeem everyone from sin, from conflict, from all things that are wrong?  I don’t know how I could ever do it!  Wouldn’t I instead sacrifice the whole world if only I could rescue them?!… But God did it.  Our Father sacrificed his one & only Son to save us from our flesh.  It’s why, when we confess Jesus as Savior, God delivers us from sin, death, and hell – from every problem and conflict that we face.

God was faithful, even when we have failed.  Now in thanksgiving, he asks us to mirror his faithfulness in lesser ways.  And there are so many ways we can all do that.  I think of you women out there, for example, who so often pick up our slack as guys – thank you for your faithfulness!  But today, let me speak especially to you guys: dads, grandparents too, and you men that God has placed into various callings in this fallen world…  While there’s room to use some of your strength on hobbies, on hunting, on yourself – spare the largest portion of your strength not in personal pursuit but in service to those God has placed under you.  Be present for them. Act for them when they cannot act for themselves.  And maybe the hardest thing to do—but Jesus emphasized it for us today in his Word—speak up for the truth, even when it’s hard, even when others don’t want to listen.

Here’s an example that may resonate with you, either directly or indirectly. I think about raising my boys and all they’re up against in this world.  The thing is, my wife can provide 90% of what my boys need, the majority of it in far better manner than I ever could!  But for the remaining amount?  They need their dad.  They need a strong figure in their lives who is wired differently, yet who still love them unconditionally.  When they have both in their life–gentle, compassionate love like that of a mother and strong, unyielding love like that of a father—it will irresistibly draw them to a Savior who more perfectly demonstrated both.  That’s what will set our kids up for success in this life, and in the life to come.  And indeed, if you were thinking earlier that our Christian families so often don’t resemble the mess that Jesus described in our sermon text, this is why.  When we faithfully follow the example of our heavenly father, it can overcome our failing flesh.

This makes a real difference in our lives! More than that, it makes a bigger difference when our flesh still fails.  Because despite the “legend of dad”, there’s plenty I can’t do for my family.  I may be able to provide for their flesh–even then, I can’t protect them from everything–but what about their soul?   So, more than anything else we do, lead those under your care to the faithful Father… Do you know what’s not a legend?  God gave his Son on a real, wooden cross 2,000 years ago, and he died to rescue those under him by making make the ultimate sacrifice of strength.  That is what our loved ones need even more than us.  And that is why I’m so glad you’re here, because that’s what this place is all about, pointing people to Jesus. But let me add: if regular church attendance is a little more of an exception rather than the rule—all of you, but especially you men—work hard to make regular church attendance the standard for your family.  And if going to Bible Study or Sunday School in addition to worship is more the exception rather than the rule for those under your care—all of you, but especially you men—take steps to correct it for you and them.  And if prayer and a devotional life at home is a little more the exception rather than the rule—all of you, but especially you men—speak up! Finally, if we don’t do these things, we’re really trying to take God’s place as the Father.  Then, we’d have to provide all things, body and soul for those under our care.  And we can’t it.  You don’t have it in you.  I don’t have it in me either.  But if we use our limited strength to lead others to their Heavenly Father and to his Son Jesus, we will be found to be faithful fathers too…

Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, there’s truth here for everyone today, but especially you men: God has made us guys differently.  Despite what the world would say, that’s not something to be ashamed of, nor should you apologize for it.  Instead, it’s a call to faithfully reflect the strength, love and sacrifice of the greatest father ever.  Do so.  Do so especially by leading those under your care to Jesus and what he teaches.  Amen.