Fearless Faith: Boldly Sharing the Gospel

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound journey of faith and the call to be fearless in sharing our beliefs. We began with the inspiring story of Shelly Goldberg, a man who found faith at the age of 68, demonstrating the boundless grace of God and the power of sharing one's faith. This story serves as a reminder of the impact we can have when we overcome our fears and boldly share the gospel.

We delved into the challenges many of us face when it comes to sharing our faith. Despite being comfortable speaking to large crowds, the thought of engaging in one-on-one conversations about Jesus can be daunting. This fear is not unique to us; even the disciples faced moments of doubt and uncertainty. However, Jesus calls us to be fearless and unashamed, to boldly proclaim our faith and trust in His promises.

In Luke 9, we see Jesus asking His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" This question challenges us to reflect on our own understanding of Jesus and our willingness to stand firm in our beliefs. Peter's declaration that Jesus is "the Christ of God" is a powerful affirmation of faith, one that we are called to make in our own lives.

Jesus also teaches us about the cost of discipleship. To follow Him, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and be willing to lose our lives for His sake. This is not an easy path, but it is one that leads to true life and fulfillment. The world may offer temporary pleasures, but they pale in comparison to the eternal life we gain through Christ.

Finally, we are reminded of the reality of hell and the urgency of our message. Jesus' words about hell are not meant to scare us but to awaken us to the seriousness of our mission. We must not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. As we reflect on these truths, let us be bold in our faith, unashamed of the gospel, and committed to following Jesus, no matter the cost.

Key Takeaways:

- The story of Shelly Goldberg illustrates the transformative power of faith and the importance of sharing the gospel, even when it seems daunting. It reminds us that God's grace can reach anyone, at any stage of life, and that our willingness to share our faith can have eternal consequences. [02:02]

- Fear is a common barrier to sharing our faith, but Jesus calls us to be fearless and unashamed. Like the disciples, we may struggle with doubt, but we are encouraged to trust in God's strength and step out in faith, knowing that He is with us. [03:57]

- Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" challenges us to examine our own beliefs and commitment to Him. It is a call to declare our faith boldly and to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, who offers us eternal life. [08:22]

- The cost of discipleship involves denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and being willing to lose our lives for Christ. This path is not easy, but it leads to true life and fulfillment, far beyond what the world can offer. [19:10]

- The reality of hell underscores the urgency of our mission. We must not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. Our message is one of hope and life, and we are called to share it boldly, trusting in God's promises. [29:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:38] - Memorial Service for Shelly Goldberg
- [01:27] - Shelly's Journey to Faith
- [02:52] - Fear of Sharing Faith
- [04:25] - Jesus' Question to the Disciples
- [05:13] - The Importance of Private Prayer
- [06:17] - Public Perception of Jesus
- [08:22] - Peter's Declaration
- [09:27] - Jesus Predicts His Suffering
- [11:28] - Old Testament Prophecies
- [14:39] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [16:19] - Denying Yourself
- [19:10] - Taking Up Your Cross
- [21:00] - Saving and Losing Life
- [24:01] - Gaining the World, Losing the Soul
- [29:08] - The Reality of Hell
- [32:28] - The Call to Follow Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:18-26

Observation Questions:
1. What was the significant event in Shelly Goldberg's life that was highlighted in the sermon, and how did it demonstrate the power of sharing faith? [01:27]
2. In Luke 9:18-20, what question does Jesus ask His disciples, and how does Peter respond? [04:40]
3. According to the sermon, what common fears do people face when sharing their faith, and how does the speaker personally relate to this struggle? [03:57]
4. What does Jesus say about the cost of discipleship in Luke 9:23, and how is this concept explained in the sermon? [16:19]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Shelly Goldberg illustrate the transformative power of faith and the importance of sharing the gospel, even when it seems daunting? [02:02]
2. Why might Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" be significant for believers today in examining their own beliefs and commitment to Him? [08:22]
3. What does it mean to "deny oneself and take up one's cross daily" in the context of modern Christian life, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message? [19:10]
4. How does the sermon address the reality of hell, and why is this an important aspect of the urgency in sharing the gospel? [29:08]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith. What specific fears held you back, and how can you overcome them in future opportunities? [03:57]
2. Consider Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" How would you answer this question in your own words, and what does your answer reveal about your relationship with Him? [08:22]
3. What are some practical ways you can "deny yourself" in your daily life to follow Jesus more closely? Identify one specific area where you can start this week. [19:10]
4. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of sharing the gospel. Who in your life needs to hear this message, and what steps can you take to share it with them this week? [29:08]
5. How can the story of Shelly Goldberg inspire you to be more proactive in sharing your faith with others, regardless of their age or background? [02:02]
6. Reflect on the concept of taking up your cross daily. What does this look like in your personal life, and how can you remind yourself of this commitment each day? [19:10]
7. How does understanding the reality of hell change your perspective on evangelism, and what actions can you take to ensure you are not ashamed of the gospel? [29:08]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Faith
The story of Shelly Goldberg, who found faith at the age of 68, illustrates the boundless grace of God and the transformative power of sharing one's faith. It serves as a reminder that God's grace can reach anyone, at any stage of life, and that our willingness to share our faith can have eternal consequences. This story encourages us to overcome our fears and boldly share the gospel, trusting that God can work through us to touch the lives of others. The impact of sharing our faith is not limited by age or circumstance; it is a testament to the power of God's love and grace. [02:02]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12 ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might be open to hearing about your faith journey? How can you share your story with them this week in a way that is authentic and loving?


Day 2: Overcoming Fear in Sharing Faith
Fear is a common barrier to sharing our faith, but Jesus calls us to be fearless and unashamed. Like the disciples, we may struggle with doubt and uncertainty, yet we are encouraged to trust in God's strength and step out in faith, knowing that He is with us. The call to share our faith is not about having all the answers or being perfect; it is about being willing to speak about the hope we have in Christ. By trusting in God's promises and relying on His strength, we can overcome our fears and boldly proclaim the gospel. [03:57]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

Reflection: What specific fears hold you back from sharing your faith? How can you take a small step this week to overcome one of those fears, trusting in God's presence and strength?


Day 3: Declaring Our Faith Boldly
Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" challenges us to examine our own beliefs and commitment to Him. It is a call to declare our faith boldly and to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, who offers us eternal life. This declaration is not just a one-time event but a daily affirmation of our trust in Jesus and His promises. As we reflect on this question, we are invited to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is and to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of challenges and doubts. [08:22]

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:15-16 ESV)

Reflection: How would you answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and commitment to Him this week?


Day 4: The Cost of Discipleship
The cost of discipleship involves denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and being willing to lose our lives for Christ. This path is not easy, but it leads to true life and fulfillment, far beyond what the world can offer. Jesus teaches us that following Him requires sacrifice and a willingness to put His kingdom above our own desires. As we consider the cost of discipleship, we are reminded that the temporary pleasures of this world pale in comparison to the eternal life we gain through Christ. [19:10]

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'" (Luke 9:23-24 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to deny yourself and follow Jesus? How can you take a step towards surrendering that area to Him this week?


Day 5: The Urgency of Our Mission
The reality of hell underscores the urgency of our mission. We must not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. Our message is one of hope and life, and we are called to share it boldly, trusting in God's promises. Jesus' words about hell are not meant to scare us but to awaken us to the seriousness of our mission. As we reflect on these truths, let us be bold in our faith, unashamed of the gospel, and committed to following Jesus, no matter the cost. [29:08]

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28 ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of eternity influence your perspective on sharing the gospel? What is one practical step you can take this week to share the message of hope and salvation with someone in your life?

Quotes



The exciting thing about it was it was a year ago at the age 68 that Shelly gave his life to the Lord after 60 yeah it was awesome after after 68 years of denying the Messiah um couple gals from our church in their mid-30s were at the gym and meet this older man on the treadmill start hanging out with him you know go out to coffee with him start bringing him to church lead him to the Lord and uh now shell is in heaven because of that you know just a it's such an awesome thought [00:01:30]

I started thinking about how incredible must feel for those those gals who are willing to stand up and share their faith and and talk about you know what they believe to see this man come to the Lord um and then die a year later and he was he was active here he was serving here great guy to be around and so it was an honor to do his service but I bring that story up because we're talking about being fearless and uh and when it comes to sharing your faith [00:02:29]

I'm willing to bet that 98% of us here fear of sharing our faith um we get ashamed we get uncomfortable we get scared um last week I talked about finances and I talked I shared you know pre- openly hey I don't care about finances I'm not scared God's going to take care of me but when I talk about this issue of sharing my faith that is an area that's still every time I do it I still get scared [00:02:57]

You can put me in front of 10,000 people and have me preach to them no big deal doesn't scare me you you put me next to a stranger and have me talk to him one onone about what it means to follow Jesus and I got to bring up the conversation I got to talk about it and and just bring it up to some stranger you know in at a park or on an airplane and I tell you my heart starts pounding I start getting nervous [00:03:21]

There's one passage of scripture that always jumps into my mind whenever I get scared to talk to someone about Jesus and it's from theage that we stud today in Luke chapter 9 as we continue to study in in the Book of Luke you know we we pick it up in Luke chapter 9 verse 18 and this is after the the feeding of the 5000 but in Luke 9 verse 18 it says this it says once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him he asked them who do the crowd say that I am [00:04:19]

Jesus says to them to his disciples and to the crowd he says look you guys want to you want to follow after me you want to come after me I'm the Messiah you you want to come after me well this is what you're gonna have to do if you want to follow me you're gonna have to deny yourself deny yourself understand what deny yourself means it was an Old Testament term you know with the Sabbath with the feast they would say you know you got to deny yourself and do no work on that day [00:17:04]

Denying yourself it means you know what there are things that we want to do and the Bible says you're going to follow me you can't do all of those things you've got to be willing to give some things up in your life in fact you got to be willing to give up anything that God asks you to give up understand following Jesus is not easy and Jesus explaining that he says look if you really want to follow me you have to deny yourself [00:17:41]

If you really want to follow me that means you got to be willing to go to the Cross every day of your life follow you want to come after me deny yourself take up your cross daily and follow me we don't even like the term follow me I mean honestly we we would rather lead him you know Jesus this is what I'm going to do in my life so I want you to follow me and help me along okay and I'll pull you out every once in a while you help me do what I want to do [00:19:54]

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self he says very simple what good is it for a man to gain the whole world let's say you get the whole world let's think about what that would mean let's say you got you yourself okay don't you don't deny yourself you get everything you want whatever feels good just do it just go after it and let's say you get everything you want okay you gain the whole world [00:24:05]

Jesus says if anyone is ashamed of me and my words the son of man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the father and of the Holy Angels Jesus says Are you ashamed of me Are you ashamed of my words see I didn't I didn't give you any words of of hell that I made up these were Jesus's words I'm just quoting him and I'm just saying I'm not ashamed of that I believe because Jesus taught about it and I'm not ashamed to say that [00:29:02]

I heard a message and I heard about hell and I said I don't want to go there and I know that I've sinned against God I know I've offended him and I know that I have every right to be sent to hell I need a savior Jesus took that for me but it was out of that fear and I tell you you know why I got fired up in high school and I started sharing with all my friends about Jesus was because in my mind I just thought to myself I'd look at some of my closest friends and i' think I don't want that guy going to hell [00:31:09]

You see this is that's the verse that always pops into my head whenever I get that nervous feeling of should I say anything about Jesus no no no no I I don't want him to think I'm dumb I don't want I'm ashamed and this verse man it just rings in my head you're ashamed of me I'll be ashamed of you you deny me on Earth I'll deny you in heaven it's not even about I don't want to be Fearless I can't afford to be Fearless I mean I can't be I can't afford to be fearful because I don't want Jesus to deny me [00:30:28]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?