Overcoming Fear in Evangelism Through God's Power
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme of overcoming fear in evangelism. As believers, we often face fear when it comes to sharing our faith, whether it's fear of rejection, failure, or consequences. However, understanding our identity in Christ and the power of God within us can help us overcome these fears. We are reminded that we are new creations in Christ, with a purpose to be ambassadors for Him, sharing the message of reconciliation with the world. This identity empowers us to step through fear, knowing that it is not by our strength but by God's power that people are drawn to Him.
We delved into the story of Simon Peter in Luke 5, where Jesus teaches a profound lesson on evangelism. Despite Simon's expertise as a fisherman, it was only through Jesus' power that the nets were filled with fish. This illustrates that it is God's power, not our techniques, that draws people to Him. We are called to be humble and rely on God, recognizing that our role is to cast the net by sharing the gospel, while God does the work of drawing people to Himself.
To overcome fear in evangelism, we must engage in prayer and practice. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and opens doors for the gospel. We discussed seven prayer themes that can aid in evangelism, including prayers of confession, for a broken heart for the lost, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and for open doors. Additionally, practicing evangelism helps reduce fear over time. As we step out in faith and share the gospel, we experience God's power at work, which encourages us to continue.
Finally, we are invited to participate in a city-wide outreach in Plano, partnering with SaturateUSA to share the gospel with every household. This initiative is an opportunity to put into practice what we've learned, relying on God's power and love to compel us to reach the lost in our community.
Key Takeaways:
1. Identity in Christ: Understanding our identity as new creations in Christ empowers us to overcome fear in evangelism. We are ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the message of reconciliation, and it is through His power that we can fulfill this purpose. [05:15]
2. God's Power in Evangelism: The story of Simon Peter in Luke 5 teaches us that it is God's power, not our techniques, that draws people to Him. Our role is to cast the net by sharing the gospel, while God does the work of drawing people to Himself. [15:55]
3. Prayer as a Foundation: Prayer is essential in overcoming fear in evangelism. By aligning our hearts with God's will and praying for open doors, we invite His power to work through us. Seven prayer themes can guide us in this endeavor. [23:15]
4. Practice Reduces Fear: Engaging in evangelism regularly helps reduce fear. As we step out in faith and share the gospel, we experience God's power at work, which encourages us to continue and grow in confidence. [27:15]
5. Compelled by Christ's Love: Ultimately, it is the love of Christ that compels us to share the gospel. We cannot rely on guilt or obligation; it is only through His love and the work of the Holy Spirit that we are moved to reach the lost. [30:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction and Personal Background
- [04:30] - Overcoming Fear in Evangelism
- [05:15] - Our Identity in Christ
- [08:57] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
- [11:57] - Evangelism 101: The Story of Simon Peter
- [15:55] - The Power of God in Evangelism
- [19:47] - Testimony of Nick at Mardi Gras
- [23:15] - The Role of Prayer in Evangelism
- [27:15] - Practice Reduces Fear
- [30:09] - Invitation to Plano Outreach
- [32:00] - Training and Preparation for Outreach
- [34:00] - Closing Scripture and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Overcoming Fear in Evangelism
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 5:16-20
2. Luke 5:1-11
3. 2 Corinthians 4:7
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Observation Questions:
1. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does it mean to be a "new creation" in Christ, and how does this relate to our identity as believers? [05:15]
2. How does the story of Simon Peter in Luke 5 illustrate the concept that it is God's power, not our techniques, that draws people to Him? [15:55]
3. According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, what role do believers play as "ambassadors for Christ," and how does this role relate to the message of reconciliation? [08:57]
4. What are the seven prayer themes mentioned in the sermon that can aid in overcoming fear in evangelism? [23:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our identity as new creations in Christ empower us to overcome fear in evangelism? Consider the implications of being "ambassadors for Christ." [05:15]
2. Reflect on the story of Simon Peter in Luke 5. How does this narrative challenge the common belief that successful evangelism relies on our skills and techniques? [15:55]
3. In what ways does prayer serve as a foundation for overcoming fear in evangelism, and how can the seven prayer themes guide believers in this endeavor? [23:15]
4. How does the love of Christ compel believers to share the gospel, and why is this motivation more effective than guilt or obligation? [30:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own identity in Christ. How does recognizing yourself as a new creation and an ambassador for Christ change your approach to sharing your faith? [05:15]
2. Think about a time when you relied on your own techniques rather than God's power in evangelism. How can you shift your focus to depend more on God's strength in future opportunities? [15:55]
3. Which of the seven prayer themes do you find most challenging to incorporate into your prayer life, and how can you begin to integrate it more consistently? [23:15]
4. Identify a specific fear you have about sharing your faith. What practical steps can you take to overcome this fear, and how can prayer and practice play a role in this process? [27:15]
5. Consider the upcoming city-wide outreach in Plano. How can you prepare yourself spiritually and practically to participate in this initiative, and what role can you play in supporting others in your community? [30:09]
6. Reflect on a person in your life who does not yet know Christ. How can you intentionally pray for them and seek opportunities to share the gospel with them in the coming weeks? [23:15]
7. How can you cultivate a heart that is compelled by Christ's love to share the gospel, rather than feeling driven by guilt or obligation? What changes might you need to make in your daily life to align with this motivation? [30:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Understanding our identity as new creations in Christ is crucial for overcoming fear in evangelism. As believers, we are not defined by our past or our failures but by who we are in Christ. This identity empowers us to be ambassadors for Him, entrusted with the message of reconciliation. When we grasp this truth, we can step through fear, knowing that it is not by our strength but by God's power that people are drawn to Him. Our role is to faithfully share the gospel, trusting that God will work through us to reach others. [05:15]
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ change the way you approach sharing your faith with others today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Power for Evangelism
The story of Simon Peter in Luke 5 illustrates that it is God's power, not our techniques, that draws people to Him. Despite Peter's expertise as a fisherman, it was only through Jesus' power that the nets were filled with fish. This teaches us to rely on God rather than our own abilities when sharing the gospel. Our role is to cast the net by sharing the message, while God does the work of drawing people to Himself. This reliance on God's power frees us from the pressure of trying to convert others through our own efforts. [15:55]
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV): "And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you rely more on God's power rather than your own abilities when sharing your faith this week?
Day 3: The Foundation of Prayer in Evangelism
Prayer is essential in overcoming fear in evangelism. By aligning our hearts with God's will and praying for open doors, we invite His power to work through us. Engaging in prayer helps us develop a heart for the lost and prepares us to share the gospel effectively. There are seven prayer themes that can guide us, including prayers of confession, for a broken heart for the lost, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and for open doors. As we pray, we become more attuned to God's leading and more confident in stepping out in faith. [23:15]
Colossians 4:2-4 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."
Reflection: What specific prayer can you commit to today that will help you align your heart with God's will for evangelism?
Day 4: Practicing Evangelism to Overcome Fear
Engaging in evangelism regularly helps reduce fear. As we step out in faith and share the gospel, we experience God's power at work, which encourages us to continue and grow in confidence. Practice makes us more comfortable and effective in sharing our faith. Each time we share the gospel, we learn and grow, becoming more attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance. This practice not only reduces fear but also deepens our relationship with God as we witness His faithfulness in the lives of others. [27:15]
2 Timothy 1:7-8 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to practice sharing your faith and reduce fear?
Day 5: Compelled by Christ's Love
Ultimately, it is the love of Christ that compels us to share the gospel. We cannot rely on guilt or obligation; it is only through His love and the work of the Holy Spirit that we are moved to reach the lost. This love transforms our hearts and motivates us to share the message of reconciliation with others. When we are compelled by Christ's love, our evangelism becomes a natural overflow of our relationship with Him, rather than a burdensome task. [30:09]
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV): "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
Reflection: How can you allow Christ's love to compel you to share the gospel with someone in your life today?
Quotes
"And I want to invite you at the end to a very special outreach opportunity that we have right here in Plano. So hang on that. I'm going to talk about the outreach opportunity at the end. But today what I'm going to talk to you about is overcoming fear in evangelism. Overcoming fear in evangelism." [00:01:03] (23 seconds)
"And I've learned over the years that the main reason people don't share the gospel is fear. Is fear. There's other reasons, but that's the main reason. It's fear of rejection. Maybe my friends or my coworkers will reject me. Sometimes it's fear of failure. I'm not going to do it right. I'm going to get the gospel wrong." [00:02:13] (23 seconds)
"So, I have kind of a theme scripture for this talk that kind of summarizes everything I'm about to tell you. And it's this, 2 Corinthians 4 -7. It says, But we who have this spiritual treasure are common clay pots, that the supreme power belongs to God and not to us. And isn't that true?" [00:03:27] (22 seconds)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new. So, what does that mean? Well, it means this. When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, everything is brand new. We're born again, it says in scripture. The sin record of our past is washed away." [00:06:10] (25 seconds)
"And that purpose is for us, the church, the reconciled ones, the new creations to do the ministry of reconciliation, he says. That's our ultimate purpose as a church. And he gave it to us, he said. He didn't have to do that. I mean, that is a humbling thing. God gave this to us to do." [00:07:35] (24 seconds)
"So Paul refers to us as ambassadors for Christ. What's an ambassador? What is an ambassador? Well, ambassador is someone who represents a government or a ruler to a foreign land. Well, what's the government or the ruler that we're representing? It's Jesus, right? And what's the foreign land? It's this world that we represent him to." [00:09:40] (28 seconds)
"So it's by his power that somebody gets saved. It's not us. It's not how well we present it. It's not how crafty our technique is. I, I, I know techniques. I teach techniques. They're not bad, but that's not what draws someone to Christ. It's his power." [00:20:08] (22 seconds)
"Well, after doing evangelism and teaching evangelism for 28 years, I've learned there are really two things that help someone press through fear. One of them is prayer. And the other one is practice. Okay? Prayer and practice. The biggest thing we can do to overcome the fear is to pray and trust the Lord for the results." [00:22:35] (21 seconds)
"The first one is prayer of confession. Okay? This is humbling ourselves before God, kind of like Simon did. And we confess our sin to God. Repent regularly and repent quickly. Okay? The second one is to ask God to give you a broken heart for the lost. Okay? Our hearts are hard. My heart is hard." [00:23:47] (25 seconds)
"Fear of evangelism reduces with practice. It reduces with practice. And what I mean by that is by actually doing it. Okay? Actually verbalizing the gospel to someone who does not yet believe. Okay? When you share your faith, it becomes easier to do it the next time." [00:27:21] (22 seconds)
"And my prayer for you is you'll start to see a harvest in your neighborhoods, in your workplaces, in your schools, and right here in Plano. Right here in Plano. So that brings me to the why I'm giving this message, okay? So here it is. That was a big buildup. But there's an invitation." [00:29:22] (18 seconds)
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