Overcoming Fear: The Call to Evangelism

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to worship our glorious God and to delve into the theme of evangelism, focusing on overcoming the fear associated with sharing the gospel. We began by acknowledging that many of us are here because someone once invited us to know Jesus. This underscores the power of words and the importance of evangelism. We celebrated a baptism, reminding us of Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations and the faith like a child that He desires from us.

We then explored the fear of evangelism through a thought experiment involving a risky walk between skyscrapers, illustrating how motivation can overcome fear. This led us to examine the journey of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13 and 14, who faced numerous dangers but were driven by a compelling motivation to share Jesus. We identified three key areas that often hinder us from evangelizing: our view of ourselves, our view of others, and our view of the gospel.

Firstly, we must confront our fear of rejection and the selfishness that prioritizes our reputation over others' salvation. Secondly, we need to cultivate a genuine love for others, recognizing that sharing the gospel is the most loving act we can perform. Lastly, we must understand the transformative power of the gospel, which is not just information but the power of God at work.

To practically approach evangelism, we emphasized the importance of relationships, natural conversations, and giving time for transformation. Building strong relationships provides a foundation for sharing Jesus, while genuine conversations foster understanding and trust. Time allows for the gradual but profound transformation that God brings.

We concluded with a prayer, asking God to lead us as we go out to bring His transformational power into the world. We also prayed for our missionaries and partner ministries, lifting up their work and asking for God's blessing and guidance.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Invitation: Many of us are here because someone invited us to know Jesus. This highlights the importance of evangelism and the power of words in bringing people to Christ. We are called to be disciples who help others discover their identity in Jesus and follow Him. [16:11]

2. Overcoming Fear with Motivation: Fear can paralyze us, but a compelling motivation can help us overcome it. Just as Paul and Barnabas faced dangers but were driven by their mission, we too can overcome our fear of evangelism by focusing on the transformative power of the gospel and the eternal significance of sharing Jesus with others. [42:33]

3. Self-Examination in Evangelism: Our fear of evangelism often stems from a fear of rejection and a selfish concern for our reputation. We must confront this selfishness and prioritize the salvation of others over our own comfort. Confession and a heart transformation are essential steps in overcoming this barrier. [50:12]

4. Loving Others Through the Gospel: Sharing the gospel is the most loving act we can perform. Our lack of evangelism often reflects a lack of genuine love for others. We must cultivate a deep love for people, recognizing the eternal consequences of their rejection of God and allowing this love to drive us to share Jesus with them. [52:34]

5. The Transformative Power of the Gospel: The gospel is not just information; it is the power of God at work. Evangelism is about creating opportunities for God's power to transform lives. We are not responsible for converting others but for opening our mouths and letting God work through us. This understanding liberates us from the pressure of persuasion and allows us to focus on being faithful witnesses. [56:12]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[16:11] - The Power of Invitation
[16:40] - Evangelism and Fear
[17:08] - Discovering Identity in Jesus
[17:40] - Prayer and Worship
[28:37] - Baptism of Beckham
[29:33] - Faith Like a Child
[34:39] - Gospel Reading: Luke 9
[40:08] - Thought Experiment: Overcoming Fear
[42:33] - Fear and Motivation
[45:22] - Paul and Barnabas' Journey
[50:12] - Self-Examination in Evangelism
[52:34] - Loving Others Through the Gospel
[56:12] - The Transformative Power of the Gospel
[59:01] - Practical Steps for Evangelism
[01:02:12] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
> "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

2. Acts 13:2-3 (NIV)
> "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."

3. Romans 1:16 (NIV)
> "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

#### Observation Questions
1. What command does Jesus give in Matthew 28:19-20, and what promise does He make?
2. In Acts 13:2-3, what specific instructions does the Holy Spirit give, and how do the believers respond?
3. According to Romans 1:16, what is the gospel described as, and who is it for?
4. What were some of the dangers and challenges Paul and Barnabas faced during their missionary journey as described in the sermon? [48:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20 ("I am with you always") help us overcome the fear of evangelism?
2. What does the setting apart of Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13:2-3 teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism?
3. How does understanding the gospel as "the power of God" (Romans 1:16) change our approach to sharing it with others?
4. Reflecting on the sermon, why is it important to confront our fear of rejection when it comes to evangelism? [50:12]

#### Application Questions
1. Think about the person who invited you to know Jesus. How can you be that person for someone else this week? [16:11]
2. What specific fears do you have about sharing the gospel, and what motivations can help you overcome these fears? [42:33]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper love for others that compels you to share the gospel with them? [52:34]
4. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. What steps can you take to build a stronger relationship with them this week? [59:01]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt the transformative power of the gospel in your own life. How can you share that experience with someone else? [56:12]
6. What practical steps can you take to create opportunities for natural conversations about faith with your friends or coworkers? [01:00:05]
7. How can you give time for transformation in your relationships, trusting that God is at work even when you don't see immediate results? [01:01:03]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Invitation
Many of us are here because someone invited us to know Jesus. This highlights the importance of evangelism and the power of words in bringing people to Christ. We are called to be disciples who help others discover their identity in Jesus and follow Him. Reflect on the significance of an invitation and how it can change someone's life. Consider the impact of a simple invitation to church, a Bible study, or a personal conversation about faith. The power of words and the act of inviting someone to know Jesus can be transformative, not just for the person being invited but also for the one extending the invitation.

[16:11]

John 1:40-42 (ESV): "One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas' (which means Peter)."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you extend an invitation to them this week to explore faith, whether through a church event, a personal conversation, or another means?

Day 2: Overcoming Fear with Motivation
Fear can paralyze us, but a compelling motivation can help us overcome it. Just as Paul and Barnabas faced dangers but were driven by their mission, we too can overcome our fear of evangelism by focusing on the transformative power of the gospel and the eternal significance of sharing Jesus with others. Reflect on what motivates you to share your faith. Is it the love of Christ, the desire to see others saved, or the command to make disciples? Understanding your motivation can help you push past fear and take bold steps in evangelism.

[42:33]

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: Identify a specific fear you have about sharing your faith. What is one practical step you can take this week to confront and overcome that fear, motivated by the love and power of God?

Day 3: Self-Examination in Evangelism
Our fear of evangelism often stems from a fear of rejection and a selfish concern for our reputation. We must confront this selfishness and prioritize the salvation of others over our own comfort. Confession and a heart transformation are essential steps in overcoming this barrier. Reflect on your own heart and motivations. Are you more concerned with how others perceive you than with their eternal destiny? Ask God to reveal any selfishness in your heart and to transform it into a selfless love for others.

[50:12]

Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Reflection: Examine your heart and ask yourself, "Am I more concerned with my reputation or with the salvation of others?" What steps can you take to prioritize others' salvation over your own comfort this week?

Day 4: Loving Others Through the Gospel
Sharing the gospel is the most loving act we can perform. Our lack of evangelism often reflects a lack of genuine love for others. We must cultivate a deep love for people, recognizing the eternal consequences of their rejection of God and allowing this love to drive us to share Jesus with them. Reflect on the love you have for those around you. Do you truly desire their salvation? Let this love compel you to share the gospel, knowing that it is the most loving thing you can do for them.

[52:34]

1 John 4:19-21 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Reflection: Think of someone you know who does not know Jesus. How can you show them genuine love this week, and how can that love open a door for sharing the gospel with them?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The gospel is not just information; it is the power of God at work. Evangelism is about creating opportunities for God's power to transform lives. We are not responsible for converting others but for opening our mouths and letting God work through us. This understanding liberates us from the pressure of persuasion and allows us to focus on being faithful witnesses. Reflect on the power of the gospel and how it has transformed your own life. Trust that God will use your words and actions to bring about transformation in others.

[56:12]

Romans 1:16 (ESV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: Reflect on how the gospel has transformed your life. How can you share this transformative power with someone this week, trusting that God will work through you?

Quotes

1. "Fear is a powerful thing. Fear is so powerful that it can actually lead you to live a life that is in direct conflict, in direct opposite of what you actually believe. You know, I think about, I think about it for our youth in the room who are maybe in like high school or so. And this brings me back to kind of my time in high school where, you know, you imagine you've got a friend group who's wanting to go do something that maybe is kind of pushing the line." [42:33] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The fear of evangelism. The fear of, of sharing Jesus, with others. And now some of you right now, you, you see that even just up on the screen and you're like, yep, yep. That, that is a, a fear of mine. But I want us this morning to be curious, curious about that fear. Because the reality is fear is just an emotion. Like fear is the symptom of something deeper. There's something deeper, a deeper thing that is producing a motivation where despite, right, we would all, all say that we want people in our life to, to, to know Jesus, right?" [44:37] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What was the thing that was compelling them, that was motivating them, that was so much stronger than the fear that was within them? See, I think that's huge for us to identify because I could call the sermon here, you know, end it and say, go and do the same, right? Go out into the world and preach Jesus, proclaim him to the people who don't know him. And let's just be honest, you probably won't. Not because you don't want to. See, you want people in your life who don't know Jesus to experience the transformation. You want that. But the deeper force of fear is getting in the way." [48:48] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We believe, and we confess from what the scriptures get us that the just result of rejection of God, is hell, is eternal separation, eternal damnation, right? We confess that. And we don't like to think about that, right? We kind of just ignore that. But I think that Satan wants us to not think about it. Because if we kind of just ignore it, don't really think about it, we get complacent. But if we really believe that that's a reality, that is a reality for that family member, that friend, that coworker, who does not have a relationship with Jesus, then shouldn't that lie, light a fire under us and move sharing Jesus to the top of our priorities?" [54:09] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Evangelism isn't just about spreading info. It's about transforming lives. It's about something so much bigger than you could ever do on your own. And that's the beauty of it. All God is doing is calling, calling us to open our mouth and create opportunities and let him work. Let him bring the deeper and life-changing transformation to those people that we love so dearly. But in order to do this, we have to first recognize the transformation in ourselves." [57:22] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Three things that are going to be a foundation for sharing Jesus with others. Relationships, conversation, and time. Let's start with relationships. You need a foundational relationship with someone in order to share Jesus with them. Evangelism without relationship is recruitment. And nobody wants to feel like a number just being recruited to your organization, right? You know how you feel when you got like a salesperson, right? Coming up to you. You're like skeptical and all that. Sometimes that's how people, if you follow the words of Jesus, right? Because they don't care about the relationship. We need relationship." [59:01] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Give those relationships time. Keep sowing seeds. Be there. Be someone who is building the relationship, who's listening, who's understanding, and those opportunities are going to arise to testify to what you believe about Jesus, to the transformation that he's brought in your own life, right? That's what Paul was going around doing, not convincing people what to believe. He was saying, look at what God's done in me and look at what he wants to do in you as well. That's the invitation we're given." [01:01:03] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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