Do Not Worry

STORY - biggest fears - public spekaing 1, death 2.

Matthew 10:18–20 NIV

On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

We need to start off all on the same page -

The Great Comission is Central to Following Jesus

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

See, repetence, salvation, forgiveness - these are the primary thing offered to us. (SALVATION IS A BIG DEAL)

Making disciples of all nations - that’s the primary thing asked of us.

Luke 15:7 NIV

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

One of the most important ways we should be focused on pleasing God is through making other disciples.

Talking to People about Jesus is scary and could go badly…right?

STORY - Young christian, talking to family about how people don’t want to hear the gospel. One of them asked what the gospel message was - and i blanked.

Matthew 10:18–20 NIV

On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

So, there’s three assumptions from Jesus here:

Assumption #1:

We WILL Face Persecution

Sometimes, we’re shrewd about it. If I just do this, or that, or the other thing, I can avoid it.

Sometimes, we’re scared of it. I don’t want to have to go through that, so i’ll flee.

Sometimes, we’re self-righteous about it. I won’t allow discomfort in my life, because i’m too good to have to take it.

But the scriptures are clear over and over again - we will face trouble. We will face persecution.

Jesus here doesn’t say, ok, so, hypothetically speaking, let’s say maybe you’ll get in trouble and arrested. If that happens… He just says, ok, when you get arrested, such and such.

Jesus says WHEN. WHEN you are arrested. WHEN you are brought before unbelievers and authorities.

We need to tell ourselves,

I will face some hard times following Jesus - and I’m OK with that

Assumption #2:

We WILL Get Chances to Tell People About Jesus

The average believer, the battle usually isn’t us finding chances to tell people about Jesus. the battle WE usually fight is about AVOIDING chances to tell people about jesus.

We should be telling ourselves:

I will have good chances to tell people about Jesus - and I want to be available for them

The key here is - belief that we will have good chances. This means three things:

We don’t have to force it every single time

We shouldn’t be waiting for perfect times (perfect is an enemy of the good)

We need to be expecting them.

Assumption #3

The Spirit WILL Speak Through Us

Jesus has two promises here - he says, don’t worry about what to say, or how to say it.

And if we think about it - those are some of the big concerns, right? What should I say? How will I be able to say it?

When I am in that moment - God Will Help Me

Often, we dread or avoid those moments because we’re afraid.

But what would it look like to stand in confidence about those unknown times? To be able to genuinely say - i’m not afraid, because I know God will help me?

GOSPEL:

A relationship with Jesus is all we need

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

It’s a simple thing to start a relationship with God.

Our kids midweek ends every teaching segment with the same teaching: the ABC’s.

We need to admit that we’ve done wrong

We need to believe that God is real, he loves us, that Jesus is God’s son, and that God raised him from the dead

We need to choose God as the Lord of our lives, and give ourselves to following Him.

And everything we need to follow God - HIs power accomplishes it. That’s the REAL root behind why we don’t have to worry - because we’re not alone.

Invite to pray with me.