Fearless & Faithful For Jesus

Fearless & Faithful For Jesus

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Introduction

Have you ever had a new unique opportunity be given to you (Job, education, etc.)? Probably the very next thing that floods your mind is something like this, ‘I’m not sure if I can do it?” You may think, ‘Even though I would love to follow through, I just have too much fear of what will become of me. In other words, you have doubts about your ability and authority.

When you trusted Jesus as your savior, there were new unique opportunities given to you. They are listed in these verses.

1) All Authority & Power

“All power is given to me in heaven and earth”

Philippians 2:9 “9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”

Christ has been appointed as man’s mediator!

The salvation of all who are saved is laid upon Him.

He is our forever fountain of mercy, grace, life, and peace!

1 John 5:12 “12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

He is the bridge for our justification, redemption, sanctification, and our soon glorification.

Hebrews 12:2 “2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne i of God.”

Therefore, it is to Christ we should zealously cling too.

Quote: “No doubt men may easily think too little of God the Father, and God the Spirit; but no man ever thought too much of Christ.” — J.C. Ryle

He is our connection to the power needed to live the Christian life:

Living separate from the world.

Living holy before God.

Living as God’s voice throughout the whole world.

Matthew 28:18 (BEC): The entire Gospel of Matthew stresses the authority of Jesus Christ. There was authority to His teaching (Matt. 7:29). He exercised authority in healing (Matt. 8:1–13), and even in forgiving sins (Matt. 9:6). He had authority over Satan, and He delegated that authority to His Apostles (Matt. 10:1). At the close of his Gospel, Matthew made it clear that Jesus has ALL authority.

2) Go & Tell

Go and teach all nations

The gospel of grace we have received has one “gear” and “direction;” forward toward the lost world.

Think about the first century context:

They were not lock up their knowledge in themselves.

They were not to assume the gospel was revealed to only the Jews.

Jesus commanded them to make no assumptions, but carry the good news to every ear!

Jesus’ charge to them is just as applicable to you today!!!

Your first priority is to make others acquainted with Jesus.

Christianity is a missionary faith.

The very nature of God demands this, for God is love and God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).

If you say, “I have strong faith,” then I ask, “Where is your strong duty to Christ?”

A disciple attached himself to a teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him.

He learned, not simply by listening, but also by doing.

Our Lord called twelve disciples and taught them so that they might be able to teach others (Mark 3:13ff).

In many respects, we have departed from this pattern.

In most churches, the congregation pays the pastor to preach, win the lost, and build up the saved—while the church members function as cheerleaders (if they are enthusiastic) or spectators.

The “converts” are won, baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the other spectators.

Where is your gospel charity?

Where there is no evidence of active duty, it is fair to question your value of the gospel itself.

What kind of follower of Jesus are you if you put everything else before making the gospel known?

3) Follow Without Shame

There is a public profession commanded by Jesus

Let Christ be clearly understood here!

This baptism is outward only! Nothing to do with your salvation!

1 Peter 3:21 “21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”

I am going to be loving but firm: How can any true believer in Christ AVOID the last command of Jesus; BE BAPTIZED?

The conclusion of the believers’ next step in their faith is believers’ baptism.

Here is a necessity for you if you are a true believer: Make a public declaration of your faith through baptism!

Listen to me — It is never satisfactory in the mind of God for you as a believer to remain NEUTRAL and INDIFFERENT.

To remain neutral speaks to the reality of you being ASHAMED of the gospel.

We should never be ashamed of who we are and whom we serve!

Question: Who here as believers like to be thought of as Christians?

Take up your cross and confess the name of your Master!

Mark 8:38 “38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

4) Live As Jesus’ Friend

Jesus’ command to obedience

John 15:14 “14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

It is never enough to just carry the name and form of Christianity. That is USELESS!

Those who continue in obedience to God’s Word and endeavor to follow His commands are considered to be TRUE CHRISTIANS.

There is a model well accepted among believers today:

Go to worship and approve of the gospel message and from that point, withdraw from any meaningful form of obedience.

LISTEN — Your dead service reveals your dead worship!

Your worship is USELESS when there is no follow-through to serving Jesus.

Jesus commands us to not bother bringing our gift of worship to him when there is discord between us and another believer. HEY, many of you may not have discord with another believer, but you sure do have it with God. Don’t bother bringing your gift until you repent and align your heart the right way toward obedience.

God puts hight value on the proving to others of our conversion.

The only way to do that is through GOSPEL OBEDIENCE!

Quote: “Obedience is the only proof of reality.” — J.C. Ryle

Turn to: James 2:17-26 “17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

5) You Are Never Deserted

Jesus gives them a gracious promise

“I am with you alway, even to the end of the word (age).”

What more comforting words could one receive?

What more strengthening words could one receive?

Yes, their Master had left them in a cold, dark, and very unkind world. However, they were never deserted!

Jesus remained true to His name given at His birth; Emmanuel!

What Jesus declares Himself to be, He remains true.

Think about the many reasons why He remains close to His children:

Pardon, forgiveness, leadership, joy, health, in life and death, and for all eternity.

No matter what happens to you in this life, if you are HIS, you are never friendless nor alone!!!

Psalm 23:4 “4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

1 Thess. 4:17 “17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

“I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”

Quote: We could ask nothing more. Let us go on believing, and not be afraid. It is everything to be a real Christian. None have such a King, such a Priest, such a constant Companion and such an unfailing Friend, as the true servants of Christ.” — J.C. RYLE