This is part of the worship series
"Lead More Like Jesus: Three Services for the Pentecost Season"
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
FourTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
FACING AND CONQUERING FEARS
Matthew 10:24–33
Have you ever been so afraid that you were unable to do something you really wanted to do or knew you should do? Have you failed to tell the story and truth of the gospel because of your fear?
In this gospel lesson Jesus shares truths for disarming those fears. As the disciples prepare to embark on their mission, he tells them, "Do not be afraid." Why? Because Jesus would be with them: "the very hairs of [your] heads are all numbered."
The church today needs to hear this message from Jesus too. We need to remember that Jesus gives us strength to overcome even the most paralyzing fears and to go forward proclaiming his Word. And we can start by taking an honest look at those fears.
The Fear of Failure
The first fear is that this gospel-proclaiming adventure may fail through interference )vv. 26–27). Many of us entertain fears about how others will react if we begin to witness and evangelize. Like the disciples, we fear that others will have subtle ways of countering our effectiveness.
Jesus assures us that the evil intentions of our opponents will be made known. But even more hopeful and promising is that the gospel will be "revealed" and "made known." It is interesting to note the passives here, indicating an effort by someone other than the disciples. Obviously it is the Lord of the harvest, Jesus.
Since the success of the gospel is assured, Jesus' followers can get on with the business of proclaiming it and enjoying the results of its power in people's lives. We are to proclaim publicly ("upon the housetops") what we have learned privately. The words of the apostle Paul to the Romans come to mind: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16). And as Paul tells Agrippa in Acts 26, he simply shares the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (the "old, old story of Jesus and his love"). Paul had the utmost confidence in the power of that gospel, leaving the results to God.
Many of us need to have our faith in the power of the gospel restored. We need to move beyond our fears of how others will respond and let the powerful gospel do its work. We also need to understand that we live among a people who are virtually ignorant of the gospel story. We must simply tell it and tell it simply.
The Fear of Death
The second fear, a fear of physical death at the hands of opponents, is presented in verse 28. If you're familiar with the history of the disciples' martyrdom, you'll know that they had good reason to fear for their lives. Again, Jesus' message is one we all need to hear. We are to take courage because people only have power to kill the body (soma). Our spirit (psyche) will live on eternally with Jesus, awaiting the resurrection of the body.
At this time in North America we are not in danger of being killed for sharing our faith. Nevertheless, our fears about witnessing still paralyze us. Every Christian needs to honestly ask the question, "What is the worst-case scenario?" As we go through that process, we begin to realize that the worst thing that could happen is that someone could take our life. We must face that fear (somewhat theoretically) and realize that we have to trust Jesus' promise here. We can overcome this fear through an awareness that our life with him is eternal. And then we can move beyond all our other lesser fears.
The Fear of Loss
The third fear, described in verses 29–31, strikes closer to home for North Americans attached to their possessions and positions in society. Perhaps we do not fear that evangelizing will cost us our lives, but we can't help wondering if it will cost us our possessions.
Jesus reassures his disciples and us with the promise of our heavenly Father's gracious and abundant providential care. Our Father knows us so intimately that he knows the number of hairs on our heads. The Father, who is so protective of his creation, will surely take care of Jesus' disciples, who are creation's crown.
The purpose of this message will be to help people deal honestly with the fears that interfere with telling the good news, and to share the words of Jesus that disarm those fears. We are empowered to overcome these fears through the strength of Jesus, the Lord of the harvest. He is the one who is enthroned, and he has power and authority over all things, power and authority that he exercises on behalf of his sent body, the church (Eph. 1:19–23). The ultimate truth expressed here is that if we acknowledge Jesus without shame here on earth, he will acknowledge us before our Father in heaven.
Worship Outline
Gathering Songs and Opening Prayer
Song
"Come and Rejoice" Gustafson & Moen
Prayer
Father, thank you for calling your church to be your holy nation.
We long to worship and adore you.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit
to overcome anything that stands in the way of our being clear channels of your grace,
through which you summon the nations.
Give us today a sense of your urgency to call people to yourself.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Songs of Praise
"God of the Ages" Clarkson
[transpose to D for smooth transition into the next song]
"I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord" Fillmore, Post
"The Steadfast Love of the Lord" McNeill
Service of Reconciliation
Call to Repentance
Isaiah 6:5
Prayer of Confession
"Have Thine Own Way, Lord" Pollard
Assurance of Pardon
Isaiah 1:18
Service of the Word
Scripture Readings
Old Testament: Genesis 21: 8–21
Psalm 86: "Lord, My Petition Hear" Polman
Epistle: Romans 6:1–11
Gospel: Matthew 10:24–33
Message: Facing and Conquering Fears
Prayer of Application
Response and Sending Forth: Hymn Suggestions
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" Wesley
"On Eagles' Wings" Joncas
"Have No Fear, Little Flock" Jilson
"The Lord Is My Life" Joncas
"O Christians Haste" Thomson
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 7(12)
