FEARFUL
-Introduction
-In last week’s lesson, we considered the Great Commission -Matt 28:18-20.
-In that lesson, I said that the actual command of the Great Commission is “make disciples”
rather than “go.” (If we are going to make disciples then we are going to go.)
-Again, I think it is important for us to understand this. If we place our emphasis on going,
then we might develop a tendency to stop there.
-In other words, by going to somebody with an invitation to services we might feel
satisfied that we have done our part.
-Yet, if we put our emphasis on the actual command of the Great Commission - make
disciples - then hopefully we’ll develop a tendency and purpose of going further - of
seeking and creating opportunities to actually share the Gospel with others.
-Rom 1:16 - Through the Gospel of Christ, people can become disciples.
-Now, as I stated last week, please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not trying to be critical of those
who have invited others to church services. I encourage you to keep doing so. Yet, I’m trying
to encourage us to continue to work with individuals with the primary goal of sharing the Gospel
of Christ - whether you do it personally or “recruit” somebody to help you do so.
-I believe we’ll develop an even better focus and determination if we truly look at the actual
command of the Great Commission - make disciples.
-So, in this lesson, I want to focus on one particular obstacle that stands in our way and the
dangers of it.
-The List of Revelation 21:8
-We know that there is an ongoing battle within this world - a spiritual battle of good and evil.
It is a battle that we are a part of whether we realize it or not. And, we need to realize it and
be active within it - for good.
-Eph 6:10-18
-Within this battle, there is a struggle between the physical, temporary, earthly things of
life and the spiritual, eternal, heavenly things made available in Christ.
-There is a struggle between the flesh and the spirit.
-consider the works of the flesh contrasted to the fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:19-23
-Along with the works of the flesh, we find this statement: “...they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God.” (That’s why we need to take the Gospel of Christ to them.)
-1 Cor 6:9-11
-Rev 21:8
-With this list in Rev 21:8, we find a number of things that we don’t identify with - thankfully so.
-idolators, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, liars, abominable
-Yet, maybe there is something that we can identify with - something we need to seriously
consider - the word, “fearful” (NAS, NKJV, NIV - “cowardly”).
-Matt 8:26 (Mark 4:40) - same Greek word
-Studying within the proper context is crucial to obtaining a proper understanding.
-Let’s first consider the general context of the book of Revelation:
-This book was written to encourage Christians to remain faithful and strong in the face
of severe persecution.
-Rev 1:1-3
-The word overcome occurs in one form or another 11 times in the book of Revelation. The
instructions to overcome were given to all seven of the churches of Asia - Rev chpts 2-3.
-With the overall message of overcoming to share in victory with God, would those described
as “fearful” be the ones who didn’t overcome but gave into the pressures around them?
-Matt 13:21 - stony soil
-Let’s now consider the immediate context of Rev 21:
-It is important to note that vs 8 begins with “but” - indicating a contrast.
-vs 1-4 - description of the holy city; vs 5-7 - instructions to writ
-vs 7 - “He that overcometh...”
-Again, the context indicates that those who were “timid” or “cowardly” are referred to as
such because they didn’t overcome the tribulations and persecutions
-What does this indicate to us today?
-Anytime we “give into” something not in accordance to God’s will due to outside
pressures and influence we are being “fearful” - timid, cowardly.
-Fearful in Spreading the Gospel?
-Let’s consider another application of this word outside of the immediate context of Rev 21.
-Matt 28:18-20, Jude 3
-How many times have we had the opportunity to discuss the truth, but for one reason or another
have passed up the opportunity? Was it because we were “fearful” (timid, cowardly)?
-Too often, we place too much emphasis on ourselves - similar to Moses in Exodus 3& 4 -
Who am I? I won’t know what to say. They won’t believe me. I’m not eloquent in speech.
Isn’t there somebody else better suited for this.
-Consider this: God put the opportunity in your path. He knows what He is doing.
-Deut 31:1, 6-7; Josh 1:1,9,18; Ps 31:24
-When it comes to fulfilling the Great Commission, we need to seek greater courage.
-We need to be bold in sharing the Gospel of Christ in a kind, compassionate and meek
manner.
-Let us heed the warning of Rev 21:8. Let’s not be fearful. Let’s be diligent servants/messengers
of God.
-What about you this morning? Perhaps you haven’t taken the steps you need to because
something has caused you to be fearful. Please, take advantage of this opportunity. If you’ve
never obeyed the Gospel, please do so now: believe (Jn 3:16, 8:24), confess your faith (Mt
10:32, Rm 10:9-10), repent of sin (Lk 13:35, Ac 17:30), Be baptized into Jesus (Mk 16:16, Ac
2:38).
-If you’ve previously obeyed the Gospel but haven’t remained faithful, confess your
shortcomings, repent of them and pray for God’s
forgiveness (1 Jn 1:7-9, Ac 8:22-24).