Come and See, Go and Tell: Session 3

From Fear to Faith: Embracing Our Gospel Mission Have you ever felt afraid to share your faith? I know I have. Just this week, I felt that internal conviction to speak up about Jesus, but fear held me back. We've all been there. But as we approach Easter, I'm reminded of how the resurrection story can transform our fear into bold faith. In Matthew 27-28, we see four powerful elements that can break through our fears and empower us to share the good news: 1. The Cost of Easter When Jesus cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), we see the immense cost of our salvation. Christ bore the full wrath of God so that we could be forgiven. As the centurion declared, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54). Reflecting on this supreme sacrifice puts our own perceived "costs" of sharing the gospel into perspective. Any awkwardness or rejection we might face pales in comparison to what Jesus endured for us. 2. The Message of Easter The angel's first words to the women at the empty tomb were, "Do not be afraid" (Matthew 28:5). What joyous news followed - "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay" (Matthew 28:6). This is the heart of our message: Jesus is alive! Death is defeated. We don't have to fear because He lives. When we grasp the power of this truth, it compels us to share it with others. 3. The Authority of Easter After His resurrection, Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). This wasn't just a statement; it was the foundation for His commission to us. We go forth in His supreme authority. When I invite someone to church or start a gospel conversation, I'm not doing it on my own authority. I'm operating under the authority of the King of Kings. How encouraging is that? 4. The Mission of Easter Jesus didn't just conquer death and ascend to heaven. He gave us a mission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). This is His mission, and He's invited us to be part of it. We're not just allowed to share the gospel - we're authorized and commissioned to do so. Life Application: Overcoming Fear to Share So how do we move from fear to faith in sharing the gospel? Here are some practical steps: 1. Focus on fearing God more than man. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 2. Remember the cost Christ paid. Let His sacrifice motivate you to speak up. 3. Embrace the joy of the resurrection message. We have good news to share! 4. Go forth in Christ's authority. You're not alone - He's with you. 5. See evangelism as joining God's mission. It's not about our ability, but His. This Easter, let's allow the power of the resurrection to transform our fears into bold faith. As the old hymn reminds us, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone." We're not dismissed - we're sent. Let's go forth with confidence, knowing that the risen Christ goes with us.