AFRAID OF EVANGELISM?

Isaiah 41:1-15

Afraid of…•Rejection•Losing a friendship•Feeling inadequate•Fear what others will think about you•Interrupting somebody’s life•Being seen as arrogant•Embarrassment over unanswerable questions•A hurtful situation repeating itself •Your own weaknesses, hypocrisies, and inadequacies

•Bearing no fruit

If you are afraid of sharing the gospel•Satan has you right where he wants you

•Rev. 2:10 - 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

•You have not been perfected in love•1 John 4:18 - 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Is. 41:1-4 (Judge God’s Power)•In context Isaiah is comparing those that worship idols verses those that worship the true God of Israel.

•V1 Let get together and make a judgement?•V2 Who raised up one from the east?

•Could be talking about Abraham•Could be talking about King Cyrus

•The answer to both would be God• v3-4 Who effects every generation? – The LORD

•God has been all powerful for every generation, God’s Word has been all powerful for every generation. - Rom. 1:16

Is. 41:5-7 (The Fearful Craftsmen)•The craftsman, afraid of God’s power, is encouraging the goldsmith to work harder•Instead of surrendering to their situation, they instead create more and more idols

•The Christian, afraid of sharing the gospel, will work hard to stay away from the opportunities God has given to him or her•Instead of surrendering to the situation, they instead will create more and more excuses

•This will encourage other Christians to create excuses as well

Afraid of…•Rejection•Losing a friendship•Feeling inadequate•Fear what others will think about you•Interrupting somebody’s life•Being seen as arrogant•Embarrassment over unanswerable questions•A hurtful situation repeating itself •Your own weaknesses, hypocrisies, and inadequacies

•Bearing no fruit

Is. 41:8-13 (God will help you)•V10 When we are afraid, we must remember that God is with us, He will strengthen us, He will help us

•V10,v13 God’s right hand will uphold us

•Is. 59:1 God’s hand is what saves!•I Cor. 3:5-9•We must stop believing that our performance or ability is chiefly responsible for the conversion of others!•Our true role is simple – it is nothing to be afraid of

Is. 41:14-16 (You shall thresh mountains)•V14 Jacob is described as a worm.

•But the LORD and the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel is going to…

•V15 Make them into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth.

•God has given us the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17)

•God’s scripture has “equipped us for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16)

• For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Rom. 1:16