GO BAG: Essential Things for the Journey Ahead
Following Jesus is always good… but it is not always easy.
DO NOT BE AFRAID
THREE THINGS NOT TO BE AFRAID OF
Matthew 10:24-25 (NLT) “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
1. Misunderstanding
YOU WILL FACE MISUNDERSTANDING, SO DO NOT BE SURPRISED.
Face Misunderstanding with Truth.
John 8:32 (NIV) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Communication is important.
Don’t confuse misunderstanding for miscommunication.
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF MISUNDERSTANDING.
Matthew 10:26-27 (NLT) “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
Truth will prevail.
Isaiah 54:17 (NLT)
17 But in that coming day
no weapon turned against you will succeed.
You will silence every voice
raised up to accuse you.
These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD;
their vindication will come from me.
I, the LORD, have spoken!
Face Misunderstanding with Trust.
Matthew 10:22-23 (NLT) And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.
2. Persecution
YOU WILL FACE PERSECUTION, SO DO NOT BE SURPRISED.
Face Persecution with Perseverance.
Matthew 10:22 (NLT) And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Wisdom is important.
Don’t confuse wisdom for fear.
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF PERSECUTION
Matthew 10:28 (NLT) “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Face Persecution with Hope.
Eternity is at stake.
Face life with hope
Matthew 10:21 (NLT) “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.
3. Conflict
YOU WILL FACE CONFLICT, SO DO NOT BE SURPRISED.
John 17:14 (NLT) I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
Face Conflict with Humility.
Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Malachi 4:5-6 (NIV) “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Identity is important.
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF CONFLICT
Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT) What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
1 John 3:1 (NIV) See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Face Conflict with Confidence In God’s Love.
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