Morning Worship for Sunday 21 June

by Andy Cokayne 21 June 2020

Our first hymn is ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’

Our second hymn is ‘O love that wilt not let me go’

Read Matthew 10 :24-39

Godly Confidence - Be Bold

Have you ever played the ‘Why?’ game? Wonderful when you are ‘the’ child, but can get a bit tedious and tiring when you are ‘the’ adult answering all the questions.

One of the readings set for today is Matthew 10 v 24-39.

In the passage we read ‘So do not be afraid’ (v26), ‘Do not be afraid’ (v28), and ‘So don’t be afraid’(v31).

Jesus is trying to get across to his disciples that they are not to be afraid. Earlier on in chapter 10 we read that he had called the 12 disciples to him and given them power and authority, over evil spirits, disease and sickness, fantastic, you may say, yet Jesus knows them, and knows that fear could hold them back. But they are not to be afraid.

Why aren’t they to be afraid? The basic principle is in verse 25 ‘It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.’ Yes, this means that we may be persecuted, just like Jesus, but it also means that we enjoy the same relationship with his Father as Jesus himself.

First ‘So do not be afraid. Why? Because we are to carry on sharing the good news of the gospel, it is God’s business to reveal what is hidden, what they have heard quietly about Jesus they were to speak openly, from the rooftops.

Second ‘Do not be afraid’. Why? Because no enemy can ultimately harm us. Whatever we face, whether it be a person, a situation, or an illness be it physical or mental, no harm can come to our souls, as we are safe in God’s hands.

Third ‘So don’t be afraid’ Why? Because God loves us individually and intimately. Sparrows were a cheap means of food for the poor, but even the sparrows are known by their creator. We have a Father who loves us so much that he knows how many hairs each person has.

Here you sense that the disciples may be asking, “Why Lord?” “Why are we not to be afraid of what is said about us?” “Why are we not to be afraid of those that hate us?” “Why are we not to be afraid that we may think we are worthless?” Jesus patiently responds to each of their questions. Sometimes with words that may feel uncomfortable. ‘Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.’ We might then ask the questions “But why are we worth more than many sparrows?” “Why are the hairs on our head all numbered?” Jesus’ answer is simple. Because we are loved by Our Heavenly Father. Why was the shepherd prepared to leave the 99 sheep safe in the fold and go looking for the sheep that was lost? Because we are loved by Our Heavenly Father. Why did the woman rejoice when she found the lost coin? Because we are loved by Our Heavenly Father. In both of these stories that Jesus told, he likened the lost item, the sheep and the coin, to us, and the seeker to Our Father God. Our Heavenly Father loves us, He knows us; our strengths and our weaknesses; our good points and our bad; our frustrations and our joys, and he loves us. A chorus we used to sing contains the words - Be bold, be strong for the Lord your God is with you, I am not afraid, I am not dismayed, ‘cause I’m walking in faith and victory, for the Lord your God is with you.

Jesus calls us not to be afraid. Why? Because we are loved and cared for by Our Heavenly Father. But he calls us to step out from our comfort, to be bold as his disciples.

What is God calling you to step out in faith into? Do not forget our Heavenly Father is with us always.

Our final hymn is ‘Even though I walk through the valley’

We are united with other churches throughout the country as we share together in the ‘The UK Blessing’.