Fear Factor Series

This morning we are in the last of a three part series on the book entitled: The Art of Neighboring. Last week we were challenged to make a block map. This week we’re challenged to go a step further.

Have you ever felt that twinge of nervousness when you thought about walking across the street to introduce yourself to a neighbor? That little voice in your head that says, "What if they think I'm weird?" or "What if I don't know what to say?" Or maybe even, "What if I get too involved and they need more than I can give?"

Neighboring can feel riskier than a week-long mission trip to a developing country. Because the people next door—they're always going to be there. They'll still see you in your driveway, at the mailbox, or walking your dog. It's not a one-and-done service project. It's real life. Ongoing. Messy. Vulnerable.

But this is the kind of relationship Jesus calls us into.

The incarnation—God becoming human—is the ultimate example of neighboring. God didn't send a message from a distance; He moved into the neighborhood. And now, as His followers, we are called to do the same.

But we won't do it unless we overcome fear. And the only way to overcome fear is not by mustering up courage—it's by leaning into faith.

The Opposite of Fear Is Not Courage—It's Faith

Let's talk about what drives us. When fear takes the wheel, it controls how we relate, how we speak—or how we stay silent. Think about the storm in Mark 4. The disciples are terrified. The wind is howling. Waves are crashing. And Jesus? Asleep. When they finally wake Him, He doesn't say, "Why aren't you braver?" He says: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" – Mark 4:40 (NIV)

What Jesus is revealing here is profound: our fear isn't just a lack of courage; it's a lack of trust.

Courage is simply faith applied.

We see this in every story of bravery. Soldiers are courageous not because they have no fear but because they trust—their leaders, their cause, their training. That trust allows them to move forward despite fear. But only one kind of trust never disappoints. Romans 10:11: "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disappointed." Faith in ourselves can falter. Faith in others can fail. But faith in Jesus—this is the solid rock.

Personal Story: When I first felt called to ministry, I was terrified. I came to it later in life. I wasn't sure I knew enough or was equipped enough. But I learned that the call of God isn't about confidence in myself, it's about confidence in Him.

And every time I've chosen to trust Him, He has come through. Not always in the ways I expected, but always in the ways I needed.

Let's look at Matthew—someone who knew what it meant to overcome fear with faith.

Faith Gave Matthew the Courage to Publicly Identify with Jesus

Matthew was a tax collector. That meant he was hated by his own people. Seen as a sell-out. A traitor. Wealthy, yes, but spiritually bankrupt in the eyes of many. When Jesus called him, Matthew didn't negotiate. He didn't ask for time to clean up his reputation or his life. He stood up and followed Jesus publicly.

It's no small thing. He left the safety of his desk, his income, his status, however hated it was, and took a step into the unknown.

How do we publicly identify with Jesus today?

We identify through Baptism

Baptism is more than tradition. It's our first act of gospel witness. It's how we say to the world, "I belong to Jesus." Matthew 28:19-20 “Go… baptize… and teach them…” . Acts 18:8"Many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized."

Baptism is the outward sign of an inward transformation. It doesn't save us, faith does, but it shows the world we've been saved.

We identify through Fellowship

Matthew didn't just follow Jesus in private. He became part of the movement. He joined the community of believers. We show our faith by showing up.

Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together…"

Think of the woman who sat in the back of the sanctuary every Sunday, though she couldn't hear a word. When asked why she still came, she said, "Because I want people to know whose side I'm on."

Faith Gave Matthew the Courage to Follow Completely (v. 9b)

He left everything. That means more than just his job. He left behind security. Identity. His old way of life. Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." True faith doesn't just add Jesus on—it surrenders all to Him. That doesn't mean perfection. Matthew didn't suddenly become sinless. But his direction changed.