Courageous In The Face of Fear!

Intro:

In his sermon “Fear,” Clarence E. Macartney describes a peasant, driving into a European city, who was flagged down by an aged woman. As they drove along, the peasant became alarmed as he learned his passenger was the plague, with a disease called cholera. Cholera is an infections and often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies.

But she assured him that only ten people in the city would die of this disease. She even offered the peasant a dagger, saying he could slay her if more than ten died. But after they reached the city, more than a hundred perished. As the angry peasant drew the dagger to deal a death blow, the plague lifted her hand and protested, “Wait, I killed only ten. Fear killed the rest!”

—James Hastings

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

God has not given us the spirit of fear. Too often as believers we’re fearful to use our gifts and talents. We’re fearful to take a step in the direction God is calling us to. We fear speaking up for Christ and for the gospel, because of being …

• ridicule

• embarrassment

• mockery

• criticism

• opposition

• abuse

Being very honest, we have all experienced these fears at one time or another. We failed to witness—to use our gift in speaking up for Christ and in proclaiming the gospel lest we suffer persecution. But note the charge; it is clear and forceful: we are not to fear.

⇒ We are not to fear the face of man.

⇒ We are not to fear the trials that may come our way because we are living for Christ.

⇒ We are not to fear the ridicule and persecution that may be launched against us because we are witnessing and ministering for Christ.

Is it possible to keep from fearing if we live for Christ in this world, a world that is so evil and abusive? How can we keep from being apprehensive if we witness for Christ day by day? How can we keep from being a crowd when the world thinks that religion is to be kept in the church and not outside the four walls? How can we stand up for Christ when people mock and poke fun at anyone who lives for Christ?

2 Tim 1:7 tells us how to make it happen, we must let God equip us, to be courageous in the face of fear!

That’s what we are going to talk about tonight. How to be courageous in the face of fear. I want to share with you (4) things that will equip us to be courageous in the face of fear. We must understand that God has a plan for our lives.

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

I. With Confidence

“Being confident … that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. (Phil 1:6)

A. Today’s world is filled with turmoil and trouble. Many face the future with frustration and doubt.

The second characteristic of Paul’s thanksgiving for the Philippian believers was that he prayed with confidence. That confidence was based on the working of God in their midst, not in his own ability or persuasiveness.

Richard R. Melick Jr.

Where there is not faith and confidence in prayer, the prayer is dead.

Martin Luther

B. The believer can place his confidence in God and depend on Him. God is the One who never fails.

Psalm 37:3 ESV

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

It is futile to beg God to act contrary to His revealed purposes. To pray with confidence the petitioner must be certain that his request falls within the broad will of God for His people17

A. W. Tozer

II. With Commitment

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5)

A. Many try to cope with life’s challenges in their own strength and fail. Human power is finite.

Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes … but no plans.

Peter Drucker

B. We must surrender our wills to God and be totally yielded to His will. We can depend on His infinite wisdom. He gives His power to those who are totally committed to Him.

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The difference between involvement and commitment is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was involved—the pig was committed.

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III. With Cheerfulness

“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4)

A. Many Christians think negatively. They dwell on the gloomy side of life.

We are not just to act joyful, in reluctant pretense, but to be genuinely joyful. It is a matter of will, not of feelings, and should be the conscious, determined commitment of every faithful believer.

John F. MacArthur

B. We must think positively, looking for the good around us. We will be able to win others to Christ as we exemplify His love and joy

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, and its power of endurance—the cheerful man will do more in the same time, will do it better, will preserve it longer, than the sad or sullen.

Thomas Carlyle

Cheerfulness is the product of what one values.

Daniel J. Estes

IV. With Courage

“… with all boldness … Christ shall be magnified in my body …”

Philippians 1:20 ESV

20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

A. The apostle Paul faced life courageously. He was able to cope with adversity through the power of Christ.

Courage is the best gift of all; courage stands before everything. It is what preserves our liberty, safety, life, and our homes and parents, our country and our children. Courage comprises all things: a man with courage has every blessing.

Titus Maccius Plautus

B. We too must face the future with courage. Christ will go with us and before us as we work and witness for Him.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“one man with courage makes a majority,”

Warren W. Wiersbe

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of fear.

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Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

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May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rest on us and on all our work and worship done in his name. May he give us light to guide us, courage to support us, and love to unite us, now and for evermore.

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