"Overcoming Fear: The Power of Trust in the Unseen"

In today's sermon, we will delve into the power of trust in the unseen - a faith-based approach to overcoming fear, anchored on God's eternal promises, instead of the temporal and visible circumstances.

2 Corinthians 4:18 “as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Point 1: Challenge Yourself to Fix Your Eyes on the Unseen

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Explanation: Having faith means focusing on the unseen realities of God's promises and presence, not merely the visible and temporary circumstances. This is a challenge because it requires a shift from the natural to the supernatural.

Point 2: Challenge Yourself to Understand the Temporal Nature of Visible Circumstances

Scripture Reference: James 4:13 - 14 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Explanation: Accepting that our earthly circumstances are temporal helps us to minimize fear. This understanding challenges us to put less weight on the problems of today and to focus on God's eternal promises.

Point 3: Challenge Yourself to Embrace God's Eternality

Scripture Reference: Psalm 90:2 - "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

Explanation: Embracing the eternality of God offers a secure foundation for our faith and diminishes fear. This challenge leads us to the comforting realization that our God is unchanging and everlasting.

Point 4: Challenge Yourself to Stand Firm in Faith

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:13 - "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Explanation: Faith is the antidote to fear. But maintaining that faith, especially in the face of adversity, is a significant challenge. We must continually decide to stand firm in our faith, cloaked in the armor of God.

Relevant Biblical Account: The account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) presents a profound illustration of these challenges. David, a young shepherd, stood against a towering warrior, not deterred by the visible circumstances, but trusting in the unseen power of God.

Compelling Closing Story: Reflect on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). When faced with the fear-inducing fiery furnace, these men displayed unwavering trust in God's deliverance, whether in life or death. Their focus was not on the visible, raging fire, but on the unseen, eternal God. This extraordinary faith in the unseen silenced fear and opened the way for a miraculous deliverance.