Fear NOT: The Unbearable Weight of Fear

Fear NOT: The Unbearable Weight of Fear

Seems like there are more things to be afraid of today …

Than there were years ago—Agree?

Kid—Afraid à Leaving closet door cracked …

Scary man under bed—Rules

Now—Grown-up fears …

Economy—Lose job—High interest rates—Never afford home.

Worried about your health—Health—Loved one.

(Worried à Decision—Kids make) (Worried à Decision you make)

Things way out of control—War in Middle East.

Next Presidential Election—AI—Take over the world

Some say … Fear is the opposite of faith …

Fear is faith—Fear is putting your faith in worst-case scenarios.

Fear is not from God!

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but ofpower, love, and self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7 NLT

In Luke 1 … We see Mary (know as mother of Jesus)

Teenage girl—Date cute young guy—Joseph. (Joey/Mare-Bear) - I know this is not Christmas

Mary had plan—Joey (carpenter)—Open cabinet business.

Engaged married—Date booked—Bethlehem Wedding Chapel.

Money set aside—Honeymoon on the beach.

Rent apartment—2 years settling in—Have first baby! (Had a plan)

But God interrupted their plans!

Why does God do that?

· God’s purpose is often very different from our plans.

God’s ways are higher … See this in Luke 1:26

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Luke 1:26-29 NLT

Confused & Disturbed …

Confused—Wait a minute … Why me?

What are you going to ask me to do.

Confused & Disturbed …

Confused—Wait a minute … Why me?

What are you going to ask me to do.

Not just confused à Disturbed.

I like that Luke chose the Greek word translated as “disturbed.”

Not only am I confused—Don’t like this!

Don’t mess w/ my plans.

God interrupts Mary …

I’ve discovered that so many times …

· What we call God’s disturbing interruptions are often God’s divine invitations.

God—You’re interrupting my plans!

God says—No, I’m inviting you to my purpose!

God interrupted Moses w/ a burning bush!—Deliver my people.

God interrupted David while tending sheep—Anoint become King.

God interrupted Saul—Bright light

Instrument—Gospel Gentiles.

God may interrupt you—Thought knew what want.

Had a plan to marry someone—God had someone else.

Thought you were going to go this school—Another one—Video.

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Luke 1:29 NLT

Mary tried to think of what the angel could mean. Ever do that?

· You don’t have to understand the plan to trust that God has a purpose.

So the angel speaks … (v. 30)

30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!” Luke 1:30

What is favor? Demonstrated delight

Visible evidence God’s bless.

· Favor is the undeserved blessings God lavishly pours out on his children.

Flying international - when i flying to Hatti i looked at my ticket and i am used to flying economy class and my ticket said first class (Big time now brother)

Dinner—Appetizer/Salad—Choices main—Dessert/Cheese plate.

Eye covers—Ear plugs—Blank-ey—Wake up—Wash cloth.

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Favor isn’t just material or financial blessings.

People “like” you—Good relationships—Good health.

How many of you want favor w/ God? (I want God’s favor)

If I’m Mary—Give me favor?—Pay for wedding/honeymoon.

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Angel says …

31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”Luke 1:31-33

Angel reminds us … with God—All things are possible!

What’s weighing on you today—Whatever it is

God can intervene.

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God can bring you the right person.

God can change the wrong person into a better person.

God can provide—Meet any need!

God can heal—Any sickness!

God is your savior—God forgives—Forgive any sin!

That person far from God—Wants nothing to do with God.

God can reach anyone!

All things are possible w/ God!

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What Is God Asking You to Do or Believe?

Start a ministry—Go back to college—Reach out—Restore.

Give something—Trust God with tithe.

Break up w/ person not honoring God—Mend relationship family.

Believe for healing—Witness to friend who needs Jesus.

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An angel tells a teenage girl—Give birth to Savior of the world.

Fear not … you have found favor w/ God.

Mary realizes that …

· Outcome is God’s responsibility.

· Obedience is ours.

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38 NLT

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Whatever you are facing today—Whatever weighs on you

God has not given you a spirit of fear.

The same God that was w/ Mary—W/ you!

Do not be afraid—You have found favor—The Lord is w/ you.