Nothing to Fear talk
Nothing to Fear
What are some obstacles that stand in the way of you having greater faith?
Why do we struggle to trust God?
Mt. 8:23-27
Mt. 14:22-33
Sit down if you're afraid of:
the dark
the sight of blood
water
flying
making decisions
dogs
death
insects
work
women
men
heights
tights
thunderstorms
being alone
dead bodies
night
peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth
snakes
crowds
tight places
your parents
your principal
bad breath
failure
elevators
If you really want to make someone fearful of you… elevator story
You know I’ve spent… ...helping people overcome their fears
Skiing Backpacking Young People
But when the topic turns to following God some people really let their fears get in the way. God Squad Nerd Or a giant Hostess Twinkie Missionary
Or a Bible thumper- better than 2x4
Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Do we really live life to the full? Sometimes we are hindered by our fears.
Afraid of all this body piercing, - I have a friend—Tattoo Tat-3
Not me, I’m afraid of sharp things Knife collection
John 16 Jesus is talking to His D’s He says that they will soon experience grief, weeping, pain, mourning and even persecution.
Read it!
I’m wit ‘im!!! Sometimes that might have been their expression, but other times we know that they were fearful.
Being an overcomer of fear. …We really have Nothing to Fear
We can in the same way be overcomers of our fear in this world for 3 reasons:
1. God knows where you are going
2. He has a plan for getting you there
3. He has provided the equipment you need
1. God knows where you are going. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.”
Think about this…Jesus experienced this himself because He became a man.
2. He has a plan for getting you there- God said to Jeremiah Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD,
He also has a plan for us as well- to be salt and light- and to live to tell about His love for us.
3.He has provided the equipment you need
1. Jesus- you have to possess him Your Guide to lead you thru the wilderness of fear
2. Faith- You have to trust your Guide (Jesus) Indy- the invisible bridge itself could not have saved him if he did not trust and choose to take that 1st step
3. Love- is what it takes to follow through on the impossible. 1 John 4:15-19
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
Read bold again
Garden- can’t imagine
Caleb
Life to the Full- all of it! The good, the bad the rain falls on the just and on the Godless man. Read bold again!
Choose to Love and not Fear
Romans 8:15-17 (NIV)
15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.g And by him we cry, “Abba,h Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
[1]
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g Or adoption
h Aramaic for Father
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984