A Year With Fear or Faith

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

INTRODUCTION

Every new year brings fresh opportunity—but also fresh anxiety. Questions about health, family, finances, culture, and faithfulness loom large.

Paul writes to Timothy at a moment of pressure, not comfort. This is not a motivational speech—it is a pastoral charge.

Before Paul tells Timothy what to do, he reminds him of what God has given.

I. THE DAMAGE FEAR DOES WHEN IT TAKES CONTROL

2 Timothy 1:6 “6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,”

Fear is not from God, and it is never harmless.

A. Fear Causes Spiritual Forgetfulness

Fear narrows our vision until all we see is the problem.

We forget who God is

We forget what God has done

We forget what God has promised

Fear doesn’t erase truth—it pushes it to the background.

Support Scriptures

Psalm 77:11–12 “11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

Deuteronomy 8:2 “2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.”

Israel forgot God after deliverance

Revelation 2:4–5 “4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

Forgetting first love leads to spiritual drift

Illustration Like spiritual amnesia, fear causes us to forget past faithfulness while obsessing over present uncertainty.

Application

Ask: Where has God already proven faithful in my life?

Start the year by remembering before requesting.

B. Fear Paralyzes Obedience

Fear rarely says “no” outright—it says “not now, not yet, I’m not ready” etc.

Timothy wasn’t rebelling—he was hesitating

Fear doesn’t always look dramatic; often it looks like delay, silence, or retreat

Many believers aren’t running from God—they’re standing still in fear.

Support Scriptures

Matthew 25:24–25 “24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’”

The fearful servant buried his gift

James 4:17 “17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

Knowing the good and failing to do it is sin

Proverbs 29:25 “25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

Fear of man brings a snare

Illustration A parked car may look fine, but it will never take you anywhere.

Application

Where has fear delayed your obedience?

What step of faith has God already made clear to you?

C. Fear Magnifies Our Weakness

Fear causes us to focus on our limits instead of God’s power.

Fear reminds us of our limits, AND magnifies them

When fear leads, weakness defines us instead of God’s strength

Fear makes us measure life by our ability instead of God’s sufficiency.

Support Scriptures

Numbers 13:31–33 “31 Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” 32 So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. 33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.””

Grasshopper mentality

Isaiah 41:10 “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.”

“Fear not, for I am with you”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Strength perfected in weakness

Illustration Fear is a bad lens—it enlarges threats and shrinks God.

Application

Stop measuring HIS calling by YOUR strength

Start measuring it by God’s presence

II. THE RESOURCES GOD SUPPLIES THROUGH HIS SPIRIT

2 Timothy 1:7 “7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

God never removes fear without replacing it.

A. God Supplies Power for Faithful Living

This is not bravado—it is Spirit-empowered endurance.

This is not personality strength or confidence

It is Holy Spirit power for faithfulness, endurance, and witness

God never calls us forward empty-handed.

Support Scriptures

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Power to witness

Zechariah 4:6 “6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

Not by might, but by My Spirit

Ephesians 3:16 “16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”

Strengthened with power through His Spirit

Illustration A lamp doesn’t create power—it receives it.

Application

Dependence, not confidence, is the mark of maturity

Ask God daily for Spirit-empowered faithfulness

B. God Anchors Us in Love

Love is fear’s greatest enemy!

1. God’s Love for Us Drives Out Fear

We are not abandoned in suffering

We are not forgotten in difficulty

When we know we are loved, fear loses its voice.

Support Scriptures

Romans 8:15 “15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””

Not a spirit of slavery to fear

Isaiah 43:1–2 “1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

“Fear not… you are Mine”

Psalm 56:3–4 “3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Trusting God when afraid

1 John 4:18 “18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Illustration Fear fades when love is secure.

Application

Fear thrives where identity is shaky

Rest in who you are in Christ

2. Our Love for God Strengthens Courage

Love produces loyalty

Love produces endurance

Love produces bold obedience

Support Scriptures

John 14:15 “15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Love leads to obedience

1 John 5:3 “3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

Love expressed through faithfulness

Hebrews 12:2 “2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

John 3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Endurance fueled by devotion

Illustration

Fear asks, “What if?” Love asks, “Why not?” Fear asks, “What might I lose?” Love asks, “Who am I living for?”

Application

Obedience flows more easily from love than discipline alone

Rekindle your love to restore your courage

C. God Renews and Steadies Our Mind

2 Timothy 1:7 “7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Fear confuses. God clarifies.

Paul dismantles false answers to fear—not by naming them, but by modeling truth.

Running from hardship won’t fix fear

Proverbs 28:1 “1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Letting emotions lead won’t fix fear

Pretending it isn’t there won’t fix fear

Trying to fight fear in our own strength won’t fix fear

Fear is not defeated by avoidance, emotion, or force—it is defeated by faith anchored in truth.

Support Scriptures

Romans 12:2 “2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Renewed mind

Philippians 4:6–8 “6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Replacing anxiety with truth

Isaiah 26:3 “3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Perfect peace for the stayed mind

Application

What voices are shaping your thinking this year?

Replace panic with prayer and truth

III. THE CONFIDENCE THAT CARRIES US FORWARD

2 Timothy 1:8–12 “8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do…

A. Faith Does Not Eliminate Suffering

Support Scriptures

John 16:33 “33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

Trouble promised, peace provided

1 Peter 4:12–13 “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

Do not be surprised by trials

Romans 8:18 “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Present suffering vs. future glory

Paul writes from prison—but not from despair.

Paul doesn’t promise Timothy safety—he promises security in Christ.

Paul is in chains

The gospel is advancing

God is still trustworthy

This is not confidence in circumstances—this is confidence in the character of God.

B. Faith Convinces Us of God’s Character

2 Timothy 1:12 “12 … But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Support Scriptures

Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Trusting God fully

Psalm 9:10 “10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Those who know Your name trust You

Hebrews 10:23 “23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

He who promised is faithful

Application

Confidence comes from who we trust, not what we face

Begin the year declaring trust before circumstances change

CONCLUSION / CALL TO RESPONSE

As this year begins, the question is not:

Will there be uncertainty?

Will there be hardship?

The question is: Which spirit will shape how we walk forward?

Fear or Faith !!

Fear tries to shrink God… Faith magnifies Him!

God has already given us everything we need for the year ahead.

OPTIONAL RESPONSE PRAYER

Confession of fear-driven living

Renewed trust in God’s power, love, and truth

Commitment to step forward in faith in 2026

Related Media

Related Sermons

Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.