Do Not Fear

Good Morning!!

My name is Jake Stewart

I am a Deacon at First Southern Baptist Church here in Garden City… where I also serve as the drummer on the Worship team.

I am honored to be up here today!

{Pray} Heavenly Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. Lord, may your Holy Spirit feel this room. In your mighty name, I pray, AMEN!

PLEASE TURN WITH ME IN YOUR BIBLES IF YOU HAVE THEM TO THE BOOK OF ISAIAH —— CHAPTER 41 VERSE 10

CONTEXT~

Before we read our scripture today, let me give you a little CONTEXT on the Book of Isaiah.

The PROPHET ISAIAH lived about 700 years before Jesus. He preached to the people of Judah during a time when the nation was full of fear, uncertainty, and spiritual drift. The nation of Israel was in exile. A powerful empire was threatening to invade, and the people were anxious about the future.

ISAIAH 41 focuses on assuring the people of Israel that God has the POWER AND DESIRE to deliver them and bring them SALVATION.

Throughout Isaiah, God spoke both warnings and promises. He warned the people about the consequences of turning away from him, but he also gave incredible promises of HOPE, RESTORATION, and THE COMING SAVIOR!

Throughout this chapter, there is a clear emphasis on contrasting the UNIQUENESS AND POWER of God to that of other gods. Isaiah does this to assure the people of Israel that God loves them, and they have a future beyond their current circumstances. And in the midst of a fearful and uncertain time, God spoke one of the most comforting promises in all of scripture ~~ One that emphasizes God’s relationship with His people. Isaiah 41:10 reinforces the idea that God is not only much more powerful than the other nations, but he is intimately involved in the lives of his people

LET’S READ WHAT GOD TELLS HIS PEOPLE IN ISAIAH 41:10

‘Do not Fear, for I am with you;

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will also help you,

I will also uphold you with My Righteous right hand.’

The older we get the more precious certain scriptures become.

When we were young, we underlined PROMISES about DIRECTION.

And all through our lives, we held onto PROMISES about PROVISION.

But in this season - we cling to PROMISES about HIS PRESENCE.

And here is what God says to you today:

“You are Still Being Held!”

Let me ask you a question: How many of you have seen loss or uncertainty? Did you know that God knows when we are experiencing loss and uncertainty?

When God spoke these words from Isaiah 41:10 through the prophet Isaiah, He was speaking to people who were weary. They had seen Loss. They had seen uncertainty. They (LIKE US) have lived long enough to know that life is not always easy.

Let’s dive into and talk about Isaiah 41:10. OR as our pastor John likes to say - “Lets unpack this verse and take a look at what God is telling us here- Shall we?!”

INTRODUCTION There are many things in the world today that cause fear. In the last few years, my wife and I have seen our children leave our home and venture out on their own in different places- some are many hours away. And each time they travel home, we both say a little prayer of protection over them while on the road… WE TALK TO GOD AND ASK THAT HE STRENGTHEN US, and take away our fear…

Another example is our world today.. people are concerned with how much the cost of living has gone up - the cost of groceries is up, and it seems that the gas prices are rising…. AGAIN..

Many people fear not have enough money to make ends meet.

FEAR IS A CONSTANT COMPANION IN TODAY’S WORLD.

Each one of us is facing some kind of uncertainty right now~whether it be a tough financial decision, a health concern, or an uncertain future….FEAR has a way of creeping into every corner of our lives. And with so much uncertainty, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

But the Bible offers a powerful antidote~~~PEACE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD!

Isaiah 41:10 is one of the most reassuring verses in the Bible, and it reminds us of God’s unwavering support and strength in times of trouble. And while the world brings FEAR, God has something better for you!!

And in my time with you here today, we will take a look at what this verse means and how it applies to our lives each day. And I believe by understanding the depth and significance of this verse. I know that you will find strength and hope in God’s promise that HE IS WITH YOU!

God says: “Do Not Fear”

Fear does not retire when we do. At this stage of life, fear may sound like:

What will this doctor say? ...or even better .......

How much longer will I be able to live independently?

****SHARE MY STORY OF MY FEAR WITH PREACHING TODAY****

I was saved on February 3, 2015. Through the last 11 years, I have served diligently in several ways at our church, all behind the curtain (so to speak) but today is my very first time to preach, and I assure you that I’m a little nervous and~ yes…. I'm in fear

BUT ~~ Lets focus on something POSITIVE and POWERFUL-

God does not say “ Do not fear because this will be EASY”, He says, “Do not fear, because I AM WITH YOU”

The Promise is His Presence

Fear loses power when you take a minute and remember who is with you

Life Can Be Uncertain, But..God is Not

God Says: “FOR I AM WITH YOU”

God does not promise a life without loss. As I said earlier...HIS PROMISE IS HIS PRESENCE IN IT!

**STORY ABOUT DIVORCE CARE

Some of you know what its like to sit in an empty house. To look over and see an empty chair. My wife and I lead a Divorce Care group at our church. And in that class, we hear a lot about that “empty house”. In fact, many have shared that nights are the hardest. When the silence is so loud! But here is the truth:

Even when the house is quiet, heaven is not

God says: “I AM WITH YOU”

He was with you during the time you went to school. He was with you at your wedding. He was with you in the delivery room. He was with you in that empty room. AND....HE IS WITH YOU RIGHT NOW!

You may feel alone- But you are not alone! You may walk a little slower, But you are not walking on your own!

God says : “I AM YOUR GOD”

Notice God says - “I am your God” ..… That's PERSONAL!!!

Some of you have walked with God 40-50-60 years-

YOU HAVE SEEN HIM:

-Provide when money was tight

-Heal when doctors were unsure

-Get you home safely while driving in a storm

-Comfort when overwhelmed with grief

Young believers HOPE God will be faithful -

But mature believers KNOW He is faithful. BELIEVERS have a relationship with Him - A history with Him.

And I’m here telling you today that if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please talk to myself or someone you might know about Him…because my God has NEVER failed me.....and He WILL NOT START NOW!

God says “ I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU”

A different kind of strength.......

****STORY ON WORKING OUT AND LIFTING WEIGHTS*****

In my house …and more specifically, in the corner of the basement, there is a weight bench and some weights that have been that haven’t been touched for a long time! In recent weeks, I have scooted the bench away from the wall and picked those weights up again… I am working on my physical strength.

For most of us, the word strength means lifting, just taking a walk, or working long hours.

But **Strength Changes Over Time** It may look a little different now than it did at 30. It may not be physical strength. But it can be a deeper strength. (pause)

***STORY OF VISITING A WOMAN IN CARE FACILITY***

I remember visiting a woman in a care facility recently. Although her body was frail, I was so inspired by her strong Faith! It was very steady! I remember asking her how she was doing. She smiled and said, “God has carried me this far, He won’t drop me now.”

-That Is the kind of Strength we are talking about in Isaiah

Sometimes His strength shows up as PEACE

Sometimes ENDURANCE

other times its just the QUIET CONFIDENCE that HE IS IN CONTROL

I want you all to hear this......You are not running out of strength...But you are leaning into HIS!

God says, “I WILL HELP YOU!”

YOU ARE NOT A BURDEN!

God says : “I will help you!”

What does this help look like? His help looks like.... A Skilled Doctor A kind nurse A family member who calls at just the right time A calm spirit at 3 am A friend or church member who shows up

I said earlier when I first walked up here that this is my first time sharing a message from God. Yes I AM NERVOUS. But as I look out and as I see the people that God Placed in my life that are here today, I understand deeper what God is saying when He says.… “I Will Help You!”

I had many resources that God put in my life and it is up to me not to miss that.

And don't be too proud to ask God for that help and receive that help.

Friends, sometimes God answers our prayers by placing people in our lives at just the right time ….. and allowing them to help us is how God answers our prayers!

God says, “I WILL UPHOLD YOU!”

He is Holding You

*Pay close attention to this part*

“I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Uphold means to support you .....to keep you from falling.

Lets discuss why it says RIGHT HAND....

The right hand in scripture represents Power, Authority, and Protection. God isn't just barely holding you, He is upholding you….. like a father holding a baby learning to walk, or like a shepherd steadying a sheep on rocky ground

HIS GRIP DOES NOT WEAKEN uHIS HAND DOES NOT TREMBLE HIS STRENGHT DOES NOT FADE

When you feel unsteady He sure is steady. When you feel weak, He is strong. When you feel uncertain, He is unchanging.

Hear This Clearly.....YOU AREN’T HOLDING ONTO GOD BY YOUR STRENGH GOD IS HOLDING ONTO YOU WITH HIS! His grip does not weaken.

Lets Talk about the Years Ahead

At this stage of life, People think their usefulness is behind them. Let me tell you something!

You are the memory of faith in this room!

You can be living testimonies of Gods Faithfulness. You can also be proof that walking with Jesus is worth it.

You ALL have something the world needs.....Steady faith, tested trust, quiet endurance Your prayers still move heavens, God hears all you prayers. Your wisdom still shapes family's. Your presence still matters deeply. You are not finished.

You Are Being Held BY GOD’S RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND!

CLOSING

Years ago, a pastor visited an elderly man in the hospital, who was nearing the end of his life.

The man had lived along, full life, loved his family, and walked with God for many years. As the pastor sat beside his bed, he noticed the man kept one hand, slightly raised, as if he was holding onto something.

The pastor gently asked, “why do you keep holding your hand like that?” The elderly man smiled softly, and said, “the Bible says God holds me with his righteous right hand…and I am just holding onto His…”

You see Fran, when we come to the later seasons of life, we realize something important. Our strength may fade. Our bodies may grow weaker. But the promise of God never weakens!!

God did not say you will hold yourself up

He said in Isaiah 41:10

I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU

I WILL HELP YOU

I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND

And the same God who carried you this far

WILL CARRY YOU ALL THE WAY HOME!!

LETS PRAY !!