Faith over Fear

We are not strangers to the damage that Hurricanes can cause. Almost 5 years ago, we woke up to news stories about a road that had washed out and claimed the lives of 3 people.

Hurricane Ida had come through our are dumping about 12 inches of rain causing flash flooding throughout the area. Hwy 26 has washed out during the night and in the dark 7 vehicles plummeted into the newly formed canyon in the road.

There was a couple in the first car that fell, they called 911 to call for help and to get someone out there to warn others. The 911 operator listened in horror as they listened to the other 6 cars crash into the ravine.

It was a horrifying sight to see some of the pictures. And it came as no surprise that many were injured and some even lost their lives.

What happened? Obviously the road washed out. But the biggest issue is that no one knew the road was gone. No one knew there was danger ahead.

What if you were to discover a road that had washed out? Would you park in the road and try to stop others? Would you call authorities to get them to come and help you? Or would you be worried that people would think you are crazy? Would you be worried that someone would hurt you for speaking the truth to them? NO! You wouldn’t care because you know that the road is out and if they keep going they are going to get hurt or worse die.

If this is true, why do we keep the Gospel to ourselves? Why do we fail to share it? Why do we fail to live in a way that shows others Who God is and who we are in Christ?

We’re afraid to offend.

We’re afraid to mess up.

We’re too busy…

Genesis 12:10-20

Abraham has just been called and has received all these promises of God’s presence and blessing, but as we will see he fails to trust God.

Genesis 12:10–20 ESV

10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” 20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

Legitimate fears do not excuse faithlessness.

Abraham wasn’t wrong. The men of Egypt did notice that Sarah was beautiful, they did recommend her to Pharoah, and he did in fact take her for his wife.

Abraham probably hated that he was right, but he lied to save his skin. He was afraid of dying even though God had already promise him protection and blessing.

God said “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.”

Abraham was tested here. Would he trust God or try to trust his own understanding?

Your fears may be legitimate. You may lose a friend or a family member. You may get ignored or passed over for recognition or promotions. You may get the jobs no one else wants at work. You might get insulted by a complete stranger. Someone may go off on you for having the audacity to tell them that they are wrong and that they need Jesus.

But that still doesn’t excuse faithlessness.

Don’t worry about what could happen if you are faithful to God; be aware of what will happen if you aren’t.

Abraham had no idea about the consequences of his actions. His faithlessness caused him to lose his wife for a moment, but it also caused great harm to Pharoah.

Pharoah is not innocent. He shouldn’t have a harem, but that’s a different story. Pharoah ends up suffering because Abraham didn’t tell the truth.

Abraham was worried about what would happen if he told the truth instead of being aware of what would happen if he didn’t.

Think about the people in your life right now that you aren’t sharing the Gospel with. Is it worth it to keep quiet?

We’ve already talked about our fears of what could happen, what will happen if you aren’t faithful to God?

Are there people who will suffer because you didn’t share the Gospel with them? Maybe they do come to Jesus later on, but why would you be okay with them suffering in sin a little while longer?

Think about what people are dealing with because you won’t open your mouth and share the truth.

Those who do not know Christ will spend eternity in Hell in torment without Christ. Are all of your fears really a good enough excuse to let that happen to someone?

Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

God is faithful even when we are faithless.

I want to take a little bit of the bite out of all of this. Not all, but some.

Abraham did lie. Abraham doubted God’s faithfulness and he was faithless, but God still protected him.

God has a plan for you. God has a plan to save those around you. God can still work in spite of our mistakes and faithlessness, but that doesn’t excuse us.

Let it serve as an encouragement that God can still work when we mess up.

Pray for a second chance or that God would send someone else if you missed the opportunity to be the light that God called you to be for someone.

“Faith over fear isn’t a mantra to calm our hearts; it’s a mandate for how we live our lives.”

There’s alot of shirts, tattoos, and car stickers with this nice little saying on them.

People put it on to show that they would let fear control how they feel, but not always hoe they will live.

Is faith or fear controlling how you live in front of others at work or school?

Is faith or fear controlling how you let others see you?

Is faith or fear controlling what you say?

You may need to spend some time in confession before God today?

You may want to spend some time in commitment, take the time to come before God and say I’m going to live by faith in God not fear of others.

What will happen if you trust God? What will happen if you don’t?