Moving from Fear Freedom

What are two or three of your greatest fears as a man?

I want you to take about 2 to 3 minutes and write down those fears one side of the index card. You will not be asked to show the card to anyone.

How does fear manifest itself in your life?

On the opposite side of the index card, how does those fears manifest itself in your life. Example: Lack of resources; due to a lack of resources it prevents me from moving forward to opening my own school.

Define FEAR - FALSE EVIDENCE of APPEARING REAL

Promotes self-destructive behavior

Depression, high levels of anxiety, doubting mentality- “I cannot do it anyway so why try”

Leads to a false of reality which becomes your perceived reality

What do you mean by perceived reality is your new norm (Your current reality). You begin to act out and live in that fear both unconsciously and consciously

Moving from fear to freedom requires obedience and sacrifice

If truly want to reside

If truly want to operate in a place of freedom requires a new mindset

If truly want to operate in a place of freedom

Mindset

Exodus 3:2–5 ESV

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Exodus

Exodus 3:12 ESV

He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Exodus 3:12

Moses had a life changing encounter with God that transformed his life and mindset. It was a heart and mindset shift for Moses.

Direct Encounter of Truth

Transform thinking

Romans 12:2 ESV

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.

Romans 12:2

This generates a new layer of faith and trust

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

You cannot mix old and new together and expect to reside in freedom

Malachi 3:6 ESV

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Mal

Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:

Revelation 3:16 ESV

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Christ says to operate in me; you must fully shift in mindset and simple believe

Here is an object lesson to bring this point home: Here is a jar of oil and I have labeled it “fear”. Here is another jar of water with food coloring and it represents trust.

Vision

When you can see what God has for you. You can move into a deeper relationship and connectivity with God.

Habakkuk 2:2 ESV

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

Habak

Moses at the red sea—had previously had an encounter; seen the hand of God move on behalf of Israel (10 plagues). He had no problem believing that God would part the red sea. He knew God would move on their behalf.

Implementation

You can begin to walk into the things of God without fear or reservation but with assured faith and confidence. Moses stretched out his hand with the staff.

Sustainable Change

I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath--these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely--these are my native air. A John Hopkins University doctor says, "We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than the non-worriers, but that is a fact." But I, who am simple of mind, think I know; We are inwardly constructed in nerve and tissue, brain cell and soul, for faith and not for fear. God made us that way. To live by worry is to live against reality.

Dr. E. Stanley Jones.

Full Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Ephesians

The Battle is just beginning because you’ve raged war against the enemy because he can no longer hold you bondage and keep you from moving into the things of Christ. Men, Rip up your index card as a symbolic sign that I am no longer living in fear but freedom.