The Key to Overcome Fear
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· 115 viewsAre you held captive by fear? God has the key for you to experince a faith that overcomes your fears.
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Introduction
Ps 46:1
Illustration: Amariah driving on the freeway. She is a good driver—but I don’t trust all the other drivings—and I don’t trust the road (objects on the road).
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Maintenance is an important part of life—the car, house, church building, relationships, and our faith in Christ.
Without due care of our soul, we drift—we become dysfunctional—we begin to doubt—we focus on self—we lose sight of our purpose and reason for being.
But the need for security and assurance persists. So we look elsewhere.
Our true security is in God, not in God plus anything else.
Knowing God and knowing his voice is essential for living—truly living.
Most of us, if not all of use, battle with fear at some point in our lives.
Kid afraid during storm—Teenager worried about parent’s marriage. Agonizing losing job—Worried about health of someone you love.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Agonizing losing job—Worried about health of someone you love.
Derek Kidner, : An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 192.
Life’s most common fears:
Loss (Spouse, Marriage, Child, Health, Job, Control)
I don’t know many people that like trouble, confusion, or opposition.
Failure (Inad, Measure up, Keep up financially, Spiritual failure)
Rejection (Left out again, Never marry, Marriage doesn’t make it)
Unknown (Health, Job, Stuck abuse, Good—bad)I don’t know many people that like trouble, confusion, or opposition.
But the Psalmist wrote in :
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
However, this is not just an Old Testament promise, it is a New Testament principle:
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
We would rather avoid problems.
Porque no nos ha dado Dios espíritu de cobardía, sino de poder, de amor y de dominio propio.
Fear is not from God!
Some say fear is the opposite of faith…
This avoidance is often motivated by fear—a powerful emotion that centers on self-preservation over and above all other concerns.
Fear is faith—in wrong things.
As a result, we tend to take matters into our own hand—relying on our own intellect—trusting our own plans, hopes, and dreams.
I know that some of you have been gripped by fear/worry.
Problem
What I want you to know is this—God brought you hear today to experience His presence! To hear truth from his Word!
“As long as we achieve our desires in our own power, we will always attribute it to our own glory.” (46) David Platt
And to be set free from the bondage of fear.
Critical Point
Because God has NOT given us a SPIRIT OF FEAR
We need to discover that the live worth living is a life that trusts in God.
Power, Love, Sound Mind!
The psalmist makes a clear, Holy Spirit inspired declaration:
If God is going to empower us to overcome fear—let’s start by defining it.
Ps
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
What is fear? We could say that…
This injunction “Be still” must be viewed both as a comfort, but also a warning.
FEAR IS PLACING FAITH IN THE “WHAT IF’S?”
FEAR IS PLACING FAITH IN THE “WHAT IF’S?”
Be still! Be quiet!
Be still! Be quiet!
This is exactly what Moses did when God called him and asked him to go on God’s behalf…
Too many times we don’t take the time to stop—and listen to the voice of God. We are more interested in what we have to say than what God has to say.
Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”
Illustration: Zechariah (a godly man, but a man too interested in his own view on how things should be done rather than God’s promise of what he intends to do).
Instead of placing FAITH in GOD’s PROMISE, Moses put FAITH in the WHAT IF?
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Moses put FAITH in the WHAT IF?
Luke 1:18-
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
What if they don’t listen to me?
Isn’t this what we often do?
What if…
Economy drops? Lose Health? Lose job? Spouse Cheats? Can’t have kids?
Kids get hurt? Car wreck? Never marry? Marry jerk? (Don’t amen)
WHY DO YOUR “WHAT IF’S” MATTER?
WHAT YOU FEAR THE MOST REVEALS WHAT YOU VALUE THE MOST.
WHAT YOU FEAR THE MOST REVEALS WHAT YOU VALUE THE MOST.
If you are afraid of losing your marriage—What do you value? Marriage.
If worried something happening to a child—Shows you love/value child.
Afraid can’t pay bills—might lose job—You value financial security.
What you fear the most reveals what you value the most.
And, second...
WHAT YOU FEAR THE MOST REVEALS WHERE YOU TRUST GOD THE LEAST.
WHAT YOU FEAR THE MOST REVEALS WHERE YOU TRUST GOD THE LEAST.
Let that sink in for a minute.
Consider repeating both key statements.
Afraid of losing marriage—Don’t trust God with your marriage.
Something happening to a child—Not trusting God with your children
Terrified of not having enough—Not trusting God to be your provider.
I want to encourage you to be honest for a moment and truthfully
Acknowledge where fear in the “what if” is stronger than your faith in God.
Let’s give it a name…
I’M NOT TRUSTING GOD WITH: ___________________
I’M NOT TRUSTING GOD WITH: ___________________
My children, Our future, My health, someone I love,
My aging parents. The future.
I want to give you a moment to name it
Why is this important?
You cannot defeat what you can’t define.
Think about it—Give it a name—Now write it down.
As you do—remind yourself of the truth…
God has not given you a Spirit of Fear—Power, Love and Sound Mind.
Let’s get practical. How will God empower us to overcome our fears? OVERCOMING OUR DEEPEST FEARS
OVERCOMING OUR DEEPEST FEARS
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEAR AND CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD ANYWAY.
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEAR AND CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD ANYWAY.
In other words, you aren’t going to close your eyes and put your fingers in your ears and say over and over again—“This isn’t happening to me.”
You are going to tell the truth—I am nervous about this happens.
This is heavy on my heart. I’m worried about this…
But—I—am—choosing—to—trust—God.
This is what David did in the O.T.
Before David was King—Saul was jealous of all the attention David was getting and tried to kill David.
David was terrified—But he chose to put his faith in God.
David said…
My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Then David asked—What can mere mortals do to me?
If we are honest—they can kill him—Right?
David had shifted from an earthly perspective to an eternal one.
Sure they can do something now—But eternally speaking…
MY GOD IS ON THE THRONE! HIS WILL SHALL BE DONE!
Illustration: This reminds me of my story. When I was considering coming here to be your pastor nearly four years ago.
What if my house wont sell?
What if I am unable to lead the church effectively?
What if my family is unable to adapt to the culture?
What do we do—We acknowledge our fear—Choose to trust God.
And then you…
SEEK GOD UNTIL HE TAKES AWAY YOUR FEARS.
SEEK GOD UNTIL HE TAKES AWAY YOUR FEARS.
Repeat
And this is exactly what David did.
The man who truly had a lot to fear on earth—grew so close to God…
That God removed his fears…
This is what David wrote—Feel the power of his faith…
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
He delivered me from all my fears!
Illustration: Jackie Redel (Journey of cancer).
I love that—God has not given us a spirit of fear!
Our God wants to deliver you from your greatest fear!
Hope you will believe is that it’s possible!
It’s possible: the eternal God empowers you overcome your temporary fear!
It’s possible! He’s able!
Perhaps that’s why he brought you hear today!
What is fear? Placing your faith in the what-ifs?
What you fear the most reveals what you value the most.
What you fear the most reveals where you trust God the least.
Acknowledge the fear and choose to trust God anyway—Then seek him.
Seek the Lord—Grow close to Him—Know him—And watch him deliver you from you greatest fear!
Conclusion
I believe God wants to deliver you from the captivity of fear. Seeking God is the key!
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Ps 46
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Ps