Sermon Tone Analysis

The Problem Of Fear

📷MultiphobiasPeople FEAR many things.

We can easily become FEARFUL and AFRAID.

Some of these fears have been classified into various kinds of "PHOBIAS."

("Phobia" comes from a Greek word meaning "fear").

For example, consider the following: ACROPHOBIA--a fear of high placesCLAUSTROPHOBIA--a fear of enclosed placesCYNOPHOBIA--a fear of dogsHYDROPHOBIA--a fear of waterNECROPHOBIA--a fear of deathNOCTIPHOBIA--a fear of nightFEAR is not always wrong or sinful (even as WORRY is not always wrong).

God has equipped man with the capacity to FEAR for man’s own protection and benefit.

Though we often think of fear as a dreaded FOE, it can also be man’s best FRIEND.

Fear is that FRIEND which keeps our hands away from the tigers’ cage at the zoo.

Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to drive safely in the midst of heavy traffic.

Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to respect and obey the police officer, lest we should get into trouble.

Fear is that FRIEND that encourages us to study for our final exams.

Can you think of other ways that fear serves as a friend?Consider again the "phobias" listed above.

Show how, under certain circumstances these FEARS can be helpful.

(For example, "acrophobia" might help someone on top of a high ladder to proceed with much care and caution.)

Show how these same FEARS can be harmful.

(Consider for example "noctiphobia" when a child imagines that he sees a monster in the dark of his room at night.)

Friend or Foe?FEAR can be healthy or harmful.

FEAR can protect us or fear can destroy us.

As we shall see, the right kind of fear will eliminate every wrong kind of fear.

Please complete the following MATCHING exercise as you study verses which relate to FEAR or BEING AFRAID:

Multiphobias People FEAR many things.

We can easily become FEARFUL and AFRAID.

Some of these fears have been classified into various kinds of "PHOBIAS."

("Phobia" comes from a Greek word meaning "fear").

For example, consider the following:

1. ACROPHOBIA--a fear of high places

2. CLAUSTROPHOBIA--a fear of enclosed places

3. CYNOPHOBIA--a fear of dogs

4. HYDROPHOBIA--a fear of water

5. NECROPHOBIA--a fear of death

6. NOCTIPHOBIA--a fear of night

FEAR is not always wrong or sinful (even as WORRY is not always wrong).

God has equipped man with the capacity to FEAR for man’s own protection and benefit.

Though we often think of fear as a dreaded FOE, it can also be man’s best FRIEND.

Fear is that FRIEND which keeps our hands away from the tigers’ cage at the zoo.

Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to drive safely in the midst of heavy traffic.

Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to respect and obey the police officer, lest we should get into trouble.

Fear is that FRIEND that encourages us to study for our final exams.

Can you think of other ways that fear serves as a friend?Consider again the "phobias" listed above.

Show how, under certain circumstances these FEARS can be helpful.

(For example, "acrophobia" might help someone on top of a high ladder to proceed with much care and caution.)

Show how these same FEARS can be harmful.

(Consider for example "noctiphobia" when a child imagines that he sees a monster in the dark of his room at night.)

Friend or Foe?FEAR can be healthy or harmful.

FEAR can protect us or fear can destroy us.

As we shall see, the right kind of fear will eliminate every wrong kind of fear.

Please complete the following MATCHING exercise as you study verses which relate to FEAR or BEING AFRAID:

1._____Matthew 14:26

2._____Matthew 14:30

A.A healthy, right kind of fear (FRIEND)

3._____Matthew 2:22

B.A harmful, wrong kind of fear (FOE)

4._____Genesis 22:12

5._____Acts 27:17

6._____Proverbs 28:1 (The word "fear" is not used here, but the idea is certainly present.)

7._____1 Peter 2:17

8._____Isaiah 8:12

9._____Isaiah 8:13

10._____Psalm 112:1

11._____Psalm 112:7

12._____Mark 5:36

The Origin of Fear

Find the first place in the Bible where FEAR is mentioned (HINT:

Begin reading in Genesis chapter 3):  , Verse ______ Was this a healthy, right kind of fear?

_______

As you think about Adam’s fear, put the letter "F" before each of the following phrases which properly describe this wrong kind of FEAR:

1._____A direct result of man’s sin and guilt

2._____Running from God

3._____Running towards God ("cometh to God"--)

4._____Facing and fixing my problems

5._____Hiding and covering up my problems

6._____Avoiding the Lord

7._____Approaching the Lord

8._____Open and honest before God

9._____Ashamed before God, "having an evil conscience" ()

10._____Ever conscious of wrongdoing and of one’s own failure to fulfill his God-given responsibilities.

Does the believer who is hidden IN CHRIST ever need to be afraid of approaching a HOLY GOD (; ,)? _________

Fear Not!  

Why Not?

What is the constant plea of God to those who belong to Him (see ; ; ; ; ; ; etc.)?

F______________ N________  

   The Lord gives us many REASONS why we need not fear.

Search the Scriptures and see if you can discover some of these reasons:

; ; ; ; ;

I will not fear because ______________________________________

; ; ; (compare v.17)

I will not fear because ______________________________________

,;

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

(compare 20:1)

I will not fear because ______________________________________

,,; (cf. )

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

UNDERSTANDING WHO GOD IS HELPS US NOT TO FEAR.

1) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

2) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

3) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________