Fear Not

Fear Not

Luke 1:30 KJV 1900

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

I. Introduction

Times when God Seems Slow

Sometimes God seems to be moving at high speed

At other times it seems that He is so slow in His program

The four hundred years of silence between testaments

Words of the prophets must have seemed vain

Then suddenly there was a Whirlwind pace (then and Now)

Angels sent on special errands

John the Baptist to be born … other miracles (Elizabeth, Zechariah, etc)

Suddenly those who had Waited were Gripped with Fear

The Fear of the Unexpected ()

Luke 1:26–30 KJV 1900

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

“Fear not, Mary.”

Mary’s life up to then very normal

Like so many people in the bible who were very normal, until . . . (Ruth, Saul, Noah, Etc.)

Growing up … dreaming romantic dreams like all girls

Kept herself right with God

She was engaged and anticipating marriage

What is this that has entered her peaceful harbor to make waves? She was troubled at his saying

Easy to panic at the unexpected

The best made plans may go wrong

How often our plans are “interrupted”

Some people fear all interruptions: Every phone call a threat, every letter opened fearfully

If only we could live by the faith that is declared in

What good news the angel brought that day!

But what good news the angel brought that day!

She had found favor with God and would be part of a miracle

Mary responded to this fear with faith

Luke 1:34 NKJV

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

luke1.35=40

Luke 1:38 NKJV

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:35–40 NKJV

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

The Fear of Personal Loss ()

Matthew 1:18–21 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:18–21kjv NKJV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18–25 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Joseph and Mary … all he had dreamed about or hoped for

Then the awful blow: Mary was with child

Joseph’s dreams are shattered.

His castles tumble

He thought he would lose Mary

How real these fears are:

Our children or other family members

How often people are gripped with fear of loss

Note that Joseph was not afraid of the angel … but of loss

Many of us may fear personal loss

Loss of money

Loss of home

Loss of position or status

How this holds back blessing

Afraid to risk love

Afraid to risk investment

Afraid to live to the potential of our purpose

Joseph would not lose Mary and would gain more than he had ever imagined

He was told to “fear not”

again, like Mary, Joseph responded to this fear with faith

The Fear of Meeting God ()

Luke 2:8–14 NKJV

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The fearful shepherds

Their fear was because of the glory of the Lord

Many have shared that fear and awe

Abraham, Job, Isaiah, Peter

They must have faced their sins

The realization of God’s Holiness reveals our own unholiness

Peter said “depart from me. . .”

This is the underlying issue when so many people joke that if they went to church the place might catch fire or get hit by lightning or such

they are aware of their sin, and expressing the fear of being in God’s presence in their sinful state

It is too bad that so many of these people think that they will one day be able to get themselves holy enough to be ready for His presence

You may fear meeting God

Fear Not

But here’s good news: God loves you and sent His Son to be your Savior

Conclusion

God wants to take away your Fears

Trust him and you will have nothing to Fear