No Fear

Introduction

Who would of thought that before spring break when we last got together, so much would have changed, but here we are. I remember leaving church that last wednesday night as normal as possible. We went and watched survivor like we do every wednesday night and slowly the cancelations began to flow in. An NBA game cancelled at halftime which eventually lead to the entire league being shutdown which lead to all sports shutdown. It was like a bomb had went off in our country overnight and yet it was hard for us to see. The next day I sat and watched a Senior at UT burst to tears because she found out that her athletic career was over and there would be no final season. Schools were shutting down and your normal life that you had known was gone.

Here is what many of you thought. “how could this happen?” “how could things be so normal one day and then completely flipped upside down?” “ some even asked are we endangered or going to die?” and so many other questions.

Here is the sobering reality. The possibility of your life changing instantly has always been there, AND that possibility will remain long after COVID-19

Scripture says this

James 4:14 ESV

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Psalm 90:10 ESV

10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Now text like these arent always the most fun I know but they are filled with truth nonetheless.

But here is the truth we live our lives here on earth and if we are lucky we live a long time and some people dont even get long. Life death and taxes are always taking place and always will take place. i dont say these things to be morbid or depress you but that is the life that you and I live in. It is a broken world that has been mared by sin and there is nothing you and I can do to stop that.

But here is the good news. Fear does not have to be a part of that story. I dont care what you read or see on tv. I dont care if everything in your life is on hold or cancelled. I dont care even if the sickness comes knocking on your door. FEAR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A PART OF THIS STORY. and here is why

Your circumstances change but God does not

this may be your first rodeo or pandemic, but it isnt God’s first pandemic.

When Adam and eve sinned and the world changed in an instant

When the israelites chose disobedience time and time again and were in captivity

When David chose comfort and convenience over holiness

When the Temple of God was taken over and destroyed

When God was silent for 400 years

When the messiag was born and immediatly had to flee from a wicked king

When the Son of God hung on a cross, despised ,beaten and breathless

When the church has expereinced a couple thousand years of persecution

Here is why: Jesus told us not to be surprised

John 16:32–33 ESV

32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Guys this was a guarantee. He did not say you might have trouble but when he spoke to his disciples, he said you will. And believe me that every one of them did. And you and I are no exception to this. What if he had left us with that. What if it was trouble and peace ot. What if you had to endure this pandemic and chaos alone with no hope. and many are indeed.

But we dont have to. because Jesus is the answer and he has overcome the world.

o let

So let me adress two groups tonight.

The first group is the group living in fear with no hope. If you are watching this and this pandemic has been a wake up call for you and you have never had the hope of Jesus. your whole life is defined by fear and you are a slave to it. If that is the case there is a pandemic you should worry about and it isnt COVID-19, it is the conditon of your heart

The bible has hope for you : (gospel story)

The second group are you believers who are watching. Trust me I know it is so tempting to fall into fear in these days and to doubt, but I challenge you to resist. Everything that I have taught you this year has not changed and God certainly hasnt.

There are two things I want you to do each day during the coming weeks, and honestly I am having to do this multiple times a day.

Trust God

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

It i so easy to take what fear is saying and make it your own understanding

Be Still

Psalm 46:10 ESV

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Elijah

When chaos comes be quiet