NO FEAR

The concept of No Fear

Why fear enters into the discussion (conscience, feelings of inadequacy—these are wrongly placed on ourselves and not on Christ)

Being representatives in the world (mirroring Christ’s representation of us to the Father)

Assurance through a changed-life

In 1981, Mark Simo and Brain Simo founded the No Fear apparel and lifestyle company. T-shirts, energy drinks, and other apparel sported the slogan No Fear. The idea focused on extreme sports, no fear of death, and of contempt for laws and social norms. It was popular in the mid 90s to early 2000s.

This slogan presents the idea that the individual wearing the apparel (or sporting the sticker) had no fear of death, authority, or anything. It was immensely popular, and interestingly took off before any well-known athletes supported it. In other words, it was a lifestyle.

The idea, to be honest, is rather foolish. While it is illogical to have fear at everything, we should have fear at some things. Fear is a God-given emotion that protects us from potential danger.

Consider the busy interstate. In general, we fear running into the lanes of speeding traffic. Why? Because we fear serious injury and even death. That is a healthy fear.

Strolling into a pen with a bull should instill some fear in us. Grabbing a bear cub away from the mother should instill fear. That is healthy (and I might add sane!).

While these are serious topics (truly matters of life and death, in some cases), these fail to compare to the fear that sinners should have in the face of God. Fear is healthy in connection to our relationship with God. That is, prior to our salvation.

If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, if His blood has not covered you sins and His righteousness has not be applied to you, you should be very afraid. For at any moment you could die in immediately be in His presence, and you will find yourself as those in Revelation 6:15-17, [RED TAB]

Revelation 6:15–17 ESV

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Why should you fear? Because you stand in the presence of the One against whom all the sins that you have committed have offended, perfect holiness and unimaginable purity. We will discuss how you can enjoy peace in His presence this morning.

But if you are a follower of Jesus, if you have been born again (John 3:3), then you have no reason to fear. The believer lives with no fear.

The difference between the past popular ideal of life encapsulated in the phrase No Fear and the present discussion of No Fear centers entirely on the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is in Christ, and Christ alone, that believers have no fear. And why do we have no fear? Because God loves us and Christ is our Savior.

You see, brothers and sisters, we must focus on God’s love through Jesus Christ for assurance.

I. CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST- 4:17

A. CONFIDENCE IS BOLSTERED BY GROWING LOVE—Love perfected with us

B. CONFIDENCE COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST—Because as he is so also are we in this world

II. FEAR IN FAILURE- 4:18

A. FAILURE BRINGS FEAR

B. LOVE BRINGS PEACE

III. COMPLETION IN CHARITY- 4:19-21

*Loving others demonstrates the God’s received love, which “completes” love (i.e., charity)

APPLICATION

Daily remember the love of God for you—it changes everything (no fear)

Dwell on the demonstrable love of God—focus on Christ’s sacrifice (the extent of God’s love)

Develop your love for others—demonstrate love for one another as God demonstrated His love for you