26 1-11 Know Fear And No Fear
liberty bible church 4/27/08 P.M.
By Tom Zobrist
“know fear and no fear”
A healthy respect for God and faith helps us overcome the fears in life.
Genesis 26:1-11
introduction
Illus. of “Has the Lion Read the Book?” and “Phobias” With mass media and more knowledge of everything now, we have created a fruitful environment for fear. We’re afraid of the weather, war, and the economy; of destruction, disease, and death. We’re afraid of flying, terrorism, and strangers. We’re afraid of the color purple! The only thing we really have to fear is fear itself. God did not make us to live in fear, but to walk in faith. It is fear that leads to sin and suffering and faith that leads to life and victory. So, if we know that this is true, then why do we fear? It comes down to our relationship with God. If we “know” God, we will have “no” fear.” How do we get to that point?
OPEN to passage.
Prop. In this passage, we see one of God’s chosen struggle because of fear and see how he may have avoided it.
Open in PRAYER.
PREVIEW the passage. The last couple of weeks, we have looked at Jacob and Esau. This week, we return to their father, Isaac. He has to deal with fear and lets it get the best of him. He didn’t remember that…
i. there’s no need to fear, god’s promises are here vs. 1-5
Illus. of we need to teach our children to exercise faith and trust God and I’m “afraid” that we are doing just the opposite by sharing with them the dangers in life. “Fears Now and Then” and “Fear of the Dark” and “Today Kids Are Afraid Of The Following” and “Quote” Here, Isaac sees a potential storm and heads to the basement rather than trusting God.
a. WHat is the cause of fear?
V 1a 1. The problem is the lack of food. Illus. of the rice shortage so highly publicized this week. Many get this passage confused with what happened to Abraham previously. There are many parallels, but there is no reason to doubt that they were two separate incidents. We will highlight the similarities as we go. The first is here. Isaac had to deal with a famine; a food shortage. Abraham had to do the same. Cf. 12:10 But, it’s noted here that it is a different one than what Abraham dealt with.
V 1b 2. Isaac dealt also with Abimelech. Is this the same one as Abraham dealt with back in chapter 20? Probably not. These events were about 90 years apart. Abimelech may have been a title like Pharaoh or Caesar.
V 2 3. Another similarity is that Isaac considered going to Egypt, as did Abraham. Cf. 12:11 Abraham went to Egypt and it was here that he feared and struggled a bit. He lied to Pharaoh about Sarah being his sister. For Isaac, God didn’t wanting him leaving the land. He wanted him to trust God through this famine and watch God provide.
V 3 4. Isaac was to dwell in Gerar, as did Abraham in 20:2. If Isaac would stay, he would see that God would fulfill His promises to Abraham through Isaac. Abraham was dead, but the promises would live on in Isaac’s life. But, Isaac had to learn to exercise faith, just as Abraham did. The cause of his fear here ultimately is his lack of faith.
b. Why his fear was unfounded?
V 4 1. He had the guarantee of the promises of God. His own birth was testimony of God’s faithfulness. These are the same promises that were given to Abraham. Why is Isaac so blessed?
V 5 2. Because of the faithful obedience of his father. True faith obeys God’s Word. Abraham demonstrated that in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, which Isaac should remember. Now, Isaac needed to obey God to demonstrate his faith. What would he do?
Trans. THERE’S NO NEED TO FEAR, GOD’S PROMISES ARE HERE. We have many promises from God’s Word to which we can cling, when in times of trouble and temptation. That’s easy to say, but how do we fear God in a healthy way? We have to believe that…
ii. fear mocks while faith walks vs. 5-11
Illus. of “The Lug Wrench” and “Irrational Fear” Faith must face fear. We must follow God into our greatest fears and have faith that He is sovereign and in control. Isaac struggles with complete obedience here.
a. He obeys and disobeys god
V 6 1. Isaac obeys by staying in Gerar. Obviously though, he is uncomfortable being in a dangerous neighborhood, so to speak.
V 7 2. He makes the same mistake as did his father, twice because their wives were beautiful! Cf. 12:12-13, 20:2, 11 So, he believed that God could provide in the famine, but he didn’t believe he could protect him and his wife. So, he makes up a lie and as with all deception, is eventually caught.
b. the sanctity of marriage
V 8 1. Isaac is caught “caressing her”; public affection that is more than what would be shown to a sister. It is here that we see another similarity with Abraham. Abimelech rebukes Isaac.
V 9-10 2. He questions Isaac and Isaac sounds very similar to Abraham in chapter 20. This Abimelech had the same concerns as did the Abimelech in chapter 20. Cf. 20:4-10 He knew that adultery could be punished by death. He was extremely exercised that Isaac would put him in such a position.
V 11 3. Abimelech had such a fear of God, that he warns all of his people about Isaac and Rebekah. It would be death for anyone that hassled them in any way.
4. Israel would learn that they had to preserve marriage to preserve the promises of God. Israel would have to purify itself in this regard frequently in her history. If this cornerstone of any culture goes, soon the culture will go.
5. So here, Isaac’s fear mocked his faith by deceiving Abimelech. Fear mocks, but faith walks in obedience to God’s Word.
conclusion
We need to remember to things: THERE’S NO NEED TO FEAR, GOD’S PROMISES ARE HERE and FEAR MOCKS WHILE FAITH WALKS. True faith obeys God and faces fear. So, how can we make this practical?
1. Do you fear God? GOSPEL We to respect Him and His Word more than that of which we are afraid.
2. How well do we know the promises of God? Maybe we should review them so we can be reminded of them.
3. List what you are afraid of? Are these within God’s will? If not, avoid them; if so, face them. If you God wants you to go on a missions trip; then go. Don’t fear flying, or another culture or language. Just follow God’s lead. If God is leading you to teach, don’t be afraid to study and communicate what God is teaching you. Face your fears while trusting God.
Illus. of “Fashioned For Faith Not Fear”
Genuine faith in God’s promises engenders a fearless walk with Him; but to cower in fear endangers the blessing and makes a mockery of faith. 2 Tim. 1:7- God has not given us…
pray
liberty bible church 4/27/08 P.M.
By Tom Zobrist
“know fear and no fear”
A healthy respect for God and faith helps us overcome the fears in life.
Genesis 26:1-11
introduction
With mass media and more knowledge of everything now, we have created a fruitful environment for _____________.
God did not make us to live in fear, but to walk in _________________________.
It comes down to our relationship with God. If we “_____________________” God, we will have “_________” fear.”
i. there’s no need to fear, are here vs. 1-5
a. WHat is the cause of fear?
Cf. Gen. 12:10-20
The cause of his fear here ultimately is his lack of __________________________________.
b. Why his fear was unfounded?
ii. fear while faith vs. 5-11
a. He ________________________ and _______________________________ god
Cf. Gen. 12:12-13, 20:2, 11
b. the sanctity of __________________________________
Cf. Gen. 20:4-10
conclusion
True faith obeys God and faces fear. So, how can we make this practical?
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