No Fear!
Notes
Transcript
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
FEAR. What makes us afraid? What causes fear?
The beginning of the school year
This time of year reminds me of my childhood and the anxiety school caused. I loved school, but I had a lot of anxiety.
I felt my worth in life and as a human was tied to how well I performed at school - the grades I got, how I did on projects, my standing in class, etc...
And, there were bullies later on that caused more anxiety.
Fear is a tool of distraction used by the Evil One to cause worry and anxiety and to keep our focus off of what God is doing.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
I had to cling to simple promises from God to face fear and allow God to help me through my anxiety.
Promises like
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
There were even instructions from Jesus I had to practice to make it through the school year, at times...
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
We are NOT alone when we have fear and uncertainty!! We are not alone when we have worry or anxiety.
However, God calls to us in the midst of that.
God’s perfect love towards us can drive out the fear we have of God.
When God’s perfect love drives out our fear of God then God can help us through our fears and anxieties about life.
God has done it before...
Examples?
Moses
Joshu
Gideon
Esther
Any other examples??
Maybe it is in the midst of our fears and uncertainties that God wants to show YOU that HE is working through you!!
Allow God to calm your anxiety and set you free from fear so that you can do the thing to which God is calling you!!
