Be Strong

Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

The young son of a Baptist minister was in church one morning and saw for the first time baptism by immersion. He was greatly interested in it, and the next morning proceeded to baptize his 3 cats in the bathtub. The youngest kitten bore it very well, and so did the younger cat. but the old family tom cat rebelled. The boy and the cat fussed and fumed with each other with the cat finally breaking free. The boy after considerable effort caught the old tome again and proceeded with the ceremony. But the cat acted worse than ever, clawing, and spitting and scratch the boys face. Finally after barely getting the cat splattered with water, the boy dropped the cat to the floor in disgust and said, “Fine be a Methodist if you want to.”

Introduction

This morning we celebrate the Baptism of my daughter Valerie. Baptism is one of two ordinances that we celebrate as a Christian. The other being the Lord’s Supper. Both Baptism and the Lord’s Supper point to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is the first step of obedience that a new Christian takes in their walk with Christ.

Becoming a Christian does not mean that we will never face challenges, temptations, failures or trials. But Valerie, I want you and everyone here to know that you do not need to be afraid. Someone has said that there are 365 Fear nots in the Bible. According to the translation one uses this observation may or may not be correct, but what I want you to know is that the Bible has a great deal to say about why we do not need to be afraid as we enter into the Christian life.

Throughout 2021 we have been engaged in the 2021 Scripture Memory Challenge. Each week we have been memorizing a verse of Scripture, as a congregation. I preach on that verse on Sunday and then at Wednesday Night Bible study we look at the verse in context. During the month of September our theme is “Old Testament Truth” and the first of our message on this topic will explore 3 reason that we as Christians Do not need to be afraid. Let’s look at them together.

Body

I. The Power of God

Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

As Christians we believe in the Trinity. One God in 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I think that it is interesting that the first encouragement in the passage is presented as a trinity of thought. The verse says

a. Be Strong and of Good Courage

b. Fear not

c. Nor be afraid of them.

A passage that is closely related to this passage in Deuteronomy 31 is Joshua chapter 1

Joshua 1:6 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Ephesians 6:10 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Look at the relationship to fear and power the scripture presents

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18 KJV 1900

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

This in and of itself is enough reason to not fear. But there is more.

II. The Presence of God

Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

When we read through the Old Testament in 2020 we were searching for Jesus in the Old Testament. Here is another passage where we find Jesus on the pages of Scripture. Notice again the word LORD. Compare this again with Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9 KJV 1900

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Now look with me at Paul’s words in Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38–39 KJV 1900

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

III. The Permanence of God

Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:5 KJV 1900

5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 4:31 KJV 1900

31 (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Conclusion

Becoming a Christian does not mean that we will never face challenges, temptations, failures or trials. I want everyone here to know that you do not need to be afraid.

We do not need to be afraid because we have the Power of God, we have the Presence of God, we have the permanence of God...

As a Christian we don’t need to be afraid… but without Christ there is much to be afraid of both in this world and in the life to come.

Without Christ we may fear the challenges, the trials, the temptations we face in this life. Without Christ we should fear an eternity separated from God in a place called hell.

Do you know Jesus as your savior? Have you placed your faith and trust in Him? If not you should do so today.

John 3:16, Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23, Rom 10:9-10

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Maybe today you would as a Christian like to follow Jesus in Baptism. Church Membership, Surrender to full-time service. or like Valerie Re-dedicate your life to Christ. If God is speaking to you come.