Sermon Tone Analysis

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In the summer of 1975, people flocked to theaters to see the movie Jaws, but the movie had an adverse impact on beach attendance, with anecdotal reports that people were staying away from the water.

The film was so effective by putting fear for sharks in the minds of movie goers that sharks, especially Great White sharks, were demonized, and over 40 years later, they remain feared and misunderstood based on the misconceptions presented in Jaws.

Today, we begin a 4-week series called Fear Not.

If you look throughout scripture, you will find that the bible talks a lot about fear.

In fact, the command, fear not appears in one form or another 365 times from Genesis to Revelation.

It is a specifically given to dozens of different individuals and/or groups in a variety of circumstances.

It is abundantly clear that God doesn’t want His people to fear in the face of adversity or decision.

To put it another way, we’ve been given a different, fear not, exhortation for every single day of the year.

With the creator of the universe giving us a daily prescription, why do we so often respond in fear?

What can we do about this and is there a better way?

One of the most well known verses on fear is found in 2 Timothy chapter 1. Paul begins this second letter to the young pastor by giving him some encouragement.

This is Paul’s last letter.

At the time of writing, Paul was in prison once again and he could sense that his time on earth was coming to an end.

Our text begins with verse 3.

Verse 7 is what I want us to focus in on.

Let me read that verse again.

This time in a different translation.

Notice this translation uses the word fear instead of timid.

They have the same meaning.

The word is deilia in the Greek meaning cowardice.

This type of fear does not come from God.

So, if fear doesn’t come from God, then where does it come from?

I thought that the beginning of wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord, so what does that mean?

What’s the difference?

There are two types of fear.

It is important for us to understand the difference.

There is a healthy type of fear and an unhealthy type of fear.

When you understand the difference it can save your life.

It will also help you interpret God’s daily encouragement to Fear Not.

Let’s begin by looking at the two different types of fear.

1. Healthy Fear

Imagine with me if you will that you are in the woods and you come across a bear and her cubs.

Do you think that the best course of action is to share with this momma and her cubs a few goto Bible verses and keep walking or should you slowly back away and walk the other direction.

Healthy fear can heighten and sharpen your senses.

Some people call it common sense others call it fear, but there is a true that when we approach a certain situation that we need to listen to our senses and remove ourself from that situation.

I have a healthy fear of the IRS.

I know that if I don’t do my taxes right, they will come knocking on my door.

That is why I have an accountant do my taxes.

I pay the man or woman in my case and I have a knowledge that it is done right.

That is a healthy fear.

It is also important to note that as followers of Christ, a healthy fear of the Lord is not only beneficial, it’s biblical.

David says in Psalm 5:7

Solomon adds in Proverbs 9:10

David had a healthy fear of the Lord throughout his life and Solomon knew the fear of the Lord was the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom.

Divine reverence brings godly understanding.

Godly fear and reverence is about acknowledging the proper place of the Lord as the divine creator and sustainer of the entire cosmos.

As we move now to discuss unhealthy fear, make a note that it’s proper place is in the hands of this same almighty God, who has given us strength through his son Jesus to be free from the grip of unrighteous fear.

2. Unhealthy Fear

The second type of fear is unhealthy fear.

If you let it, unhealthy fear can paralyze and stagnate you.

This is not God’s heart for you.

Remember what Paul said in our text.

Hear me when I say this.

God wants you to grow.

Not only in your relationship with Him, but He also wants you to grow with your church, in your relationships with other believers, and ultimately in faith.

This journey is often called the process of sanctification and is described frequently throughout the New Testament.

Look at what Paul wrote in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica.

And look at what James wrote in his letter to the church in Jerusalem.

God wants us to persevere, to finish the race so that we will be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

This process can be a costly one, and there are many potential problems and obstacles that could incite fear.

Early church members faced all kinds of ridicule and persecution which would occasionally lead to death.

Today, I can’t say that we fear death in this country, but the potential is there to experience ridicule, bullying, and even being places as an outcast to society because of your faith in Christ.

And don’t forget that Ephesians reminds us that our battles are not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of the dark world.

There is an evil force that is against us just because we are Christians.

It is in the face of both earthly and eternal enemies that the Lord would remind us to fear not.

In the last series we did we read in Matthew 5:11

Fear can rob you of your joy and paralyze you from moving forward into all that God has called you to.

Instead of a spirit of fear, you have been given a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.

Let’s take a moment and look at these three words and see how they can help to strengthen your faith.

1.

Power

The Greek word for power here is the same for the word power in Acts 1:8

It is dynamis which is where we get the word dynamite.

Think about dynamite for a minute.

When it explodes you know it.

It is a big and sudden boom.

This kind of power leaves no room for fear or doubt.

When a believer has the Holy Spirit working in and through them there is nothing that cannot be accomplished in accordance to the will of God.

Plus, here is something to think about.

If you are experiencing unhealthy fear that is hindering you from experiencing the life in Christ that you are destined to live, then you need to check yourself, and remember that you were given a spirit of power; Miracle working, death-defying, grave robing power in Christ to do all things in accordance with the will of God.

2. Love

Many of you know this word in the Greek.

It is agape.

It is also the same word that is used in 1 John 4:18

When we walk in a spirit of love, as Christ did, unhealthy fear is driven far away from us.

Jesus walked to the cross in a spirit of love and we can assume that he walked out of the grave in the same empowered spirit.

And this is the same spirit that is alive in you.

So, remember the next time you’re experiencing fear or any of it’s associates like anxiety, worry, or doubt, then check yourself to make sure you’re walking in a spirit of love.

3. Self-Discipline

Does anyone else here struggle with self-discipline?

It takes a lot of discipline to recognize fear and deal with it appropriately.

It’s simply easier to let it, go shrug it off, and just call it a fact of life.

The issue is, it’s not a fact of the life God has for you in Christ.

Paul makes it a point to list this with the other two in our text.

Discipline is an imperative ingredient in the process of sanctification.

We need discipline to take the time necessary to accurately diagnose the fear we’re experiencing and even more discipline to deal with it.

God knows exactly what we need.

He knew we needed all three ingredients on this side of Heaven.

And for all of us who struggle with self-discipline don’t forget that this is an area where you have been given power through the spirit to experience victory.

So, after we have looked at unhealthy fear, I believe that you would agree with me that it is very destructive in our lives.