How Faith Can Conquer Fear

How Faith Can Conquer Fear Genesis 15:1-6 June 9, 2019 The Big Idea: In an apparently sleepless night, God appears to When you are confused, seek “the word of the Lord.” § § § I can’t trust my own heart. [Jeremiah 17:9] Not all voices need to be heeded. [Proverbs 13:20] I need the steady, sure, true word of God. [James 1:5] Abram in a vision, telling him not to be afraid and then explaining why fear was unnecessary. Our greatest fear should be not being in a right standing with God. God’s invitation is to believe (fully trust) in Him. Genesis 15:1-6 (ESV) 15 When you are afraid, focus on who God is, instead of what you don’t have. • • “Your shield” Your “reward” [Job 19:25-27] After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the LORD , and he counted it to him as righteousness. How God Meets Our Greatest Need (Genesis 15:6) 1. He gives us faith to believe Him [Romans 10:17] 2. He receives that faith and applies it to our debt. [Genesis 15:6] 3. He chooses to see us in His own righteousness [Romans 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21] 4. He removes the burden of “earn it” and replaces it with “grace.” [Romans 11:6] Four “Firsts” in Genesis 15 § § § § “the word of the Lord came” “Fear not” God is “your shield” “believed” The Most Important Question You Can Deal With, Today: “Have You Put Your Full Trust in Jesus?”