The Battle Against Fear

Introduction:

Famed World War II tank commander General George Patton once said,

“Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” If you give in to your fears, you are on the path to defeat. If instead you stand strong in spite of your fears, you are on the path to victory. And we must never forget that we are not in the battle alone. With the power of God on our side, we cannot be defeated.”

Main Idea: “Unhealthy fear leads to broken lives. Faith leads to changed lives.”

Why People Live by Fear and Not by Faith:

1.) Lack of Hope:

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 by this our ancestors were approved. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”-Hebrews 11:1-3

We rely upon the words and actions of Jesus Christ.

-Christ promised to bring salvation.

-He brought salvation by fulfilling the law and becoming a sacrifice for our sins.

-He is coming back!

“Our hope is not found in this world, but in the One who is Creator of this world and the new world to come.”

(Emphasize John’s message from last week)

“Right now, we need faith, hope, and love. One day we won’t need faith and hope because we will be in the presence of the perfect love.”-John Decker.

2.) Man is feared more than the Lord:

“I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. 5 But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear! 6 five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. -Luke 12:4-7

Why the fear of man? There is a natural tendency to be liked.

3.) Fear of the unknown:

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed, and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10 he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”-Hebrews 11:8-10

(Story of the “Black Door”)

4.) Fear of change:

“After the death of Moses, the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’s assistant: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. 3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—and west to the Mediterranean Sea. 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance. 7 Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. 9 I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”-Joshua 1:1-9

“Change is constant, growth is optional.”-John Maxwell

5.) Fear of testing and trials:

“Book of Job and 1st Samuel 17.”

31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, so he had David brought to him. 32 David said to Saul, “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this, Philistine!” 33 But Saul replied, “You can’t go fight this Philistine. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young.”34 David answered Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. 36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Then David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”[1]

“Your current trial is setting you up to have courage and victory in your next battle, IF you understand that your trial(s) is a growing opportunity.”

(Loosing Leah was the best thing for our spiritual maturity.)

6.) Fear of Failure:

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’ 21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ 22 “The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’ 23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ 24 “The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 “His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, 27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money back with interest when I returned. 28 “ ‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”-Matthew 25:14-30

“The natural and supernatural gifts that we received from Christ is His gift to us. What we do with those gifts is our gift back to Him.”-Chris Brady

Win the Battle Against Fear:

1.) Trust in the Lord:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.”-Proverbs 3:5-9

2.) Don’t Quit:

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.”-Philippians 4:10-14

3.) Focus on the mission:

“ Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”-Matthew 28:18-20

Personal Questions:

1.) What unhealthy fears are choking the Word of God out of you?

2.) What have you been putting your trust into?

3.) When the going gets tough, what will keep me going?

Conclusion: A Battle Worth Fighting

“3 Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side. In your majesty and splendor—4 in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts. 5 Your sharpened arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.”