Sermons

Fearless

09-29-2019 • Matt Downing

If we’re going to defeat fear in our lives, we have to know Jesus. If we know Him more, our fear becomes weaker and weaker.

FEARLESS

Psalm 27 (NLT)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.

 Psalm 46 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

Mark 4 (NIV)

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Matthew 14 (NIV)

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Luke 12:22-32 (NIV)

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Mark 5 (NIV)

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

 

What are YOU afraid of?

WHY are you afraid?

If we’re going to defeat fear in our lives, we have to know Jesus. If we know Him more, our fear becomes weaker and weaker.

Decide to FOLLOW Jesus.  Give him all of you. 

FOLLOWING- takes continual steps, little steps of courage and obedience.  As you do that, you learn to trust more and fear LESS.

 

  1. FEAR IS NOT FROM GOD

2 Timothy 1:7- For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline

Fear comes from many places: our enemy, the world around us, others, our own insecurities, but NOT from God.

 

  1. FEAR DOESN’T OWN US, GOD DOES!

Fear is a terrible master, but we have to remember that it is not truly our master.  God has bought and redeemed us, so that we can live in Him and not in fear.

1 Cor. 6:19- you are not your own, you were bought with a price…

John 4:18 (NIV): There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 

  1. FEAR CAN BE WEAKENED AS OUR FAITH BECOMES STRONGER

If we’re going to defeat fear in our lives, we have to know Jesus. If we know Him more, our fear becomes weaker and weaker.

Isaiah 12:2 (NIV): Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

Psalm 56:3 (NIV): When I am afraid, I put my trust in you

Romans 8:37- we are overcomers, super conquerors

John 16:33- I have told you things so that in you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world!

1 John 5:5- who is it that overcomes the world?  Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God!

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hell.” (Revelation 1:17b-18 NIV)