overcoming fear in our lives

overcoming fear in our lives

• 1.
  OVERCOMING FEAR OVERCOMING
• 2.
  Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch thenas the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
• 3.
  FEAR A. Fear iscommon to all. We all fear something. B. Some fear is god given. Children come into this world with two fears: loud noises and height (falling). C. Most people fear: snakes, darkness, suffocation, being burned, death, etc. Some of these are healthy fears instilled to protect us from physical harm. D. Most fear in Christians is a tool of Satan - (2 Tim 1:7-8) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. {8} Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
• 4.
  I. EXAMPLES OFFEAR A. MOSES 1. (Exo 4:1) Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, The LORD has not appeared to you.1" 2. (Exo 4:10) Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." 3. (Exo 4:13) But he said, "0 my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send."
• 5.
  I. EXAMPLES OFFEAR B. THE TEN SPIES - (Num 13:30-33) Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." {31} But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." {32} And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. {33} "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."
• 6.
  I. EXAMPLES OFFEAR C. ELIJAH - (1 Ki 19:1-4) And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. {2} Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." {3} And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. {4} But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (1 Ki 19:14) And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (1 Ki 19:18) "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
• 7.
  I. EXAMPLES OFFEAR D. PETER - (Luke 22:54-57) Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. {55} Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. {56} And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him." {57} But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."
• 9.
  II. TYPICAL FEARS A.The fear of failure B. The fear of criticism C. The fear of rejection D. The fear of problems E. The fear of being misunderstood F. The fear of hard work G. The fear of pressure H. The fear of being wrong I. The fear of embarrassment J. The fear of insufficiency
• 10.
  III. THE RESULTSOF FEAR IN THE CHURCH A. A lack of church growth B. Lack of joy in living C. Eliminates faith in planning D. Allows Satan more influence in our life than God E. Spoils unity F. Hinders evangelism -(2 Tim 1:7-8) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. {8} Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
• 11.
  III. THE RESULTSOF FEAR IN THE CHURCH G. Prevents enthusiasm and optimism from spreading H. Allows the flesh to lead - (Rom 8:13-15) For if you live according to the flesh you will die: but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. {14} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." I. Drives the courageous away J. Its contrary to Christlikeness K. It produces a troubled heart - (John 14:1) "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
• 12.
  III. THE RESULTSOF FEAR IN THE CHURCH L. IT DIMINISHES THE POWER OF GOD - (Eph 3:20) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, M. IT HINDERS SPIRITUAL GROWTH - (2 Pet 1:5-7) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, {6} to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, {7} to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. N. IT CAN RESULT IN BEING LOST ETERNALLY-(Rev 21:8) "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
• 13.
  IV. OVERCOMING FEAR A.ADMIT ITS EXISTENCE - (Mark 9:24) Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" B. RECOGNIZE ITS ORIGIN - (2 Tim 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. C. PRAY FOR STRENGTH AND HELP TO DEFEAT IT-(Eph 3:14-16) For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, {16} that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
• 14.
  IV. OVERCOMING FEAR D.Resolve to daily reject fearfulness - (Rom 8:14- 15) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father E. Claim God's power - (2 Tim 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. F. Be a lover - (2 Tim 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. G. Be a disciplined person - (2 Tim 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind
• 15.
  YOUR FEARS? A. Arefears holding you back from fulfilling your potential? B. Remember, God has not given you a spirit of fear? C. He has given you a spirit of power, love and a healthy mind. D. Use what God has given you to overcome your fears.
• 17.
  TONIGHTS SERMON LOVE TOWARDALL MEN