Sunday, November 18, 2007

Help For The Fearful


Here's this morning's sermon notes...

A Little boy was afraid of the dark. One night his mother told himto go out to the back porch and bring her the broom. The little boy turned to his mother and said, "Mama, I don't want to go out there. It's dark." The mother smiled reassuringly at her son. "You don't have to be afraid of the dark," she explained. "Jesus is out there. He'll look after you and protect you." The little boy looked at his mother real hard and asked, "Are you sure he's out there?" "Yes, I'm sure. He is everywhere, and he is always ready to help you when you need him," she said. The little boy thought about that for a minute and then went to the back door and cracked it a little. Peering out into the darkness, he called "Jesus? If you're out there, would you please hand me the broom?

A Season of Hope
Help For The Fearful

Joyce Meyer said…One of the many benefits available to us in our spiritual inheritance as a believer in Jesus Christ is freedom from fear. But even if we are afraid, we know that we can go ahead and act, because God will be with us to protect us. He will help us, go before to fight the battle for us or deliver us, bringing us through victoriously as we obey Him. If you feel you have missed out on some things in your life because of fear, you can learn how to handle or overcome fear and begin to experience the abundant life God has planned for you…
1. Confront your Fear

Isaiah 8:11-13…For the LORD spoke thus to me with His strong hand (upon me), and warned and instructed me not to walk in th way of this people, saying, Do not call conspiracy (or hard, or holy) all that this people will call conspiracy (or hard, or holy); neither be in fear of what they fear, nor (make others afraid and) in dread. The LORD of hosts – regard Him as holy and honor His holy name (by regarding Him as your only hope of safety), and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread (lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him)…

1 John 4:18…There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love…

2 Timothy 1:7…For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but (He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control…

Deuteronomy 31:6…Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the LORD your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you…

Romans 10:17…So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God…

We need to learn and confess aloud Scriptures like these, even drink them in like a glass of water when we are thirsty. When we open our mouth and confess what the Lord says to us and about us, God’s Word will give us the power to overcome the fears that torment and prevent…

Sometimes we must DO IT AFRAID
Elisabeth Elliot, whose husband was killed along with four other missionaries in Ecuador, says her life was controlled completely by fear. Every time she started to step out, fear stopped her. A friend told her something that set her free. She said, “Why don’t you do it afraid?” Elisabeth Elliot and Rachel Saint, sister of one of the murdered missionaries, went on to evangelize the Indian tribes, including the people who had killed their husband and brother.

“Fear Not” Means “Don’t Run!”

Exodus 14:13…Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today…

2. Pray Through It

James 5:16…The earnest (heart-felt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working)…

Isaiah 41:10,13…Fear not (there is nothing to fear), for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My (victorious) right hand of rightness and justice…For I the LORD your God hold your right hand; I am the LORD, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!...

Faith is the only antidote for fear!

James 1:5-7…If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything (he asks for) from the LORD…

PRAY AT ALL TIMES
Ephesians 6:18…Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all (manner of) prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people)…

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
1 Thessalonians 5:17…Be unceasing in prayer (praying perseveringly)…

3. Use the Name of Jesus!

John 16:24…Up to this time you have not asked a (single) thing in My Name (as presenting all that I AM); but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete…

F.E.A.R.
False Evidence Appearing Real

Philippians 4:6-7…Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace (shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace) which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus…

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