FOUNDATIONS LESSON #1 WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU RE AFRAID

Transcription

1 FOUNDATIONS LESSON #1 WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU RE AFRAID Intro. Tonight we re beginning a new series dealing with some of the issues we face in life. We re going to find out what to do when we re afraid, doubting, suffering, down in the dumps, and more 1. Tonight we re going to open this series with, What To Do When You re Afraid quote, Psychologists tell us, one of the most dominating emotions today is fear. 2. Some of our fears are justified a. The problem we have is the enemy will take advantage of fear that may be justified and blow it out of proportion All of us are concerned with making a living. That s normal. But when making enough money becomes an oppressive and obsessive fear, it s a problem. Fear will disable us from enjoying life. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. I. THE OF FEAR A. THE BEHIND MUCH OF OUR FEAR IS SPIRITUAL IN NATURE 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, Romans 8:15 (NKJV) 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." Satan would like nothing more than to manipulate and control our lives with fear There are a couple of spiritual consequences to fear the Bible talks about Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 1

2 1. When the Bible talks about a spirit of fear it doesn t mean a spooky spirit a. Satan s designs through fear are usually much more subtle than a lamp flying across the living room It comes in a persistent anxiety about money, overwhelming fear for the safety of our children, fears of losing our health or worry of regaining our health, fears about our future. These are things that are normal concerns but the enemy blows them out of proportion and turns them into constant, persistent fears that drain us. b. The spirit of fear is a prevailing attitude and mental disposition of worry, concern, and anxiety that is driven by the powers of darkness B. BECAUSE FEAR IS SPIRITUAL IN NATURE IT HAS We need to identify the spirit of fear and deal with it Otherwise, we will be unable to enjoy the true freedom we re promised in the Christian life 1. Our fears bring Romans 8:15 talks about the spirit of bondage again to fear a. We know what it means to be in bondage b. It means we can t do what we d really like to do because we re all tied up c. Our fear can bind us and keep us from doing what we should do or would really like to do Sometimes we don t witness because we re afraid of getting embarrassed. Some people don t tithe because they re afraid to trust that God will provide. We can miss opportunities to be used by God for fear that we won t be effective. Sometimes we may withhold words of encouragement to others for fear that it just sounds stupid. We can miss business opportunities for fear of failure. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 2

3 Fear brings bondage 2. Our fears can cause I John 4:18 (NKJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. a. One of the most common forms of torment fear causes is dread American Heritage Dictionary says, dread means 1. To be in terror of. 2. To anticipate with alarm, distaste, or reluctance: Some of the things we dread are serious like if we re going to have enough money for retirement, whether our kids are making the right decisions in life, the dread of what tomorrow will bring all the what ifs What if my health fails, what if I lose my job, what if I m left alone There are things in all our lives we may dread It s a form of torment caused by fear 3. Fear will rob us of 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. This verse tells us what God has and has not given a. He has given us power, love, and a sound mind b. He has not given us the spirit of fear When fear is present, it robs us of the things God has given us; power, love, and a sound mind John 10:10 Amplified Bible The thief comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance- to the full, till it overflows. One of Satan s biggest schemes is to keep us from enjoying the life God wants us to have through fear Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 3

4 The nature of fear is to bind us, torment us, and rob us of God s power, love, and peace of mind II. THE SPIRIT OF FEAR CAN ONLY BE BROKEN BY I John 4:16 (NKJV) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. A. HOW TO FEAR I Jonn 4:18 (NKJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1. If we re going to get over being afraid we re going to have to understand God s love for us The only way to get over our fear is to trust that God will take care of or help us in whatever it is we re afraid of To be able to really trust Him, we need to know how much He loves us 2. That s why the Bible says perfect love casts out fear a. The word used for perfect is better translated, complete b. We need to have an understanding of God s perfect and complete love for us and it will drive out fear This is why 1 John 4:18 is followed by verse 19 I John 4:18-19 (NKJV) 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. I John 4:10 (NKJV) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. The only way to drive out the spirit of fear is with a stronger Spirit, the Spirit of love Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 4

5 B. MANY OF US FEEL 1. We feel like somehow we have to be good enough, or do enough to be loved a. And that s an incomplete understanding of God s love We re not loved because of what we ve done or haven t done We re loved because of what Christ has done for us PERIOD! 2. God loved us and Jesus died for us when we were still sinners a. When we ask Him to come into our hearts God fully receives us as His own Ephesians 1:6 (NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. b. We are loved and accepted not because of what we have or haven t done but because of what Jesus did 3. For everyone of us who has felt unlovable we need to hear this truth with our hearts a. We are loved and accepted because of what Christ did for us If we are willing to simply believe this we can get free from fear because we ll trust Him to take care of us, our future, or whatever else it is we re afraid of 4. God loves us because we are His children! Romans 8:15 (NKJV) 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." 1 John 3:1 (NIV) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! We have to catch the feeling in this verse. John is completely blown away at how much God loves us! That we should be called children of God! C. ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD 1. There s nothing we can do to make God love us Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 5

6 Titus 3:5 (NKJV) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.. a. Most of us would say we believe this but we can nevertheless fall into the trap of feeling we have to do something to be loved Come to church, pray, praise, read our Bibles, witness b. These are all things we do because we love God not to be worthy of His love c. We sometimes choke on this because so much of our acceptance in the world has to do with our appearance or our accomplishments There s nothing we can do to make God love us any more Knowing and believing this will cast out fear I John 4:16 (NKJV) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 2. Secondly, there s nothing we can do to make God love us Romans 5:8 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. a. It does affect Him some of the things we do hurt Him deeply Ezekiel 6:9 (NKJV) Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. What we do affects God deeply But it will never make Him love us less If we believe there s nothing we can do to make God love us any less it will cast out fear; the fear of rejection, the fear of want, the fear of being left alone Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 6

7 We ll have an extreme confidence because God is love and perfect love casts out fear CONFESSION AND PRAYER: Father, You have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. I believe You love me perfectly and completely because of what Jesus did for me and because I am Your child and You are my Father. I will trust You to take care of me in every area of my life and in whatever happens in the future. I will not be worried or anxious about anything because I know You love me. Your perfect love casts out fear and I am free in the name of Jesus. Amen. FILL IN THE BLANKS FROM LESSON #1 I. THE (SPIRITUAL NATURE) OF FEAR A. THE (DRIVING FORCE) BEHIND MUCH OF OUR FEAR IS SPIRITUAL IN NATURE B. BECAUSE FEAR IS SPIRITUAL IN NATURE IT HAS (SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES) 1. Our fears bring (bondage) 2. Our fears can cause (torment) 3. Fear will rob us of (power, love, and a sound mind) II. THE SPIRIT OF FEAR CAN ONLY BE BROKEN BY (THE SPIRIT OF LOVE) A. HOW TO (CAST OUT) FEAR B. MANY OF US FEEL (UNLOVABLE) C. (TWO TRUTHS) ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 7

8 1. There s nothing we can do to make God love us (any more) 2. Secondly, there s nothing we can do to make God love us (any less) Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ (928) Alex Wilson, Pastor 8