Title: Be Not Afraid - #Continue Text: 2 Timothy 1:7 Opening: Last week, as we looked at the young man, Timothy, we looked, briefly, at 2 Timothy 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; Why was Timothy tearful? At their last parting, it was likely well understood that they would not see each other again. Timothy was, I m sure, fearful at the prospects that he might never see Paul again. That would give additional meaning to Paul s further statements as he recalled Timothy s unfeigned faith (vs. 5) and his challenge to Timothy to stir up the gift of God. (vs. 6) With the prospect of never seeing Paul again, young Timothy was fearful, Without Paul to guide me, how can I #Continue? I m confident of the fact that Timothy s desire was to continue but I m also just as sure that young Timothy was plagued with doubts and questions which fed his fears as he faced an uncertain future. Quote: "Fear can lead us to hide, to run away, or to freeze in our shoes. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/recovery-road/201405/what-is-fear Illustration: I personally know how Timothy felt. I experienced a certain amount of fear when I became pastor of South Charlotte Baptist Church. At times my mind was plagued with doubts as to whether or not I could actually pastor a church and questions relating to how I was going to pastor this church. Quote: Fear is a cloaked enemy that whispers negative thoughts into your mind, body and soul. It tries to convince you that you will not succeed and that you cannot achieve your full potential. In other words, fear can keep you from continuing! Application: As you consider what lies ahead of you in your walk with God, in your occupation, in your marriage, in your family - what fear or fears are keeping you from moving forward from continuing? What thoughts have been
plaguing your mind trying to convince you that you can t continue so why even try? Many times Satan whispers, There is no need to try; For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"; But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise; Where the storms never darken the skies. Paul, therefore, gives young Timothy the answer for how to overcome his fear and to #Continue! 1. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear a. God is not the Author of fear. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 2 Chronicles 20:15 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psalm 56:11
Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 1:8 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:26-27 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36 b. If you have received Christ as your Savior then you have the Spirit of God dwelling within you. Because of that you can live by faith, not by fear. That is why the Apostle Paul was so thankful for Timothy s unfeigned faith. It would be Timothy s rock solid faith in God and God s Word that would enable him to face the future without fear! Question: Do you live in fear? My question would then be to you, Do you know for sure that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior? Overcoming fear begins with the assurance of knowing that Christ is your Savior. The next step is to understand 2. But of power a. The word, power, is the Greek word, dunamis, from which we get our English word, dynamite. Quote: Power is the invariable accompaniment of the gift of the Holy Ghost. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 b. We experience this power as we proclaim the Gospel! For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 c. We experience this power when we come to the end of ourselves. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 To overcome fear we must appropriate the power of God! 3. Of love 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. 1 John 4:8 a. God s love holds us together. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 2 Corinthians 5:14 b. Our love for others will compel us to proclaim the Gospel which is the power of God! Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7
c. As Paul faced death, his love of God allowed him to keep it together. He knew that very soon he would see the one he loved. As Paul faced Nero, the one to sentence him to death, he didn t have fear but love. A love that desired for Nero to experience faith in Christ. To overcome fear we must love God and love others 4. Of a sound mind a. What s the first thing to go when you are faced with fear? Your mind. Note: Science tells us that the process of creating fear takes place in the brain and is entirely unconscious. http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/fear1.htm b. When facing fear people often begin to have irrational thoughts. They can t think clearly. They begin to think the worst. c. To face our fears we must consciously allow our minds to be controlled by the Word of God. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Closing: For some, fear is found in the word, Cancer. For others, fear is found in making a presentation at work. For others, fear is found in a spider. Regardless of where your fear resides, you have a choice. You can either allow that fear to hold you back and get you off track or, you can follow God s formula for overcoming your fears.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7