We will take a look at the issue of fear. Fear in general is primarily rooted in a fear of death and God s clear answer for them. He too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Heb. 2:14 15 NIV). Yes it is normal to have a fear of death, disease, and suffering but we are not normal. Christ is our life and we are eternal and are of citizens of this world. 1
We will never get to the point where we are not troubled and tempted by our emotions and thoughts in our mind. We have to learn and believe that that is all they are just emotions and thoughts and have absolutely no power over us. Of course it is deception, but when we buy into it and go along with it Satan jerks us around and makes us miserable. The only thing that sends him running is faith faith in the truth. 2
So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12 ESV). It takes faith and patience to receive and experience what is already ours. Just remember that you are not trying to make yourself dead to sin and freed from it. Christ is your life and you are one Spirit with Him and the old you is dead and gone (Rom. 6:6, 7). and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:4) 3
We must keep in mind that we live in a fallen world in a fallen body and Satan is the ruler of this world, Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. (John 12:31 NIV). We are children of God and Satan has no power over us, except what we give him, by believing his lies. How do we defeat Satan? Simply by believing the truth. Who are you? Is Christ your life? Does He live in you? Are you seated with Him in the heavenly places? Are you living by faith, feelings, circumstances?? 4
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (1 John 2:20 NIV). What is he anointing you have in you? It is Christ in you. When you know and believe that you will live free from fear. But you may ask, If I believe lies, how can I know the truth? You know the truth, because the Truth lives in you. He is your very life. So the truth in you may be covered up by a lot of deception, but it is there. 5
Not until we understand that we are in a new covenant and that we are not under law, but under grace (Rom. 6:14) is there any possibility of getting free from addictive behavior. It really is an issue of knowing of knowing who you are in Christ and what you have in Christ. When we understand the new covenant and we have everything we need to be free (Christ in us) and what the finished work of Christ has provided for us we will experience our freedom. IT IS FINISHED! There is nothing to do, but believe the truth. DON T BE AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE!!! 6
One of the biggest problems Christians make is not interpreting Scripture in context. Unless we interpret Scripture in the context of the New Covenant, i. e, the finished work of Christ and the fact that we are people of the spirit, i. e. Christ lives in us by His Spirit, we will not be interpreting it biblically and correctly. In other words everything is drastically changed because of the cross and the resurrection. And we were in Him when it happened. We are not who we used to be. We are forgiven, redeemed, justified, sanctified and glorified. Sin has been taken care of and is no longer an issue. If we don t interpret Scripture in this context we will be in error and come up with a very legalistic interpretation that won t help us or anyone else. 7
The beginning of freedom is when you know that I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV). You must know that the old self you were is dead and gone and Christ is living your life. If not the only other option is that you still believe you are a sorry sin-loving sinner and be trying to shape yourself up, which will be impossible. 8
If we are trying to do right, get free, stop sinning, avoid wrong then we are believing the lie that we are still the same old sorry sin-loving sinner. As Martin Luther said, Nothing we do helps us spiritually, only faith helps us. Faith in Christ and His word and who we are and what we have in Him enables us to experience the freedom that is already ours. Most are sin-focused instead of faith focused and that keeps them in bondage. 9
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21 ESV). It could be good things that we worry about that gives us anxiety such as our family. That is not to say that you don t have a concern for your family or other good things, but the issue is always, can you trust your loving heavenly Father is working all things together for your good? (Rom. 8:28). ALL THINGS? EVERYTHING? 10
In secular psychological studies they have found that about 90% of what people worry about never happens. There is a time when fear is warranted and we need to make the proper response such as running away from danger. Fear is an emotional response that we can t necessarily control. The Psalmist says, When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. (Psalm 56:3) and In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psa. 56:11). Probably the most repeated phrase in the bible is Fear not. 11
Of course fear is one of Satan s purposes to rob us of our freedom, peace and joy. But You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 ESV). God s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. (1 John 5:18 NLT). If Christ is our life and our life is hidden with Christ in God, what have we to fear? 12
Anxiety, worry and fear rob us of our peace. But take a look at the next verse after Phil. 4:6 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV). God says He is the answer. For he himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14 ESV). Freedom really gets back to who you are and what you have. You have Christ in you and He is your peace. There is no reality, truth, freedom and peace outside Him. 13
Fear is a response to circumstances and perceptions, actually a response to what we see and feel. But we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV). Gal. 3:ll says, The righteous will live by faith. There are 64 verses alone in the New Testament that have by faith in them. Do we really understand, know and believe that the only way we get anything from God is by faith? Do we know that the only way we are in touch with reality and truth is by faith? God has already given us Himself who is all we need, but we only experience it by faith. 14
How much of your life do you spend in fear, worry and anxiety? I (Mike) would have to admit that I have been fearful, worried and anxious about many things in my life and looking back very few of the things that I worried about came to pass. Recently I was reading a book by Fred Pruitt and he stated that it is easier to obey the law than it is to believe God. I think that is true. It is not easy to believe that God is working all things for our good and that we are dead to sin and freed from it. So how do we believe God? BY FAITH! It is a spiritual transaction, and we will be able to as we trust Christ in us. 15
When Jesus was on is way to Jairus, the synagogue ruler s house to heal his daughter, some people came from is house and said to Jairus, Your daughter is dead, they said. Why bother the teacher any more? (Mark 5:35 NIV). What is Jesus answer for something that would strike fear into anyone s heart, Don t be afraid, just believe. BUT in order to believe God you have to ignore everything else. You have to ignore the TV, newspapers, radio, facts, circumstances, traditions, the experts, even what friends say and especially your feelings. Who are you listening to? Who do you believe? Notice Jesus didn t say, Believe she would be healed, but believe. Believe what? Believe Jesus. Trust Him. Believe He is working all things for your good. 16
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6 7 NIV). We have heard these verses numerous times and they seem almost old hat to us. But they are God s word to us. Maybe we should take them to heart. There is a promise in them for us. 17
Notice that everything in the left column is a result of BELIEVING GOD and everything in the left column is a result of NOT believing God. Everything is always by grace through faith. Grace is God s extended gift to us and faith is our reaching out, receiving it and taking it. Of course we do have many promises in the bible that if we believe them would make us thankful, peaceful, content, encouraged and joyful. We might not be feeling that way, but we can be that way by faith. Complaining, doubt, anxiety, discontent, discouragement, depression and fear is of the devil and comes from him. 18
If we look at our feelings, circumstances, facts, what is going on in the world and what people are saying about it, it is easy to believe the lie. We need to remember that this is the way Satan robs us of our freedom. He is the father of lies and if he can get us to believe a lie, he will jerk us around like a bulldog with a rag doll. If we live life based on our feelings then our life will be up and down, mostly down. 19
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 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 John 4:13 18 NIV) 20
Let s face it. You and I are going to mess up and we cannot rely on ourselves. There really is only one thing we can safely rely on and that is God s love for us. We can also rely on the fact that sin is no longer an issue. It has been taken care of once for all. When we start looking at our bad behavior (sin) we have stepped out of God s love and are no longer living in it. Sin, shame, guilt, judgment are no more. They were taken care of at the cross. IT IS FINISHED! 21
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19 NIV). And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV). Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV). Three great promises from God and all you and I need to do is believe them. 22
There is really only one sin the unbeliever commits and that is that he doesn t believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and died for His sins and so he doesn t receive Him. Every problem that you and I have is because of unbelief. If we believe what Christ accomplished on the cross and that our old self died and we are dead to sin and freed from it and Christ is our life and we are one spirit with Him, we will live in peace, freedom, joy and victory. Not that we won t have a blip or two and many struggles along the way, but as Jesus said, Don t be afraid, only believe. 23
The antidote for fear is God s love. It is a perfect love that accepts us unconditionally regardless of our sins, bad behavior, poor performance, etc., etc. Our only response is to believe that and as I John 4:16 says And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16 NIV). So are we relying on God s love for us or are we trying to earn it by doing right, etc. 24
As I (Mike) look back on my eight year struggle with alcoholism, it seems that most times it was triggered by some fear. Fear that finances were going to lead us off a cliff, fear that my marriage was failing, fear that I would never stop abusing alcohol, fear that my drinking would ruin my health, fear that I would lose my job, fear that I was failing God (of course I was but He was working all things together for my good (Rom. 8:28) and redeemed it and used it for good. God uses ALL our failure, sin and screw-ups. I wouldn t be free today, have a marriage and a ministry if God hadn t used it to bring me to the end of self (brokenness) so he could reveal the truth that set me free. 25
Jesus said, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 ESV). We live in a fallen world that Satan is the ruler of but we are not citizens of this world. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20 ESV). How do we overcome the world by faith! Don t miss this. Everyone born of God overcomes the world! For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father (Rom. 8:15 NIV). We are sons and daughters. There is nothing to fear! 26
I think many of us think Jesus is asleep when we are facing major problems, but Mark 4:38, 39 say Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush, be still. And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. It seems a lot that the storms are still raging, but He has defeated death and He does care about us. Just like Jairus, no matter how it seems or what anyone says we can trust Him. DON T BE AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE! 27
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Rom. 8:28-34). 28
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:28 39 ESV). And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:15 NIV). We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. (1 John 5:18). 29
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:4-7). Grace means God does it. Miracles happen and lives are changed when we believe God and trust Him. 30
Here Jesus tells us the way miracles happen and the dead are raised to life. Jairus is told that his daughter is dead. Do you have something in your life that looks dead and beyond hope. If you don t now, you will have in the future. Jesus tells Jairus DON T BE AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE! (Mark 5:36). God told Abraham, I have made you the father of many nations in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. (Romans 4:17 ESV). 31
Jesus doesn t tell us to go to church, read our bibles, be nice, pray, memorize scripture, witness, fast, etc. He doesn t tell us not to do those things either, but if we are not doing them in faith, it will be to no avail. It might look good and make you feel good for a little while, but when the disciples asked Jesus, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. (John 6:28 29 ESV) 32
He raises Jairus daughter from the dead. He gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Hallelujah! What a Savior! When we begin to understand that God is love and everything He does is in love and he is working all things for our good then we see God in everything and life takes on a different glow and we begin to experience freedom, peace and joy. 33
This is the key to everything and it all revolves around and gets back to the fact that we have it ALL. We have Everything! We have Jesus. He lives in us and is our life (Col. 3:4) and we are one spirit with Him (1 Cor. 6:17). Our old sin-loving sinner self was crucified with Christ and we no longer live but Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20). Quit trying to shape up your old self. It has died and your new life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). You have the God who created the universe and the God who is love living in you. What else do you need? 34
So that we confidently say, THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME? (Heb. 13:6). 35
If you are trying to be in control you are headed for disaster. Let s be real, none of us have ever been in control and never will be. If we were we would mess it up so badly, it would be impossible to fix. God is in control and you belong to Him and He is redeeming and using all things in your life for good everything, the good, the bad, the ugly, the horrible, etc. etc. He can be trusted. Do yourself a favor and trust that He is doing so and believe that He is living your life. 36
Do we believe it? Can we believe God? Of course the world, the flesh and the devil scream at you about how bad you are and how bad things are and if you believe them and your feelings it will be a rough ride. But they are all lies and as long as you believe them you will be in bondage, but you can choose to believe God regardless of your feelings and circumstances because He is the only one who always tells you the truth. 37
This is a fantastic truth that really sums up the Christian life. Jesus is in the Father and you are in Jesus and He is in you. That s what salvation is! When Christ enters you by the Spirit is when you experience salvation. That is true deliverance. It really doesn t matter what is going on in your life trough sex, drugs, alcohol, relationships, money or lack of it, etc. etc. When you understand John 14:20 you will be so free it will be scary. As Vernon pointed out in his illustration, everything that comes your way must first go through your father, then through Jesus and when it gets to you if finds you filled with Jesus. So what else do you need? What is there to fear? 38