Not Series #4 Do Not Fear

Series -“NOT” Sermon #4 – “Do Not Fear”

Bumble bee … flew in the car … they really annoy me … been stung a few times … I got so preoccupied with the bee that I took my foot off the brake and hit the car in front of me.

Fear is destructive. Fear hinders the revelation of the Kingdom Of God in your life.

Worry:– to strangle

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties it of its strength.”  Corrie Ten Boom

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

“”Fear not or a version of it is found 365 x’s in the bible.  God placed one there for every day of the year.      Leap year … you’re on your own!

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 23:10 “One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.”

2 Timothy is all about Paul in his last moments speaking to his spiritual Son Timothy. (In his mid 30’s) From a place of Imprisonment in Rome. Season of great pressure and persecution. Caesar Nero and his secret police are tormenting believers. Paul going die in humiliating way.

Church History tells us that Timothy has turned Paul’s work into a MEGA church 10,000 people in Ephesus … a city full of temples and worship to many God’s … many religions

Timothy my son you are called and empowered to take this life changing message to the whole world. Do shrink back from this. Don’t be timid or fearful.

2 Timothy 1:6-8 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 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,”

Real fear response. Built in survival reflex. Real physiological reaction … energy alertness adrenaline … Fight Flight or Freeze 

Real fear has two imperatives:

1. Imminent        2. Potent      Afraid of rattle snakes … but none present so … no fear

First thing we must clarify!!!

It is not from God!!! God did not give you a spirit of fear.  

God never uses fear as a tool to shape or motivate people to engage His purpose.

Where is it from? Devil

Demonic but can be spread by people … fear can be taught and learned

How do I know if it is a spirit of fear?  What is it rooted in?  Accusation Deception Temptation

1. Shame based fear:   Accusation (Accuser)

Genesis 3:9-10 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Poor concept of God … enemies in your mind!    Punitive view of instead of restorative

If lack confidence before God you are being pressured by a spirit of fear

Sin consciousness rather than grace consciousness 

He is not your accuser he is your advocate … Constantly standing in the gap for you before the Father.

Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

2. Ignorance Based Fear:  (Deception)

Deceived … false evidence appears real

Wrong focus! listening to the wrong voices …  Marriages are failing … blah blah blah!!!

Watch too many horror movies … opened a door to fear!!!   Exposing your self to wrong stuff.

Proverbs 29:25  “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Quit being an approval addict … God loves you … he approves you!!!

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,”

1 Corinthians 1:30 “For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.”

3. Fatigue Based Fear:   (Temptation … trial)

Worn out from seeming constant attack … accusation … Apostle Paul … Enough already.

Luke 4:13 “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”    Small “s” spirit.   Your born again spirit is in union with God … Strong Spirit.

Proverbs 18:14 (AMPC) “The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?”

Qualities Of God Given Spirit:

1. POWER — Dunamis Power … inherent mighty power.

2. LOVE — Agape … the God kind of self- sacrificial love. 

 1 John 4:18 “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

3. SOUND MIND —  compound word … “Sodzo”  Saved whole peace  Full Understanding! 

1 Corinthians 2:16  “But we have the mind of Christ.”

TIMOTHY —  A God Given Spirit That Enable You To Do Two Things:

1. Help Stir Up, Fan into flame the gift that is in you!!!

      There is a deposit of God in you that will empower you for success … something is in your 

      hand  …. there is a passion a vision he has placed in your heart!!!

2. Proclaim the message … proclaim … guard this message!!!

Romans 1:16-17  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Paul wasn’t in chains because he preached good behaviour or that he preached against Sin.

He was in chains because he boldly proclaimed that Jesus is God! And that He came to forgive our sins and deliver us from death. He gave us eternal life and it is all freely given and embraced by faith alone!!!

Don’t be afraid! God has given you a strong spirit, to use  His deposit in you, to proclaim the wonderful good news that God loves you and sent His son to deliver you form this broken world and bring you to himself … into His family!!!

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