Disarming Our Fears Series

Intro: Fear has been a part of the human struggle since Adam and Eve first disobeyed God in the beginning. The first thing they did when God called them was to hide. Genesis 3:10 I hid because I was afraid! Everyone that is honest is afraid of something. Our fears may be reasonable or unreasonable and can range from fear of frogs to fear of failure. Fear is real in our lives but it doesn’t have to rule our lives!

The Scottish preacher John McNeill told that during his childhood he had to walk a long distance home every evening, and his route led through a forest with a large ravine. Reports said that wild animals and gangs of robbers were often seen in that area. Great fear would seize his heart as he made his way past the spooky- looking trees. He recalled, "One night it was especially dark, but I was aware that something or someone was moving slowing and quietly toward me. I was sure it was a robber. When a voice called out, its eerie tone struck my heart with fear. I thought I was finished. Then came a second call. This time I could hear the voice saying, 'John, is that you?' It was my father. He had known of my fear and had come out to meet me.")

It was a word from John McNeill’s father that brought peace to his fearful heart that night. Whatever our fears or causes of our fear we all need a word from our Heavenly Father. It is the words of life from His lips that expel fear and make it possible for us to experience love and peace.

God has used His word to tell us over and over again fear not. Why? Fear is one of the most basic of human emotions. God knew that we would struggle with it, fight it and get frustrated with its control over us. God has given us a word that will help release fears grip on us.

I. God chooses unlikely people to fulfill His amazing plans. (1 Peter 2:9) (Focus on out of darkness)

What is one of the most comforting words we can ever hear from God’s Word, chosen. When you deal with rejection, fear, frustration, despair or depression I encourage to read these words. You are chosen.

Ephesians 1:4 “For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love” (He chose us because he has a plan for us)

2 Timothy 1:9 “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works,

but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

God chooses the most unlikely people to do the most impossible task.

A) The meek Moses (numbers 12:2)

Moses was on the lamb. A murderer and a runaway felon. So what does God do? He makes Moses go back and face his fears. As God called Moses and said I’m sending you to set my people free Moses responded with excuses and objections.

In exodus 2:14 we see Moses was afraid the Pharaoh would find out he killed an Egyptian. He was afraid of the Pharaoh and the consequences of his actions.

Exodus 4:1 shows us Moses was afraid of being rejected by the people of God.

In facing the fears that He had what did Moses learn?

Moses learned that God’s plan is better than man’s pleasures. Hebrews 11:27, 28 “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.” Moses had moved from fear to faith.

B) The captive hand maiden of Naaman’s wife (2 Kings 5:1-9) (she was a captive not a coward)

What an amazing story. This young woman didn’t have an encounter with God from a burning bush. She did however have a faith in God that couldn’t be shaken by being kidnapped and thrown into slavery. Imagine a nameless nobody used of God to touch a powerful somebody like Naaman.

God has never looked for superstars. He’s looking for humble servants that will do what is right no matter their circumstances. Isn’t it just like God to choose someone that seems powerless to bring the powerful to their knees? Naaman had to humble himself to be cleansed of his terrible disease. Beloved so do we. Do you remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:27 “Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”

C) The elderly priest Zechariah and barren mother Elizabeth