Fear: Standing Face To Faith Series

FEAR: STANDING FACE TO FAITH

Growing Through Fear

I Kings 19:1-21

Introduction: Swindoll: Wycliffe.

I.Fear makes us run away; God comes by our side.(3-8)

A.Fear makes us run away

1.Elijah headed out of Jezreel south to

Beersheba;

a. Geography lesson. Then the desert.

b. Wanted to go even farther; even to death.

2. Different types of running.

a. Actually leave. Father deserting family.

b. Distractions: TV, Video games, hobbies.

c. Pleasure: food, sex, party scene.

“Will do anything to avoid facing what we fear.”

B. God comes by our side.

1. He is our comfort and strength (v. 5-6)

a. My mother when I was sick.

b. She was someone to say, “It will be all

right.”

c. The nursing and the care give us the

strength we need. (v. 7-8)

-supernatural food. Walk forty days.

- God is our comfort and strength.

2.“I have seen the face of the pilot . . .” @

II. Fear isolates us; God draws us to Himself.(8b-10)

A. Fear isolates us: (v. 9, 10)

1. Fear makes us feel alone.

2. Fear cages us in: Swindoll pg. 51

3. God says, “What are you doing here?” (v. 9b,

13b)

B. God draws us to Himself. (v. 8b, 11a)

1. Horeb is the mountain where God spoke to Moses.

2. Didn’t speak the way we would think.

a. Not in the wind, earthquake, nor the fire.

b. Found in the gentle whisper.

c. We often want the God’s “Big show.”

3. God: “I am here. I’m not going to give you the big show. I’m not even going to take away that thing that you fear so much. But I do promise you this . . . I am here."

III. Fear tells us to quit (v.4); God tells us to carry on. (19:15-17)

A. Fear tells us to quit. (v.4)

B.God tells us to carry on.

1.Head to Damascus. North, through Israel.

a. Elijah: “What about Jezebeel, Lord?”

b. God: "What about Jezebeel?"

-Jezebeel was a non-issue with God

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child.

c. God will handle Jezebeel.

- God will handle our fears.

d. You do what you’re supposed to be doing

2. Keep your hand to the plow.

- Story Dog in the well.

One day a farmer had his dog fall in an old dryed up well. The dog lived through the fall, but could get out of the well. The farmer, realized their was nothing he could do to get that dog out without jepordizing his own life decided, rather then leaving the dog to die alone, thought to fill to well up with dirt and put the dog out of its misery.

The farmer began shoveling dirt into the well, however, after a period of time, he realized the the dog was not allowing himself to be buried alive. With each shovel full of dirt dumped on top of him, the dog would merely shake the dirt of his back and step up. The farmer saw the hope that his dog could be saved and continued to shovel and the dog continued to shake of the dirt and step up. Before long, the farner was able to reach down the well and save his dog.

C. How can I carry on?

1. You are not alone. (v.18)

-There are others just like you. They are experiencing the fear the grips you, the pain that pierces you. They face the walls, the boundaries, the obstacles that work at keeping them from being what God designed them to be. They withstood the fear. They overcame.

- I’m not saying this to try and make you feel guilty. I am trying to give you the hope the Elijah got in this passage. You don’t have to be alone in this world! And when you face that fear, you can know that you don’t have to face it alone. There are people who can help you through the hurt and the pain. People here in this church wanting to help you carry whatever it is that is on your shoulders.

2. God wants to be there as well.

3. Chuck Swindoll:

a. “As fear occurs, admit them.

b.As you admit them, commit them.

c.As you commit them, release them.

d.As you release them, resist them.

e.As you resist them, stand firm.

4. Child playing Hide-n-seek.

-Kids don’t play Hide and seek to "hide" they play because they want to be found.

5. God wants to find us.

6. There are some things you have to do so that

you may be found.

5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone. "It’s dark in there and I’m scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It’s OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"

Charles Allen, Victory in the Valleys.