Faith Over Fear And Breakthrough Series

Video Transition: Welcome to Church – What has the church done for others and community?

Welcome: Today is National Back to Church Sunday – Sadly, some churches cannot meet today due to Governors rules about Covid for example in California the church cannot meet inside, but we are thankful that we can meet inside today. In light of this are you grateful you can come to church today and seek to connect with the Lord? The church is essential in the life of any nation or person – just read church history – it was essential for the founders of this country and looked at as crucial in playing a key role in the birth and the life of this country – So in spite of what the Supreme Court says today and some Governors say or have said. In God ‘s eyes and in the eyes of the Bible church plays a crucial and vital role in the life of people and communities. We saw this truth revealed in our video today.

So welcome back to church!

As we prayed and talked about our topic for today as a staff, we decided that we needed to look at the importance of our faith which enables us to overcome our fears. Even though church is open for many people there are still a lot of people fearful in going to church because of Covid. It’s not an understatement to say this– We live in a pandemic of fear which is crippling a lot of people’s lives, impacting jobs, businesses, many families lives, education, mental health and spiritual development. So, we have decided to talk about how our faith can enable us to overcome our fears – the Bible says our faith can empower us to overcome our fears – the fear of Covid, the fear of riots and looting, the fear of racism, the fear of police brutality and the fear of political dissension.

So, let’s look into the subject of faith over fear!

Series: Breakthrough with faith over fear

Scripture Text:

Psalm 34 – Written by David addressing the subject of fear (Background on David).

1I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

T.S. - David exhorts us and reminds us that our faith in the Lord – which is centered in on our relationship with Jesus will deliver us from all of our fears! Have you discovered this in your life? Would you like to discover this in your own life?

Sermon: Faith over Fear for the breakthrough!

Thesis: Faith is the key component that helps us overcome our fears – if we have no faith then fear seems to rule in our faithless lives – but strong faith helps us to have no fear! A strong faith (or a relationship with Jesus ) will empower us to overcome our fears!

Introduction:

Opening thought: Has anyone here today ever been scared or filled with fear? Has anyone ever been literally - paralyzed by fear - unable to take another step or move because of fear? No seriously – does something or a point in time come to mind when I ask those questions about fear?

When Kathy and I first started dating we soon discovered that we each had a few phobias or fears.

• The Ferris wheel incident with Kathy and I and Bobby Joe and Josephine.

o Kathy and I were out on a date – actually - one of our first dates and we double dated with friends of mine and we went to a fair – we were walking around the fair enjoying the games and stuff and we came upon the Ferris wheel – so I suggested we go up on it - Kathy seemed hesitant at first but I encouraged her it would be fun – so on we went the four of us and just a few times around the wheel we ended up getting stuck at the top of the wheel – this sent fear into Kathy and – up to this point I felt I was dating a very funny laid back cute looking girl – with no cares in the world – but in that moment on the top of the Ferris wheel she screamed down to the controller – Heh - you get me down now! He looked up in fear and gripped that controller and he brought her down immediately – that’s when I learned my new hot laid back – funny girlfriend was afraid of heights.