Fear At Christmas

A. FEAR AT CHRISTMAS

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you

is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:8-11).

1. What are people fearing this Christmas?

a. Death: sniper, accident, heart attack, terrorists.

b. Destitute: loss of job, spouse, bankruptcy, taxes.

c. Embarrassment: IRS audit, failure, exposure.

d. Unknown: war, rampant sin, epidemic, anthrax.

2. What will overcome fear?

a. The Gospel: “Good tidings of great joy.”

b. God loves all: “Which shall be to all people.”

c. God visited: “This day in the city of David.”

d. Your salvation: “A Savior.”

e. Your Master: “Christ the Lord.”

B. AMERICA HAS LOST ITS FEAR OF GOD

1. People belligerently curse.

2. Politicians vote against God.

3. Business programs against God.

4. Hollywood mocks God.

5. Humanists steal the real meaning of Christmas.

1. Fear was the first emotion introduced by Satan. “I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Gen. 3:10).

2. Fear is the first emotion when encountering the supernatural. “Fear not Zacharias” (Luke 1:13).

3. The first step of worship is fear. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be in reverence of all them that are about him” (Psa. 89:7).

WHEN FEAR IS GOOD

Fear of fire will protect from burns.

Fear of highway speed will protect from an accident.

Fear of snakes will protect from poison.

Fear of God will make you worship Him.

4. Godly fear makes us smart. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7).

WHAT FEAR TEACHES US

1. That God can reject us.

2. That God can destroy us (Matt. 10:28).

3. That God must be worshipped.

C. WRONG EXPRESSIONS OF FEAR

1. Worry is fear out of control. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved” (Phil. 4:1).

• You cannot control children, so you worry.

• You cannot control job, so you worry.

Answer; put in God’s hands, and take it out of Satan’s hands.

• Good worry – when you can control the circumstance, you do something.

• “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have different things to worry about when it gets here” (Matt. 6:34, ELT).

2. Panic is sudden fear. “They cried out for fear” (Matt. 14:26).

• You lose control and cannot help yourself.

• Trust God to control the circumstances when you cannot. “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20).

3. Doubt is uncertain fear. “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith” (Matt. 8:26).

• You worry about what you cannot control.

• “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature” (Luke 12:25).

4. Trembling is uncontrollable physical fear. “She came trembling” (Luke 6:47). “He (Paul) trembled” (Acts 9:6).

• Lose control of your physical response.

• Trust in God’s Word because He is in control.

5. Uncertain fear of the unknown. “Do not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God” (I Tim. 6:17).

• “Do not worry . . . what you will eat, or drink” (Matt. 6:25).

• “Do not worry . . . what you will put on” (Matt. 6:25).

6. All encompassing fear of the supernatural.

• Killed villains but they came back from the dead.

• Fear of elements you don’t know.

7. Phobia is an unnecessary controlling fear. John Madden will not fly.

CAN YOU PASS THIS TEST?

Apiophobia – bees

Ochlophobia – crowds

Scotophobia – dark

Acrophobia – heights

Ophidiophobia – snakes

Keraunophobia – thunder

Microbiophobia – germs

D. WHERE HAS FEAR GONE?

1. Entertainment. The world has capitalized on fear to attract an audience.

2. Is fear addictive? Must see scary movies or ride highest roller coaster.

• Fear produces adrenalin rush.

• Most popular attractions are the most dangerous.

3. Can our fear lead to worship of Satan?

• If fear is first step of worship, is Satan stealing our fear?

• If you are afraid of what Satan will do to you, is that worship?

4. Christmas promise. “Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.” (I John 4:4). “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28).