Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Welcome to today's sermon. You know, life can toss us around like a tiny boat in a stormy sea, leaving us drenched with fear and uncertainty. But fret not, for we have an anchor in our Lord. A lighthouse guiding us through the darkest storms, and that's what we're going to talk about today - facing fear with faith, behaving with belief, and finding strength in the Lord.

As we embark on this exploration, let's remind ourselves of Psalms 27:1,

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"

In the words of Billy Graham, "Focus on Christ instead of your fears, and your fears will begin to fade." Our faith in the Lord is our surest path to courage, our truest form of strength.

Let's bow our heads and open our hearts in prayer, shall we?

Dear Lord, as we delve into Your Word today, we ask for Your guidance. Help us to understand and embrace Your mighty power that stirs within us. Teach us to face our fears with the faith that You've instilled in us, and to act according to Your will. Amen.

Let's get started, folks, there's a whole lot of wisdom waiting for us in the Word!

Facing Fear with Faith

Facing fear with faith is the idea that when we are confronted with situations that incite fear, we should respond not with panic or despair, but with faith in God's sovereignty and goodness. This faith is not a blind leap into the unknown, but a confident assurance in the character and promises of God.

What counts as fear?: We are referring to a wide range of emotions, from mild unease to crippling terror. Fear can be triggered by a variety of circumstances, such as a sudden illness, the loss of a job, or a global pandemic. In these situations, it is natural to feel afraid. However, as believers, we are called to respond differently.

The story of David: The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who faced their fears with faith. Consider the story of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd boy, was not afraid to face the giant because he trusted in the power of God. He declared, "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). David's faith in God enabled him to face his fear with courage.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: These three young men were not afraid to stand up to King Nebuchadnezzar and refuse to bow down to his golden image. They declared, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king" (Daniel 3:17). Their faith in God enabled them to face their fear with boldness.

Faith is not the absence of fear: It is the means to overcome it. Faith does not deny the reality of the situation, but it looks beyond the present circumstances to the promises of God. It is a perspective that sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.

An active choice: It is a decision to trust in God's promises, even when the circumstances are daunting. It is a choice to believe that God is in control, even when everything seems to be falling apart. It is a commitment to rely on God's strength, even when we feel weak and helpless.

A lifelong journey: It is a process of growing in our understanding of God's character and promises. It is a journey of learning to trust God more and more, even when we don't understand His ways.

A communal endeavor: We are not meant to face our fears alone, but together as a community of believers. We are called to encourage one another, pray for one another, and bear one another's burdens.

Behaving with Belief

Behaving with belief is about living out our faith in our daily lives, allowing it to guide our actions, decisions, and interactions with others ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO