FEAR NOT!
’Fear not’is used 63 times by God in the KJV of the Bible. God is trying to tell us something.
(2 Tim 1:7 KJV) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
I. Fear is the opposite of faith.
A. Faith cannot operate where there is fear.
B. Fear cannot operate where there is faith.
C. It is as light and darkness, one has to leave.
D. The Word of God will drive fear away.
1. The devil is the author of fear. Resist him with the Word and he will free.
2. There is a story about a man who had to cross a wide river on the ice. He was afraid it might be too thin, so he began to crawl on his hand and knees in great terror. He thought he might fall through at any moment. Just as he neared the opposite shore, all exhausted, another man glided past him nonchalantly sitting on a sled loaded with pig iron. How like some Christians! Headed for Heaven, they tremble at every step lest the divine promises break under their feet. They need only to look at the context of Isaiah 12:2 to realize that God is their salvation and the Lord is their strength and song.
3. By resting completely upon Him and taking His promises at face value, we can drive out the paralyzing fear that hinders our effectiveness in serving Christ. The biblical antidote always works: "I will trust, and not be afraid."
(Psa 56:11 KJV) In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
(Isa 12:2 KJV) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
(1 John 4:18 KJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
II. God is always our shield.
(Gen 15:1 KJV) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
A. Remember Eph. 6, to put on the whole armor of God.
II. Where God sends you, He will bless you. Just read Psalms one.
(Gen 46:3 KJV) And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
A. Why, because He always goes with us.
(Deu 31:6 KJV) Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
B. He will never fail us along the way.
(Deu 31:8 KJV) And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
III. He will provide our every need.
(Ruth 3:11 KJV) And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
A. He teaches us the Kingdom of God principle of giving and receiving.
(1 Ki 17:13 KJV) And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
1. There are times when it is so hard for me to receive an offering from someone who has so much less than I. However, God will give back many times more.
IV. We need not be afraid, we cannot lose for winning.
(2 Ki 6:16 KJV) And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
A. He has won the battle of life already for us already.
V. He will never fail us and He will see us to the end of life’s work.
(1 Chr 28:20 KJV) And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
A. He is our helper in everything.
(Isa 41:13 KJV) For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
1. "He climbs highest who helps another up".
VI. He has done great things. He has redeemed us, He will do great things for us and we not fear man.
(Isa 43:1 KJV) But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
(Joel 2:21 KJV) Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
(Mat 10:28 KJV) And fear not them, which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
VII. He is still a healer and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
(Luke 8:50 KJV) But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
(Luke 12:7 KJV) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
VIII. It brings joy to God to bless you. We need not worry.
(Luke 12:32 KJV) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
A. "Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief."
IX. We need not fear when we speak to others, even Caesar.
(Acts 27:24 KJV) Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
A. I remember times when I have spoken to high men of authority. God always gave me the words to speak.
1. A survivor of a Nazi death camp wrote these words very bitterly: "Here’s to a world that did not care. To those who had eyes but would not see. To those who had ears but would not hear. To those who had voices but would not speak."
Psa 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Psa 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
X. I love this last ’Fear not’in the KJV. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
(Rev 1:17 KJV) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
A. Samuel Johnson noted that shame arises from the fear of men but conscience, from the fear of God.
