Sermon Brief
Date Written: October 10, 2009
Date Preached: October 11, 2009
Where Preached: OPBC (AM)
Sermon Details:
Sermon Series: FEAR – A Believers Worst Enemy
Sermon Title: FEAR – bad perception of who God is…
Sermon Text: 1 John 4:17-18 [NKJV]
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Introduction:
He was a professional thief. His name stirred fear as the desert wind stirs tumbleweeds. He terrorized the Wells Fargo stage line for 13 yrs. In journals from San Francisco to New York, his name became synonymous with FEAR and danger.
During this man’s reign of terror between 1873 and 1885, he is credited with stealing the bags and the breath away from twenty-nine different stagecoach crews. And this fearless bandito did it all without firing a single shot.
How could he do this? Well his weapon WAS his reputation and his ammunition was his intimidating presence… He wore a black hood to hide his face and NO victim ever saw him. No artist could ever sketch his features and because of that there was NO sheriff who could ever track his trail.
This man NEVER fired a shot… and he NEVER took a hostage simply because he didn’t have to. His mere presence was enough to paralyze those protecting and guarding the treasures he took and all other bystanders… NO ONE dared to challenge him because of his reputation!
Who was this masked man? He was the infamous Black Bart. A hooded bandit armed with the most deadly of weapons… and that weapon was NOT a Colt .45 or a Smith and Wesson revolver… BUT it was in a word FEAR!
This morning I want us to look at fear and how it paralyzes the believer and prevents many of us from experiencing the blissful happiness that Jesus describes in His Sermon on the Mount in Matt 5-7.
We have a fear of almost EVERYTHING… a fear of death, failure, tomorrow – the list could go on and on. The ultimate goal of the enemy of God is to deceive and pervert the truth so that it creates a cowardly, joyless believer!
Satan will use FEAR to shake any and all believers at the very foundation of their faith. You see it is his desire to get you to take your eyes off the goal of serving Christ! It is his desire to get you to settle for merely a dull existence in this world, instead of the fullness of life Christ wants us to experience!
Do you remember the man I used as an illustration to begin this sermon? That infamous and terrifying bandit named Black Bart? When he was finally caught, it turns out that he wasn’t anything to be afraid of...
You see when the hood came off, there was not this MONSTER behind the mask… there was NOT this maniacal maniac who was on the verge of killing all in his path! When the authorities finally tracked down this wanted and much feared thief, they didn’t find a bloodthirsty bandit from Death Valley; they found a mild-mannered druggist from Decatur, Illinois.
This man who the papers had pictured storming through the mountains on horseback was, in reality, so afraid of horses he rode to and from his robberies in a buggy. He was Charles E. Boles – the bandit who never once fired a shot! Why? because he never once loaded his gun...in fact he was terrified of guns.
Now this morning I want to ask you the question, “Why is it that believers can read about all the wonderful promises we find in the Bible, but for whatever reason we just can’t bring ourselves to TRULY believe that they apply to US?”
Is it that we just don’t see them as something REAL? Or is it that we may believe that we are not worthy of God answering our prayers?
With our words, we can SAY that we love and trust God, but when we begin to go through difficult circumstances and times of testing and trials… it seems as if our WORDS betray us and all of our faith seems to go out the window!
Today if you are here and you feel like the promises of the Bible seem unreachable or unattainable to YOU… If they seem like lifeless words on printed paper… then you have a problem! Either you don’t know God as Savior… OR you are saved but have the wrong perspective about WHO He is!
Your problem is NOT with the promises of the Bible BUT the problem YOU are having is with the One who makes those promises! I am here to tell you that your problem is with God! Now preacher, don’t go off the deep end…I don’t have a problem with God! It is that I just can’t seem to grasp any of these promises from God’s Word!
This morning, IF you are a professing Christian and that is how you think or feel, I want to share something with you… that sort of outlook or feeling by believers reveals a great deal about your view of God!
You see, you WANT to believe but the problem is not your belief, but truth be told the problem lies in HOW you perceive God! Your actual issue is your perception of God, not with the promises of Scripture.
Now as I began to analyze this and think about this symptom that so many of us believers deal with on a regular basis, I saw that there are a number of areas where believers can view God in a wrong light, from a wrong perspective or thru a skewed lens… and when we cannot see God for WHO He is and what HE and ONLY HE can do… this leads us down the pathway of fear… and some examples of those fears are…
FEAR of DEATH and JUDGMENT?
I believe that there is a good kind of fear to have toward God, and the Bible speaks of this kind of fear and describes it as "the fear of the Lord." In this context, "the fear of the Lord." is a reverential awe and respect for God as Creator and Master of all things. We also have this nagging idea that all believers have about fearing God’s judgment on the sin in our lives.
But have you ever noticed how the expression "the fear of the Lord." is hardly ever used in the NT. Now there is a sense of awe and reverence about God’s presence, but you don’t hear that phrase in the NT.
I believe that this is because as believers under the what Jesus called the New Covenant… the judgment of our sin is removed by the Gracious gift of God’s forgiveness in our salvation. And when the judgment is removed and the forgiveness is revealed then the "fear" of God’s judgment is taken away by Christ on the cross.
2 Cor. 5:21
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
I Peter 2:24
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed..
Here in our passage this morning we find in I John 4:17 that it states, "that we may have boldness in the day of judgment" – this means that we stand before God with absolutely NO FEAR! Why? Because of Christ and the forgiveness He brings into our lives, our sin is taken away by Christ’s actions on the Cross of Calvary.
But there is another aspect to v.17 that I don’t want us to miss. But before I get to it I want to preface this verse by saying… John does not say this so that men and women can look at themselves and say that they were the cause of anything… This verse actually reveals our weakness and God’s strength.
Look at v.17 one more time as it also says "as He is, so are we in this world," which means God sees ALL true believers as righteous and as perfect as Jesus was while here on earth...
Let’s read our passage of Scripture ONE more time turn to I John 4:17-18 and read with me as I read,
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
The great pastor C. H. Spurgeon once said, "Jesus Himself has promised, ’Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age’ (Matt. 28:20). Are you afraid to die? Does the grave alarm you? Do not fear, for you cannot die.
In fact we know that as believers, death has been conquered and we rest assured that even when our earthly body dies… we will still live because Christ has won the victory over death and the grave! Scripture tells us in 1 Cor 15 that "Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep......For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
Beloved let me say this to you this morning… if your trust is in Jesus, there is nothing in heaven, here on earth or nothing in this universe that should make you afraid! However that can only happen IF your full FAITH and TRUST is in Jesus Christ.
When Lazarus died and Martha confronted Jesus that He was late, and could have saved Lazarus if He had just gotten there in time… to this Jesus said, "I AM the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus has made a promise that where He is we TOO shall be one day! That may be when our earthly body dies and we go to be with Him OR it may be on the day He comes to call ALL of His saints home… either way we can rest assured and have full faith and confidence that when we place our faith in Jesus… we will not be disappointed and we have NOTHING to fear from this world OR the enemy of this world, Satan!
Yes we have a fear of death and the unknown it brings, but when we have Jesus, we are assured by Scripture and by Christ Himself that we have NOTHING to fear… we don’t even have to fear the judgment of God because of what Christ has done for us on the Cross of Calvary…
But what about other fears…like…
Our FEAR of Punishment from God?
Diving a little further into the judgment we all fear, I want to share with you that, if you are like many people, you have grown up believing that God was out to get you for ANYTHING wrong that you have done, and also that if you commit a big enough sin, they you are doomed to end up in hell… that there is NO hope for you!
Although this is NOT a biblical truth, many people are taught this from a very early age by someone who had a profound impact on their early life, such as a parent who was probably critical or abusive in their discipline, or it may have even come from the church or religious group you grew up in.
I know that growing up in the Pentecostal church, I know that it was always held over my head that God was a holy and just God who would NOT put up with sin and that you could lose your salvation if you sinned… if you did not act just right… it was and still is for many Pentecostals a miserable life from day to day wondering if their sin will destroy their salvation…
But that is just the opposite of what Christ did on Calvary… you see our sin cannot destroy our salvation because our salvation thru the mercy and grace of Christ and the blood of Christ on the Cross has destroyed our sin… If our salvation was strong enough to overcome a lifetime of sin… how then can one or two sins remove our salvation from us!
In fact, Jesus was very adamant in telling His followers…Once you are in my hand I will NEVER let you go… and no one can take you out of My hand!
Many people today unconsciously project the abusive and critical parent onto God, our Heavenly Father and they end up with a very twisted and distorted picture of God.
Now, I want you all to understand today that God IS against all sin, BUT I also want you ALL to realize that God is NOT out to zap you and take away what He sacrificed His Son to give!
God is truly a loving Father who wants to protect you from hurting yourself and others--and to save you from the ultimate consequences of sin!
The fact is that no matter what you have ever done or have failed to do, God loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love. But He does want you to come to him for forgiveness and to help you live a wholesome, meaningful, and loving life.
Do you think you may have grown up with some of these wrong ideas about God, such as an OVER EMPHASIS on God’s judgment, rather than on His LOVE, COMPASSION, MERCY and GRACE for the sinner who repents? God placed a great emphasis on His holiness and His just nature in the Cross of Calvary so that the vengeance of God would be satisfied by the mercy and grace brought to us on the Cross.
God is your Loving Heavenly Father, and He REALLY DOES want to supply your needs, and He DOES have your best interests in mind. Even when He allows trials and tests to come into your life, it is always for your own good.
Even when God chooses to discipline you because of your disobedience and the sin in your life, it is not out of spite or for punishment sake… but it is for your good, and He does it because He loves us and wants us to understand the err of our ways and NOT do it anymore.
Scripture tells us in Prov 3:11-12 [NKJV] “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights…
2 Corinthians 1:3 [NKJV] “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort…”
In Rom 8:28 [NKJV] we have a promise from God…that regardless of what is happening in our lives, God is going to do what He has to do to make our lives and walk with Him prosper…
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
The wrath and vengeance of God is satisfied by the Sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the Cross! And when we come to know Him as Savior, we no longer have to fear the eternal punishment of God!
This does not mean that we will never be disciplined by God when we sin and stray, but we no longer have to fear His eternal punishment for the sin in our lives… He will discipline to keep us focused on Him!
So when we are saved and know Christ as our Lord and Savior, we no longer have to fear death and we don’t have to fear the eternal judgment of God… those are 2 huge fears many of us have, and it is a such a comfort to know that when we accept Christ as Savior… we no longer have to fear these things.
But there are other fears that we allow to drive a wedge between us and God and between us and living the life God has called us to live and one of the greatest fears for the believer in that area is…
We have a HUGE FEAR of not being IN CONTROL…
Do you think that it is really possible for us to live TOTALLY without fear, worry and anxiety in today’s world? God’s word tells us that it not only is possible, but we are commanded to "be not afraid" and to "not be anxious for anything."
Scripture teaches us that the Lord is our Shepherd, and He will protect us, His flock. However, you can’t obey the commands to "fear not" and "be anxious for nothing" unless you TRULY trust the Shepherd.
You must trust that He won’t make a mistake, that He has your best interest at heart, that He knows the future outcome of all the events that are happening, and that He has the ability to work everything out for your good.
FEAR is the opposite of FAITH, so how do you increase your faith in God and His ability to protect and take care of you? God’s word says that our faith is increased as we read and take in His word. Romans 10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Also, get to know your Heavenly Father by spending "quality time" with Him.
You can’t trust someone you don’t know very well, so get to know the Lord in a deeper, closer way through prayer and just talking to Him. Read the Bible as a way to get to know more about your precious Lord, rather than just racing through to see how many chapters a day you can read.
Luke 12:30-32 [NKJV]
30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Psalm 27:1
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV]
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We have no reason to fret over the circumstances of life because God has promised He would never leave us… and that when we called on Him that He would be there to answer!
Many of us FEAR that GOD is not TRUSTWORTHY, that He WON’T come thru
Because of abandonment issues in your past or because of a parent or parents that you could never rely on, you may have thought of God in the same way. You may be afraid to really SURRENDER your life to Him and trust Him, because no one else in your life was ever or is every trustworthy - they all let you down.
However, the exact opposite is true about God. Psalm 27:10 says, "If my father and mother forsake (abandon) me, then the Lord will take me up."
Are you AFRAID of giving up control of your life to God, and AFRAID to turn your life over to God because of wrong ideas and beliefs about Him? The answer to false beliefs about God comes, of course, from His word, but that may not be enough if you are wounded from the past.
You need to imagine God the Father as the most perfect father you never had, but ALWAYS WANTED, and picture yourself running to Him, and crawling up in His lap. Because He is the PERFECT Father, He will never tell you He is too busy, or that He would rather have one of His other children instead of you.
He will never abuse you or treat you in any inappropriate way. Think of God the Father as the most perfect father you can imagine, and spend time with Him, just getting to know Him.
Others may fear because they feel unworthy of God’s love, just as they felt unworthy and unloved as a child, because of parents and family members who did not model God’s kind of love to them. God loves you, but you must learn to see yourself as God sees you, which means you must learn and understand WHO you are in Christ Jesus.
There is no short cut to this understanding, because it only comes with spiritual maturity. Do you sometimes feel UNWORTHY of God’s love and power? Do you feel He would not use His power on YOUR behalf, or that He is only waiting to punish you?
If you feel unworthy or you are angry with God because of the way He created you, you must realize that "God don’t make no junk!" He allowed certain things to happen in the way you were formed and made, and you can allow God to use you for His glory if you truly SURRENDER and SUBMIT your life to Him. God has a plan and purpose for your life, but it will never be fulfilled if you wallow in self-pity or rebel in anger.
Psalm 86:5, 15 [NKJV]
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."For You,
15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
Hebrews 13:5-6
"…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you..."
I Peter 5:7 [NKJV] casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Psalm 34:4-6 "I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my FEARS. They looked unto Him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
John 10:2-8 "But He that enters in by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To Him the porter opens; and the sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out...... He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him; for they know His voice. And a stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers."
CONCLUSION:
Let me repeat something very important: there is no short cut to having a correct understanding of who God is, and what He is like, because it only comes as you RENEW your MIND with the WORD of God (Romans 12:1-2).
This takes time and commitment on your part. It took a lot of years for the misinformation you collected to become lodged in your brain, so it will take a concerted effort on your part to REPLACE that old, corrupted picture of God in your mind with the TRUTH from His word.
It’s like re-programing a computer, one program at a time. Every time you read the Bible, God’s word, think of it as a love letter from God, sent to you in order to tell you how to have a good relationship with Him.
One of our problems is that we want instant answers to the problems in our lives - problems of doubt, temptation, satanic attack, conflict in families, friendships and churches which are falling apart, and so on.
But to receive ANY answers from God WE have something outward to DO, so we look to the practical instructions of God’s Word. We want a quick fix, a rule or instruction which we can apply like a Band-Aid to make things better, but the Band-Aid approach to daily living doesn’t work. Because when you don’t understand the truth pertaining to your position in Christ, you have no ground for success in the practical arena.
When your basic belief system about God and yourself is shaky, your day-to-day behavior system will be shaky. But when your belief system is intact and your relationship with God is based on truth, you’ll have very little trouble working out the practical aspects of daily Christianity.
Show me someone who knows who they are in Christ and who is filled with the Holy Spirit, and I will show you someone who will instinctively live according to the word of God. It will be the "natural" thing to do.
One more thing - our relationship with Jesus Christ needs to be more than just a "correct belief system." Jesus Himself says to many at the judgment, "I never knew you!" (Matt. 7:21-23) and yet these people supposedly did many things in the name of the Lord.
How sad it is if all you have with Jesus is a "theology" or a "belief system"! God wants us to have a living, loving relationship with Him, not just have a head knowledge of who He is….
Just knowing the Bible verses about "the Love of God" doesn’t change anything in a person’s life that is just head knowledge. I have enough head knowledge to cause an aneurysm. We NEED heart knowledge! And in my experience, no amount of trying to force things from my head to my heart will ever bring me closer to Jesus.
So, what is the solution as it relates to Jesus Himself? Rest in His arms! How can we help others to do the same? Love them like we love little innocent babies....... for those like me, who have been raised without love and affection, no amount of scripture, no amount of doing, no amount of knowledge, will cause me to have peace in my heart, and Jesus in my life. How I long to love my Jesus.
Only by quietly whispering to each other do He and I know true love. Let me praise Him now for revealing His sweetness to me. Me... an unworthy, wounded, starved, helpless little child. I love Him so. And finally, after an entire lifetime of being unable to say this, He loves me too."
