"The Fear Factor"
2 Timothy 1:1-7
Scripture Reading
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
ILLUSTRATION: One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't dear. I have to sleep in Daddy's room." A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!"
ILLUSTRATION: There are a lot of things you and I are afraid of. I found a list of phobias that I thought would be neat to share. Cyberphobia: fear of computers; Ecclesiophobia: fear of church; Lunaphobia: fear of the moon; Astraphobia: fear of lightning; Chrometophobia: fear of money; Europhobia: fear of the color red; Homilphobia: fear of sermons; Triskaidekaphobia: fear of the #13, Peladophobia: fear of baldness, Phobophobia: fear of fear.
I. The Cause of Our Fears
a. The basis of fear is self- preservation
There is a healthy attitude toward self-preservation that God gives us; for instance when we jump out of the way of speeding vehicle to save our life. But when we become consumed with self we are vulnerable to all kinds of unhealthy fears. Self- centeredness is a feeding ground for fear.
b. The basis of fear is wrong thinking
The real foundation for tormenting fear is wrong thinking. When we're thinking right- when we're remembering God -- when everything is kept in proper perspective--then fear can not dominate our lives. But just the opposite is also true for when we have what I would like to call "stinkin thinkin," then their will be worry, fretfulness and torment!
c. The basis of fear is rebellion
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
From the moment that King Saul rebelled against God he was a man who lived in fear. His fear tormented him in every area of his life and eventually resulted in his death by suicide!
II. The Consequence of Our Fears
a. The power of fear
* Experience lack of enthusiasm. (Life just isn't exciting and purposeful anymore)
* We have unfocused thoughts (All we can think about is what we fear.)
* Keeps us from interacting with others. (All we want to do is be alone and deal with it by ourselves.)
b. The paralysis of fear
* Keeps us from getting anything done. (All we are consumed with is the fear.) Some might see this as the fear of failure. I read some blunders made by "dumb criminals" that actually made me feel better about my own mistakes. Let me read a few and see if it has the same affect on you.
1. The bank robber police were able to track down because his hold up not was written on the back of his birth certificate.
2. Police in Boston were investigating a car theft. When they asked the owner about any valuables that were in the car, the man told them that two tickets to that evening's Red Sox game were among the items in the car. Figuring they had nothing to lose, the cops went to the game and found both robbers sitting in those seats, and they had driven the stolen car to the game.
3. The guy who tried to break into a store by throwing a concrete block through the window. Unfortunately, the window wasn't made of glass, but rather Plexiglas. The concrete block ricocheted off the Plexiglas and struck the would-be burglar in the head, knocking him out cold. All this was captured on video.
4. The robber who wrapped his whole head in duct tape for his disguise. He forgot to leave openings for his mouth and nose and wound up unconscious on the floor!(5)
Now, doesn't that make you feel better? That makes me feel a whole lot better.
c. The penalty of fear
* Eventually turns into ungodly behavior. (Because we don't know how to deal with it in a healthy way we turn to unhealthy ways of coping.)
* Causes health problems. (This fear & anxiety puts a tremendous strain on our bodies. Causes abdominal trouble, tension of the muscles, pressure in the head.)
* Can cause premature death. (Wears the body down. Fear can keep you from getting medical help. If you have a disease that can only be corrected by surgery and you are afraid of surgery what is going to happen?)
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Hebrews 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Max Lucado, in his book, "Six Hours One Friday," tells the story of a missionary in Brazil who discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle. They lived near a large river. The tribe was in need of medical attention. A contagious disease was ravaging the population. People were dying daily.
A hospital was not too terribly far away -- across the river, but the Indians would not cross it because they believed the river was inhabited by evil spirits. And to enter its water would mean certain death.
The missionary explained how he had crossed the river & was unharmed. But they were not impressed. He then took them to the bank & placed his hand in the water. They still wouldn't go in. He walked into the water up to his waist & splashed water on his face. It didn't matter. They were still afraid to enter the river.
Finally, he dove into the river, swam beneath the surface until he emerged on the other side. He raised a triumphant fist into the air. He had entered the water & escaped. It was then that the Indians broke into a cheer & followed him across.
Isn't that what Jesus did? He entered the river of death & came out on the other side so that we might no longer fear death, but find eternal life in Him.
* Chips away at our intimacy with God. (We see God as having caused this. We see him as being arbitrary and unkind and unloving to us.)
III. The Cure for Our Fears
We need to remember that God is not the author of fear! 2 Timothy 1:7 "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (ESV)
a. Repent thoroughly
There is a show called "Fear Factor on television where six contestants face their worse fears for a chance to win 50,000 dollars. Now that much money is a powerful incentive to overcome your fears but the incentive I hope you will remember is that it pleases the Lord. Fear is not pleasing to the Lord. The Word of God says;
Romans 14:23 "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Psalms 34:4 "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
So, it makes sense that we repent of it and get on with our lives.
b. Replacement therapy
The only kind of fear that God promotes is the fear of Himself. This is not a "scaredy cat" kind of fear but a healthy reverential fear that says I stand in awe of you Lord.
Matthew 10:28 "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."
c. Remember thankfully
An important truth to remember when facing your fears is that you are not alone. Recall how God has helped you in the past. The same God that helped you in the past is the same God who will help you today. He'll come through for you again.
Realize you can't fight fear the world's way. We can't fight fear with the flesh.
Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Remember we have prayer. In His Name we come to him in prayer. We have power. We have confidence.
There is a blockbuster movie out called the "Panic Room". A panic room fortified place in a house where you go when you're afraid. Nothing can get to you there to harm you. God is the ultimate panic room. Whenever we're afraid we can run into Him and be safe from all harm. That's why we do not have to live in a state of fear and worry.
Psalms 112:7 "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD."
Remember that we can counteract fear in our lives with love.
1 John 4:18 "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."
When love begins to dominate our thoughts and motives that opportunity for fear is removed. "...perfect love casts out fear..." Instead of being so focused on how events might affect us we gain a broader perspective. We become focused on others and how they are being affected and how we can help them. We become focused on God and how we can please Him.
Fear can not survive in an atmosphere of love. Obviously, to know that the almighty God of heaven and earth loves us and is seeking our highest good--that revelation of God's attitude toward can relieve a lot of fear.
Have you experienced His love? Have you come to know Him as your loving, heavenly Father? If you have, you know the peace that comes in that relationship.
Remember that He what He has promised. The perceived presence of God is powerful source of comfort especially in times trouble. In contrast, the fear of loneliness can be terribly painful.We were not created to stand alone. We designed to be in community. We were designed to be in intimacy with God. Intuitively we know that we need God. We need to know that He is with us.
Psalms 23 is a beautiful declaration of confidence in God. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." That speaks of God as our Reward, as our Provider. He supplies all our need according to His riches in glory. Verse 4 of that Psalm "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will" What? "...fear no evil..." Why? "For You are with me...." The rod and staff are a comfort only because they are in the hand of the shepherd and He is there with us.
Martin Luther said "Faith matter of personal pronouns. It is one thing to say the Lord is a Shepherd. It is another thing to say the Lord is my Shepherd." Psalm 112 makes some powerful statements about the man who fears the Lord; Listen to the words of the Psalmist;
(Psalms 112:1) Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
(Psalms 112:2) His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
(Psalms 112:3) Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
(Psalms 112:4) Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
(Psalms 112:5) A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
(Psalms 112:6) Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
(Psalms 112:7) He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
(Psalms 112:8) His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
(Psalms 112:9) He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
(Psalms 112:10) The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
I want to help you face your fears this morning and to do that I'm going to ask you to do something very unusual. You will find a slip of paper in you pew and I want you to write down your fear on a piece of paper. As a way to show your determination to face your fear, fold it up and place it on the altar this morning as a way of symbolically turning your fear over to the Lord. Would you be willing to do that this morning to get rid of your fears?
