DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 4): FEAR IS A SPIRIT THAT LIMITS OUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE (TEACH)
1. 1 Samuel 28: 3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. 4 Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.” 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.” 15 Now Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.” 16 Then Samuel said: “So why do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? 17 And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” 20 Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.
2. 1 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
3. Psalm 78: 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
INTRO: DO NOT LIMIT GOD (PT4A) FEAR IS A SPIRIT THAT LIMITS TRUSTING GOD
Chief Questions This Series Will Project Are: In What Ways Do We Limit God? Why Do We Limit God? How Do We Take Off The Limits? The Results Of A Life Without Limiting God. Some Examples From The Bible & Our Own Lives.
Quick Review: In The Introduction, We Looked At How The Hebrews Limited Their God In The Wilderness In Psalm 78 - they saw all the miracles yet they still doubted God. Then in Mark 6, they refused to accept who Christ was because they were too familiar with him. Thus He could not do many miracles in His own hometown. In 1 Kings 20, they limited God by thinking that He was God of the mountains only and not also God of the valleys and plains. That was a mistake. Today, from 1 Samuel 28, we limit God by our surrender to fear.
Limiting God: A limit is a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass. This is a restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible. Some words synonymous with Limit are restrict, curb, put in check, restrain, put a brake, freeze, regulate, control, etc. God’s problem is not with the atheist, the agnostic, the infidel, the devotees of modern godless & political movements – it is with His own people who limit Him.
ABOUT FEAR AND ITS DESTRUCTIVENESS
1. Illustration: Death Sent Announcement To Village 5 Death. 50 Death.
2. Illustration: Faimatta & Miah In Liberia During World War Iii
3. Illustration: My Mother’s Accident In 2010
4. Illustration: My First Coming To America
Biologists Say That Fear Is The First And Only Universal Emotion Expressed In Man & Animals. All of creation is dominated by fear. We come into this world stamped with fear and those fears are multiplied as we grow. 365 “Fears Nots” in the Bible. Definition: Fear: 1) An agitated feeling aroused by an awareness of actual or threatening danger, trouble, etc. 2) An uneasy feeling that something dreadful may happen. 3) A feeling of deep respect. Two Kinds Of Fear:
? Good Fear: Helps us avoid dangerous situations such as electricity, snakes, etc. Fear is a God-given Emotion that prepares our body and mind to deal with challenges.
? Harmful Fear: Uncontrolled Fear is destructive - paralyzes, hinders, tortures, destroys and debilitates us. Satan is a master at using our fears - one of his primary weapons. It can come in the form of a spirit to torture us. 1 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear… Any Spirit, Whether Good Or Bad, Has Attributes: E.g. Holy Spirit: Convicts Us Of Sin; Indwells Us; Seals Us; Teaches Us; Guides Us Into All Truth; Reminds Us; Bears Fruit Through Us; Comforts Us; Equips Us With Spiritual Gifts; Fills Us; Empowers Us; etc. The reverse of those attributes are in demonic spirits. They can torture & make us insecure, afraid, etc.
ILLUSTRATIONS ABOUT FEAR
Illustration: In The Aftermath Of The 911 Terrorist Attack, we were gripped with crippling fear. That fear severely affected the economy, causing numerous layoffs and company closures. People feared traveling by air; fearful of their neighbors who might look different. Some stated that we were entering WWIII & stacked food. Jesus’ Words in Luke 21:26 that “men heart will fail them because of fear” came true. When governed by fear, one is no longer guided by faith
Illustration: Y2K Brought massive fear Dec. 31, 1999. Computers would halt everything.
EXAMPLES FROM THE BIBLE OF HOW FEAR LED PEOPLE TO LIMIT GOD.
1. 1 Samuel 16: Fear ruled all of Israel during the times of King Saul.
2. Genesis 33: Jacob is in great fear having to meet his brother Esau.
3. 1 Kings 19: Elijah runs from Jezebel out of fear.
4. Exodus 14: The children of Israel were petrified with fear of the Egyptian Army.
5. Genesis 12 & 20: Abraham lied to Pharaoh & Abimelech (Gerar) twice about Sarah.
6. Daniel 5: Belshazzar is so afraid when a hand writes on the wall that he would not stand.
7. John 20: First day of the week, when the disciples together, doors locked, in fear.
8. Numbers 13-14: Israelites Received Evil Reports From Spies.
9. 1 Samuel 21: David Feared The Wrath Of Saul & fled.
10. Job 3:25: The Thing I Greatly Fear Is Come Upon Me.
11. Mark 6: Jesus & Disciples In The Boat – storm and ghost.
12. Judges 6: Gideon and the Midianites and Amalekites.
13. Joshua 1: After death of Moses they would not move.
14. 1 Samuel 28: Fear caused Saul to seek the help of a witch doctor instead of God.
SOME TOP FEARS THAT PREVAIL IN OUR LIVES
1. The Fear Of The Unknown: Not knowing what is coming around the corner or what is behind the door that you are knocking on in life.
2. The Fear Of Pain & Suffering: How long & how much can one endure pain and /or suffering.
3. The Fear Of Disappointment: Fear of not good enough or having too many imperfections.
4. The Fear Of Loneliness: Having to live alone; with no one to listen to or care about you.
5. The Fear Of Being The Subject Of Ridicule: Having people laugh at you & make fun of you.
6. The Fear Of Being Rejected By Friends/Family/Associates: Rejection of your ideas, your beliefs or your behavior or values.
7. The Fear Of Dying And Death: The fear of the whole end of life experience.
8. The Fear Of Losing Our Freedom: Losing the ability to make your own choices and determine your own fate. Can lead to wanting to be alone especially if that Spirit of Bondage is familiar.
9. Fear Of Failure: Fear of failure can be so paralyzing that it can prevent you from moving forward to achieve your true goals. Many who grow up with overly critical parents carry the humiliation & negativity into adulthood leading to reluctance, low self-esteem, perfectionism, etc.
10. Fear Of Success: What will it bring and can I control it? Some refuse to claim their lottery.
11. Fear Of Commitment Or Intimacy: About 20% of adults suffer from fear of intimacy or closeness in relationships afraid of losing their identity. Others will know their weaknesses.
WHY DOES FEAR LIMIT OR RESTRICT GOD IN OUR SITUATION?
1. Fear Degrades Our Lord. It's An Insult To God. 1) An insult to His sovereignty - He is in control, but fear says no He's not. 2) An insult to His providence - He guides us, but fear says, no He doesn't. 3) An insult to His power - He protects us, but fear says, no He doesn't. Israel was halted at the Red Sea. They were afraid and said: “We wish we had died in Egypt!” Why were they afraid? They forgot what God had just done to get them out. God is insulted as we forget His presence and stop trusting in Him. See: 1) God parts the waters and they cross on dry ground. Are their fears gone? No! 2) They run short on food & water and complain: “Moses, did you bring us here to die? Sure, God can part the waters, but can He give us water in the desert?” Yes, He did out of a rock, and manna from the sky! Are they over their fears now? No! 3) At the edge of the Promised Land, ten of the spies return with bad report and Fear takes over. Fear degrades our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner. Paul is in prison & telling Timothy who is free not to be afraid. This means that fear is a choice. So is trust! I'm in prison, but I know who's in control.
2. Fear Destroys Our Lives. Proverbs 29:25 25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. A snare is a trap. What does a trap do? Render ineffective! The enemy wants to trap us with fear. In Nehemiah 6, a false prophet called Shemaiah’s plot is mentioned. He pretended being in danger and predicted that there would be an attack on Nehemiah’s life that night. He proposed that they should meet “within the Temple” for security. He was not a real man of God, but a hireling who did it just for money. He was setting a trap for Nehemiah through FEAR so that Nehemiah could flee. Nehemiah recognized Satan's trap. Fear brings a snare, and it also brings torment as seen in 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. You can torment yourself physically with fear leading to anxiety, ulcer, high blood pressure, stomach problems, etc. Some are afraid of losing their jobs. Some can't enjoy life because of fear of death, or losing their health. Every time they hear about a disease they think they've got it. They hear symptoms and think they are developing them.
3. Fear Delights Our Enemy. Nehemiah was a gifted leader, but it doesn't matter if he is paralyzed with fear, his talents would be of no value. Some can sing but won't out of fear. Matthew 25:25 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth. What is the answer to fear? Do what Nehemiah did. Stay God focused, rather than enemy focused. 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us...? Fear of God alleviates fears. If you kneel before God, you can stand before man!
SOME EFFECTS FEAR CAN HAVE ON OUR LIVES
1. Fear Bullies Or Intimidates Us: Fear tries to scare us with magnifying situations in our minds. 1 Peter 5.8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2. Fear Lies To Us: The Spirit of Fear says you're not good enough; you're not right; you're not strong enough; you're not worthy; you're not loved; you're not beautiful; will never be enough..
3. Fear Steals From Us: John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, Kill and destroy. Fear robs us of joy and life. Stops us in our tracks – Peter on Water.
4. Fear Blinds Us To God’s Hand Of Provision: Abraham’s fear during a famine. How will he provide for himself? Fear turns to worry when it’s internalized – we start imagining the worst. Abraham gave into his fear & fled to Egypt. He left God’s covering - they almost raped Sarah.
5. Fear Blinds Us To God’s Protection. Genesis 12: When Abraham follows fear by leaving the land, it grows other negative fruits: 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, "I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake."
6. Fear Blinds Us To Others. Causes of prejudice. We have wrong perceptions about people we hardly know. E.g. Teejay calling about what she hears on radio.
7. Fear Steals Our Enthusiasm: Life just isn’t exciting and purposeful anymore.
8. Fear Leads To Unfocused Thoughts: All we can think about is what we fear.
9. Fear Keeps Us From Interacting With Others. All we want to do is be alone and deal with it by ourselves.
10. Fear Keeps Us From Getting Anything Done. We are completely paralyzed by the Fear.
11. Fear Eventually Turn Our Actions Into Ungodly Behavior. Because we don’t know how to deal with fear in a healthy way, we turn to unhealthy ways of coping – fighting, lies, etc.
12. Fear Causes Health Problems. This fear & anxiety puts a tremendous strain on our bodies.
13. Fear Can Cause Premature Death. Wears the body down. Fear can keep you from getting medical help – We fear what they will discover. E,g. Doctors see cases bruised heart cells.
14. Fear Chips Away At Our Intimacy With God. We see God as having caused this.
15. Fear Leads To Corrupt Speech: Gossips, lies, blame, etc.
16. Fear Causes Us To Lead People In The Wrong Direction. Israel wanted to go back to Egypt and be slaves because they feared going into the Promised Land.
17. Fear Causes Us To Stay Quiet When We Should Clearly Speak Up. Mostly because many times we are obsessed with what others think about us.
18. Fear Causes Us To Seek Human Consensus. Rather than really seeking the voice of God.
19. Fear Causes Us To Not Mingle With Others. The broken, hurting, misfits neglected because if we include them in our lives and invite them into our homes then it could get messy.
20. Fear Causes Us To Refuse To Embrace Change. Because we care way more about being comfortable than being conformed into the image of Christ.
21. Fear Causes Us To Control Things & Take Matters Into Our Own Hands - rather than trusting the Lord and trusting others - control freaks.
22. Fear Causes Us To Conceal Sin And Shame In Our Lives - when God’s Word is so clear that we should ask others for help.
23. Fear Causes Us To Get Into Alcohol, Drugs, Sex, Excessive Busyness. Fear causes inner pain that shows as depression, anxiety, restlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, frustration, sadness, loneliness. To avoid this pain, we engage in addictions & other numbing behaviors.
24. Fear Steals Peace & Contentment. When we’re regularly afraid, our life becomes centered on pessimism and gloom.
25. Fear Creates Doubt. God promises an abundant life, but if we surrender instead to the chains of fear, we most likely won’t live in the abundance He offers.
26. Fear Makes Us Uninvolved In Service: I can’t teach Sunday School; I could never be a pastor; I can’t play an instrument; I can’t share my testimony; I cannot serve God like others.
GOD’S GIFTS FOR OVERCOMING OUR FEARS
1 Timothy 1:7: God Has Not Given Us The "Spirit Of Fear" But He Has Given Us Three Things That Will Help Us Overcome Fear.
1. The Gift Of God’s Power: Philippians 4:13 Whatever God wants you to do you can always do through Christ!!! 1. Power To Be Saved (John 1:12); 2. Power To Be A Witness For Him (Acts 1:8); 3. Power To Be Joyful (Rom. 15:13); 4. Power To Make You A Strong Believer (Rom. 16:25a); 5. Power To Endure Trials (2 Cor. 12:9).
2. The Gift Of God’s Love: 1 John 4:18 says love help us conquer fear. How? 1. Love for God (Mark 12:30). 2. Love For Others (Mark 12:31 / Romans 13:10). The more we love others the less fear we will have. Love causes us to overcome our own fears for the good of others.
3. The Gift Of A Sound Mind: Romans 12:2 Our mind is to be renewed! In our way of thinking, we fear failure, disappointment, future, etc. God’s way of thinking will take care of me! Luke 12:23-24 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! If I am afraid of dying, that fear is calmed by knowing 2 Corinthians 5:8: To be absent in this body is to be present with the Lord.
HOW CAN WE FACE OUR FEARS
1. Confront Your Fear Honestly: If you want to defeat your fears, gather up your stones and face it like David. You can run from your fears like Jonah, but you cannot hide from it.
2. Confess Your Fear As Sin: God says do not fear and we fear - it is sin. Come to God and call it sin and ask for forgiveness.
3. Claim God’s Promises Of Protection: Joshua 1:8: Be strong and of good courage / Psalms 27, Psalms 23, Psalms 118:6: The Lord is on my side, what can men do unto me?
4. Cultivate A Closer Relationship With God: James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit.
5. Commit Your Life To Jesus Christ: It is the fear of uncertainties that drive men to fear. Submit to God and he will uphold you. He will deliver you from all your afflictions.
INTERCESSORY: “WE HAVE A CHOICE TO BE FAITHFUL OR FEARFUL”
1. Isaiah 41:10: 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
2. Psalms 27:1 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. When the wicked even my enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumble and fell.
3. Psalm 118:6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
4. Isaiah 8:11-12 The Lord spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.”
