Sermon Text: Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. NKJV
Introduction: The Journey of life is not an easy path. It can be joyful or full of disappointments, dark, and painful. How quickly we become fearful and disheartened and find ourselves living in fear, wondering what’s next. As Christians, we don’t have to live that way. We can either live on the "Solid Rock" or the shifting sands of the world. We need fearless faith knowing our hope, our faith, and our confidence is found in Jesus. It’s time to live a fearless faith. It’s time to be…BRAVE!
With all that has happened in the world in recent history and today. I am reminded of Job in the Old Testament. Although the Bible describes Job as a righteous man Job faith was tested! Job lost his family, his wealth and possessions, and his health. Yet Job stayed strong in his faith in God. Our world is in such a term oil because we live in a fallen world but as followers of Jesus, we are pilgrims and strangers living in this land.
Hebrews 11:13-14 -These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. NKJV
Aside from the struggles of everyday living, we have lived through one of the most tragic times in world history. The pandemic has taken millions of lives and impacted the entire world. It has changed the way we live, work and even the way we worship. Now the world is facing another challenge with the unrest in Europe. Some have suggested this is the beginning of the end.
I submit to you today that regardless of what the future holds Christians are secure in eternity. Jesus told us there is a place prepared for us and that someday He would return to take us there.
The future of this world seems bleak, but our future is bright because of our faith in Jesus. God sent this message to His people through the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11-14.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. NKJV
ILLUSTRATION: A 1st grader stood in front of his classroom to make a speech about "What I want to be when I grow up." He said, "I'm going to be a lion tamer and have lots of fierce lions. I'll walk into the cage, and they will roar." He paused for a moment, thinking through what he had just said and then added, "But of course, I'll have my mommy with me." (From a sermon by Ray Ellis, Victory in Times of Crisis, 6/14/2010)
As we live and walk through this world, we have Jesus with us. Jesus promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
1st God Has a Plan
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
God’s plan for us began before the foundation of this world, Paul reminds us of this truth in Ephesians 1:4-just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, NKJV.
God has a Plan is to have us with Him, we were reconciled to God in and through the blood of Jesus. The world is standing on the edge of eternity no matter what is happing in the world. There are those who are fearing what is happing in the world, but God has it in control.
Matthew 24:6 describes the last days. There will be wars, rumors of wars, famine, and pestilence, and earthquakes’ but that is just the start of what is to come.
Let me make it clear I don’t know if what is happing in the world is what Matthew 24:6 refers to but one thing I do know is that my Redeemer lives and has us in His hand, and He will soon return to take His people home.
No matter what is happing in the world, we must not fear living today or in the future for I know who holds the future and have the faith to believe that He will always be there for us.
Psalms 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. NKJV
Psalms 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. NKJV
Matthew 10:28-31 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. NKJV
Luke 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
ILLUSTRATION: In the opening pages of his autobiography, "An American Life," Ronald Reagan writes, I was raised to believe that God had a plan for everyone and that seemingly random twists of fate are all a part of His plan. My mother - a small woman with auburn hair and a sense of optimism that ran as deep as the cosmos - told me that everything in life happened for a purpose. She said all things were part of God’s plan, even the most disheartening setbacks, and in the end, everything worked out for the best. If something went wrong, she said, you didn’t let it get you down: You stepped away from it, stepped over it, and moved on. Later, she added, something good will happen and you’ll find yourself thinking -- ’If I hadn’t had that problem back then, then this better thing that did happen wouldn’t have happened to me.’ After I lost the job at Montgomery Ward, I left home again in search of work. Although I didn’t know it then, I was beginning a journey that would take me a long way from Dixon and fulfill all my dreams and then some. My mother, as usual, was right." God is always right! (Source: An American Life by Ronald Reagan.
2nd God Is with Us
Joshua 1:6-7 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. NKJV
The nation Israel stood on the banks of the Jordan river ready to cross over into the land that God had given them. The God appointed leader they had followed for 40 years had died and there was a new God appointed leader Joshua.
As Joshua assumes command God says to him “be strong and of good courage.” God promised not to leave them alone, but God also told them not to turn from Him but to stay on course. God promised that if they followed God they would prosper. Are we not God people and do we not have a choice? The answer to both questions is yes.
Today we have a choice we can let what is happing in the world destroy our faith through worry and doubt or we can stand strong in our faith.
When David the shepherd stood before the Goliath the warrior he did not doubt or let his faith waiver but stood confident that God would deliver the head of Goliath into his hands.
1 Samuel 17:37 Moreover David said, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." NKJV
1 Samuel 17:45-46 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. NKJV
It is the same God who delivered Goliath to David will deliver us through this crisis will protect and keep us to the end of world and we will receive a crown of eternal life.
Revelation 2:10-Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
QUOTE/ ILLUSTRATION: "God's love for us is not a love that always exempts us from trials, but rather, a love that sees us through trials."
3rd Fearless Living
2 Timothy 1:7- For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. NKJV
The News Boys famous song “God’s Not Dead” Lyrics record this statement “My God’s not dead, he is surly a live, living on the inside, roaring like a lion.” We must remember that no matter what the world throws at us we must hang on to our faith. “In his first inauguration speech, Franklin D. Roosevelt used this phrase, “nothing to fear but fear itself.” That speech was charged with words of hope and courage. The phrase, “nothing to fear but fear itself”, is a reference to the sensation of fear that is the worst enemy of humankind. It keeps one aback and troubles one’s soul.
Faith, fearless faith that will take us from this world and all the heart break in the world, remember that we are just passing through. Fearless living comes from fearless faith and fearless faith is like the grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31). If our fearless faith is only the size of a grain of mustard seed, it can move mountains. Paul wrote in Acts 20:24 all that he faced in life could not move him!
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. NKJV
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." NKJV
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." NKJV
Hebrews 2:15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. NKJV
1 John 4:18 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. NKJV
Perfect love is only found in Jesus Christ, do you know the love Jesus demonstrated on the cross for us?
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" NKJV
John 14:1-2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. NKJV
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. NKJV
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." NKJV
ILLUSTRATION: "Give us the man of integrity, on whom we know we can thoroughly depend; who will stand firm when others fail; the friend, faithful and true; the adviser, honest and fearless; the adversary, just and chivalrous, such an one is a fragment of the Rock of Ages." (Sermon Central)
CONCLUSION: Christians should have continued peace as they walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith can be fearless and powerful because we know if whom we have believed. If God be for Us then who can be against us? Let's remember that our faith is in the Lord God Almighty and He will never leave us or forsake us!
