BE NOT AFRAID
MARK 5:22-24a, 35-36
I. FEAR
A. Fear is one of the most prominent forces that people deal with, saved and unsaved
B. Fear comes in different forms and fashions, and can be placed in three different categories
1-fear from storms of life, 2-fear from man, 3-fear from world events leading to the coming of Christ
-satan is the author of fear - 2 Tim 1:7
C. The word of God is filled with reassuring words to the believer concerning fear
D. Jesus encountered fear in his ministry. This morning I want us to take a close look at those encounters and what Jesus had to say about fear
II. FEAR FROM THE STORMS OF LIFE
A. Life is often compared to a ship crossing a sea. Sometimes life can be scary. The most common area that we face fear in is the storms of life
-personal tragedy, illness, loss of job, etc
-Hopeless situations - Jairus’ daughter - Mark 5:36 “Be not afraid”
-necessities of life - Luke 12:30-32 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
B. On two occasions Jesus dealt with fear in his disciples as they crossed the open sea
-Matt 14:27 ...”Be not afraid”, Mark 4:40 ...”Why are you so fearful”
C. On one occasion Jesus was with them, on the other occasion he came to them. On one occasion Jesus was asleep and on the other he was no where to be found
-there are times when we know Christ is with us and there are times when we wonder where he is
-the point is Jesus knew where his disciples were, he had not forsaken them, they were safe in his hands, there was never a moment when he was not aware of their circumstances
D. In every situation Jesus encouraged them to “Believe” - Do not allow fear to destroy your ability to trust God. Remember that He is all powerful, all knowing and all present. “The just shall live by faith”
III. FEAR OF MAN
A. For many people there is a fear of what man will do to us.
-over the past 2 weeks millions of people have been shaken by the “Fear of man” (terrorism is satan’s way)
B. We cannot allow our lives to be controlled by the fear of man
1-we cannot stop driving because of the fear of drunk drivers
2-we cannot stop going into public places because of the fear of a mad man with a gun
3-we cannot stay away from home because of the fear someone breaking into our home
4-there always has been and will continue to be evil people in the world
C. Throughout scripture the people of God called on God because of fear of what there enemies were planning to do to them. God’s answer to them is the same for us
-Jer 38:19 ...Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me. (Jeremiah - “obey or disobey God”)
-Isa 51:12 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
-Isa 12:2 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.
C. Jesus addressed this problem - Luke 12:4 “...Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.”
D. Whether the source is from those who would intimidate us in witnessing for Christ or those who would threaten our life, Jesus says “Be not afraid”
E. Remember that you are special to God, He cares about you
-Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
IV. FEAR OF WORLD EVENTS
A. Not only our world but our nation is once again cast under the shadow of war and war can be a fearful time
B. As we view the events that are going on in the world there is a tendency for many people to feel like God is not in control of things.
C. We must be reassured that nothing happens outside the sovereignty of God. God has a plan for the future, a timetable of events and there are certain things that must happen before Christ returns to earth
-Luke 21:9-11, 24-28
D. We must comfort and strengthen our hearts by remembering that Christ is returning and that until he does there are things that will happen, we are told this in God’s Word
-John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
V. CONCLUSION
A. The best way to combat fear is to know that your heart is right with God
B. The believer can live and die without fear - I Jn 4:17-18 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 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.
C. The unbeliever should be fearful of judgment - Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
