Series: Reality [#1]
FEAR FACTOR
1 John 4:18
Introduction:
What are you scared of? How about rats? Roaches? Snakes? Spiders? Lightning?
Satan knows the effect of fear upon a Christian and will use that as often as it will work. Satan will use it to hinder your Christian walk.
1 John 4:18
What do you fear? What is holding you back? Is it…
Fear Of Failure?
In Exodus chapters 3 and 4 we find a man by the name of Moses who had an encounter with God. While tending his father-in-law’s sheep, Moses noticed a burning bush. This bush was burning but not being consumed by the flames. Moses went over to inspect this bush and God began to speak to him. God told Moses that He had heard the cry of the Israelites who were in captivity and that He was sending Moses to bring them out of Egypt. This is when Moses’ fears were seen and excuses began to fly. As we look at these fears ask yourself if you share some these same fears.
Excuse #1: “But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11).
Fear Of Failure #1: I’m not qualified.
Excuse #2: “Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ’The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ’What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?" (Exodus 3:13).
Fear Of Failure #2: I don’t know enough.
Excuse #3: “Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ’The Lord did not appear to you’?" (Exodus 4:1).
Fear Of Failure #3: No one will listen to me.
Excuse #4: “Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." (Exodus 4:10).
Fear Of Failure #4: I don’t have the ability.
Moses’ Response: “But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 4:13).
Result Of Fear Of Failure: I don’t want to do it.
God’s Response To Our Fear Of Failure: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Through God we are qualified, we have all the wisdom and ability we need, and God is the One who draws people to listen to Him, not us.
Many of you are not afraid to fail; but do you have a…
Fear Of Growing Old?
“Growing Old”
George Burns, an expert on growing old, said you know your getting old when:
-The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals
-You get winded playing chess
-Your children start to look middle-aged
-you sit in a rocking chair but you can’t get it going
-dialing long distance wears you out
-the little gray-haired woman you help across the street is your wife
-your knees buckle but your belt won’t
-And lastly, you know you’re getting older when stoop to tie your shoes and you wonder what else you can do while you’re down there.
Solomon had some similar things to say in Ecclesiastes 12 about growing older. In fact, the NIV refers to growing old as the “days of trouble”. We live in a time that people do all sorts of things to look young, feel young, etc…
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 (MSG)
“Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young,
Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
In old age, your body no longer serves you so well.
Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen.
The shades are pulled down on the world.
You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt.
The hum of the household fades away.
You are wakened now by bird-song.
Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past.
Even a stroll down the road has its terrors.
Your hair turns apple-blossom white,
Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body.
Yes, you’re well on your way to eternal rest,
While your friends make plans for your funeral.
Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over.
Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.
The body is put back in the same ground it came from.
The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.
Fear Of Aging #1: My body is falling apart and I can’t stop it.
Fear of Aging #2: I can’t do the things I used to do.
Fear Of Aging #3: I am forgotten about.
Fear Of Aging #4: All I have to look forward to is death.
Result Of Fear Of Aging: I’ve done all I can, I’m done.
Paul had a “thorn in the flesh”, which I believe was loss of his sight. He asked God 3 times to remove this thorn and God’s response to this is the same response I believe He has for us concerning aging.
God’s Response To Our Fear Of Aging: “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
We all have gotten older just during this sermon. You will know when you are too old to serve God’s purpose. God will take you Home. If you are not afraid of failing or of aging, do you have a…
Fear Of Death?
In 1 Kings 19 we find Elijah the prophet, who had just watched God prove Himself, run and hide because he was afraid he was going to be killed at the hands of Jezebel.
1 Kings 19:3-18
Fear Of Death #1: Elijah tried to run from death.
Fear Of Death #2: Elijah got mad at God.
Fear Of Death #3: Elijah was exhausted and depressed.
Fear Of Death #4: Elijah felt all alone.
In Mark 8:31-38 Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to die. He also gives us God’s response to the fear of death.
God’s Response To Our Fear Of Death: “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38).
Conclusion:
Is any of these fears holding you back or do the words given to each “Fear Factor’s” winner apply to you: “Fear is no factor for you”?
Romans 8:28-39
