What Are You Afraid Of?

1. There is an UNHOLY spirit around us. It is the spirit of fear.

2. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

3. How shall we overcome the spirit of fear? – Philippians 4:4-7

I. A New Joy – Philippians 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

A. A Powerful Emphasis

1. “Rejoice” – Continuous action (“Keep on Rejoicing”) – then Repeats.

2. This is a big deal.

B. What Difference Does Having Joy Make?

1. All the difference of eternity for some people

2. Impact our culture/community with joy – Paul and Silas beaten and in Jail – Acts 16:25 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Cf. Psalm 119:61-62

61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law.

62 At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous rules.

II. A New Spirit – Philippians 4:5a 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

A. This is a Spirit/an Attitude that is different from the world. (Contrast the Jailer’s world with the Christian world – “What must I do to be saved?” Probably wasn’t referring to salvation from sin but of the harsh Roman world.

1. Reasonableness = patient gentleness – Paul with the Jailer – could’ve run and cost the jailer his life but he stayed and helped the man who had beaten him and put him in stocks in the inner prison

2. A Reminder – Romans 12:2 (NLT) 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

B. It is an Inclusive Spirit

III. A New Presence Philippians 4:5b The Lord is at hand;

A. Walking with God is New to Us

1. Fear says we don’t believe God is Here/near

2. Fear says “No” to God. – Peter walked on the water but 11 disciples stayed in the boat; At the Gadarenes Jesus was the only one to get out of the boat to confront the demoniac – NO, God!

B. His Presence is Our Power – Philippians 3:10a 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.

1. Resurrection was important but Jesus left and went back to heaven – how still with us?

2. Holy Spirit! – Romans 8:14-17 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

IV. A New Prayer Philippians 4:6 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

A. Prayer Goes from Generalities to Specifics

B. Gratitude Lifts the Anxiety/Fear

V. A New Peace – Philippians 4:7 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A. In Creation God Brought Shalom to Chaos

B. The Enemy Brings Chaos to God’s Shalom

C. God Restores Shalom to our Chaos – Mark 4:39-41 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

1. Every day we must decide if we are going to be ruled by fear or by faith. Some years ago a nine-year-old boy from a small town in South Oklahoma called the police and told them that he had shot and killed his father. When the police arrived they found the man’s body in a tool shed still holding an ax handle that he used to BEAT the boy and his six-year-old sister. When questioned why he killed his father the boy cried, “I was TIRED of being AFRAID!”

2. Are you tired of being afraid?

3. Fight back with:

• A New Joy

• A New Spirit

• A New Presence

• A New Prayer

• A New Peace

4. John 17:15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.