NO FEAR
Rev. Rob Jadrnicek (Lifepoint Church Mukwanago, WI)
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. — John 14:27 NKJV
FEAR
A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
We will find it was never God’s intention that we are driven by fear of anything other than the only one that has judgement on our lives. Throughout the word of God we see numerous feats of God’s power over creation and actual physical attributes:
- Moses striking the rock with a stick and water comes out
- Splitting of the red sea
- Fire from heaven on Elijah’s sacrifice
- Rain after a prophesied drought
However, God also wants to win the battle of the mind. He wants our minds fueled by faith.
13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” —Proverbs 22:13 (NKJV)
A lazy man – fears a lion somewhere in the streets, where he could, maybe, be slain or killed, so he won’t go out of his house and provide for himself and His family.
As you can see this scripture is a fight for what will dominant this guy’s mind. Will he be controlled by the “what ifs of fear” or “his hope in God.”
By contrast we have…
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion —Proverbs 28:1 (KJV)
…because of where we put our hope.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen —Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
The more you bring hope to a situation the more fear dissipates or disappears.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
Many times we want to do God’s will but are uncertain and fearful. We don’t want to do something that puts our loved ones in jepordy or mess up our life.
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. —1 Chronicles 4:10 (KJV)
God illuminates our way or direction, there should be no grieving of our spirit or soul with God.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. —Psalms 119:105
When you come into a situation you are starting to fear, remember God’s promises for you.
10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
What about the story when Jesus was in the boat with the disciples and a storm came up.
23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. —Matthew 8:23-27 (NKJV)
God has given us a list of promises that should dispel all fear. And just because we do not hear from God in each dilemma of our life doesn’t mean His promises don’t still stand. They can be pillars of our faith when the whole world is falling down.
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. —John 14:27 (NKJV) NKJV
Jesus is talking about His greatest gift in expanding our faith mindset, that is Him within us. His Spirit being the catalyst for a faith-ful life.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
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. —John 14:26 (NKJV)
Misplacing your faith will ultimately steal your joy, peace, and hope.
We do not need to entertain fear, our hope can remain alive because we are in Christ.
When we invite Christ in, our lives fill up to overflowing of God’s power of love and a sound mind.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. —2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Say NO to fear however be hopeful, remember God’s promises and that he offers you peace, the revelation of His love, and a sound mind.