Conquering Fear: Embracing God's Promises for Courage
Summary
Taking a deep breath, I reflect on the journey we've been on this summer, exploring the complex world of emotions through our series. We've delved into anxiety, sadness, anger, and today, we confront fear. Emotions like fear are not inherently negative; they are God-given and serve a purpose, such as keeping us safe. However, when fear becomes a permanent residence in our hearts, it can hinder us from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.
I shared a personal story about my fear of heights, illustrating how fear can sometimes grow beyond its intended purpose, preventing us from embracing life fully. We often fear tangible things like spiders or snakes, but it's the intangible fears—fear of failure, rejection, loneliness, change, or death—that truly alter our lives. These fears can drive us to make decisions that are not aligned with God's will, affecting our relationships, health, and spiritual journey.
In Hebrews 13, we find a powerful reminder that God promises never to fail or abandon us. This assurance should embolden us to live without fear, knowing that God is our helper, quick to action, and ever-present. The challenge is to internalize this truth and live confidently, much like the little dog that fearlessly confronted a hammerhead shark.
To live fearlessly, we must first identify our fears, often hidden beneath the surface, and understand their roots. Engaging with a community of believers can help us uncover these fears. Secondly, we must say yes to what God calls us to do, stepping out in faith and experiencing His presence and guidance.
Ultimately, the solution to fear is found in Jesus, who conquered sin and death. If you haven't yet embraced a relationship with Him, I invite you to do so, experiencing a life that is fearless rather than fearful.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Fear's Purpose: Fear is a God-given emotion meant to protect us, but it becomes detrimental when it dominates our lives. Recognizing its purpose helps us manage it in a God-honoring way. [04:45]
- Intangible Fears: While tangible fears like spiders or snakes are easy to identify, it's the intangible fears—failure, rejection, loneliness—that truly impact our lives. These fears can drive us to make decisions that are not aligned with God's will. [10:31]
- God's Promises: Hebrews 13 reminds us that God promises never to fail or abandon us. This assurance should embolden us to live without fear, knowing that God is our helper, quick to action, and ever-present. [20:56]
- Confidence in God: Like the little dog confronting a hammerhead shark, we can live confidently, knowing that God is with us. This confidence allows us to face fears and challenges with courage. [28:02]
- Taking Action Against Fear: To overcome fear, we must identify its roots and say yes to God's calling. Engaging with a community of believers and stepping out in faith helps us experience God's presence and guidance. [30:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:45] - Exploring Fear
[05:54] - Personal Story: Fear of Heights
[06:48] - Overcoming Fear
[08:45] - Healthy Fears
[10:31] - Intangible Fears
[12:49] - Fear of Change
[14:28] - Embracing Change
[20:56] - God's Promises
[22:46] - Confidence in God
[28:02] - Living Fearlessly
[30:17] - Identifying Fear
[33:25] - Personal Reflection
[36:57] - Saying Yes to God
[39:21] - Invitation to Jesus
[42:29] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Fearlessly
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 13:5-6
Observation Questions:
1. What are some examples of tangible fears mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from intangible fears? [10:31]
2. How does the pastor describe his personal experience with fear, particularly his fear of heights? [05:54]
3. According to Hebrews 13:5-6, what promises does God make to us that should help us live without fear?
4. What analogy does the pastor use to illustrate confidence in God, and what lesson does it convey? [28:02]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor suggest that intangible fears, like fear of failure or rejection, can impact our decision-making and spiritual journey? [10:31]
2. In what ways does the assurance of God's presence and help, as mentioned in Hebrews 13:5-6, empower believers to face their fears?
3. How does the story of the little dog confronting the hammerhead shark serve as a metaphor for living fearlessly with God's help? [28:02]
4. What role does community play in helping individuals identify and overcome their fears, according to the sermon? [30:17]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when fear held you back from pursuing something God was calling you to do. How can you take a step of faith this week to overcome that fear? [36:57]
2. Identify an intangible fear in your life, such as fear of change or loneliness. What practical steps can you take to address this fear with the support of your community? [12:49]
3. How can you remind yourself of God's promises in Hebrews 13:5-6 during moments of fear or anxiety? Consider creating a daily practice or ritual to reinforce this truth.
4. The pastor shared a personal story about his fear of heights. What personal fear can you share with your small group, and how can they support you in overcoming it? [05:54]
5. Think about a situation where you need to say "yes" to God's calling despite your fears. What is one action you can take this week to move forward in faith? [39:21]
6. How can you cultivate a spirit of fearlessness in your daily life, similar to the confidence of the little dog in the sermon? What specific mindset or behavior change is needed? [28:02]
7. Consider the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you engage more deeply with your small group or church community to help identify and address your fears? [30:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Fear's Protective Role
Fear is a God-given emotion designed to protect us, but it can become detrimental when it dominates our lives. Recognizing its purpose helps us manage it in a God-honoring way. Fear serves as a natural response to danger, alerting us to potential threats and prompting us to take necessary precautions. However, when fear becomes a constant presence, it can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends. It is essential to discern when fear is serving its protective role and when it is hindering our spiritual growth and well-being. [04:45]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a fear that has been dominating your life. How can you begin to see it as a protective mechanism rather than a barrier to your spiritual growth?
Day 2: Confronting Intangible Fears
While tangible fears like spiders or snakes are easy to identify, it's the intangible fears—failure, rejection, loneliness—that truly impact our lives. These fears can drive us to make decisions that are not aligned with God's will. Intangible fears often lurk beneath the surface, influencing our choices and actions in subtle yet profound ways. They can lead us to avoid risks, shy away from opportunities, and settle for less than what God has planned for us. By acknowledging these fears and understanding their roots, we can begin to align our decisions with God's will and live more authentically. [10:31]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one intangible fear that has been influencing your decisions? How can you bring this fear to God and seek His guidance in overcoming it?
Day 3: Embracing God's Promises
Hebrews 13 reminds us that God promises never to fail or abandon us. This assurance should embolden us to live without fear, knowing that God is our helper, quick to action, and ever-present. God's promises provide a foundation of security and confidence, enabling us to face life's challenges with courage. When we internalize these promises, we can confront our fears with the assurance that we are not alone and that God is actively working on our behalf. This understanding transforms our perspective, allowing us to live boldly and fearlessly. [20:56]
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a specific promise of God that you find comforting. How can this promise help you face a current fear with confidence?
Day 4: Living with Confidence in God
Like the little dog confronting a hammerhead shark, we can live confidently, knowing that God is with us. This confidence allows us to face fears and challenges with courage. When we trust in God's presence and power, we can step out in faith, even in the face of daunting circumstances. This confidence is not based on our abilities but on the assurance that God is our protector and guide. By cultivating a deep trust in God, we can navigate life's uncertainties with a sense of peace and assurance. [28:02]
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where you need to step out in faith. How can you rely on God's presence to give you the courage to act confidently?
Day 5: Taking Action Against Fear
To overcome fear, we must identify its roots and say yes to God's calling. Engaging with a community of believers and stepping out in faith helps us experience God's presence and guidance. By actively confronting our fears and seeking God's direction, we can break free from the limitations that fear imposes. This process involves vulnerability and trust, as we open ourselves to God's transformative work in our lives. Through community support and a willingness to follow God's lead, we can move from a place of fear to a life of faith and purpose. [30:17]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to confront a fear and say yes to God's calling? How can your community support you in this journey?
Quotes
1) "One of the things that we talk about emotions that we I mean that's what we've been talking about all through the month of June is emotions like sadness and emotions like anger they're not things for us to avoid like actually God created us to have and experience sadness and we do experience anger we just don't want to live there right we don't want to live in sadness we don't want anger to be so in control of our lives that it affects how we act and so we're trying to learn how to manage those emotions that God has given us in God honoring ways and so this morning we're talking about the emotion of fear and fear like sadness and anger it's not a bad thing like fear is actually meant to be helpful as long as you're not living in it as long as you don't camp out in fear God has given us the given us the emotion of fear sometimes to keep us safe." [00:45] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "But those things like snakes and spiders and clowns, that's not what keeps us up at night. That's not what changes the way we live our life. It's fears that are a little bit more intangible or harder to identify. It's like the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of loneliness. Yes. or the fear of change, or maybe the fear of death. It's those type things that get in and they change the way that we live. They change the way that we respond." [10:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "But there are people who last week worked 60 hours a week or more. And that work schedule and all of those hours, it's affecting their family life. It's affecting their marriage. It's affecting how they parent because they're working so many hours. It's affecting their health. They don't take a day off like God commands us to. And they have all of these health issues, relationship issues, things like that. And it all roots back to something that they don't even realize. Maybe it's a fear of failure. Like if I, I don't put in these hours, I won't be a success. They don't realize it's the fear of failure that's drawing that to them, but it does." [11:12] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "When we really internalize the fact that God says, I won't fail you and I'm not abandoning you, that actually should change. the trajectory of our paths of life, of where we're going, when we really internalize that, when we realize that the God of the universe who created everything with his breath, who sustains it today, says, I've got your back. We're winning together. I'm not letting you down. I'm with you and I'm going to be with you. If we really internalize that, it changes everything." [21:36] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The Lord's my helper. I'll have no fear because there's nothing that man can do to me because God has promised that he's got my back and God has promised that he's got his presence with me. So what do we do though? Right? Like it's, it's great to go. Yes, but, but you got to leave here, right? You got to leave here and you got to go into work on Monday where fear of rejection or fear of loneliness or fear, fear of loss or things like that that are out there. And we can't just stay here and go, yes, we've got to go out and live this passage of scripture out." [29:12] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Most of us, because those fears are intangible, they're hidden under the surface, they might have been created because of family trauma when we were kids. Who knows for what reason? We're living our lives and doing things, behaving certain ways and making decisions and they're fear -based and we don't even realize that they're fear -based. And we've got to understand what those are, where those fears come from." [30:17] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Say yes to something that God's already called you to do. We'll take ministry something. If you're kind of plugged under, we have a lot of guests, but if you go, hey, City Church is my home. Listen, you need to be serving in some way, shape, or form. And serving is going to be one of the best ways for you to take a step to deal with fear. Here's what I mean by that. Most of the times that people say no to serving is because they're afraid of something, right? Then I go, I don't have time. No, you have time. You're just afraid that if you shift the time from what you're doing now to doing ministry or something like that, that you're going to lose something. It's a fear of loss. It's a fear of time. It's not that you don't have time. You're afraid of losing something." [35:20] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "The world is a scary place at times. But you don't have to live in fear. But the only way really that I've come across and in almost 50 years of life, the only solution to fear ultimately is Jesus. Who created the universe, sustains the universe, has defeated death, has defeated sin. He's the only person out there that takes every fear away." [39:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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