Defying Fear: Embracing Faith in God's Promises

Devotional

Day 1: Defying Negative Narratives**

Description:
In our daily lives, we are often bombarded with negative narratives and fears imposed by the world. These narratives can make us feel hopeless, unworthy, and anxious about the future. However, as Christians, we are called to defy these negative messages by embracing the truth of God's love and promises. This defiance is not an act of rebellion but a firm stand in faith, rejecting the lies of the world and holding on to the truth of who we are in Christ. By focusing on God's goodness and grace, we can push back against the negativity and live in the freedom that comes from knowing we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. [01:26]

Bible Passage:
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a negative narrative or fear that has been weighing on your mind recently. How can you actively defy this narrative by focusing on God's truth and promises today?

**

Day 2: The Power of Reflection and Introspection**

Description:
True reflection involves thinking deeply about our lives and the cultural messages we absorb. The world often fills our minds with fear and anxiety, but we are called to focus on the goodness and grace of God. This introspection helps us align our thoughts with God's truth rather than the world's lies. By taking the time to reflect and introspect, we can identify the areas where we have allowed fear and anxiety to take root and replace them with the peace and assurance that comes from trusting in God's love and faithfulness. [05:02]

Bible Passage:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection:
Take a moment to reflect on the cultural messages you have absorbed recently. How have these messages impacted your thoughts and feelings? How can you realign your thoughts with God's truth today?

**

Day 3: Living in a Field of Faith**

Description:
The world often creates a "field of fear" filled with anxiety about the future. However, as Christians, we are invited to live in a "field of faith," trusting in God's promises and His presence in our lives. This field of faith is where we find security and hope, even amidst uncertainty. By choosing to live in a field of faith, we can experience the peace that comes from knowing that God is in control and that His plans for us are good. This shift from fear to faith allows us to navigate life's challenges with confidence and trust in God's unfailing love. [12:24]

Bible Passage:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify an area of your life where you are currently experiencing fear or anxiety about the future. How can you choose to live in a field of faith in this area, trusting in God's promises and presence?

**

Day 4: The Unwavering Faith of Job**

Description:
Job's unwavering faith, even after losing everything, teaches us that we can trust God in the darkest times. Job declared, "I know that my Redeemer lives," showing that faith in God's ultimate redemption can sustain us through any trial. This story encourages us to hold on to our faith, knowing that God is with us and that His plans for us are good, even when we cannot see the way forward. By looking to Job's example, we can find the strength to trust in God's faithfulness and goodness, no matter what challenges we face. [17:26]

Bible Passage:
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold." (Job 23:10, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you faced a significant trial or loss. How did your faith in God sustain you during that time? How can Job's example of unwavering faith inspire you to trust God in your current circumstances?

**

Day 5: Victory Over Death Through Jesus' Resurrection**

Description:
The resurrection of Jesus transforms our field of fear into a field of faith. The angel's message, "He is risen," calls us to move from fear to faith, trusting that Jesus has conquered death and offers us new life. This victory assures us that we are not bound by the fears and anxieties of this world. By embracing the truth of Jesus' resurrection, we can live with the confidence that we have eternal life and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. This transformative truth empowers us to face life's challenges with hope and assurance in God's ultimate victory. [24:00]

Bible Passage:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)

Reflection:
How does the truth of Jesus' resurrection impact your perspective on fear and anxiety? What steps can you take today to live in the victory and new life that Jesus offers?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the concept of defiance, not as a rebellious act, but as a spiritual pushback against the negative narratives and fears imposed by the world. We delved into the importance of reflection and introspection, urging ourselves to think deeply about our lives and the cultural messages we absorb. The world often fills our minds with fear and anxiety, creating a "field" where we feel lost, confused, or overwhelmed. However, we are called to defy this norm by focusing on the goodness and grace of God.

We discussed how our minds can become a battleground, filled with negative thoughts and fears about the future. The culture around us often amplifies these fears, making us anxious about what lies ahead. Yet, as Christians, we are invited to live in a "field of faith" rather than a "field of fear." This field of faith is characterized by trust in God's promises and His presence in our lives, even amidst uncertainty and distress.

We looked at the story of Job, who despite losing everything, declared his unwavering faith in God. Job's story teaches us that even in the darkest times, we can trust that our Redeemer lives and will stand with us. Similarly, the Apostle Paul reminds us that death has been swallowed up in victory through Jesus Christ. This victory assures us that we are not bound by the fears and anxieties of this world.

Finally, we reflected on the resurrection of Jesus, which transforms our field of fear into a field of faith. The angel's message to the women at the tomb, "He is risen," is a call for us to move from fear to faith, trusting that Jesus has conquered death and offers us new life. As we go forth, let us live in this field of faith, strengthened by God's grace and confident in His promises.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Defiance Against Negative Narratives: Defiance in a spiritual sense means pushing back against the negative narratives and fears imposed by the world. It is about rejecting the idea that we are hopeless or unworthy and instead embracing the truth of God's love and promises. This defiance is not rebellious but a firm stand in faith. [01:26]
2. Reflection and Introspection: True reflection involves thinking deeply about our lives and the cultural messages we absorb. The world often fills our minds with fear and anxiety, but we are called to focus on the goodness and grace of God. This introspection helps us align our thoughts with God's truth rather than the world's lies. [05:02]
3. Living in a Field of Faith: The world often creates a "field of fear" filled with anxiety about the future. However, as Christians, we are invited to live in a "field of faith," trusting in God's promises and His presence in our lives. This field of faith is where we find security and hope, even amidst uncertainty. [12:24]
4. The Story of Job: Job's unwavering faith, even after losing everything, teaches us that we can trust God in the darkest times. Job declared, "I know that my Redeemer lives," showing that faith in God's ultimate redemption can sustain us through any trial. This story encourages us to hold on to our faith, knowing that God is with us. [17:26]
5. Victory Over Death: The resurrection of Jesus transforms our field of fear into a field of faith. The angel's message, "He is risen," calls us to move from fear to faith, trusting that Jesus has conquered death and offers us new life. This victory assures us that we are not bound by the fears and anxieties of this world. [24:00]
### [24:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Defiance: Challenge the Norm
[03:26] - Cultural Messages and Reflection
[05:02] - Introspection and God's Grace
[06:44] - The Field of Our Minds
[08:29] - The Impact of the Past
[09:47] - Anxiety About the Future
[11:11] - The Culture of Fear
[12:24] - Living in a Field of Faith
[13:47] - Real-World Distress
[15:37] - Trusting God's Promises
[17:26] - The Story of Job
[18:53] - Job's Declaration of Faith
[20:38] - Victory Over Death
[22:14] - Jesus' Resurrection
[24:00] - Moving from Fear to Faith
[25:55] - Conclusion and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Job declare about his Redeemer in Job 19:25-27?
According to 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, what has been "swallowed up in victory"?
In Matthew 28:5-6, what message does the angel give to the women at the tomb?
How does the sermon describe the concept of "defiance" in a spiritual sense? [01:26]

Interpretation Questions

What does Job's declaration of faith in Job 19:25-27 teach us about trusting God in difficult times? [18:53]
How does the resurrection of Jesus, as described in Matthew 28:5-6, transform our "field of fear" into a "field of faith"? [24:00]
What does it mean to live in a "field of faith" rather than a "field of fear," according to the sermon? [12:24]
How does the victory over death in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 provide assurance for Christians facing fear and anxiety? [20:38]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. How can Job's declaration, "I know that my Redeemer lives," inspire you to trust God in similar situations? [18:53]
The sermon encourages us to push back against negative narratives and fears imposed by the world. What are some practical ways you can defy these negative messages in your daily life? [01:26]
How can you practice reflection and introspection to align your thoughts with God's truth rather than the world's lies? Share a specific example of how you might do this. [05:02]
Think about the "field" you are currently living in. Is it a field of fear or a field of faith? What steps can you take to move from fear to faith, trusting in God's promises? [12:24]
The resurrection of Jesus calls us to live in a field of faith. How can you remind yourself daily of this victory and let it transform your perspective on life's challenges? [24:00]
Identify a specific fear or anxiety you are currently facing. How can the assurance of Jesus' victory over death help you confront and overcome this fear? [20:38]
How can you support others in your community who are struggling with fear and anxiety, helping them to live in a field of faith? Share a practical way you can offer encouragement or support this week. [13:47]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "What I want to do today is to reflect on how the Lord calls us to think on Him, to reflect on His goodness, and also to look inside of our hearts and see those parts of our life that we need to bring into His presence." [01:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We want to reflect and introspect on the goodness and grace of God that is extended to us, even at this moment, even as you just inhaled or exhaled, the Lord is present with his children." [05:02] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Lord give me the eyes to see that there is a field of faith now what is faith it's not having all the answers it's trusting that god's going to keep his promises to you and to the world that regardless of what at times we see or hear that the god who created our existence and what we see and experience in the universe is a god who has entered into the fray he is the one that has made his home with his children." [15:37] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I know that my redeemer lives redeemer the one who rescues the one who buys us back from sin and death the one who advocates the one who has our back the one who throws us on top of us when the bullets come okay and that in the end in the end he says it's not over." [18:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Death is swallowed up in victory we win gold medal lifted on the podium with not a national anthem but with the praises that we sing here to god be the glory the praise amazing grace the praises of god being sung and declared because death has been swallowed up sin oh yes sin stung us man it stung us sin stung us man it stung us man it stung us bad but it didn't kill us." [20:38] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The defiance when the world says, you're going nowhere, defiance, push back. When the world says, you got no hope, whoa, whoa, push back. When someone says to you, you are not ever going to have anything that you want because you're not a very good person, or after what you did to me, push back." [01:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We create this field, or some would say a world, and that's where our mind and thoughts live. So often, it's an unpleasant place. Doesn't have to be, but where does your mind take you? You know, what is that field you find yourself in? Is it a bunch of land mines in that field, or an unfamiliar terrain, or a place of confusion?" [06:44] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "People live with the thought of the future now having said that again I know that there is the moment the present I'm here I'm not in Colorado where by God's grace I'll be Friday already I'm here all right so we got to deal with the present but I am thinking about what is it gonna be like in Estes Park all right never been there hot cold I don't know I'm going with a bunch of grandkids so it's gonna be noisy I know that but what is that field that I'm walking into gonna look like I'm future." [09:47] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I don't care where you've been what you did trust jesus to have taken upon himself thrown himself on you over you and I don't care where you've been I don't care where you've been I don't care where you've been to take the bullet of death and sin and he gives us the victory through jesus christ not our victory his victory he did all the hard work and we get the medal." [22:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I know I know push back when there's that sense of I'm living in a field of fear say no I'm afraid but I'm not living here you know I live in the field of faith by god's grace may you be strengthened that our future in the life in christ is one of security and joy even in the midst of times of distress and tears hear the word live the word share the word give thanks for the word of the lord enfleshed in jesus as you go from here to serve him amen." [25:55] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?