Faith Over Fear: Lessons from Biblical Heroes

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound relationship between faith and fear through the lives of Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Rahab, as highlighted in Hebrews 11. These biblical figures exemplify how faith can transcend fear and lead to extraordinary outcomes. Noah's story teaches us about obedience in the face of the unknown. Despite the absence of rain, Noah built an ark as God commanded, demonstrating that true faith often requires us to act against cultural norms and expectations. His unwavering obedience was not swayed by the evil around him, reminding us that our faith should not be influenced by those who do not have our best interests at heart.

Abraham and Sarah's journey illustrates the necessity of trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible. They were called to leave their comfort zone and believe in a promise that seemed unattainable—a child in their old age. This teaches us that biblical faith requires action on things we cannot see, urging us to trust in God's plan even when the outcome is not visible.

Rahab's story highlights the importance of having the right kind of fear. Her decision to protect the spies was driven by a reverent fear of God rather than the fear of earthly consequences. This healthy fear of God, characterized by awe and respect, can transform our perspective and help us overcome our fears.

Ultimately, faith is about trusting and obeying God, which makes it greater than fear. Hebrews 12 encourages us to persevere in our faith journey, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. By doing so, we can overcome the challenges and fears that life presents, knowing that God is faithful and will never forget us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Obedience in Faith: Noah's story teaches us that faith often requires obedience to God's commands, even when they defy cultural norms or seem illogical. True faith is not swayed by the opinions of those who do not have our best interests at heart. It is about trusting God's plan and acting on it, regardless of external influences. [01:09:19]

2. Trusting the Unseen: Abraham and Sarah's journey reminds us that faith involves trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible. Biblical faith requires us to take action on things we cannot see, urging us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plan, even when the outcome is not visible. [01:15:10]

3. The Right Kind of Fear: Rahab's story highlights the importance of having a healthy fear of God, characterized by awe and respect. This fear can transform our perspective and help us overcome our fears, as we prioritize God's will over earthly consequences. [01:19:10]

4. Faith Over Fear: When faith is rooted in trusting and obeying God, it becomes greater than fear. This means focusing on the size of our Savior rather than the source of our fear, trusting that God is faithful and will never forget us, even in our most fearful moments. [01:26:45]

5. Perseverance in Faith: Hebrews 12 encourages us to persevere in our faith journey, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. By doing so, we can overcome the challenges and fears that life presents, knowing that God is faithful and will never forget us. [01:28:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:06:09] - Introduction to Faith and Fear
- [01:07:12] - Noah's Obedience
- [01:08:10] - The Importance of Obedience
- [01:09:19] - Living Differently Through Faith
- [01:10:11] - Holy Fear and Being Set Apart
- [01:11:20] - Questions of Faith
- [01:11:56] - Abraham and Sarah's Trust
- [01:12:57] - Faith in the Unseen
- [01:13:28] - Trusting God's Promises
- [01:14:12] - Faith in Action
- [01:15:10] - Rahab's Story
- [01:16:37] - The Right Kind of Fear
- [01:19:10] - Faith Over Fear
- [01:26:45] - Perseverance in Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:7-31
2. Hebrews 12:1-3
3. Joshua 2:9-11

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Observation Questions:

1. How did Noah demonstrate obedience in the face of cultural norms, and what was the result of his actions? [01:09:19]

2. What specific promise did Abraham and Sarah have to trust in, and how did their faith manifest in their actions? [01:12:57]

3. What was the source of Rahab's fear, and how did it influence her decision to protect the spies? [01:17:44]

4. According to Hebrews 12:1-3, what are believers encouraged to do in their faith journey, and who should they focus on? [01:28:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Noah's story teach about the relationship between faith and cultural pressures? How can this be applied to modern-day challenges? [01:10:11]

2. In what ways did Abraham and Sarah's faith require them to step out of their comfort zones, and what does this suggest about the nature of biblical faith? [01:13:28]

3. How does Rahab's story illustrate the concept of having a "healthy fear" of God, and why is this important for overcoming earthly fears? [01:19:10]

4. What does it mean to "fix our eyes on Jesus" as described in Hebrews 12, and how does this help believers persevere in their faith? [01:28:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured by cultural norms. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Noah's example of obedience? [01:09:19]

2. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, similar to Abraham and Sarah? What steps can you take to trust in God's promises? [01:13:28]

3. Consider the fears you face in your life. How can developing a healthy fear of God, as Rahab did, change your perspective and actions? [01:19:10]

4. What are some practical ways you can "fix your eyes on Jesus" in your daily life to help you persevere through challenges? [01:28:27]

5. How can you ensure that your faith is not swayed by those who do not have your best interests at heart, as seen in Noah's story? [01:10:11]

6. Identify a promise from God that you are currently waiting to see fulfilled. How can you actively demonstrate faith in this promise, even when the outcome is not visible? [01:15:10]

7. What specific actions can you take this week to prioritize God's will over earthly consequences, inspired by Rahab's story? [01:19:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience Beyond Understanding
In the story of Noah, we see a profound example of obedience in faith. Noah was instructed by God to build an ark in preparation for a flood, despite the absence of rain and the skepticism of those around him. His unwavering commitment to God's command, even when it defied cultural norms and seemed illogical, demonstrates that true faith often requires us to act against societal expectations. Noah's story reminds us that our faith should not be influenced by those who do not have our best interests at heart. Instead, it is about trusting God's plan and acting on it, regardless of external influences. [01:09:19]

Hebrews 11:7 (ESV): "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act in faith, even if it seems illogical or against cultural norms? How can you take a step of obedience today?

Day 2: Trusting the Unseen Promises
Abraham and Sarah's journey is a testament to trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible. They were called to leave their comfort zone and believe in a promise that seemed unattainable—a child in their old age. This narrative teaches us that biblical faith requires action on things we cannot see, urging us to trust in God's plan even when the outcome is not visible. Their story encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them in His timing. [01:15:10]

Hebrews 11:8-11 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."

Reflection: What is a promise from God that you find difficult to trust in? How can you actively step out in faith today, trusting in His unseen promises?

Day 3: Reverent Fear of God
Rahab's story highlights the importance of having the right kind of fear—a reverent fear of God. Her decision to protect the spies was driven by awe and respect for God rather than the fear of earthly consequences. This healthy fear of God can transform our perspective and help us overcome our fears, as we prioritize God's will over earthly concerns. Rahab's example encourages us to cultivate a reverent fear of God, allowing it to guide our decisions and actions. [01:19:10]

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself fearing earthly consequences more than God? How can you cultivate a reverent fear of God that guides your decisions?

Day 4: Faith Over Fear
When faith is rooted in trusting and obeying God, it becomes greater than fear. This means focusing on the size of our Savior rather than the source of our fear. By trusting that God is faithful and will never forget us, even in our most fearful moments, we can overcome the challenges and fears that life presents. This perspective shift allows us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [01:26:45]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is a current fear you are facing? How can you shift your focus from the fear to the faithfulness of God today?

Day 5: Perseverance in Faith
Hebrews 12 encourages us to persevere in our faith journey, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. By doing so, we can overcome the challenges and fears that life presents, knowing that God is faithful and will never forget us. This perseverance is not passive but requires active engagement and focus on Jesus, who leads us through every trial and triumph. As we persevere, we grow in our faith and witness the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. [01:28:27]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to persevere in faith? How can you fix your eyes on Jesus and actively engage in your faith journey today?

Quotes

1. "But as we know, Noah was obedient. Noah did not hesitate. He didn't ask why. He didn't say, are you sure? I mean, why don't you get someone else to do it? Like, you know, sometimes I get accused of being good at giving a job to someone else that has been given to me. I don't know if my wife's in here right now, but she says I'm good at doing that. But I wonder why, like, Noah could have easily done that. And we know that God had even warned Noah about something that was coming that had never happened. The Bible says Noah did everything God commanded him to do." [4090:78] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "While it's important that we are prayerful in our discipleship, and that we heed wise counsel, when we are walking with God as Noah did, our obedience won't be influenced by those around us. Actually, let me rephrase that. Our obedience won't be influenced by those who don't have our best interest at heart." [4180:42] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Biblical faith requires that we live differently. Noah lived differently than his culture. It clearly says, and that's why I had it highlighted in the scripture, holy fear. Holy means to be set apart. Holy means to be different. Holy means to be different than the people around you, to try to be Christ-like, to strive for that. Noah was following God's call." [4224:26] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Think about the trust of Abraham. He continued to trust what God was going to do, and he trusted that God was going to come through with his promises. And again, this is not something that Abraham and Sarah could see. This is not something they could be like, oh, there it is, I know it's coming. Like, they had this trust in something that they could see and they obeyed." [4459:85] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So the second thing in your outline is a few things about biblical faith. It requires us to take actions on things that we cannot see. Abraham could have just stayed where he was. He could have ignored God and just continued to live. This. Life that he was living. Instead, he puts this faith into action. He believed what God had said, and he took action." [4488:63] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Faith isn't about having no fear at all, but rather about having the right kind of fear. It's understanding that we've got to fear God first and most. Now, I don't mean fearing, fear in the sense of cowering before God as if He's going to fly off the handle and strike us with lightning at any moment. Rather, it's this healthy awe and this healthy respect and this healthy sense of thanksgiving for what God has done and will continue to do in our lives." [4806:93] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When she began to see God in the right way, it changed her perspective, and she was able to overcome her fears. Now, when I think of fear of God, I think of, and this is just a way for me to describe it, I think of when I grew up and I kind of feared my parents. Kids, if you're in here and you don't fear your parents, you should. Okay? Here's why. Here's how. Here's how you should fear them." [4857:67] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I want to say this what do you get what do you do when you get to this place in life and you have no other choice but to be fearful what do you do when things aren't going your way what do you do when you feel like you're at the end of the rope what do you do when you feel like the anxiety and depression has has just taken over your life and there's nothing else you can do what do you do when there's so much month left at the end of the money i want to encourage you that even when we're fearful god is still faithful even when we're fearful god is still faithful did you know this god will never forget about you god will never forget about you your present circumstances might seem like he has but all of these people in the hall of faith had plenty of reason to think the same thing too" [4997:73] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When you take a faithful stand for God, there's no guarantee that life is going to be easy or that everything is going to work out. Most likely, life might probably be even harder when you take this faithful stand of God. I'm imagining Noah and how hard it was to build that boat. I'm imagining Abraham and Sarah, how patient they had to be to think about, is this ever going to happen? And then Rahab being completely full of fear, thinking, what is going to happen next?" [5181:77] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And the last thing I want to leave you with, this is the thing I want you to remember if you don't remember anything else we said today, is that when faith is rooted in trusting and obeying God, faith is greater than fear. When your faith is rooted in trusting and obeying God, not trusting and obeying your friend at work, yeah, I mean, hopefully you have a friend, a friend you can trust, not trusting and obeying something that the world shows us, but trusting and obeying God, then faith is greater than fear." [5212:89] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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