Finding Peace in Fear: Trusting Jesus' Presence
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the pervasive nature of fear and how it affects everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. Fear can manifest in various forms, from common phobias to deeper anxieties about the future, finances, or global events. The Bible, however, addresses our fears directly, with "do not fear" being one of the most repeated commandments. This is because fear often arises when we feel life is out of control, leading us to doubt God's sovereignty. We delved into John chapter 6, where Jesus' disciples faced a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Despite their expertise as fishermen, they found themselves in a life-threatening situation, feeling abandoned by Jesus. Yet, it was in this moment of chaos that Jesus appeared, walking on water, and reassured them with His presence, saying, "I am here."
This narrative teaches us that even when life seems out of control, God remains in control. The disciples' experience reminds us that obedience to God doesn't exempt us from life's storms. Instead, these challenges can be opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on Jesus. The presence of Jesus is the key to overcoming fear, as His presence brings peace amidst turmoil. We are encouraged to seek His presence, especially when life feels overwhelming. Whether through prayer, worship, or community, inviting Jesus into our circumstances can transform our fear into faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Fear is a universal experience, affecting everyone regardless of their status or background. The Bible frequently commands us not to fear because God understands our struggles and wants us to trust in His control over our lives. [06:24]
- The story of Jesus walking on water illustrates that even when we are in the midst of life's storms, Jesus is present and in control. His presence can bring peace and calm to our chaos. [09:57]
- Obedience to God does not mean we will avoid life's challenges. Sometimes, God uses these storms to disciple us, teaching us to trust Him more deeply and preparing us for future trials. [12:45]
- When life spirals out of control, we often try to fix things ourselves or give up. However, the presence of Jesus offers a third way, providing peace and assurance that God is in control, even when we are not. [18:39]
- Inviting Jesus into our lives and circumstances is crucial for overcoming fear. His presence changes everything, offering hope and peace in the midst of uncertainty. We are encouraged to seek His presence through prayer, worship, and community. [21:43]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Introduction to Fear
[03:45] - Biblical Command: Do Not Fear
[06:24] - Life's Storms and God's Control
[09:57] - Jesus Walks on Water
[12:45] - The Miracle of Jesus' Presence
[15:55] - Discipleship Through Storms
[18:39] - Our Responses to Chaos
[21:43] - The Power of Jesus' Presence
[24:41] - Parental Love and God's Assurance
[27:06] - Psalm 118:6 - A Verse for All Ages
[28:39] - Invitation to Trust Jesus
[31:41] - Closing Prayer and Praise
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 6:16-21
- Psalm 118:6
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 6:16-21, what were the disciples doing when the storm arose, and how did they initially respond to the situation? [06:24]
2. How did the disciples react when they saw Jesus walking on the water, and what did Jesus say to them? [09:57]
3. According to the sermon, what is significant about the disciples being in the storm despite their obedience to Jesus? [12:45]
4. What does Psalm 118:6 say about the presence of the Lord and fear?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have allowed the disciples to face the storm without His immediate presence, and what does this teach about spiritual growth? [15:55]
2. How does the presence of Jesus change the situation for the disciples, and what does this imply about His role in our lives during difficult times? [12:45]
3. The sermon mentions that fear is a universal experience. How does the command "do not fear" in the Bible address this common human struggle? [06:24]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that God uses storms to disciple us rather than discipline us? [15:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt life was out of control. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? [18:39]
2. The sermon suggests inviting Jesus into our circumstances through prayer, worship, and community. What is one specific way you can seek His presence this week when facing fear or anxiety? [21:43]
3. Consider the idea that obedience to God does not exempt us from life's challenges. How can you prepare yourself spiritually for future trials? [12:45]
4. When life spirals out of control, do you tend to try to fix things yourself or give up? How can you practice relying on Jesus instead? [18:39]
5. The pastor shared a story about a parent responding to a child's cry of fear. How can you remind yourself of God's presence and assurance in moments of fear? [24:41]
6. Psalm 118:6 states, "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid." How can you incorporate this verse into your daily routine to combat fear?
7. Identify one fear you are currently facing. What steps can you take to invite Jesus into that specific situation and transform your fear into faith? [21:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Fear is a Universal Experience
Fear is a common thread that runs through the human experience, affecting everyone regardless of their background or status. It can manifest in various forms, from phobias to anxieties about the future, finances, or global events. The Bible frequently commands us not to fear, understanding our struggles and encouraging us to trust in God's control over our lives. This command is repeated because fear often arises when we feel life is out of control, leading us to doubt God's sovereignty. By recognizing fear as a universal experience, we can begin to address it with faith and trust in God's plan. [06:24]
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: Identify a specific fear you are currently facing. How can you invite God into this situation and trust Him to be in control?
Day 2: Jesus is Present in Life's Storms
The story of Jesus walking on water illustrates that even when we are in the midst of life's storms, Jesus is present and in control. The disciples, despite their expertise as fishermen, found themselves in a life-threatening situation on the Sea of Galilee. It was in this moment of chaos that Jesus appeared, walking on water, and reassured them with His presence. His presence can bring peace and calm to our chaos, reminding us that God is always with us, even when life seems overwhelming. [09:57]
Psalm 107:28-29 (ESV): "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed."
Reflection: Think of a recent "storm" in your life. How did you experience or miss the presence of Jesus during that time?
Day 3: Obedience Does Not Exempt Us from Challenges
Obedience to God does not mean we will avoid life's challenges. Sometimes, God uses these storms to disciple us, teaching us to trust Him more deeply and preparing us for future trials. The disciples' experience on the Sea of Galilee serves as a reminder that following Jesus does not guarantee a life free from difficulties. Instead, these challenges can be opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on Jesus. [12:45]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenge you are currently facing. How might God be using this situation to grow your faith and reliance on Him?
Day 4: The Presence of Jesus Offers a Third Way
When life spirals out of control, we often try to fix things ourselves or give up. However, the presence of Jesus offers a third way, providing peace and assurance that God is in control, even when we are not. This assurance allows us to navigate life's chaos with a sense of calm and trust, knowing that we are not alone. Inviting Jesus into our circumstances can transform our fear into faith, offering hope and peace in the midst of uncertainty. [18:39]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel out of control. How can you invite Jesus into this situation and experience His peace?
Day 5: Inviting Jesus into Our Lives is Crucial
Inviting Jesus into our lives and circumstances is crucial for overcoming fear. His presence changes everything, offering hope and peace in the midst of uncertainty. We are encouraged to seek His presence through prayer, worship, and community. By actively inviting Jesus into our daily lives, we can experience the transformative power of His presence, turning our fear into faith and our chaos into calm. [21:43]
Colossians 3:15-16 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to invite Jesus more fully into your life, whether through prayer, worship, or community?
Quotes
And here's what I love about Scripture, is that the Bible speaks to our fears. The Bible doesn't ignore our fear, the Bible talks to our fear. And in fact, the second most repeated commandment in Scripture is do not fear. Fear not, don't be afraid, right? [00:01:10] (20 seconds)
See, so many of us, we would never say this out loud, especially we would never say this out loud in church, but so many of us struggle with the fact that when life seems to be out of control, we feel like God is not in control. And so life starts swirling around, and again, we wouldn't say that out loud, but it's like, God, I think you've lost control over here. [00:02:34] (22 seconds)
And so Jesus realizes this isn't his time yet, and so he slips away, scripture says. Like, I don't know if this was like a, I've been doing a lot of Lord of the Rings references lately in church, if you haven't noticed, and so I promise they're going to end pretty soon, but is this a Frodo Baggins, he puts the ring on and slips through, you know? [00:04:34] (18 seconds)
And so, I don't know what happens here, I think Jesus, you know, tells them, hey, go down, get in the boat, go across the lake, and they go down, and they get in the boat, and they're like, well, we're going to wait for Jesus, and I get that, because I'd be the same way, right? Let's just hold on here, like, we don't even know how Jesus is going to get across this lake, and we're followers of Jesus, and so we're just going to hang out here. [00:05:43] (22 seconds)
So they leave Jesus behind. They're going to obey. They go, and one of the things you need to know about Jesus' disciples, first of all, most of these are probably, by this point, they're older teenagers, teenage guys, and a majority of the disciples had actually been fishermen before Jesus had come and said, come and follow me. [00:06:24] (17 seconds)
And just like that, you are facing a churning sea, or at least you're facing a churning stomach, right? Like, have you felt that, like, in the pit of your stomach of, oh, and where is Jesus? He's not in the boat. Right? In fact, it almost seems like he put them in this situation intentionally, doesn't it? [00:07:34] (27 seconds)
The disciples are actually in this storm, not out of disobedience. They're in this storm out of obedience. They're following Jesus. They're doing what Jesus told them to do. See, God wasn't trying to discipline them in this situation. God was actually trying to disciple them in this situation. [00:14:55] (17 seconds)
In fact, church history tells us that all but one of Jesus' disciples would die from execution, well, other than Judas. So think about it. These guys will give their lives, refusing to recant that Jesus is crucified and resurrected from the grave. He knows all the persecution they're going to face. [00:16:30] (22 seconds)
When life gets out of control, we tend to do one of two things, if you're like me at least. When life gets out of control, maybe you're the person who you're the fixer. Life gets out of control, and you just decide, I'll fix it. I'll figure it out. I'm going to get in there. We'll get the buckets going. [00:17:52] (17 seconds)
Wouldn't it be something if you and I could get to that place that when life gets out of control, that we can still have peace? That even after you have failed miserably or even after your parents sat you down and told you that they're getting a divorce or even after the doctor calls with news that changes your life forever, that even with life spiraling out of control, that God can still be in control. [00:19:51] (28 seconds)
The only thing I can think of in this story that can help you when life is out of control is the presence of Jesus. The story doesn't tell us this, so I'm making this part up and you can, so don't send me emails later. I know this isn't in the Bible, but I just imagine in the middle of the storm, again, Mark tells us they're still in the middle of the lake after rowing two or three miles. [00:20:36] (22 seconds)
Sometimes the only way I can get into the presence of Jesus is to have somebody else get into the presence of Jesus for me. Like, hey, I can't pray right now. Would you pray? Because I need the presence of Jesus. Life is out of control. Sometimes I'm getting out my phone and I'm turning on Spotify and going to some worship. [00:23:03] (17 seconds)
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