Overcoming Fear: Embracing Our God-Given Freedom

Devotional

Day 1: Discovering Our True Identity in Christ

True freedom is about discovering or rediscovering who God says we are. It’s not just about knowing more but living out our God-given identity. Spiritual maturity is not measured by our knowledge but by how we embody the person God created us to be. This means that our journey towards spiritual maturity involves a deep, personal understanding of our identity in Christ and living it out in our daily lives.

In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus declares His mission to set the oppressed free, which includes liberating us from the false identities and fears that hold us back. As we grow in our faith, we must continually seek to align our lives with the identity God has given us, rather than the labels and fears imposed by the world. This process requires intentional reflection and a commitment to living out our faith authentically. [45:52]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What are some false identities or labels you have accepted in your life? How can you begin to replace them with the truth of who God says you are?

Day 2: Recognizing and Addressing Our Fears

The enemy uses fears like rejection, insignificance, failure, betrayal, and abandonment to keep us from our calling. Recognizing these fears is the first step towards overcoming them. Understanding their roots helps us to address them effectively. These fears often stem from past wounds and can significantly impact our relationship with God and others.

By identifying these fears, we can begin to confront them with the truth of God's Word and His promises. This process involves honest self-reflection and a willingness to face the pain and lies that have taken root in our hearts. As we bring these fears into the light, we can experience healing and freedom. [50:33]

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 are the primary fears that hold you back from fully embracing your God-given identity? How can you begin to confront these fears with the truth of God's Word?

Day 3: Reflecting on Past Experiences for Healing

Reflecting on past experiences and the lies we’ve internalized can reveal how fears have shaped our lives. Journaling and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance can bring healing and clarity, helping us to see ourselves as God sees us. This process involves taking the time to look back on our lives and identify the moments where fear took root and how it has influenced our decisions and relationships.

By inviting the Holy Spirit into this process, we can gain new insights and perspectives that lead to healing and transformation. This reflection is not about dwelling on the past but about understanding it in order to move forward in freedom and truth. [56:38]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "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!"

Reflection: Take some time to journal about a past experience where fear took root in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the lies you’ve believed and to bring healing and clarity.

Day 4: Practical Steps to Overcome Fear

Using the story of Jehoshaphat, we learn to identify our fears, consider the worst-case scenarios, decide how to handle them, pray and rebuke the fears, and resolve to trust God. These steps are essential for breaking free from the grip of fear. Jehoshaphat's story teaches us that facing our fears with faith and trust in God can lead to victory and peace.

By following these practical steps, we can develop a strategy for overcoming fear in our daily lives. This involves being proactive in identifying and addressing our fears, rather than allowing them to control us. Through prayer and trust in God's promises, we can experience true freedom. [01:04:03]

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV): "O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Reflection: What is one fear you are currently facing? How can you apply the steps from Jehoshaphat’s story to overcome this fear and trust God more fully?

Day 5: Trusting in God’s Perfect Love

Perfect love casts out fear. When we deepen our understanding and experience of God’s love, our fears diminish. Trusting in God’s love and promises allows us to live fearlessly and fully in our identity as His children. This involves continually reminding ourselves of God's love and allowing it to transform our hearts and minds.

As we grow in our relationship with God, we can experience the peace and security that comes from knowing we are deeply loved by Him. This love empowers us to face our fears and live boldly for Him. [01:09:51]

1 John 4:18 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding and experience of God’s love today? What steps can you take to allow His perfect love to cast out your fears?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the theme of freedom, focusing on how God desires to liberate us from the fears that hinder our spiritual growth and well-being. We began by acknowledging the presence of faith in the room and the belief that God is actively working in our lives. As we transition into the fall season, we reflected on the new phases of life and the challenges they bring, such as school drop-offs and the constant communication from teachers. These everyday experiences remind us of the importance of staying grounded in faith and community.

We are in the midst of our Freedom Series, which aims to equip us with the spiritual essentials needed to live as true followers of Jesus. Our key text for this series is Luke 4:18-19, where Jesus declares His mission to set the oppressed free. This freedom is not just from physical imprisonment but from the emotional and spiritual burdens we carry. We revisited the concept of the four chairs, which represent different aspects of our identity and experiences, and how they can either align with or obstruct our view of who God has called us to be.

The focus of today's message was on identifying and overcoming fears that the enemy uses to keep us from our God-given identity. We discussed five primary fears: rejection, insignificance, failure, betrayal, and abandonment. These fears often stem from past wounds and can significantly impact our relationship with God and others. Through personal stories and biblical examples, such as the life of Moses, we explored how these fears manifest and how they can be overcome.

We concluded with practical steps to overcome fear, using the story of Jehoshaphat as a framework. These steps include identifying the fear, understanding the worst-case scenario, deciding how to handle it, praying and rebuking the fear, and resolving to trust God. We ended with a powerful prayer session, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us with faith and love, casting out all fear.

###

Key Takeaways

1. given identity. Spiritual maturity is not measured by our knowledge but by how we embody the person God created us to be. [45:52]
2. Identifying Fears: The enemy uses fears like rejection, insignificance, failure, betrayal, and abandonment to keep us from our calling. Recognizing these fears is the first step towards overcoming them. Understanding their roots helps us to address them effectively.

3. Personal Reflection: Reflecting on past experiences and the lies we’ve internalized can reveal how fears have shaped our lives. Journaling and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance can bring healing and clarity, helping us to see ourselves as God sees us.

4. Practical Steps to Overcome Fear: Using the story of Jehoshaphat, we learn to identify our fears, consider the worst-case scenarios, decide how to handle them, pray and rebuke the fears, and resolve to trust God. These steps are essential for breaking free from the grip of fear.

5. God’s Perfect Love: Perfect love casts out fear. When we deepen our understanding and experience of God’s love, our fears diminish. Trusting in God’s love and promises allows us to live fearlessly and fully in our identity as His children.

### [45:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:07] - Introduction and Fall Reflections
[42:47] - Freedom Series Overview
[43:51] - Key Text: Luke 4:18-19
[45:04] - Jesus' Mission Statement
[45:52] - Recap of the Four Chairs
[49:06] - Identifying and Overcoming Fears
[50:33] - Five Primary Fears
[52:58] - Personal Story: Fear of Failure
[56:38] - Reflecting on Past Experiences
[64:03] - Overcoming Fear: Jehoshaphat’s Story
[69:51] - Trusting God’s Perfect Love
[71:14] - Prayer Against Fear
[73:26] - Worship and Praise
[78:42] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[80:37] - Closing Prayer and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What mission does Jesus declare in Luke 4:18-19?
According to the sermon, what are the five primary fears that the enemy uses to keep us from our God-given identity? ([50:33])
How did the story of Jehoshaphat illustrate the steps to overcome fear? ([01:04:03])
What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the fear of failure? ([56:38])

Interpretation Questions

How does Jesus' mission in Luke 4:18-19 relate to the concept of freedom discussed in the sermon?
Why is it important to identify and understand the roots of our fears according to the sermon? ([50:33])
How can reflecting on past experiences and journaling help in overcoming fears? ([56:38])
What does the story of Jehoshaphat teach us about handling our fears and trusting God? ([01:04:03])

Application Questions

Reflect on the five primary fears mentioned in the sermon: rejection, insignificance, failure, betrayal, and abandonment. Which one resonates most with you, and why? ([50:33])
The pastor shared a personal story about the fear of failure. Can you identify a moment in your life where a similar fear has held you back? How did it affect your actions and decisions? ([56:38])
The sermon emphasized the importance of seeing ourselves as God sees us. What steps can you take this week to align your self-view with God's perspective? ([01:02:27])
Using the story of Jehoshaphat as a framework, identify a current fear you are facing. What is the worst-case scenario, and how can you handle it with God's love and support? ([01:04:03])
The sermon concluded with a powerful prayer session. How can you incorporate prayer and rebuking fear into your daily routine to overcome the fears that hold you back? ([01:11:14])
How can you deepen your understanding and experience of God’s perfect love to diminish your fears? What practical steps can you take to trust in God’s love and promises more fully? ([01:09:51])
Think of a specific situation where you felt God's perfect love casting out your fear. How did that experience change your perspective or actions? How can you seek similar experiences in the future? ([01:09:51])

Sermon Clips

1. "I believe this is part of the spiritual backpack of essentials that as followers of Jesus, we need to understand. I believe this is the heart and soul of who we are at Resonate Church. If you've done next steps, if you haven't, we've got step three today. Come on, jump right in. But if you've done next steps, you know, we do four things here at Resonate. Come on, we know God, we find freedom, we discover purpose, and we make a difference." [43:51] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "True and genuine freedom, I believe, is discovery. We're discovering or rediscovering who God says that we are, that we would each know right to our core that we are sons and that we are daughters of the Most High God, and we live to glorify Him." [44:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Maturity in our faith, hear this, it's not knowing more. Maturity in our faith is not knowing more. It's living out of who God... God has called us to be. Spiritual maturity is not you understanding the Greek and the Latin of the Scripture, but those things are important. Don't hear what I'm not saying. We need to place an emphasis on the Word. We need to live out of the Word. Come on, but that doesn't make you spiritually mature. What makes you mature is living out who God made you to be." [48:09] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The enemy wants to put a wound on your heart through which he can deposit the lies, and the fears that will keep you from your calling. So I want to take you through an illustration. I need my assistant, Pastor Kenrick. Thank you. Thank you. That's great. I'm going to put this down. Imagine this orange. Imagine this orange is your heart. And see, here's what the enemy will do. Here's what the devil will do. He will identify the wound that you carry. There's a small hole there. And so what he's going to do, he's going to put it down. What he will do is using his lies, he will begin to deposit through the straw the same lie over and over again." [54:43] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Recently, someone on the dream team, he was talking to me. He's like, I feel like I can do a lot of things. But the thought of leading others, I'm not sure I could do that. And maybe you can relate to him. It's not that you don't want to influence and help others if you could. It's just that you have a voice that's telling you you're not good enough. That's telling you you're not talented enough. Come on, that's telling you that you're not old enough. Or maybe you're not young enough. Come on, that you don't have the ability to dream big. That you don't have a voice." [55:37] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I carry a fear of failure. And I wrote down, I need to be the golden boy to be seen and to be loved. I wrote down that I have a fear that everything is going to come crashing down around me if I'm not perfect, if I'm not performing, if I'm not impressive, if I wasn't liked, if I wasn't doing the right thing. And I just began to ask the Holy Spirit, how did that get there? Like, why does that fear of failure grip me so deeply?" [57:53] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Freedom is a journey, not a destination. But the Holy Spirit gave me a fresh touch of his presence and a revelation of who I am to him. And he wants to give that same revelation to you. To you today. Of who he's made you to be. And so now that we've identified the fear, here are five ways to overcome the fear." [01:03:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We need to identify the fear. 2 Chronicles 20 verse 3, He was afraid. Come on, number one, we need to identify the fear. We need to notice it is there. If you don't acknowledge the thing that you are facing, you won't do anything about it. The Lord won't touch what you don't bring Him. And if you are not self-aware of the fear that you are facing, you are just going to live with it and never bring it to the Lord." [01:04:37] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "As God's children. We can be fearless because of His perfect love. It is the answer to our fear. His perfect love is the answer to our fear. And when our fear of God gets bigger, all other fears get smaller." [01:09:51] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I believe that in his name, there is healing. There's restoration. He can reshape your world. He can reshape your heart. He can turn you around. So if every eye closed and every head bowed just in this moment. Says that if he or she is in Christ, they're in a new creation. The old has passed away. And the new. Has come. I believe God wants to create something new in you today." [01:19:32] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Were there any personal stories shared?