Overcoming Fear Through Confidence in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Confidence Rooted in Faith

Fear and confidence are often interlinked, and this relationship is vividly illustrated in the story of Peter walking on water. When Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water, but as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm, he began to sink. This teaches us that our confidence should be rooted in our faith in Jesus, not in our circumstances. When we allow our fears to dominate our thoughts, we lose sight of the power and presence of Jesus in our lives. Instead, we should keep our eyes fixed on Him, trusting that He will guide us through any storm we face. [06:05]

Matthew 14:29-31 (ESV): "He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'"

Reflection: Think about a current fear or challenge in your life. How can you shift your focus from the problem to Jesus, trusting Him to guide you through it?

Day 2: Restoration through Jesus

After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him, thereby restoring Peter's confidence and reaffirming his calling. This act of restoration shows that Jesus is always ready to restore us, no matter how many times we fail. Jesus' love and forgiveness are boundless, and He desires to bring us back into a right relationship with Him. When we fail or fall short, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is ready to forgive and restore us, just as He did with Peter. [09:39]

John 21:15-17 (ESV): "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt you failed in your faith. How can you seek Jesus' restoration and reaffirmation of your calling today?

Day 3: Empowerment by the Holy Spirit

On the day of Pentecost, Peter, who had previously denied Jesus out of fear, boldly preached to thousands. This transformation was possible because of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome our fears and fulfill our callings. We too have the Holy Spirit within us, giving us the strength and courage to step out in faith and accomplish what God has called us to do. When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can move beyond our fears and boldly proclaim the gospel. [15:18]

Acts 2:14-17 (ESV): "But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: 'Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams."'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to give you the courage and strength to act boldly in that area?

Day 4: The Power of Testimonies

Each of us has a unique story of how Jesus has worked in our lives. Sharing these testimonies is crucial for spreading the gospel. No testimony is insignificant, and all glory goes to God. Our personal stories of transformation and God's faithfulness can inspire and encourage others in their faith journeys. By sharing our testimonies, we become witnesses of Jesus' work in our lives and help others see the power of His love and grace. [13:03]

Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."

Reflection: Think of a specific instance where you experienced God's work in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone today to encourage them in their faith?

Day 5: Joy and Confidence from God

True joy and confidence are gifts from God and cannot be taken away by anyone. Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is the source of our strength, and it is this relationship that sustains us through life's challenges. When we place our confidence in God, we can face any situation with joy and assurance, knowing that He is with us and will never leave us. This divine joy and confidence are not dependent on our circumstances but are rooted in our unchanging relationship with God. [16:37]

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with God. How can you draw on this relationship to find joy and confidence in a current challenge you are facing?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's message, titled "Don't Let Lack of Confidence Turn to Fear," delves into the intricate relationship between fear and lack of confidence. We began by acknowledging that everyone has fears, whether it's public speaking or spiders, and how these fears can paralyze us. I shared a personal story about my fear of spiders and how it has evolved over time, yet still lingers. This led us to the story of Peter, a disciple of Jesus, who also struggled with fear and lack of confidence.

We examined Peter's impulsive nature, which sometimes led to acts of great faith, like walking on water, but also to moments of fear and denial, such as when he denied Jesus three times. Peter's story is a powerful example of how fear can make us lose sight of our faith and confidence. However, Jesus' response to Peter's denials—asking him three times if he loved Him—was a way to restore Peter's confidence and reaffirm his calling.

We then explored how our own fears and lack of confidence can hinder us from fulfilling our God-given callings. The enemy uses these fears to keep us silent and inactive, but we are reminded that we have the Holy Spirit within us, empowering us to overcome these fears. The story of Peter on the day of Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit, stepping forward to preach boldly, serves as an inspiration for us to do the same.

Finally, we discussed the importance of sharing our testimonies and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. We are all called to be witnesses of Jesus' work in our lives, and we should not let fear or lack of confidence keep us from spreading the gospel. The message concluded with a reminder that our confidence and joy come from our relationship with God, and no one can take that away from us.

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Key Takeaways

1. Fear and Confidence are Interlinked: Fear often stems from a lack of confidence, and vice versa. Peter's story illustrates this well. When he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm, he began to sink. This teaches us that our confidence should be rooted in our faith in Jesus, not in our circumstances. [06:05]
2. Jesus Restores Our Confidence: After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him, thereby restoring Peter's confidence and reaffirming his calling. This shows that Jesus is always ready to restore us, no matter how many times we fail. [09:39]
3. The Holy Spirit Empowers Us: On the day of Pentecost, Peter, who had previously denied Jesus out of fear, boldly preached to thousands. This transformation was possible because of the Holy Spirit. We too have the Holy Spirit within us, empowering us to overcome our fears and fulfill our callings. [15:18]
4. Our Testimonies Matter: Each of us has a unique story of how Jesus has worked in our lives. Sharing these testimonies is crucial for spreading the gospel. No testimony is insignificant, and all glory goes to God. [13:03]
5. Our Joy and Confidence Come from God: True joy and confidence are gifts from God and cannot be taken away by anyone. Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is the source of our strength, and it is this relationship that sustains us through life's challenges. [16:37]
### [16:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction: Fear and Confidence
[02:04] - Personal Story: Fear of Spiders
[03:46] - Peter's Denials
[05:19] - Peter Walks on Water
[06:42] - Doubt and Faith
[07:29] - Peter's Impulsiveness
[08:56] - Jesus Restores Peter
[10:22] - Self-Doubt and Confidence
[11:45] - The Enemy's Tactics
[13:03] - The Importance of Testimonies
[14:44] - The Day of Pentecost
[15:18] - Peter's Boldness
[16:37] - Source of Joy and Confidence
[17:56] - Transformation of Saul to Paul
[19:23] - Jesus' Everlasting Love
[20:13] - God's Unfailing Presence
[21:01] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Peter's reaction when he was asked if he was one of Jesus' disciples in John 18:15-18, 25-27? ([03:46])
In Matthew 14:28-31, what caused Peter to start sinking while walking on water? ([05:19])
How did Peter's behavior change from the time he denied Jesus to the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4, 14? ([14:44])
What did Jesus ask Peter three times after His resurrection, and what was Peter's response each time? ([08:56])

Interpretation Questions

How does Peter's story illustrate the relationship between fear and lack of confidence? ([06:05])
Why do you think Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him after Peter's denials? What was Jesus trying to achieve? ([09:39])
How does the empowerment of the Holy Spirit change Peter's ability to fulfill his calling? ([15:18])
What role do personal testimonies play in spreading the gospel, according to the sermon? ([13:03])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when fear or lack of confidence prevented you from taking action. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently? ([06:05])
Jesus restored Peter's confidence by reaffirming his calling. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek Jesus' restoration? ([09:39])
The Holy Spirit empowered Peter to preach boldly. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to overcome your fears and fulfill your calling? ([15:18])
Think about your own testimony. How can you share your story of Jesus' work in your life with someone this week? ([13:03])
Identify a specific fear or lack of confidence that is hindering you from spreading the gospel. What steps can you take to address this? ([11:45])
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to find true joy and confidence that cannot be taken away? ([16:37])
Peter's boldness on the day of Pentecost was a result of the Holy Spirit's empowerment. What practical steps can you take to be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? ([14:44])

Sermon Clips

1. "How many of us have taken our eyes off Jesus and started to sink? Everything piling on top of us, one thing after another, like we are drowning. We are drowning under the pressures of life and the situations we find ourselves in. How many times have you shouted out, save me, Lord?" [06:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Why do we think God has abandoned us? When things do not go the way we want them to? Romans 8 verse 39 says, Neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [06:42] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We all suffer with some sort of self-doubt, low confidence, anxieties, low self-esteem. The self-negativity list is endless. How many times have you thought to yourself, I can't do that. I'm not clever enough to answer. If only I was younger. only I was older. If only I was thinner. Fatter, fitter, taller, shorter. Why are we never good enough as we are?" [10:22] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The enemy wants me running scared and not to have the confidence to talk about the great work God has done in my life. The enemy wants me sat in a pew listening but too fearful to speak. That way, God's word stays with me. It does not go any further." [11:45] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What matters is you. that matters is your story about how you found Jesus. There are four gospels in the Bible. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. All books about the same events in Jesus' life. All written differently from different points of view. This is a church full of Christians mostly. We all have a testimony how Jesus came into our lives, how Jesus is changing us, hopefully for the better." [13:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We are his disciples. We have the Holy Spirit within us and because of that we have the gifts of the Spirit. And we are witnesses of what Jesus has done in our lives. And we should be, I should be telling everyone we meet that God, what God does for us on a daily basis." [14:15] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Peter, with the Holy Spirit inside of him, had the confidence to accept and fulfil his calling. Hebrews 13, verse 6. So we can say with confidence the Lord is my helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? What can you do to me? Why am I so fearful of you?" [15:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "No one is responsible for your joy except you. And you are not responsible for anyone else's joy. Yes, you can do good things for people and as Christians, we are called to do good things for others and to serve others and to be an example to others. But ultimately, we are responsible for our own joy. And we can only find that joy through a relationship with our Father, through Jesus Christ." [16:37] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Once the Holy Spirit has given us the boldness, the confidence, we can go from denying Jesus to spreading the gospel of Jesus. I have lost count the amount of times I have denied Jesus. Now I'm stood in front of you talking about Jesus." [17:18] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Whenever you feel down, whenever you feel low, whenever you feel like the world is against you, just say to yourself, Jesus is with me. Jesus loves me. No matter how dark life seems, Jesus is always the light that lights your way." [19:23] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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