Overcoming Fear Through Faith in Jesus
Summary
In our ongoing series, "You're Not the Boss of Me," we explore how to say "No" to the emotions that vie for control over our lives. Today, we focus on fear, an emotion that can easily become the boss of us, affecting our relationships, decisions, and overall well-being. Fear is not inherently bad; it is a byproduct of our ability to accumulate knowledge and project it into the future. This ability allows us to imagine, hope, and dream, but it also creates endless "what ifs" that can lead to fear.
Jesus spoke extensively about fear, often telling his followers to "fear not." At first glance, this might seem naive, but Jesus' teachings were deeply intentional. He took his disciples on a journey to teach them how not to be afraid, culminating in a series of events that demonstrated his power over nature and life itself. One such event was when Jesus calmed a furious storm while on a boat with his disciples. Despite the chaos, Jesus questioned their fear, highlighting that their confidence in him should outweigh their fear of the storm.
The lesson here is profound: we do not have to let fear be the boss of us because there is something more powerful than fear—our faith in Jesus. This faith is not about the absence of fear but about recognizing that Jesus is greater than our fears. The resurrection of Jesus punctuated this truth, providing the ultimate assurance that we can trust him with our lives.
The early Christians understood this, and their fearlessness in the face of persecution changed the world. They realized that when you worship a risen Lord, fear loses its grip. Peter, who once denied Jesus out of fear, later encouraged believers to cast all their anxieties on Jesus because he cares for us. This invitation to follow Jesus is also a promise that we can do so without fear, knowing that he is with us and cares for us deeply.
Key Takeaways:
- Fear is a byproduct of our ability to project knowledge into the future, allowing us to imagine and hope, but also creating endless "what ifs" that can lead to fear. Understanding this can help us manage fear more effectively. [01:39]
- Jesus taught his disciples not to be afraid, demonstrating through events like calming the storm that our confidence in him should outweigh our fears. This teaches us that faith in Jesus is more powerful than any fear we face. [10:29]
- The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate assurance that we can trust him with our lives. It validates everything he taught, especially about fear, and provides a foundation for living fearlessly. [29:48]
- Early Christians changed the world by losing their fear of death, demonstrating that when fear is not the boss of us, we can live boldly and impactfully. Their example encourages us to live with the same fearlessness. [31:19]
- Peter's encouragement to cast all our anxieties on Jesus because he cares for us is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our fears. Jesus invites us to trust him with our worries, knowing that he is with us and cares deeply for us. [34:05]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Introduction to the Series
[00:31] - The Challenge of Fear
[01:25] - The Nature of Fear
[02:17] - Fear and Imagination
[03:14] - Fear's Impact on Life
[04:17] - Jesus' Teachings on Fear
[05:30] - The Apostles' Journey
[06:06] - Sheep Among Wolves
[07:10] - The Field Trip
[08:21] - The Storm on the Sea
[10:29] - Jesus Calms the Storm
[11:53] - The Question of Faith
[13:15] - Confidence in Jesus
[14:09] - Illustration from Nature
[17:48] - The Feeding of the 5000
[19:09] - Another Boat Ride
[22:38] - Jesus Walks on Water
[25:54] - The Disciples' Fear
[29:48] - The Resurrection's Impact
[31:19] - Fearlessness of Early Christians
[34:05] - Casting Cares on Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Calms the Storm
2. 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the reaction of the disciples when the storm hit while they were on the boat with Jesus? How did Jesus respond to their fear? [09:27]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate his power over nature during the storm on the Sea of Galilee? What was the disciples' reaction to this event? [11:53]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' resurrection in relation to fear? [29:48]
4. How did Peter's understanding of fear change from the time he denied Jesus to when he wrote his letter to early Christians? [34:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have asked the disciples, "Why are you so afraid?" during the storm? What lesson was he trying to teach them about fear and faith? [10:11]
2. How does the ability to project knowledge into the future contribute to both fear and hope, according to the sermon? [01:39]
3. In what ways did the early Christians' fearlessness impact the world, and how does this relate to their faith in the resurrection? [31:19]
4. How does Peter's encouragement to cast all anxieties on Jesus reflect his personal journey with fear and faith? [34:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when fear has been the boss of you. How did it affect your decisions and relationships? What steps can you take to prevent fear from controlling you in the future? [01:14]
2. Jesus asked his disciples to have faith in him during the storm. What are some storms in your life where you need to trust Jesus more? How can you remind yourself of his presence and power in those moments? [10:29]
3. The sermon mentioned that fear can make us self-absorbed. Can you identify a situation where fear has caused you to focus inwardly? How can you shift your focus outward and trust in Jesus' care? [03:57]
4. Peter learned to cast his anxieties on Jesus. What are some practical ways you can cast your worries on Jesus this week? Is there a specific worry you need to let go of? [34:05]
5. The early Christians lived fearlessly because of their faith in the resurrection. How can the truth of the resurrection empower you to live boldly in your faith today? [31:19]
6. Consider the "what ifs" that often lead to fear in your life. How can you transform these thoughts into opportunities for hope and imagination, as suggested in the sermon? [01:39]
7. Jesus' resurrection was a turning point for the disciples' understanding of fear. How can you let the reality of the resurrection influence your perspective on fear and faith? [29:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Fear's Origin and Impact
Fear is a byproduct of our ability to project knowledge into the future, allowing us to imagine and hope, but also creating endless "what ifs" that can lead to fear. Understanding this can help us manage fear more effectively. [01:39]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific "what if" scenario that has been causing you anxiety. How can you reframe this scenario with a perspective of hope and trust in God's power and love?
Day 2: Confidence in Jesus Overcomes Fear
Jesus taught his disciples not to be afraid, demonstrating through events like calming the storm that our confidence in him should outweigh our fears. This teaches us that faith in Jesus is more powerful than any fear we face. [10:29]
"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current storm in your life. How can you actively place your confidence in Jesus to calm this storm today?
Day 3: The Resurrection as Assurance
The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate assurance that we can trust him with our lives. It validates everything he taught, especially about fear, and provides a foundation for living fearlessly. [29:48]
"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: Reflect on a fear that has been holding you back. How does the reality of the resurrection empower you to confront this fear with hope and courage?
Day 4: Fearlessness of Early Christians
Early Christians changed the world by losing their fear of death, demonstrating that when fear is not the boss of us, we can live boldly and impactfully. Their example encourages us to live with the same fearlessness. [31:19]
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area where you feel called to be bold in your faith. What steps can you take today to live out this calling without fear?
Day 5: Casting Cares on Jesus
Peter's encouragement to cast all our anxieties on Jesus because he cares for us is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our fears. Jesus invites us to trust him with our worries, knowing that he is with us and cares deeply for us. [34:05]
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific anxiety you can cast on Jesus today? How can you remind yourself of His care and presence throughout the day?
Quotes
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is actually a byproduct. Fear is actually a byproduct of something that is so important that none of us would wanna give up what creates fear. Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
"Fear is the byproduct of our ability as human beings to accumulate knowledge and project that knowledge into the future. That's what allows us to fear. This is one of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity, and this is what in fact sets us apart, and in some ways, this is what makes us human, that we are able to collect information and pass it along, generation to generation to generation so that this information and knowledge base builds and builds and builds so that we're able to make progress." [00:01:37]
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