Overcoming Fear Through Faith in Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the theme of fear and how it contrasts with faith. Fear can be paralyzing and irrational, often used by the evil one to keep us from living fully in God's promises. We began with a humorous note, sharing some light-hearted jokes to ease into the serious topic. The core of our discussion centered around the story of Jesus calming the storm, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The disciples were terrified by the storm, but Jesus, who was asleep, woke up and calmed the winds and waves with a simple command. This story illustrates the power and authority of Jesus over nature and our fears.
We delved into four rhetorical questions to help us confront and overcome our fears. First, we asked, "Who is Jesus?" By understanding Jesus as the image of the invisible God and the creator of all things, we can find peace in His sovereignty. Second, we asked, "Are you with me and in me?" Recognizing that Jesus dwells within us provides a sense of security and assurance. Third, we asked, "Jesus, are you afraid?" Jesus, who is never afraid, offers us a model of perfect peace and trust in God. Lastly, we asked, "What or whom shall I fear?" By fearing God in a reverent and respectful way, we can dispel all other fears.
We concluded with a special prayer for fathers, acknowledging the challenges and responsibilities they face. We encouraged them to find their identity and security in Jesus, not in their abilities or failures. We prayed for their emotional, mental, and relational health, and for wisdom to lead their families well.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Jesus' Authority Over Fear: Jesus calming the storm demonstrates His supreme authority over nature and our fears. When we recognize Jesus as the creator and sustainer of all things, we can trust Him to calm the storms in our lives. This understanding helps us to replace fear with faith. [08:14]
2. Jesus Dwells Within Us: Knowing that Jesus is with us and in us provides immense security. Just as a guitar needs to be tuned, our faith needs to be aligned with the truth of Jesus' presence in our lives. This alignment dispels fear and brings peace. [15:15]
3. Jesus' Perfect Peace: Jesus was able to sleep through a storm because He knew who He was and whose He was. By meditating on our identity in Christ, we can find peace even in the midst of life's storms. This peace is a testament to our trust in God's sovereignty. [19:44]
4. Reverent Fear of the Lord: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It involves a deep respect for God's holiness and His definitions of right and wrong. This reverent fear helps us to live in alignment with God's will, driving out all other fears. [24:53]
5. Perfect Love Drives Out Fear: The Apostle John teaches that perfect love casts out fear. When we live in the perfect love of God, we are freed from the bondage of fear. This process involves continually reminding ourselves of God's love and His promises. [26:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:32] - Introduction and Personal Anecdote
[04:34] - The Nature of Fear
[06:35] - Humorous Interlude
[08:14] - Jesus Calms the Storm
[11:27] - Questioning Our Fears
[13:15] - Who is Jesus?
[15:15] - Jesus Dwells Within Us
[18:02] - Security in Jesus
[19:44] - Jesus' Perfect Peace
[21:22] - Personal Story on Fear
[22:58] - Jesus' Authority Over Nature
[24:53] - Reverent Fear of the Lord
[26:43] - Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
[29:11] - Prayer for Fathers
[31:26] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)
> "One day Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.' So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master, we’re going to drown!' He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.'"
2. Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
> "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
3. Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
> "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus doing when the storm hit the boat in Luke 8:22-25? How did the disciples react? ([08:14])
2. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what are some of the attributes and roles of Jesus?
3. In Psalm 27:1, what two descriptions are given about the Lord, and what question does the psalmist ask in response to these descriptions?
4. How did Jesus respond to the storm, and what question did He ask His disciples afterward? ([08:14])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus was able to sleep through the storm while the disciples were terrified? ([19:44])
2. How does understanding Jesus as the image of the invisible God and the creator of all things help us confront our fears? ([13:15])
3. What does it mean for Jesus to dwell within us, and how does this provide security in times of fear? ([15:15])
4. How does the concept of the "fear of the Lord" in Psalm 27:1 differ from other types of fear mentioned in the sermon? ([24:53])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by fear. How might recognizing Jesus' authority over nature and your fears have changed your response? ([08:14])
2. When you face fear, do you remind yourself that Jesus is with you and in you? How can you practically "tune" your faith to align with this truth? ([15:15])
3. Jesus was able to sleep through the storm because He knew who He was and whose He was. How can you cultivate a similar peace in your life? ([19:44])
4. The sermon mentioned that perfect love drives out fear. What steps can you take to live more fully in the perfect love of God? ([26:43])
5. The fear of the Lord is described as the beginning of wisdom. How can you develop a deeper reverence for God in your daily life? ([24:53])
6. Fathers were encouraged to find their identity and security in Jesus. If you are a father, how can you apply this in your role? If not, how can you support the fathers in your life? ([29:11])
7. Think of a specific fear you are currently facing. What practical steps can you take this week to confront and overcome this fear with faith? ([11:27])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Authority Over Fear
Understanding Jesus' authority over fear is crucial for our spiritual growth. The story of Jesus calming the storm demonstrates His supreme power over nature and our fears. When the disciples were terrified by the storm, Jesus, with a simple command, calmed the winds and waves. This act not only showcased His divine authority but also served as a reminder that He is in control of all circumstances. Recognizing Jesus as the creator and sustainer of all things helps us to trust Him to calm the storms in our lives, replacing fear with faith. [08:14]
Mark 4:39-40 (ESV): "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. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"
Reflection: Think of a current fear or anxiety you are facing. How can you invite Jesus into this situation and trust Him to bring peace and calm?
Day 2: Jesus Dwells Within Us
Knowing that Jesus dwells within us provides immense security and peace. Just as a guitar needs to be tuned, our faith needs to be aligned with the truth of Jesus' presence in our lives. This alignment dispels fear and brings peace. When we understand that Jesus is with us and in us, we can face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that we are never alone. This truth is a powerful antidote to fear and anxiety. [15:15]
Colossians 1:27 (ESV): "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt alone or afraid. How does knowing that Jesus dwells within you change your perspective on that situation?
Day 3: Jesus' Perfect Peace
Jesus' ability to sleep through a storm is a testament to His perfect peace and trust in God. By meditating on our identity in Christ, we can find peace even in the midst of life's storms. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God. When we know who we are and whose we are, we can rest in the assurance of God's sovereignty and care. [19:44]
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of your identity in Christ throughout the day to maintain peace?
Day 4: Reverent Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It involves a deep respect for God's holiness and His definitions of right and wrong. This reverent fear helps us to live in alignment with God's will, driving out all other fears. When we prioritize a healthy fear of the Lord, we gain wisdom and perspective that helps us navigate life's challenges with confidence and clarity. [24:53]
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 need to cultivate a deeper reverence for God? How can this reverence help you overcome other fears?
Day 5: Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
The Apostle John teaches that perfect love casts out fear. When we live in the perfect love of God, we are freed from the bondage of fear. This process involves continually reminding ourselves of God's love and His promises. By focusing on God's perfect love, we can experience freedom and confidence, knowing that we are deeply loved and cared for by our Heavenly Father. [26:43]
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 remind yourself of God's perfect love today? What steps can you take to live more fully in that love and let go of fear?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Oh, death, where is your sting? Jesus took the sting out of death by his death on the cross for us. He took the sting. Some bees or wasps or whatever, when they sting, they lose their stinger. They get one. And that's the evil one. When Jesus took the sting of death, when he took the power and authority back from the evil one, he doesn't have a stinger anymore. He buzzes around and tries to scare you." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Fear is a liar. Fear is a tactic of the evil one to paralyze us. And fear and faith are at odds with one another. Fear can be a motivator. There's people who have done great, you know, things of strength, turning cars over to save somebody because the adrenaline and fear gets it so rolling there." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you know in Scripture, there's 365 fear nots. 365, one for every day of the year, where God says, don't be afraid. Fear not. What are we afraid of? In Matthew 8, the same story, Matthew adds that Jesus says, why are you afraid? Let's be honest. Well, Jesus, we're about to die. Like, you see the winds and the waves around us. We're going to die. Who is this that the winds and the waves obey? It is I. Do not be afraid." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus told his disciples, and you and I as his disciples, he said, I no longer call you servants. I call you friends. We have King Jesus as our friend who has our back, who is with us and in us. So much, so important to believe that." (21 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? Who are we to fear? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is to stand in awe of who God is in his goodness, in his love, in his perfect, holy love towards us." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Ask Jesus, who are you? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, in chapter 1, verse 15 through 21, he gives this description of who Jesus is. You want to know who Jesus is. The Apostle Paul, for three years, and up to 14 years, was with Jesus. And Jesus just downloaded the gospel to Paul in his calling that he had. He understood the Hebrew scriptures. He understood Jesus. He understood the gospels." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus told his disciples something so powerful. In John 14, he had been telling them, listen, I'm going to have to suffer and die at the hands of sinful men. But on the third day, I'm going to rise. And he was foretelling them of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that was going to be poured out on the day of Pentecost. And he said, on that day, you will know that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Guys, that's the securest place. We could ever be is in that eternal relationship between the Father and the Son through the Spirit." (21 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus, are you afraid? You might hear him giggle a little bit like, yeah, I don't get afraid. I'm Jesus. I'm king of the universe. I created everything. I remember when COVID first hit, March of 2020, and no one knew what to do. We were watching the news. We're all going to die. We're all, you know, it was just panic pandemic mode, right? Maybe some of you weren't, but we didn't know. I remember, you know, being at home and you order some, a pizza, wiping it down, making sure it was sanitized because the guy who delivered the pizza, you never know." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus knew who he was and he knew whose he was. He limited himself in his humanity, taking on a human body like us subject to death, to the elements. To everything, sickness. And he wasn't afraid though. Do you know who's you are? Do you know who Jesus is and whose you are because of Jesus? Maybe you can take a nap in a storm as you meditate on that. Who is this guy sleeping in a boat that the winds and the waves obey? That's what they were asking." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The fear of the Lord is to stand in awe of who God is in his goodness, in his love, in his perfect, holy love towards us. And to fear the Lord is to have a healthy respect for what God says is right and wrong and good and evil. We let our creator define that. We don't get to do that. That's what the fear of the Lord is. We're to fear God, but it's in a good way. It's a good kind of fear. Apostle John, in his first letter, he says, perfect love drives out fear. Perfect love. So if I'm in fear, I'm not living in the perfect love of God." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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