Overcoming Fear Through Faith: Mary's Example
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of overcoming fear through faith, using the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a powerful example. We began by discussing the importance of generosity and the church's partnership with Compassion International, emphasizing the impact of sponsoring children and how it uplifts entire families. This act of giving is a reflection of our trust in God as our provider, and we are encouraged to continue supporting the church's mission through financial contributions.
Transitioning into the message, we reflected on the story of Zechariah and Mary from the Gospel of Luke. Zechariah's doubt contrasted with Mary's faith highlights the significance of trusting God's promises. Zechariah, despite being a priest, doubted God's word and faced silence as a consequence. In contrast, Mary, a humble teenager, exemplified extraordinary faith by accepting God's plan without needing all the answers. Her response to the angel Gabriel's announcement of Jesus' miraculous conception was not one of doubt but of seeking understanding, demonstrating her willingness to trust in God's limitless power.
We delved into the nature of fear and how it can hinder us from fulfilling God's purpose. Fear often stems from our limitations, but God is not bound by these. The key to overcoming fear is recognizing that with God, all things are possible. This truth is encapsulated in the angel's reassurance to Mary: "For nothing is impossible with God." By placing our fears and limitations in God's hands, we can experience His peace and power in our lives.
Mary's story teaches us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God's ability to do the impossible. Her willingness to say "yes" to God, despite the risks and uncertainties, serves as a model for us to follow. As we face our own fears and challenges, we are reminded to rely on God's strength and to believe that He can work miracles in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Generosity as a Reflection of Trust: Our financial giving is a testament to our trust in God as our provider. By supporting missions like Compassion International, we not only bless others but also align ourselves with God's heart for generosity and provision. [33:37]
2. Faith Overcomes Doubt: Zechariah's doubt and Mary's faith illustrate the importance of trusting God's promises. While Zechariah faced silence due to his unbelief, Mary's willingness to trust without full understanding led to the fulfillment of God's miraculous plan. [37:03]
3. Naming and Facing Our Fears: Identifying our primary fears is crucial in overcoming them. By acknowledging and naming our fears, we take the first step towards defeating them, allowing God's grace to work in us despite our limitations. [38:30]
4. God's Limitless Power: Our limitations do not limit God. The story of Mary's miraculous conception reminds us that with God, all things are possible. Trusting in His limitless power enables us to overcome fear and embrace His plans for our lives. [47:01]
5. Saying Yes to God: Like Mary, our role is to say "yes" to God's plans, even when they seem impossible. By placing our lives and fears in His hands, we open ourselves to His transformative work and experience His peace and provision. [01:05:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [33:37] - Generosity and Trust
- [37:03] - Zechariah's Doubt vs. Mary's Faith
- [38:30] - Naming and Facing Fears
- [44:53] - Overcoming Fear with God's Favor
- [47:01] - God's Limitless Power
- [55:08] - The Realm of Worship and Wonder
- [56:55] - God's Miraculous Work
- [57:51] - Trusting God's Limitlessness
- [01:05:08] - Saying Yes to God
- [01:08:43] - Living Free from Fear
- [01:09:43] - The Power of Faith
- [01:13:54] - Celebrating New Beginnings
- [01:15:23] - Baptism and New Life
- [01:23:14] - Closing Worship
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation to Mary
2. Matthew 19:25-26 - With God, all things are possible
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the angel Gabriel's message to Mary, and how did she initially react to it? [44:53]
2. How did Zechariah's response to the angel's message differ from Mary's response? [47:01]
3. What reassurance did the angel give Mary about God's power and her role in His plan? [56:55]
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of sponsoring a child through Compassion International? [33:37]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Mary's response to the angel's message reveal about her faith and understanding of God's power? [47:01]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of overcoming fear through faith using Mary's story? [55:08]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that generosity is a reflection of trust in God? [33:37]
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of naming and facing our fears in the context of faith? [38:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation that seemed impossible. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in your response? [56:55]
2. Consider the fears that hold you back from fulfilling God's purpose in your life. How can you begin to name and confront these fears this week? [38:30]
3. How can you practice generosity as a reflection of your trust in God, especially in supporting missions or charitable causes? [33:37]
4. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's promises, even when you don't have all the answers? [47:01]
5. How can you say "yes" to God's plans in your life, even when they seem risky or uncertain? What practical steps can you take to trust in His limitless power? [01:05:08]
6. Identify a specific fear that you struggle with. What is one action you can take this week to place that fear in God's hands and trust Him to work through it? [01:09:43]
7. How can you remind yourself daily that with God, all things are possible, especially when facing challenges or doubts? [58:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Generosity as a Reflection of Trust
Generosity is a tangible expression of our trust in God as our provider. When we give, especially to missions like Compassion International, we align ourselves with God's heart for provision and care for others. This act of giving is not just about financial support; it is a declaration of faith, acknowledging that God will meet our needs as we meet the needs of others. By sponsoring children and uplifting families, we participate in a divine partnership that reflects God's generosity towards us. As we continue to support the church's mission, we are reminded that our resources are ultimately God's, and our giving is a testament to our trust in His provision. [33:37]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current approach to giving. How can you intentionally reflect God's generosity in your financial decisions this week?
Day 2: Faith Overcomes Doubt
The story of Zechariah and Mary from the Gospel of Luke presents a powerful contrast between doubt and faith. Zechariah, despite his position as a priest, doubted God's promise and faced silence as a consequence. In contrast, Mary, a humble teenager, demonstrated extraordinary faith by accepting God's plan without needing all the answers. Her response to the angel Gabriel's announcement was not one of doubt but of seeking understanding, showing her willingness to trust in God's limitless power. This narrative teaches us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God's ability to fulfill His promises, even when they seem impossible. [37:03]
"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Luke 1:45, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where doubt has crept in. How can you choose to trust God's promises today, even without all the answers?
Day 3: Naming and Facing Our Fears
Fear can often hinder us from fulfilling God's purpose in our lives. It stems from our limitations and the unknown, but God is not bound by these. The first step in overcoming fear is to identify and name it, acknowledging its presence in our lives. By doing so, we allow God's grace to work in us despite our limitations. The story of Mary reminds us that with God, all things are possible, and by placing our fears in His hands, we can experience His peace and power. Naming our fears is a courageous act that opens the door for God's transformative work in our lives. [38:30]
"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." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one fear that has been holding you back? How can you bring this fear before God and trust Him to help you overcome it?
Day 4: God's Limitless Power
Our limitations do not limit God. The miraculous conception of Jesus through Mary is a testament to God's limitless power and ability to do the impossible. This truth is encapsulated in the angel's reassurance to Mary: "For nothing is impossible with God." By trusting in God's limitless power, we can overcome fear and embrace His plans for our lives. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that our human limitations are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and glory. As we face challenges, we are encouraged to rely on God's strength and believe that He can work miracles in our lives. [47:01]
"Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." (Jeremiah 32:17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you feel limited. How can you invite God's limitless power into this area and trust Him to work beyond your expectations?
Day 5: Saying Yes to God
Mary's willingness to say "yes" to God's plan, despite the risks and uncertainties, serves as a model for us to follow. Her faith was not about having all the answers but about trusting in God's ability to do the impossible. By placing her life and fears in God's hands, she opened herself to His transformative work and experienced His peace and provision. As we face our own fears and challenges, we are reminded to rely on God's strength and to believe that He can work miracles in our lives. Saying "yes" to God means embracing His plans, even when they seem impossible, and trusting that He will provide the strength and resources needed to fulfill them. [01:05:08]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where God is calling you to say "yes"? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting in His plan and provision?
Quotes
"Very similar to Compassion, to Convoy. They're not competitors. Actually, they were both with us. One of the leaders of Convoy and the leaders of Compassion. So they're not competitive and they bless each other. So we thought we need to go all in. We have sponsored for years Children Through World Vision, which is a sponsorship which you can interact with the children. We've got children by letter and so, but we don't have a relationship with World Vision like we used to. So we're reestablishing one with, or establishing one with Compassion International. So next Sunday and Christmas Eve, we're going to do both. There'll be an opportunity to sponsor a child. It'd be a great, if you're already doing that, it's a great Christmas present. You could pay for it for the year, give it to one of your children or grandchildren." [00:31:45] (54 seconds)
"And we're, we need some significance. Significant giving to do that. So just going to leave it to you to pray. Talk to Jesus. It's been a great year, but we've fallen behind in some areas and we'd love to start the year without. So it's going to take some significant people. Just listen to the Holy Spirit. If you've been enabled by God to be able to give generously beyond your tithe, it'd be a wonderful time. You're in giving. Be a wonderful time. So let's pray over the offering this morning. You can give online through. Text giving. You can give in the kiosk and you can give in the envelope on your way out in the boxes. So let's pray. Lord, we just thank you that you're our provider. We trust you. Lord, we're praying for a miracle to end the year. Lord, and just fill back up some of the funds that have been depleted, especially near compassion missions. Lord, we've been really generous this year to a lot of needs and people and through the food truck. And so Lord, I just pray. You'd whisper to some people that would have the means to help us get to that place of filling back in these funds. Lord, we just trust you for that. Those that give generously regularly, they tithe. Thank you for their partnership, Lord, that when we celebrate that one person that came to Jesus or the hundreds that were prayed for or what goes on on Thursday nights or even the weekend or these baptisms, Lord, it's all supported by those that tithe in this church, Lord. And without that, we couldn't do what we do. So bless them." [00:33:37] (96 seconds)
"But a great word on not trying. Trusting when God gives you. It's a big deal to God to not trust him. Big deal. Now think about it in your own life. When someone you love that doesn't trust you. It's debilitating. And most of us don't see doubt and fear as a big deal to God. And so the Christmas story is filled over and over with fear not, fear not. You know, Zechariah was told to fear not. God gave him this great promise, and he's like, I don't know. I don't think that can, how could that happen? And God says, all right, you're going to go nine months without talking. Now, wouldn't that be a gift for some of you?" [00:36:13] (42 seconds)
"Now, why would God not want him to talk for nine months? Because what he was saying was stupid. Unbelieving. What if God said, you can't say anything until Christmas that isn't positive, faith, uplifting, and encouraging. You can't say it. You can't complain. You can't doubt. You can't speak fear. Would you still be able to have a conversation?" [00:37:03] (28 seconds)
"And I'm not referring necessarily to fear of heights or fear of snakes. There's a reasonableness to don't get too close to that edge. That's a healthy thing. I'm talking about inordinate fears. It's to keep you from being what God wants you to be. I'm talking about fears that can drive you to bad behavior and misbehavior. You know, can you name your primary fear? Because if you can't name it, you can't beat it." [00:38:01] (29 seconds)
"It doesn't matter where we're at. It doesn't, it doesn't, big church, I just, it's, it's, I have to fight it on a regular basis. Fear of failing. Fear of not being up for the job. Fear of not doing a good job. Fear of not being a good. Now you can say, well, that's a good. No, it's not a good. It's a good thing. Life is not meant to be driven out of fear. So we're going to use a story this morning about overcoming fear. That's probably one of the most familiar stories in the whole Bible. It's arguably the greatest miracle in the Bible. The, the, the, the pregnancy of Mary, uh, the, the conception of Jesus. And so I want to kind of set that up though, that, cause I want you in the whole message to be thinking about how you could be making application in your own life. As I am in mine. Now, how can I better face this? Fear fears, it wouldn't be great if God." [00:38:55] (53 seconds)
"So look, let's follow this story of this young teenager that's filled with anxiety about how in the world, what's going on, and Mary was greatly troubled. The angel says, don't be afraid, Mary. You found favor with God. There's nothing more important to overcome fear with knowing God's for you. If you forget that, it doesn't matter what, what you try to do to overcome, fear will win. The news will win. Fear and anxiety is the word our world is wired to. It's every ad, everything is about this, that, and I'm not saying that, you know, anyway, it's just a world built on fear." [00:45:58] (37 seconds)
"And the only way to win is to start with, I've got a God that's on my side. And the angel says, Mary, Mary, you could say, being firm with her, Mary, don't forget. God likes you. God's on your side. I mean, that, if that's not enough to start with, now it's not all where he's going to end, but he says, Mary, don't be afraid. You found favor with God. You're going to be with a child, give birth to a son. You're going to give him the name Jesus. He'll be great. He'll be called the son of the most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end." [00:46:35] (42 seconds)
"You're going to beat fear. It isn't because you're limited, unlimited. It's because he is. You're not going to beat it because you're strong enough. You're not going to overcome it because you're smart enough. You're not going to win because you can get enough stuff to not fear going without. Jesus said, man, with man, it's impossible. So give up. Step one, Mary, you can't make a baby. Takes the pressure off. Can you imagine a teenager thinking, I got to make a baby without having a man? And there was no fertile in whatever the big word is, uh, or they can make it, you know, put it, it's, it, if it's going to happen here, God, you're going to make it happen. Okay. We're now in a good place. Look what Mary says to close out." [01:04:37] (53 seconds)
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