Overcoming Fear: Trusting God in the Light
Summary
In our journey through the series "Can You See Him?", we have been exploring the obstacles that prevent us from truly seeing Jesus and experiencing the fullness of His love, identity, freedom, grace, safety, comfort, and security. Today, we delve into the theme of fear, particularly the internal fears that obscure our vision of Jesus. Drawing from Psalm 27, we recognize that fear is not just about external darkness but also the shadows within us—fears of failure, loneliness, and inadequacy. These fears can paralyze us, causing us to react rather than respond to life's challenges.
Fear often reveals where we trust God the least. Like Abraham, who faced the unknown with fear, we too are called to trust God as our shield, believing that His plans are greater than our fears. Fear can distort reality, making our problems seem larger than they are. However, by bringing our fears into the light of Jesus, we can dismantle them and see them for what they truly are—small in comparison to God's greatness.
To combat fear, we must expose it to the truth of God's word and His love. This involves acknowledging our fears, bringing them before God, and allowing His light to diminish them. We are encouraged to trust more, not just fear less. Trusting God means focusing on His truth, His promises, and His presence, which in turn reduces the power of fear in our lives.
Moreover, we are reminded of the importance of community. Fear often isolates us, but by exposing ourselves to the love and support of others, we find strength and encouragement. Walking in the light means having fellowship with God and with each other, which helps us to see the bigness of God and the smallness of our fears.
As we move forward, let us ask ourselves: Are we running towards God, seeking His face, and stepping into the light? By doing so, we can experience the fullness of His love and the freedom from fear that He offers.
Key Takeaways:
- Fear often reveals where we trust God the least. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God as our shield, believing that His plans are greater than our fears. By acknowledging our fears and bringing them before God, we can see them for what they truly are—small in comparison to His greatness. [12:38]
- Fear can distort reality, making our problems seem larger than they are. By bringing our fears into the light of Jesus, we can dismantle them and see them for what they truly are. Trusting God means focusing on His truth, His promises, and His presence, which in turn reduces the power of fear in our lives. [30:50]
- To combat fear, we must expose it to the truth of God's word and His love. This involves acknowledging our fears, bringing them before God, and allowing His light to diminish them. We are encouraged to trust more, not just fear less. [39:38]
- Fear often isolates us, but by exposing ourselves to the love and support of others, we find strength and encouragement. Walking in the light means having fellowship with God and with each other, which helps us to see the bigness of God and the smallness of our fears. [04:11]
- As we move forward, let us ask ourselves: Are we running towards God, seeking His face, and stepping into the light? By doing so, we can experience the fullness of His love and the freedom from fear that He offers. [12:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:11] - Introduction to Fear
- [12:38] - Trusting God as Our Shield
- [20:00] - Exposing Fear to the Light
- [25:30] - The Role of Community
- [30:50] - Walking in the Light
- [35:00] - Moving Forward with Faith
- [39:38] - Stepping into the Light
- [45:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 27
- Genesis 15:1
- 1 John 1:7
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Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 27, what does David declare about the Lord that helps him overcome fear? How does this relate to the theme of light and salvation? [12:38]
2. How does the story of Abraham in Genesis 15:1 illustrate the relationship between fear and trust in God? What promise does God give to Abraham to address his fear? [12:38]
3. According to 1 John 1:7, what is the result of walking in the light in terms of our relationship with God and others? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on community? [39:38]
4. What are some of the internal fears mentioned in the sermon that can obscure our vision of Jesus? How do these fears manifest in our daily lives? [04:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does fear reveal the areas where we trust God the least, as mentioned in the sermon? Can you think of a personal example where this has been true in your life? [12:38]
2. The sermon suggests that fear can distort reality. How might this distortion affect our decision-making and perception of challenges? [30:50]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community can help us combat fear? How does this align with the message of 1 John 1:7? [39:38]
4. The sermon discusses the difference between reacting and responding to fear. How can focusing on God’s truth and promises help us respond rather than react? [04:11]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current fear you are facing. How can you bring this fear into the light of Jesus and trust in His promises to diminish it? [12:38]
2. Identify an area in your life where fear has distorted your reality. What steps can you take to see this situation through the lens of God’s greatness and truth? [30:50]
3. How can you actively seek out and engage with a community that supports you in overcoming fear? What role can you play in being a source of strength for others? [39:38]
4. Consider a time when you reacted out of fear rather than responding with faith. What could you do differently next time to ensure your response is grounded in trust in God? [04:11]
5. Are there specific promises of God that you can focus on to help reduce the power of fear in your life? How can you remind yourself of these promises daily? [12:38]
6. How can you encourage someone else who is struggling with fear to step into the light and experience the fullness of God’s love and freedom? [39:38]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to run towards God, seeking His face and stepping into the light, as encouraged in the sermon? [39:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God as Our Shield
Fear often reveals where we trust God the least. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God as our shield, believing that His plans are greater than our fears. When we acknowledge our fears and bring them before God, we can see them for what they truly are—small in comparison to His greatness. This process involves a conscious decision to trust God more deeply, recognizing that His protection and guidance are far superior to any fear we might face. By focusing on God's promises and His presence, we can diminish the power of fear in our lives. [12:38]
Genesis 15:1 (ESV): "After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.'"
Reflection: What is one fear you are currently facing that you need to bring before God, trusting Him as your shield?
Day 2: Dismantling Distorted Realities
Fear can distort reality, making our problems seem larger than they are. By bringing our fears into the light of Jesus, we can dismantle them and see them for what they truly are. Trusting God means focusing on His truth, His promises, and His presence, which in turn reduces the power of fear in our lives. This involves a shift in perspective, where we choose to see our circumstances through the lens of God's greatness rather than the magnitude of our fears. [30:50]
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: Identify a situation where fear has distorted your perception. How can you bring this fear into the light of Jesus today?
Day 3: Exposing Fear to God's Truth
To combat fear, we must expose it to the truth of God's word and His love. This involves acknowledging our fears, bringing them before God, and allowing His light to diminish them. We are encouraged to trust more, not just fear less. By immersing ourselves in God's word and embracing His love, we can experience a transformation in how we perceive and handle fear. This process requires intentionality and a willingness to confront our fears with the truth of who God is. [39:38]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What specific scripture can you meditate on today to expose and diminish a fear you are facing?
Day 4: Finding Strength in Community
Fear often isolates us, but by exposing ourselves to the love and support of others, we find strength and encouragement. Walking in the light means having fellowship with God and with each other, which helps us to see the bigness of God and the smallness of our fears. Community provides a space where we can share our burdens and receive the support we need to overcome fear. It is through relationships that we can experience the tangible love of God and be reminded of His presence in our lives. [04:11]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to today for support and encouragement in facing your fears?
Day 5: Running Towards God
As we move forward, let us ask ourselves: Are we running towards God, seeking His face, and stepping into the light? By doing so, we can experience the fullness of His love and the freedom from fear that He offers. This involves a daily commitment to pursue God, to seek His presence, and to trust in His promises. As we draw closer to Him, we find that our fears diminish in the light of His love and grace. [12:38]
Psalm 34:4-5 (ESV): "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to run towards God and seek His face in the midst of your fears?
Quotes
"I'll share a little bit more about Renee in just a few minutes. But we've been in this series called Can You See Him? And it's been identifying on a weekly basis the things that get in the way, the things that stand in our way from seeing Jesus and being with Him. And everything that He brings, the love, the identity, the freedom, the grace, the safety, the comfort, the security, all of these things that come with seeing Jesus." [00:00:11] (28 seconds)
"And we're talking about fear. Fear today. Fear being these things that drive us, that often keep us from seeing him. And what if, not just the fears that Mike was talking about with the dark, those are real, especially when you're younger. But as we get older, those fears don't necessarily just go away. The fears, they get more sophisticated." [00:03:50] (22 seconds)
"The fear of being alone. The fear of not being enough. And the shadows may look different, but they still haunt us. Every single one of us has fear. But what if? What if today, the thing that's keeping us from seeing Jesus isn't the darkness around us, but the fear inside of us?" [00:04:18] (20 seconds)
"When Renee says, oh, there's freedom in the light, have you ever had almost like involuntary reactions? You know, especially when it comes to fear. I will tell you this. Probably somebody's going to bring a snake or something now hearing that I'm just, I don't like them, okay?" [00:07:35] (17 seconds)
"Mike knows this just keenly. Like, when he starts to see me overwork and, like, take on everything, he'll usually sit me down now and go, are you okay? You know, like, what's going on in there? Which is really, really great. It's good to have some people in your life that can go, you're acting. And we see it. There's a difference between reacting and responding. When we let fear run our lives, we will live reactively. And that's not always good or healthy." [00:09:20] (28 seconds)
"We remove fear by bringing it into the light of Jesus. So many of us would say, well, that's just a natural reaction. How do I do that? How can I live free? How can I remove fear from my life? It's just there. Well, we remove fear by bringing it to the light of Jesus. Fear keeps us from seeing clearly. And if you want to see him, we have to face our fears." [00:10:56] (21 seconds)
"Well, it does show us something. And this is something that's true for all of us. I mean, we try to keep it there whenever we're up here preaching. And that's what you fear the most reveals where you trust God the least. Okay. Yeah. Should I say it again? Where you, what you fear the most actually reveals where you trust God the least." [00:13:12] (23 seconds)
"But in this new world of like hearing from and following a God that is just a complete unknown, who's going to lead him from what everything that's familiar and everything that's comfortable and into a new place. And there's going to be blessing in it. He knows that there's a promise that, but still there's fear in it. It's like, can I trust this? I'm hearing voices, you know, like, I mean, that's as far as Abraham knows. Can I trust this? What you fear the most actually reveals where you trust God the least." [00:14:15] (31 seconds)
"Fear fear doesn't just show up for no reason. For the most part we don't just like open our eyes in the morning and go ah I guess I'm afraid today at a moment like something happens it exposes something deeper in us you can tell me to go back to the snake all day long it's not scary but to me it is it's real I saw it it's there and it's not here's that's the crazy thing about it it's not based in truth it's not based in reality but something happens and exposes something deeper." [00:15:19] (34 seconds)
"Fearless isn't the absence, though, of problems out there. No, the way to become fearless is to fear less, to fear less. Now, that doesn't mean you're, how do you fear less, okay? It's not like, I will fear less, I will fear less, I will fear less. Where's your mind? It's on the thing, right? It's becoming bigger and bigger. No, we don't fear less by making ourselves think about it less when you're actually thinking about it more. No, we need to trust more, okay? You fear less by trusting more." [00:20:38] (31 seconds)
Chatbot
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