Overcoming Fear with God's Peace and Power

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the theme of fear and how it contrasts with the peace and power that God offers us. Often, discussions about the end times or the book of Revelation can evoke fear, but they are meant to bring us peace and assurance. Jesus, in Luke 21, tells us to stand firm and lift our heads because our redemption is near. This is a call to live without fear, knowing that God is in control and that the end of the world is not something to dread but to anticipate with hope.

We delved into 2 Timothy 1:7, which reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control. This spirit empowers us to live confidently, even as the world becomes more chaotic. The peace that comes from God is not something that can be easily explained or manufactured; it is a deep assurance that comes from knowing Him and trusting in His promises. This peace was evident in the lives of those who have faced trials and loss, yet remain steadfast in their faith.

We also examined the characteristics of people in the last days as described in 2 Timothy 3. These traits—self-love, pride, disobedience, and lack of natural affection—are prevalent in our world today. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to be different. We are to be lovers of God rather than lovers of pleasure, and to live with genuine godliness that is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The challenge is to not just have the appearance of godliness but to truly believe in and experience the power of God in our lives. This power enables us to overcome sin and live victoriously. It is a call to fully commit to God, to trust Him completely, and to live in the power of His Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- Fear is not from God. When we feel fear, especially about the end times, we must remember that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. This spirit allows us to stand firm and lift our heads, knowing that our redemption is near. [04:03]

- The peace of God is profound and unexplainable. It is a peace that surpasses understanding and is evident in the lives of those who trust in God, even in the face of trials and loss. This peace is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit within us. [08:36]

- In the last days, people will be lovers of themselves and lack natural affection. As believers, we are called to be different, to love God and others genuinely, and to live with the power of the Holy Spirit. [17:26]

- True godliness is not just about appearances. It is about believing in and experiencing the power of God in our lives. This power enables us to overcome sin and live victoriously, standing firm in our faith. [28:15]

- Commitment to God requires a full surrender. It is about trusting Him completely, letting go of self-love and worldly desires, and embracing the power and love of the Holy Spirit. This commitment leads to a life of peace and confidence in God's promises. [34:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Fear and the End Times
- [00:36] - Luke 21: Redemption is Near
- [01:44] - Stand Firm in Faith
- [02:33] - Finding Peace in Revelation
- [03:32] - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control
- [04:23] - Overcoming Fear
- [06:32] - The Unexplainable Peace of God
- [08:36] - Peace in Trials
- [11:07] - Characteristics of the Last Days
- [14:19] - Warning Against Self-Love
- [17:26] - Lack of Natural Affection
- [19:12] - Avoiding Ungodliness
- [22:43] - The Prevailing Thought
- [28:15] - True Godliness and Power
- [34:21] - Full Commitment to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 21:25-28
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 21:25-28, what signs does Jesus mention that will occur before the end times, and how are believers instructed to respond? [01:12]

2. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, what kind of spirit has God given us, and how does this contrast with fear? [04:03]

3. What characteristics of people in the last days are described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and how do these traits reflect the current state of the world? [13:08]

4. How does the sermon describe the peace that comes from God, and how is it evident in the lives of believers facing trials? [08:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the instruction in Luke 21 to "stand up and lift your heads" during chaotic times challenge the typical human response to fear? [01:28]

2. What does it mean to have a spirit of power, love, and self-control, and how can this spirit influence a believer's daily life? [04:23]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the characteristics of people in the last days, as described in 2 Timothy 3, are manifesting in today's society? [13:29]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between having the appearance of godliness and truly experiencing the power of God? [28:15]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt fear. How can the assurance of God's control and the spirit of power, love, and self-control help you respond differently next time? [04:23]

2. The sermon emphasizes the peace of God that surpasses understanding. Can you identify a time when you experienced this peace? How can you seek it more intentionally in your life? [08:36]

3. Considering the traits of people in the last days, how can you actively work against self-love and pride in your own life to be a genuine lover of God and others? [17:26]

4. The sermon challenges us to not just have the appearance of godliness but to experience God's power. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and experience His power more fully? [28:15]

5. How can you commit to living a life of full surrender to God, letting go of worldly desires and embracing the power and love of the Holy Spirit? What practical changes might this require in your daily routine? [34:21]

6. Think about a person or situation that tests your self-control. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you respond with love and power instead of fear or frustration? [05:18]

7. The sermon mentions the importance of standing firm in faith as the world becomes more chaotic. What specific actions can you take to strengthen your faith and encourage others in your community to do the same? [01:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Spirit of Power
Fear is a natural human emotion, but it is not from God. When faced with fear, especially concerning the end times, believers are reminded that God has given them a spirit of power, love, and self-control. This divine spirit empowers individuals to stand firm and lift their heads, confident in the knowledge that their redemption is near. The assurance of God's control over the future allows believers to anticipate the end with hope rather than dread. By embracing this spirit, one can live confidently and courageously, even amidst chaos and uncertainty. [04:03]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific fears are you currently facing, and how can you invite God's spirit of power, love, and self-control to help you overcome them today?


Day 2: Experiencing the Unexplainable Peace of God
The peace that God offers is profound and surpasses human understanding. It is a peace that remains steadfast even in the face of trials and loss. This peace is not something that can be easily explained or manufactured; it is a deep assurance that comes from knowing God and trusting in His promises. Those who have faced significant challenges yet remain steadfast in their faith are living testimonies of this peace. It is a peace that is evident in their lives, a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit within them. [08:36]

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need God's unexplainable peace, and how can you actively seek His presence in those areas today?


Day 3: Living Differently in the Last Days
In the last days, people will be characterized by self-love, pride, disobedience, and a lack of natural affection. These traits are prevalent in the world today, but as followers of Christ, believers are called to be different. They are to be lovers of God rather than lovers of pleasure, living with genuine godliness empowered by the Holy Spirit. This call to live differently is a challenge to not conform to the patterns of the world but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind. By doing so, believers can reflect God's love and character in a world that desperately needs it. [17:26]

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy." (2 Timothy 3:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate genuine godliness in your daily interactions, especially in situations where self-love and pride are prevalent?


Day 4: Experiencing True Godliness and Power
True godliness is not just about appearances; it is about believing in and experiencing the power of God in one's life. This power enables believers to overcome sin and live victoriously, standing firm in their faith. It is a call to fully commit to God, to trust Him completely, and to live in the power of His Spirit. By doing so, believers can experience the transformative power of God, which allows them to live lives that are pleasing to Him and impactful to others. [28:15]

"Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." (2 Timothy 3:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you move beyond the appearance of godliness to truly experience God's power in your life today?


Day 5: Full Commitment to God
Commitment to God requires a full surrender. It is about trusting Him completely, letting go of self-love and worldly desires, and embracing the power and love of the Holy Spirit. This commitment leads to a life of peace and confidence in God's promises. By fully committing to God, believers can experience the fullness of His love and the transformative power of His Spirit, leading to a life that is marked by peace, joy, and purpose. [34:21]

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from fully committing to God, and what steps can you take today to surrender it to Him?

Quotes



It's interesting because in church a lot of times our natural tendency is fear which is exactly what we're not supposed to be about um you know like when I show something like that or talk about where the world's going or even when we talk whenever the subject of end times comes up I hear people getting freaked out about it. [00:00:00]

Now when these things begin to take place straighten up and raise your heads because your Redemption is Drawing Near I love that he says you know what everything's going to start falling apart okay the Seas the waves there'll be all these hurricanes everything's going on people will freak out and the son of man's going to come and people will be terrified but you you stand up straight and you lift up your head because you're a emptions Drawing Near. [00:01:31]

I open up the word and uh just felt like I was led to read the book of Revelation you know I start reading revelation and I was like see it's like I just felt so much peace by reading the book of Revelation like oh this is all going to burn anyways you know it's just there was just honestly there was this comfort that comes over me of just you know what God's in control I know how it's going to end. [00:02:49]

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control I love that we we need to all memorize this God didn't give you a spirit of fear okay so whenever you're fearing or worrying that's not coming from God that's coming from the other source that's coming from Satan himself trying to get you freaked out about it. [00:04:03]

I can't really explain this power I'm talking about and this peace that I'm talking about you know I I I know some of you you could come week after week and you're like man I want it I want I want it and I want to explain it to you and I want to so badly have you just get it like there's literally nothing nothing nothing to fear while we're on this Earth. [00:06:27]

I saw yesterday when I went over to Walt Fuller's house Walt Fuller was a guy that uh you'd see him right up here front row or you know just just he's just in the this he's been coming to the church for a good 10 years at least back in the in multi-purpose room everything else and uh Walt was on the train and he was in the front car and uh and he and he passed away it was an immediate thing. [00:06:59]

In the last days there will come times of difficulty for people will be lovers of self lovers of money proud arrogant abusive disobedient to their parents ungrateful Unholy heartless unappeasable slanderous without self-control brutal and not loving good treacherous Reckless swollen with conceit lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having the appearance of godliness but denying its power avoid such people. [00:13:05]

I want to give to you for you to realize oh yeah I was starting to go with the flow and let me run from that now let me be a lover of people let me be a lover of God rather than a lover of self lovers of money we talked about that we talked about the proud The Arrogant abusive disobedient to parents The Ungrateful um you know basically that just again all of this stems out of loving ourselves right. [00:14:29]

Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God and I don't even want to explain this one I just want you to hear the phrase and evaluate yourself lovers of pleasure rather than love lovers of God what are you you know what it's like to be in love right the the feelings when you're in love. [00:25:29]

Having the appearance of godliness but denying its power avoid such people see the we're not talking about people that are anti-god God again we're not people that are going man it's it's you know this person's the Antichrist or this person's so evil he goes no these people have the appearance of godliness honestly right now look around room doesn't everyone in this room pretty much have the appearance of godliness. [00:28:15]

I don't believe there's any Temptation on this Earth that I can't overcome I don't believe there's any adversity on this Earth that I can't overcome that doesn't mean there won't be pain doesn't mean life won't be hard it's just that I'm not scared and the world can get as evil as they want to get but we want to be like those people in scripture you can be thrown into a dent of lions. [00:37:39]

You just stand because you know who your God is and you know the spirit that's in you. [00:37:54]

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Transcript
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