“FEAR NOT”
Matthew 14: 26 & 27
INTRODUCTION: Fear is an obstacle that we all must overcome by building and standing on our faith. The man who fears lacks a strong faith. He who strengthens his faith weakens his fears.
I. What is Fear?
A. Healthy
B. Harmful
II. What Do We Fear?
A. The Unknown
B. The Unwanted
III. Why Do We Fear?
A. Lack of Experience
B. Lack of Faith
IV. When Do We Fear?
A. During Change
B. Darkest Hours
V. How Do We Fight Fear?
A. Turn Over The Battle
B. The Word
CONCLUSION: We must know that we have a father that can remove all fears. We must trust and depend on Him. God can and will do what He says He will do.
In order for us to Fear Not or Be Not Afraid, we must first know what Fear is. We should know what we Fear. We must know what causes Fear. We also need to know when do we fear and most of all how do we fight Fear. We need to know that there are two types of Fear. First there is Healthy Fear. Healthy Fear is when we show Reverence or Respect. The Bible teaches in the 19th Chapter of Leviticus verse 3 that children are to Fear their parents.
Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 33 tells us that the wife is to Fear or Reverence her husband. The Scripture also states in Proverbs Chapter 1 verse 7 that “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge,” as well as, “The beginning of Wisdom,” as stated in Proverbs 9 verse 10. But it is not this Fear that we are concerned with this morning. This morning, the Fear that concerns us is that Fear that is Harmful in nature.
That Fear that keeps us bound to failure. That Fear that keeps us from Victory. Harmful Fear, as defined by the new Webster’s Dictionary, is painful emotion aroused by impending danger. What causes this Emotion? What causes or brigs on Fear? Generally the unknown is the main cause of Fear. Not knowing what will happen, when it will happen, how it will happen, or why it happens. When danger lurks we tend to Fear because we know not how to deal with it.
We Fear when we go into a new Chapter in our lives because we know not what the future holds. We are afraid to step out on faith. Decisions that we make are altered by Fear. Places we go are changed by Fear. Things that we do are lessened by Fear. Convictions that we have are quieted by Fear. We do not know how things will turn out. We do not know if we can handle it.
We don’t know if we will make it through.
We feel we can’t take the criticism of our beliefs. Our Fears of the unknown quickly become unwanted. We don’t want to fail. We don’t want our co-workers to see us in the Christian scene. We don’t want certain people to know our relationship with God. We Fear that if these things come to light we will not be a part of the “IN CROWD.”
My brothers and my sisters, the Bible teaches us in Romans Chapter 12 verse 2 to “Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The only crowd we need to Fear not being in is the crowd that follows Jesus. We need not Fear what others not in the will of God Think of us. They have neither Heaven nor Hell to send us to. They are in no way able to bless you. They cannot calm your Fears. The reason we Fear the things we do is because we have not experienced or refuse to acknowledge what God can do. A lack of experience of God’s power causes man to Fear.
When we are faced with trails and tribulations, man can see no humanly way possible to overcome. Lack of experience of God’s power is a reason for Fear because if we have never seen the greatness of His power we don’t know that God is able. That is why all of us that have witnessed God’s wonderful works should testify to those that haven’t experienced it. That is why those of us who have been hungry should testify to those that haven’t that, “He’s bread when you’re hungry.”
That is why those of us who have been sick should testify to those who haven’t that, “He’s a doctor in a sick room.” That is why those of us that have been in trouble should testify to those that haven’t that, “He’s a lawyer in a court room.” That is why those of us who have experienced God’s Goodness should share it with those that don’t know Him. Share it so that they too can experience the boldness that Faith in God can give.
Another reason that we Fear is that we have a lack of Faith. The Book of Hebrews tells us in the 11th Chapter verse 1 that, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is a belief in or confident attitude toward God involving commitment to His will for one’s life. A lack of this Faith causes Fear. A lack of Faith means we have no one to believe in to take away our Fears.
A lack of Faith means we have no one to take our troubles to. A lack of Faith comes when men look at their troubles and not at their Lord. A lack of Faith means we have no one to lighten the dark pathways, no one to console us in time of need, no one to pick us up when we’re down. A lack of Faith or failing Faith cannot be helped by earthly resources. Further on in our text this morning verse 30, we see Peter’s Faith failing him and causing his Fear.
When Peter walked out onto the water his focus was steadfast on Jesus. But as he continued to walk he ceased to look with the steadfast gaze of trustfulness upon the face of Christ. He saw the boisterous wind. Had he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus he would not have seen it and become afraid. His change in his focus caused him to Fear. Not only did his focus change but also his direction. He began to sink and at that time called out to the Lord, save me.
Change is one of the greatest times of Fear. We often don’t want change because it means that something has happened that we are now not as comfortable as we once were. Change brings about work and some of us Fear work. Change means that all is not the way we want it. Change can be a time of great triumph or complete disaster. But because we cannot see the future we Fear it. Sometimes change can take us to our darkest hours.
Our Darkest hour is our greatest time of Fear. We feel we are without help. We feel all alone. But if we would just remember Hebrews Chapter 13 verse 5, He says that He would never leave us nor forsake us. We must understand that the Lord is with us always, Matthew 28th Chapter verse 20 tells us so. Jesus can take all our Fears and comfort us in the midst of trails. We must know to fight our Fears we must turn over the battle.
First Samuel 17 and 47 tells us this battle is not ours but it belongs to the Lord. We cannot fight a battle that we don’t know how to win. Ephesians tells us in the 6th Chapter 12th verse that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against the spiritual wickedness in high places.
And because of this we must be prepared to fight but not using what we have; we must use the whole armor of God. With God’s armor on we can stand against the enemy and not Fear because He is with us. Psalms 46 and 1 tells us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. This morning my brothers and my sisters, I come to tell you to Fear Not. Fear Not when the world is against you for if God is for you He is more than the world against you.
Fear not when family members turn their backs on you for God is with you; He’s a mother to the motherless and a father to the fatherless. Fear Not when friends become few, for he is a friend to the friendless.
But most of all Fear Not when sin has gotten you down and it seems you have nowhere to turn and no one that loves you, for God loves you and said I come to save the world not to condemn it. And John 3:16 confirms this for it says that for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son and that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God sent His Son, one who had no sins, to take on the sins of the world and become the payment for our sins.
God sent Jesus, who came down through forty and two generations; the son of David, the seed of Abraham. Jesus, who went to Calvary’s Cross, hung, bled and died for your sins and mine. Jesus, who was laid in Joseph’s borrowed tomb. Jesus, who on that third day morning rose with all power in His hands, Jesus, who can overcome all Fears. In times of sickness and the doctors have done all that they can do; Jesus steps in and says Fear Not.
When friends forsake you and you feel all alone; Jesus is by your side and tells you to Fear Not. When your money is gone and your bills are due; Jesus whispers Fear Not. When you’ve got a problem you just can’t seem to solve; Fear Not. When it seems that things are falling down around you; Fear Not. When your up is down and your down is up; Fear Not. When Satan has you running every which a way; Fear Not.
Fear Not my brothers and my sisters; for God is with you, He will guide and comfort you. We know not what the future holds but Fear Not, for we know who holds the future. There’s somebody here this morning that is afraid; but I say to you Fear Not. there’s somebody here this morning that doesn’t want to be alone; Fear Not. There’s somebody here this morning that needs to know that God can and He will provide; Fear Not.
There’s somebody here this morning that just needs to know to Fear Not. Fear Not for God is the same today, yesterday and forever more.
