CONQUERING FEAR
Exodus 13:13-14
Since today is HALLOWEEN, I decided to go with that theme.
However, when I went on sermon sites... looking for ideas... all of the resources were ANTI-HALLOWEEN.
They all talked about how it is a pagan holiday and is about worshiping evil spirits, or Satan.
Well, I did not want to preach an anti-Halloween sermon. Neither did I want to glorify the day.
I realize that Halloween has roots in things that are un-Christian.
However, I do not believe that it is a pagan holiday today.
True there may be those who still use it for that purpose... but for most people it is not about worshipping anything... it is about fun... and fear. Many people... like myself... enjoy the adrenaline rush that you get from some good natured fear.
We like to get dressed up and play tricks and games.
The fact that we dress up in scary costumes does not mean we are worshipping demons any more than we are worshipping food if we dress up like a giant banana... or a bunch of grapes.
Halloween is really about having fun... and maybe scaring someone else or being scared yourself.
So, For Halloween... I am going to preach on... FEAR!!!
It may not be as good as preaching on NAKED... but it can be a close second.
Zig Ziglar says: FEAR is: False Evidence Appearing Real!
Everyone knows what itfs like to be afraid. We all have things that wefre afraid of - I can remember as a child being afraid of the dark - a fear I think we have all had at one time or another. For my wife itfs definitely got to be spiders!! For some of you it may be storms, an extreme height, traveling in airplanes, or dogs.
FOBIAS
GOOD FEAR - keeps us from driving 100mph, picking up a rattler snake, jumping off the side of a building, or other foolish things that you can think ofc and
BAD FEAR - This fear paralyzes us, keeps us from doing things we could or should do.
Perhaps there is a fear that you need to overcome today. This passage gives us insight on "Overcoming Fear"
In our scripture passage today,
Moses gave to the Israelites the recipe for conquering fear.
(v.13) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, standstill, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.
(v.14) The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace
INTRODUCTION
Well ... our background opens with Moses and the children of Israel, probably about two million in strength, heading out of Egypt on their way to the Promised Land.
And our text picks up with Moses and the children of Israel, free from slavery but surrounded.
- On the north by desert;
- on the south by desert;
- on the west by Pharaohfs fast approaching Army;
- and on the east by the Red Sea
This picture alone is enough to fill the heart of the strongest in faith with despair
Yet, Moses gives us two commands and two promise of deliverance that we could use to answer the question:
- What do you do when you are surrounded by the desert of despair on the north
- Surrounded by the desolation and dismay on south
- Anxiety and apprehension on the east
- And enemy of your situation is fast approaching on the west
WHAT DO YOU DO...
Well, the first command Moses tells us is...
#1. (v.13) Fear Not.
That this is not an easy command; like Israel, many of us are going through some stuff and our situations warrant fear; our situation warrants the emotion of fear.
And this requires faith. Moses was able to stand firm
because he did not focus on the situation, nor did he focus on his own ability ...
because of his confidence in the Lord.
One of the great lessons we learn from the book of Exodus as a whole, and a message reiterated throughout the scripture, is that God is ever present.
Turn to Exodus 13:21-22
(v.21) And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
(v.22) He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
This tells us that Ever before them was this physical reminder that God was present with them.
In fact (v.22) says that God did not depart from them.
In Exodus 33:14 God says, gMy presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."
You see ... God was with His people then, and He is with us today.
In fact, Jesus promises in Matthew 28:20, gLo I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amenh
In fact, Jesus repeatedly instructs us not to fear.
So, what do you do when surrounded by trouble?
#1 FEAR NOT; donft be scared; donft be afraid. Quit fearing; quit the emotion of fear
Why, because God is always with us.
#2. STAND STILL
Now, if you thought, "Fear not" was hard. How hard is it to standstill when trouble surrounds us?
STAND STILL ‚ DO NOTHING
Stand still meant ... stay where you are because you are right where I want you.
We see trouble or problems as an indication that we are in the wrong place or need to move... change things... be in a different place.
That makes sense.
But it is not always true.
I have made this point before but it is one that needs to be made often... because we forget it when trouble comes.
And it is easier to see it in other peoplefs life.
Israel was caught between a rock and a hard place.
They wanted God to deliver them... get them out of there.
God told them ... be still, donft move, I placed you here so you could have a front row view of my salvation.
What if God had not waited until the Egyptians got to the Israelites. What if he had caused the earth to open up and swallow the whole army before they were ever in sight of the Israelites.
Wouldnft that have been better?
Wouldnft it be better if they never had the problem?
NO... it would not have been better if God had delivered Israel without them knowing it.
Not better for them... not better for us and not better for anyone.
When they got to the other side of the problem... the sea... they had a great worship service worshipping and praising God.
If God had let things just go easy... they walk around the sea, they would have just been tired and focused on how hard the trip was.
And when they faced the next problem... no help... ho history... no reason to hope.
Remember David as he faced Goliath. Why was he willing to fight the giant?
Because he had killed the lion and the bear.
Would it have been better if the lion had never threatened the flock or killed a couple?
Would David be as strong if he had not been placed in that danger and seen Godfs mighty hand?
Now listen... IfM NOT TELLING YOU THAT EVERY TIME YOU FACE A PROBLEM, GOD IS GOING TO DELIVER YOU.
Ifm not going to because God did not tell me to.
What He did tell me to tell you is...
Sometimes, when you are surrounded by troubles and see no way out, you are right where God wants you because He is going to give you a front row seat to see his deliverance.
Last week Donna Culp was sick and went to the doctor. They did some tests and told her they wanted to do a special test because they feared she had one of two conditions, and either one was not good. As she waited for the doctor to get started, she and Dwayne had prayer. Just a few minutes later the doctor comes in and says, We donft need to do the test, you donft have either one of those things.
What if God did not put her in that hospital. Would she see Godfs greatness if nothing went wrong?
A couple of weeks ago Leah was driving here from college. She had car trouble south of Petersburg. I feared having to drive there, have the car towed, maybe an expensive repair, Leah on the side of the road. I went to church and prayed.
Less than 30 min later... Leah is on the road and the car is running well. Got back to college and still running.
Would it have been better if God had avoided that problem and Leah just be-bopped up the road.
Not every problem will work out that well.
BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH ONE WILL.
So God says... DONfT FEAR... why ... God is with you.
Stand Still ... Why? ... See the mighty hand of God.
