Sermon Central
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Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid Series
Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 17, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: We all deal with fear, and in the time in which we are now living, fear is multiplied over and over. The warning to “fear not” is frequently repeated in Scripture. Fear is described as bondage, torment, and a snare.
Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid
Written 9-11-06
First message in a series called “The Overcoming Life.”
Introduction
What makes you afraid?
Darkness? But the Lord is your light.
Danger? He is also your salvation.
Lack of a basic need? He is your strength.
Then why be afraid?
Just think about all He does for you.
We all deal with fear, and in the time in which we are now living, fear is multiplied over and over.
The warning to “fear not” is frequently repeated in Scripture.
Fear is described as bondage in Romans 8:15, torment in 1 John 4:18, and a snare in Proverbs 29:25.
Scripture offers a long list of things about which we are not to worry: provision in Matthew 6:25, enemies in Deuteronomy 1:21, other gods in 2 Kings 17:35, death in Psalms 23:4, armies and wars in Psalms 27:3, our reputation in Psalms 71:24, evil days in Psalms 49:5, children in Psalms 127:3, the future in Psalms 139:1–6, sudden terror in Proverbs 3:25 and 26, safety in Matthew 10:28, events beyond our control in Matthew 8:26, health in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, fearful thoughts in Philippians 4:6 and 7, words of others in1 Peter 3:14, and suffering in Revelations 2:10.
Reasons are also given for not fearing: you are His creation according to Isaiah 44:2; He fights for you according to Exodus 14:13; you are loved according to1 John 4:9; He is your helper according to Hebrews 13:6; and you are more valuable than the sparrows according to Luke 12:7.
But, the reason given most often is God’s presence.
Romans 8:15 states, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
You do not need to ask for God’s presence—He is with you; you have His word on it.
But, you often need to ask for an awareness of His presence.
Isaiah 41:10 and 13, says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”…For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
This awareness is most often prompted by remembering His faithfulness in the past.
Just think about everything He has already done for you—He can do it again.
Well, we know what fear is, and we know we shouldn’t fear, but what’s the cure for fear?
The only medicine that deals with fear is faith.
I would like to suggest three steps for dealing with fear and cultivating your faith:
1. Faith is a choice (vv. 1-3).
2. Faith is cultivated through an intimate relationship with God (vv. 4-6).
3. Faith is strengthened through prayer (vv. 7-12).
Our text is Psalm 27, all 14 verses.
I’ll read the psalm from the New King James Bible.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
