FREEDOM FROM FEAR – Get Out of Your Shell!
2 Timothy 1:7
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJ) For God has not given us a spirit of fear
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
INTRODUCTION:
ILLUSTRATION: John Ortberg writes in his book, If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat:
“What would you guess is the most common command in Scripture?
“It is not for us to be more loving. That may be the core to God’s desire for human life, but that is not his most frequent instruction.
“Writers about spiritual life often speak of pride as being at the root of human fallenness, but the Bible’s most frequent imperative does not have to do with avoiding pride or gaining humility.
“It is not a command to guard sexual purity or to walk with integrity, important as those qualities are.
“The single command in Scripture that occurs more often than any other-God’s most frequently repeated instruction-is formulated in two words:
“Fear not. Do not be afraid. Be strong and courageous. You can trust me. Fear not. Why does God command us not to fear?”
If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.
“WHY DOES GOD COMMAND US NOT TO FEAR?” What do you think? Why has God repeatedly told us throughout to not be afraid?
There are 366 ‘fear not’ verses in the Bible-one for every day of the year, including one for leap year!”
Many reasons can be offered as to why God tells us to not be afraid.
One reason God says “fear not” so often because fear is the number one cause of temptation that keeps us from living out God’s will. Fear paralyzes us and keeps us from doing what God wants us to do. Fear traps us like a turtle inside its shell. Let’s talk about fear and discover how we can break free from its control of our lives. Lets Get out of our shells!
I. WHAT IS FEAR?
1. In its simplest form fear is an internal warning cry designed by God.
a) God created us with the ability to sense danger.
b) Fear prepares our body to run, hide or fight.
1. Fear sends adrenaline into our bloodstream to give our muscles the needed energy boost.
2. The pale look of fear is caused by blood being diverted from the surface of the skin to our
muscles.
3. The eyes widen as the pupils dilate so we get as much visual sensory information as
possible;
4. the ears are attentive to every sound.
ILLUSTRATION: Think about the way your body responds when you ride a roller coaster. Part of you is terrorized by the sights and sounds as well as the speeding motion with the sudden twists, turns, tugs and twitches.
a) Fear can be a good thing. Healthy fear protects us from danger. heights - falling--etc.
b) Fear can also be a bad thing; it can paralyze us and keep us from doing things that we
should do.
3. The spirit of fear.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJ)
7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJ)
a) Unhealthy fear—regardless of its form—is not from God.
b) Satan wants to bind us with chains of fear. He wants to use fear to keep us from God, to
cause us to not trust God’s faithfulness, love and power. Satan will use fear to stop us cold
in our tracks so we are unwilling to take steps of obedience. The devil uses fear to harm our
relationships with one another. Fear separates; love unites.
• Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
c) Satan would like nothing more than for us to think that our fear is just all in our heads, that
we can overcome our fears using our own strength. Fear is more than just physiological
processes within our bodies; fear is more than just an emotional response or the way we
think.
d) Fear is a weapon and strategy Satan uses to defeat us. The devil wants to destroy us and he
will use fear as a lethal weapon.
e) God has not given us a spirit of fear BUT HE HAS GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF POWER LOVE
AND SELF DISCIPLINE! I’m glad Paul didn’t leave us wondering what to do with our fear.
God has provided the spiritual weapons to overcome the enemy and set us free from our fear.
God sets us free to stick our neck out and get out of our shells to live our lives free from fear.
f) Tuck that thought away for a moment and we’ll come back to it to take a closer look at how
God enables us to be free from fear. But before we do that, let’s think about the price we
must pay when we give into our fear.
II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF GIVING INTO OUR FEARS. .
1. When we give into our fears we suffer loss, to overcome our fears is to find great gain.
a) Think about that little girl on the side of the pool. If she gives into her fears and runs to
mommy she is going to lose the confidence in herself to overcome future fears. She will miss
out on the laughter that comes when she splashes into the water safe in her daddy’s hands.
She will never know how much she can trust her daddy.
b) But what happens if she jumps? Instead of suffering loss she will experience great gain by
overcoming her fears. She will feel good about herself knowing she did it. She will be ready
to tackle future fears with greater confidence. She will experience the joy of splashing daddy
in the face and seeing his smile. She will grow to trust her daddy more and know that his
love for her is dependable.
c) We may imagine that our fears are greater than that little girl frozen at the side of a
swimming pool (but don’t try to convince her of that), nevertheless we too will either suffer
loss by giving into our fears, or we will experience great gain by overcoming our fears.
2. Loss of self-esteem and worth versus the gain of confidence and self-assurance.
a) When fear causes you to run and hide your inner sense of self-confidence and esteem is
beaten down. Even if thing turn out okay in the long run, when you give into your fears you
know the truth: “I’m afraid. I didn’t do the right thing. I’m a wimp. I took the easy way out.
b) However when you face your fears and take action, you get a deep sense of satisfaction—
even if things don’t turn out the best. Facing your fears cause you to grow; you feel good
about yourself. Inside you know I did the hard thing. I took on a challenge. I have courage
and strength.
3. LOSS OF DESTINY OF VERSUS THE GAIN IF A GOD-GIVEN FUTURE.
a) When you yield to fear you miss out on what God has planned for you.
• Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
b) Fear keeps us from moving towards the future God intends for us to have. Fear seeks to trap
us with failure. We can never do the things we have dreamed; we should just give up and be
satisfied with what we have.
c) In a strange way some people are more afraid of succeeding than they are of failing. What
will happen after I’ve made it and done what no one thought I could? What then? Fear of
success can keep us from pursuing our dreams just as much as the fear of failure.
d) When you overcome your fears you are free to receive the future God has ordained for you to
have. Don’t let fear rob you of God’s blessings!
4. Loss of happiness and peace versus the gain of lasting joy and peace.
a) Have you ever met a happy worrywart? Who do you know that is filled with joy and anxiety all
at the same time? Fear robs you of joy!
(b) When you live with fear you will find yourself depressed; hope will be hard to find. Anxious
thoughts will always be in your mind.
c) When you defeat your fears and break free you will find true gladness and joy. Your heart will
be light instead of heavy. When you are free from fear you will even find lasting joy in the
midst of difficult and trying circumstances.
d) You can live with fear or you can live with joy, but you can’t live with both. The choice is
yours. Live with your fears or overcome them and start living with joy!
5. Loss of genuine relationships versus the gain of authentic intimacy.
a) One of the natural responses of fear is to hide, to conceal and cover up. Right from the
beginning fear has caused people to hide. What was Adam’s response after he had sinned
and heard God calling him?
• Genesis 3:10 (NIV)
He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
b) Mankind has been hiding from God and one another ever since. I was afraid of being exposed of being found out, so I hid. Fear makes us hide.
c) Fear is the cause of superficial relationships. Fear is what causes a man to seek out
pornography or a prostitute because deep down he is afraid of being open and transparent
with a real woman. What if my wife finds out about my weaknesses?
d) We hide behind smiles; we guard our feelings. We hide behind what we really think with
platitudes and nice words. When asked how we are doing we just say “FINE” afraid to share
our sorrow and pain.
e) Let’s break free from our fear and lay down our masks; let’s stop living in a world of make-
believe and learn to be honest and real with God and one another. When we overcome our
fears we find authentic intimacy.
6. Loss of trust in God versus a growing and vibrant faith that holds like an anchor through all the
storms of life.
• Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
[19] We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, [20] where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.
a) When we give into our fears we never learn that God is trustworthy. Fear tells us God is not
big enough to help us with our problems. Fear says God may throw out a lifeline, but the
line will break before He pulls us in. Our understanding of God is distorted; we doubt He will
ever be able to come to our rescue.
b) When you step out in faith and conquer your fears you discover that God is there to be your
help. God shows Himself to be faithful; He has not abandoned you, but is with you to be you
refuge!
• Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT)
[1] . . . The Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. [2] When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. [3] For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
7. Instead of loss let’s learn to overcome our fears and experience great gain!
a) Let’s be set free to grow in confidence and self-assurance, to have a healthy self-esteem.
b) Let’s discover our God-given future, to fulfill the destiny God has planned for our lives.
c) Let’s be free to have real and lasting joy.
d) Let’s stop hiding in fear so we can move beyond superficial relationships and enjoy authentic
intimacy.
e) Let’s grow in faith so fear will never rob of having a God confidence to trust the Lord in every
situation.
III. FREEDOM FROM FEAR. GOD'S SUPPLY TO OVERCOME!!
• 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline
.
1. God has given us a Spirit of power.
• Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
a) God has given us His Spirit, the Spirit of POWER! Nothing is too difficult for us because God
gives us all the strength we need.
b) Some might think: “Well if I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me, then why
can’t I pick up that 900 pound boulder in front of the church?” Paul isn’t just talking about
physical strength. Paul is talking about having the strength to empower you for everything
you need. Notice: CHRIST GIVES ME THE STRENGTH I NEED.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
[9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
c) Paul leaned that even in his weaknesses Christ gives Him all the strength he needs. How
many of us have leaned that lesson? When I am weak, then Christ is strong in me. When I
empty myself of me and my ability, then there is room for Christ and His ability.
d) What do I need to fear? In my weakness, WHEN I AM MOST VULNERABLE, Christ is
strong within me and keeps me safe from anything that may cause me to fear. Christ and
the power of His Spirit with in us sets us free from fear. We can stick our necks out and live
outside our shells because it is the Spirit of Christ that lives with us inside our shell! He is
there with power when I need Him.
e) Through the power of Christ I am free to have hope and to live a life overflowing with joy and
peace!
• Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. God has given us a Spirit of love.
a) Perhaps you are wondering, “How can love help to set us free from fear?”
• 1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)
[16] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. [17] In this way, love is made complete among us . . . [18] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
b) If you struggle with fear you need to get to know God better. Let God immerse you in His love. When you get lost in God’s love your fear will get lost, love will banish fear from your heart. With God’s love we have nothing to fear because nothing will ever overpower God’s love for us.
• Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
c) Paul learned that He could rest in the love of God because nothing could harm him there,
nothing could take him out of God’s loving hands. WHY WAS PAUL SO CONFIDENT OF
GOD’S LOVE?
• Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
d) Paul doesn’t say God can work good in ONLY SOME THINGS—PAUL SAYS ALL THINGS!
In the most difficult of circumstances, in those times when fear wants to control my life and
take me captive, no matter what may happen, I AM NOT AFRAID BECAUSE GOD IS IN
CONTROL OF MY LIFE. No matter what it may look like on the outside, God is at work in
and through the circumstances of my life to accomplish His good and perfect plan for my life!
God will bring good even out of tragedy; therefore I have nothing to fear.
3. God has given us a Spirit of self-discipline (a sound mind).
a) To set us free from the spirit of fear God has given us a Spirit of power, of love and of self-
discipline or as the KJV says a sound mind.
• Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
b) The walls of a city served one purpose—the walls were set up to keep the people within the
city safe from their enemies. A man without self-control, who lacks a sound mind, is a
defenseless city—a city living in fear of their enemies. The Message Bible puts it like this: “A
person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.” Such a
man lives in a house with no security, nothing to protect him and his family from burglary and
violence.
• Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . [23] self-control
.
c) Self-discipline and having a sound mind is not about self or what we can do for ourselves.
Being of sound mind, having self-discipline and self-control is to live your life under the
control of the Holy Spirit! Self-control comes when we are no longer in our ‘right mind’
instead we take on the mind of Christ!
• Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
d) If I try to live my life like everyone else then I’m going to be given over to a life of uncertainty
and fear, but if through Christ my mind is transformed and renewed by His Spirit, then I will
live a life free from fear because I am living my life in the center of God’s will. When I know
God’s will for my life, then nothing can cause me fear because I know God will take me
through every situation and circumstance. My mind will be focused instead of giving place to
fantasy and futile and unproductive imagination.
e) God has given us a sound mind; He has empowered us by His Spirit to be self-disciplined
not only in our words and actions, but also in our thoughts. Therefore we are free from fear
and can live in peace.
• Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
[3] You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. [4] Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
Conclusion: FREEDOM FROM FEAR – Get Out of Your Shell!
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJ) For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
