This sermon is from a series on Tube Theology.
I have researched sermoncentral as well as other sources. I use an expanded outline in preaching though it is not exactly a manuscript. I also use a sermon outline for the congregation to fill in.
FEAR FACTOR October 31, 2004 Jay Davis Robison 2 TIMOTHY 1:5-7
Have you ever been afraid? It’s a Halloween question
Show Fear Factor displays people facing up to their fears. Some things they to do really disgusting; eat worms, bugs, eyes brains and body parts, Misheala said gross!
Contestants have jumped between moving trucks, leapt out of 12 stories buildings, bobbed for plums in a tub of snakes and been buried in 300,000 worms. All of a prize. Fears universal human experience you’ve got ‘em I’ve got ‘em
We have an unusual relationship w\them spend. Million$$ on scary movies, and rides at parks, to be scared Usually ends with oh that was great
What is your greatest fear? Is it sickness, money trouble, an accident, growing old, death, losing your good looks, spiders big spiders?
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but
of power and of love and of a sound mind. Vs 7 NKJV
1. Everybody knows ABOUT FEAR
Universal human experience like being hungry
or dealing with love and hate not just human
but animals fear too Maybe Lucy explained it best
www.phobialist.com find over 500 human fears alphabetized From Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing. To Zoophobia fear of animals even heard a new one recently, audio-biblical-peda-phobia a fear of sermons that step on your toes! (Only kidding!)
Harvard’s Dr. Walter Cannon, describes body reaction to fear Respiration deepens; the heart beats faster BP rises; blood is shifted from stomach & intestines to the heart, central nervous system, & the muscles; processes of the alimentary canal cease; sugar is freed from reserves in liver; spleen contracts & discharges contents of concentrated corpuscles, & adrenalin is secreted. Cited from M Roper at Sermoncentral.com
Bible mentions fear 226 TIMES AFRAID 223 TIMES
From GENESIS 3:10 TO REVELATION 19:5
Fear is something everyone will experience
Ann Landers, “1 problem above all others seems to be fear. People are afraid of losing their Job, their wealth & their loved ones people are afraid of Life itself.” God understands
There are three major means of fear in our lives
As a means of DEFENSE
This is so called HEALTHY FEAR what keeps us from telling our boss off Or running down middle of the highway.
Read about mom worried about speeders near son’s school Decided to scare those lead foots, so morning she would park her car in front of school & point her black hair dryer shaped like a radar gun, out of window at speeding cars. The effect was dramatic as drivers slowed down
Fear is a God given defense mechanism from harm for good
Fear is also As a method of DEFINITION
Recognizing who we are in relation to God\world
This is often used in Bible when it says
“For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
fear here is not terror but proper respect
This fear is acknowledging in healthy way need for God
As a measure of DEFEAT
This is the damaging fear worry, nightmare, terror, phobia. words describe common life-paralyzing event called fear Fear will make you damage yourself and others, tormenting. It will make you see yourself as being sick or dying.
Can make you see yourself as a failure. Old German proverb Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is This is the fear we are most familiar with God helps us
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV
The threat in this scenario becomes overwhelming
2. Spirit of POWER
POWER - He Can Help You Through It
One way to rid self of fear is to focus on power of God
David says Ps 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Bible says over & over Christians are empowered people
Äýíáìéò DUNAMIS strong’s 1411 Should be evidence of power beyond our strength
Lk 4:14, after Jesus tempted, was empowered
Acts 1:8, receive power of bear good news
1 Thess 1:5 gospel not just words but power
We make a spiritual impact on others
Will we accept God’s power in face of our fears?
Native American explained: "It seems, that I have 2 dogs fighting in my heart: 1 a very good dog, beautiful white dog this one is always watching out for my best interests. Other is very bad dog, a black dog, always trying to destroy things I want to build up. These dogs give me a lot of trouble because they’re always fighting each other." Friend asked Which one wins? Whichever one I give in to.
Zig Ziglar says: FEAR is: False Evidence Appearing Real
Why God has given us spirit of power
We cannot live for God by self alone
3. Spirit of LOVE
LOVE - He Cares For You, You’re Not Alone
Not sweet sentimentality
PãÜðç AGAPE Strong’s 26 self-giving cannot be earned love
Bible says simply God is love. Love is God’s chief gift to us Love for others, for the congregation,
Learn to turn yourself & loved ones to love & care of God. Ps 34:8 encourages "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
1 Jn 4:18 NRSV There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casts out fear;
fears can be controlling, give ourselves to God’s love
Rom 8:15 we did not receive the spirit
that makes you a slave again to fear
4. Spirit of A SOUND MIND
Self Control strength in the face of persecution\fear
Doesn’t mean we will never have fear, everyone does
Gen. Patton great military leader said dealing w\fear is key The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision. That’s the time to listen to every fear you can imagine. When you have collected all the facts and fears and made your decision, turn off all of your fears and go ahead!
Patton considered self a coward could do it, but went ahead Control of self in face of panic or passion,
Jesus will give us self-mastery Jesus keeps us from being swept away
óùöñïíéóìüò soôphronismos sophronismos 4995
Don’t be afraid of what people can do to you.
Don’t be afraid of what the devil tries to do.
God has given us MORE. HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us
presence gives us a ’wise head’, to discern and understand,not easily deceived
How I handle fear will EFFECT OTHERS
Stephen Freed asked daughter "Elizabeth, what will you do if I end up like Granddaddy someday?" Watching man slowly deteriorate from an incurable disease has been painful The 15-year-old daughter, said "I don’t know, Dad," she answered. "But I’m watching you to find out."
Sound mind gives us perspective
Courage is fear that has said its prayers – Karl Barth
Does not mean no fear, but sound mind, love and power
Stanley Jones “I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry & anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith & confidence than by fear, doubt & anxiety. In anxiety & worry, my being is gasping for breath these are not my native air. But in faith & confidence, I breathe freely--these are my native air. We are inwardly constructed in nerve and tissue, brain cell and soul, for faith and not for fear. God made us that way.
Don’t feed your fear! Don’t dwell on it. more we entertain it, the more it controls you. Fear will take control of you, only if you allowed it! Feed your faith starve your fears
Isa 41:13 I am holding you by your right hand, the LORD your God. And I say to you, Do not be afraid. I am here to help you.
Stir up the flame of God in you Vs 6
What are your fears? Have you given those to God?
