Fear Not | Sunday Service | April 19, 2020

“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

Having shown that Christ was risen, the apostle answers those who said there would be no resurrection. There had been no justification, or salvation, if Christ had not risen. And must not faith in Christ be vain, and of no use, if he is still among the dead? The proof of the resurrection of the body is the resurrection of our Lord. Even those who died in the faith, had perished in their sins, if Christ had not risen. All who believe in Christ, have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future recompence, their hope in him can only be as to this life. And they must be in a worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at the time, and under the circumstances, in which the apostles wrote; for then Christians were hated and persecuted by all men. But it is not so; they, of all men, enjoy solid comforts amidst all their difficulties and trials, even in the times of the sharpest persecution.

There are two important words that Bible affirms as Christ spoke after resurrection, defeating crucifixion.

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”  And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”

There are many kinds of fears people talk about.

– Fear of unknown

– Fear of losing someone

– Fear of heights

– Fear of rejections

– Losing relationships

– Losing respect

– Losing comfort

– Losing health

– Losing money

– Losing image

Today, people are afraid because of NCoViD-19. This pandemic has created a fear in the hearts of people. Basically this is the fear of death. However, if you have accepted Christ in your hearts, you will no longer fear, because Jesus said, “Fear Not!“

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

But for us, we have God! We no longer need to live in fear. Talking about fear, the Bible is very clear about fear. It talks about the world we live in, the fear will always remain and evil will increase.

Christ knew what he must suffer in our nature, and how he must die in it, yet he readily took it upon him. And this atonement made way for his people’s deliverance from Satan’s bondage, and for the pardon of their sins through faith. Let those who dread death, and strive to get the better of their terrors, no longer attempt to outbrave or to stifle them, no longer grow careless or wicked through despair. Let them not expect help from the world, or human devices; but let them seek pardon, peace, grace, and a lively hope of heaven, by faith in Him who died and rose again, that thus they may rise above the fear of death. The remembrance of his own sorrows and temptations, makes Christ mindful of the trials of his people, and ready to help them. He is ready and willing to succour those who are tempted, and seek him. He became man, and was tempted, that he might be every way qualified to succour his people, seeing that he had passed through the same temptations himself, but continued perfectly free from sin. Then let not the afflicted and tempted despond, or give place to Satan, as if temptations made it wrong for them to come to the Lord in prayer. Not soul ever perished under temptation, that cried unto the Lord from real alarm at its danger, with faith and expectation of relief. This is our duty upon our first being surprised by temptations, and would stop their progress, which is our wisdom.

Someone defined fear as:

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them. As is usual with Paul, when he mentions Christ and his redemption, he enlarges upon them; so full was he of that which is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire. The call of the gospel is a holy call, making holy. Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts that come from God to sinful man, come in and through Christ Jesus alone. And as there is so clear a prospect of eternal happiness by faith in Him, who is the Resurrection and the Life, let us give more diligence in making his salvation sure to our souls

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

But now thus says the Lord , he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Medical science tells us about some of the effects of living under constant fear.

However, the word of God says, “Fear Not!“

Satan deceived Adam and Eve sinned against God by disobeying. They hid themselves and were fearful.

Fear is the tool of the enemy, however, it is God, who protects usband give us hope.

Simply believe in your heart that God is resurrected and put your trust on God. Eventhough there will be a reason of fear, you will have comfort in your heart and yku will be at peace.

Illustration: When I drive, all my children stay quiet and sit comfortably. When my eldest son qualified for his license and started to drive, all other children became uncomfortable during initial months. 

John piper once said, “Fear is lack in trust in God.“

Illustration: A child asked her mother, is God everywhere? She affirmed, yes! One day she asked her to get broom lying outside during the night. He went outside and ran back after being fearful because of darkness. He again questioned his mother if God is everywhere, she affirmed with a ‘Yes!’ yet again. After being sure, he quitely put his hand outside of the door and called out, “God if you are there, hand me over the broom!”

When Peter was filled with Holy Spirit, his fear was gone during the day of the pentecost.

This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Out of my distress I called on the Lord ; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call, but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness, dealing forth rewards and punishments. There are those that strive with God’s people, that seek their ruin. Let not God’s people render evil for evil, but wait God’s time.

Are you fearful or you have hope? Hope of someone who will take care of you, comfort you and fill peace in your hearts? This hope can only come through Christ, who is in control and who knows what is next. If you are still fearful, then pray and ask Jesus Christ to comfort you and fill you with hope and peace.

We hope you are encouraged with today’s service. We look forward to see you again on next Sunday. God bless!