fear on SermonAudio

Fearing man leads to joining oneself to the ungodly, and the harm that comes from that. But trusting in YHWH causes the upright man to view it as unthinkable to partner with the wicked, because he looks to YHWH for all good.

This sermon explores Psalm 34 to emphasize the believer's reliance on God's sovereignty and protection amidst life's disappointments and trials. The central message highlights that consistent dedication to worship and fervent prayer are essential for spiritual victory and peace, contrasting the fleeting nature of human trust with the enduring faithfulness of the Lord. Key themes include the deliverance of the righteous from fear and want, the active ministry of angels, and the divine wisdom found in pursuing peace and integrity. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, urging the audience to cast their cares upon God, who is near to the brokenhearted and actively works for their welfare. Ultimately, the passage serves as a reminder that while human efforts and political solutions may fail, God remains on the throne, redeeming and protecting those who fear Him.

The sermon explores Paul's declaration in Philippians that he gives thanks to God upon every remembrance of the Philippian church, contrasting this joy with the severe persecution and physical suffering he endured there. By recounting the events in Acts 16, including the deliverance of a demon-possessed girl, the subsequent beating, and the imprisonment that led to the jailer's salvation, the message illustrates how painful memories can be transformed into sources of gratitude when they point to the spread of the gospel. The central theological argument posits a spiritual chain reaction where every remembrance brings thanks, every instance of thanks drives prayer, and every prayer fosters confidence in God's ability to complete the good work He began in believers. This perspective encourages the audience to view their own struggles and memories not with regret, but with a thankful heart that recognizes God's sovereign work in the lives of others. The tone is pastoral and reflective, urging listeners to examine whether their memories lead to thankfulness and confident prayer rather than bitterness or fear.

Watch our services live at http://wcfav.org/ Free Downloads of Pastor Shane's E-books at https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/free-ebooks/ Donate to Westside Christian Fellowship here: https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/give/ Westside Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational Christian church that meets every every Sunday at 8:30 am & 11:00 am in Leona Valley, California (9306 Leona Avenue). For more info, or to read our statement of faith, visit westsidechristianfellowship.org/about-wcf/statement-of-faith/

This sermon examines the final chapter of 1 Samuel as a theological illustration of the spiritual warfare between God's people and their enemies. It argues that the defeat of Saul and his sons represents the enemy's attack on the visible church, utilizing physical violence, false doctrine, and the targeting of leadership. The message emphasizes that while the enemy operates with malice and arrogance, their actions are strictly limited by the sovereign permission of God, who uses such events to fulfill His divine purposes. By contrasting the fall of the house of Saul with the enduring rise of the house of David, the sermon reassures believers that the kingdom of God advances despite temporary setbacks. Ultimately, it calls for a posture of trust in God's control rather than fear of human opposition, pointing to Christ as the greater David whose victory is eternal.

God's Word calls Christians to give thanks in all circumstances. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how gratitude helps believers resist grumbling, entitlement, fear, and cynicism by remembering God's character, promises, and saving grace in Jesus Christ. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Romans 1, Philippians 4, Colossians, and Ephesians 6, Dave considers thanksgiving as an expression of faith and dependence on God. He also explains how gratitude shapes biblical discernment, helping Christians distinguish truth from error, recognize faithfulness, and correct others with humility and love. The episode closes with seven practical encouragements for cultivating gratitude through prayer, remembering the gospel, encouraging others, and participating faithfully in the life of the local church. Christians can grieve honestly while continuing to give thanks for the mercy of belonging to Christ. For more Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

The sermon explores the life of Caleb as a model of wholehearted faith and obedience, contrasting his steadfast trust in God's promises with the fear and unbelief of the other Israelite spies. It highlights how Caleb's unwavering commitment to follow the Lord enabled him to claim his inheritance in Hebron, even at the age of eighty-five, demonstrating that spiritual vigor persists through physical aging. The message connects this biblical example to the Christian life, urging believers to resist the temptation to settle for partial obedience or comfort, which leads to a lack of full possession of their spiritual inheritance. By emphasizing that faith is the antidote to fear and that true discipleship requires giving God one's entire heart, the sermon encourages a life of continuous, undivided devotion to Christ.

DON'T EVEN INQUIRE! Graced, Gathered, Guided, and Grown by God Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12–22; 11:1–32; 12:29–32 Central Truth: God is fully able to grace, gather, guide, and grow His people in the very world where He has planted them, without requiring them to adopt the world's ways. His unfailing love deserves our wholehearted trust, devotion, and obedience. The message reveals the remarkable faithfulness of God in taking seventy people into Egypt and multiplying them into a great multitude. Despite generations of bondage, oppression, and opposition, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Egypt did not produce their greatness, nor could Pharaoh prevent their growth. The Lord Himself was their source. He redeemed them, gathered them into a nation, and began teaching them how to live as a people belonging to Him. In Deuteronomy 10:12–13, Moses reminds Israel that God's extraordinary mercy calls for a reasonable and affirmative response: to fear Him, love Him, walk in His ways, and serve Him wholeheartedly. Their obedience was not the means of earning His love but the proper response to having received it. This same principle is revealed in Romans 12:1–2, where believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices because of God's mercies. Leviticus 18 establishes an essential distinction. Israel was not to live according to the practices of Egypt, where they had been, or Canaan, where they were going. God had already provided another way to live—His way. Through His Word, His presence, and His instructions, He was preparing a people to walk with Him rather than depend upon the customs and influences surrounding them. This leads to the central warning of D

Courageously Committed Deuteronomy 3:28 | Joshua 1:1–9 The strength to fulfill God's purposes comes from knowing our responsibility, recognizing our accountability, and committing ourselves to what God is already committed to accomplishing. This message explores how God prepared Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, reminding us that the Lord never calls His people to accomplish His will independently of His grace and strength. Before Joshua ever crossed the Jordan, God had been preparing him through Moses, strengthening his faith, establishing his responsibility, and reminding him of the divine authority under which he would lead. The repeated command to "Be strong and of good courage" was more than an appeal to bravery. It was a call to courageous commitment rooted in two essential truths: responsibility and accountability. Joshua needed to get a grip on what God had entrusted to him and recognize that he was ultimately accountable to the Lord. His courage would not come from personal ability, physical strength, or the approval of people, but from his confidence in the God who had commanded him and promised to go with him. The sermon emphasizes that faith is committing ourselves to what God has committed Himself to accomplish. Joshua and Caleb demonstrated this when they trusted God's promise despite the giants and fortified cities before them. Their generation's failure was not a lack of opportunity but a refusal to believe the Lord. The obstacles were real, but God's faithfulness was greater. Rahab provides another beautiful picture of courageous commitment. While Jericho feared Israel's God and prepared to resist, Rahab believed what she had heard about

Everyone experiences it. It is invisible yet produces visible effects. It controls our decisions. What is it? Fear. Fear invades everyone's lives. The devil uses to influence us. How does he do that? How can we overcome his demonic attacks from fear? It's here...