fear on SermonAudio

The sermon emphasizes that all resources, including money and talents, belong to God and are entrusted to believers as faithful stewards. Using the parable of the talents from Matthew 25, the message contrasts eager service with spiritual inactivity, urging Christians to actively use their gifts for the kingdom rather than hiding them out of fear or laziness. It clarifies that while the tithe serves as a biblical basis, New Testament giving is defined by willingness and cheerfulness rather than legalistic obligation. The preacher highlights that faithful stewardship extends beyond finances to include time, energy, and support for the local church and its leadership. Ultimately, believers are called to lay up treasures in heaven, recognizing that their faithfulness on earth determines their eternal reward.

Pastor Brian challenges and encourages us to press on and fight the Spiritual battle waging in each of our lives.

God transforms His people to carry His Gospel to the world!

Summary: Jesus is Lord, and he keeps his people—not from tribulation, but in it and through it—because he's alive. The living Jesus has freed us, he's coming for us, and he walks among us. So look at him, and fear not. The Living Jesus Has Freed Us (vv. 4–6) The Living Jesus Is Coming for Us (vv. 7–8) The Living Jesus Walks Among Us (vv. 9–20

This sermon exhorts believers to reject fear and anxiety while serving as laborers for the gospel, drawing primarily from Matthew chapter 10. The preacher emphasizes that God's sovereign care extends even to insignificant details like sparrows, proving that His followers are infinitely more valuable to Him. It warns that following Christ inevitably brings persecution and social loss, yet these trials reveal the authenticity of one's faith. Believers are urged to confidently confess Jesus before others, knowing that He will affirm them before the Father in heaven. Ultimately, the message encourages proactive preparation through Scripture to remain steadfast and unashamed amidst a hostile world.

The sermon uses the narrative of Joseph's death and burial in Genesis 50 to illustrate that physical death is not the end of existence but a transition to being with the Lord. It emphasizes the theological truth that believers are freed from the fear of past sins because they are covered by the blood of Jesus, urging Christians to stop self-condemnation and trust in God's complete forgiveness. The preacher connects Joseph's journey from pit to palace with the doctrine of the rapture, explaining that this hope should purify the believer's life and foster loyalty to Christ rather than passive waiting. By contrasting the world's desire for earthly preservation with the Christian's eternal hope, the message highlights God's faithfulness to keep His promises across generations. Ultimately, it calls listeners to assurance of salvation through the blood of the Lamb, ensuring peace in the face of mortality.

The sermon addresses the prevalence of discouragement and depression among believers by examining Elijah's experience in 1 Kings 19 after his victory on Mount Carmel. It identifies six primary contributors to spiritual burnout, including life transitions, failed expectations, physical exhaustion, spiritual warfare, isolation, and anxiety. The preacher emphasizes that God responds to these struggles by providing physical rest, spiritual interaction through His word, and relational support from others. By contrasting Elijah's despair with the assurance of God's presence and the example of John the Baptist, the message encourages listeners to reject self-condemnation and trust in divine help rather than succumbing to fear or isolation.

The sermon distinguishes between two types of fear regarding God: servile fear, which is a terror of punishment, and filial fear, which is a reverent awe rooted in love and respect for God as a Father. Using Psalm 119:79 as the primary text, the message argues that believers possess a new nature characterized by this filial reverence rather than dread. This transformed perspective arises from being born again through faith in Christ, who removes the penalty of sin and invites intimacy with the Father. The preacher encourages the audience to approach God with honor and adoration, recognizing His majesty while resting in the security of His grace. Ultimately, true faith is demonstrated by turning to God's testimony with a heart that desires to please Him out of love rather than fear of judgment.