fear on SermonAudio

Why is it that people can have the truth standing directly in front of them and still fail to recognize it? In Matthew 13 and 14, we see a powerful principle: the condition of the heart can distort what the eyes see. When Jesus returned to His hometown, the people were astonished by His wisdom and mighty works, yet they could not get past their familiarity with Him. They knew His family. They knew where He had grown up. To them, He was still "the carpenter's son." Instead of allowing the evidence to change their perception of Jesus, they forced Jesus back into the category in which they had always placed Him. Their familiarity became a stumbling block that contributed to their unbelief. Then Matthew takes us immediately to Herod and Herodias. Herod hears about Jesus, but his guilty conscience causes him to conclude that John the Baptist has risen from the dead. Herodias sees John not as God's prophet, but as a threat because John exposed the sin she wanted to protect. Herod himself knows the people regard John as a prophet, yet fear, guilt, political pressure, and the opinions of others influence his actions. Nazareth looked through the lens of familiarity. Herod looked through the lens of guilt and fear. Herodias looked through the lens of rebellion and unrepentant sin. Different lenses—but the same result: distorted perception. In this message, Pastor Brandon Holthaus examines how familiarity, pride, guilt, fear, past experiences, and unrepentant sin can cause us to misinterpret people and even miss what God is doing right in front of us. Matthew 13:53–58

The sermon examines Haggai chapter one, highlighting the Israelites' failure to rebuild the temple while prioritizing their own comfort and security. It argues that legitimate worldly concerns often serve as excuses for spiritual neglect, leading to divine chastisement and unfruitful labor. The preacher illustrates this truth through personal anecdotes of stress and anxiety, urging listeners to recognize how distraction from God's calling robs them of peace. Emphasizing grace, the message asserts that God accepts imperfect obedience when believers seek His kingdom first, promising His presence and pleasure in their service. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a renewed reliance on the Holy Spirit to overcome fear and remain faithful to God's work.

Text: Acts 4:32-5:16 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: In this passage Luke provides another snapshot of what life in the church was like. He opens with a similar account of how the people were selling property and belongings to meet everyone's needs, epitomized by Barnabas who will be a major figure later in Acts. He then concludes this snapshot with a summary of the godly fear that existed among the believers, and the general fear and awe that existed among the unbelieving community. There was something unique about this group of Jesus followers. In the middle of these bookends is the startling story of Ananias and Sapphira whom God put to death for their deception. Through this story and the surrounding accounts of the church, we learn how God's people must be marked by real community, genuine holiness, and godly fear.

The sermon explores the pervasive nature of fear and how believers can transition from anxiety to trust through the example of David in Psalm 56. It emphasizes that God is intimately aware of every detail of a believer's distress and hears their cries for help. The central message asserts that faith does not eliminate fear but coexists with it while trusting in God's absolute sovereignty and protection. By recognizing that God is for them, Christians can overcome the debilitating effects of fear and maintain stability in difficult circumstances. Ultimately, the preacher encourages the audience to rely on divine deliverance rather than human strength or worldly solutions.

The sermon explores the absolute security of the believer's new life in Christ, contrasting it with the fear and insecurity found in various religious systems. Using the story of the Moi tribe in Indonesia, the preacher illustrates how Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, provides eternal life that cannot be lost or taken away. The message emphasizes that salvation is a personal gift from Jesus Christ, secured by His voluntary sacrifice on the cross. Believers are encouraged to listen to His voice through Scripture and follow His guidance daily. Ultimately, the Christian has a double guarantee of safety in both the hands of Jesus and God the Father.

Beloved in the Lord: Every day you live, you are one day closer to death. Death is chasing you and death will win. And before death catches you, you might lose your job…lose your wife or husband…lose your mind…lose your freedom…lose your possessions. That's just the reality. But you have a great task – to build the kingdom of the Savior. He made you. He remade you. He equips you. So you have work to do. But when you look at what could happen, you could become paralyzed by fear. God wants to encourage you today through Jacob's interaction with Laban. Our headings are: 1. Laban Overtook Jacob 2. God Overtook Laban 3. Anger Overtook Jacob Our goals are: That you will rejoice God protects you from your enemies so you can complete the work he has called his redeemed children to do.

The sermon explores Psalm 91 as a source of comfort and protection for believers facing anxiety and fear in a troubled world. It emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ to dwell in God's secret place, thereby resting under the shadow of the Almighty. The preacher highlights God's supreme authority, provision, and covenant faithfulness as the foundation for true security. By trusting in God rather than worldly shelters, individuals can overcome their fears through divine deliverance and protection. The message concludes with an urgent call to surrender control and find safety exclusively in Jesus Christ.

This sermon explores the nature of persistent prayer through Jesus' parable in Luke 11, emphasizing that believers should approach God with bold, shameless persistence rather than fear of bothering Him. The speaker contrasts an annoyed human friend with a Father who is always awake and eager to help, urging listeners to bring all their needs, no matter how small or repeated, to the throne of grace. Key themes include the New Testament privilege of calling God Father, the expression of dependence through petition, and the rejection of rote formalism in favor of a relational approach grounded in Scripture. The message challenges the congregation to overcome pride and hesitation by recognizing that God desires their constant reliance on Him for daily provision and forgiveness. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a prayer life characterized by confident assurance in God's willingness to answer those who ask, seek, and knock.

This sermon examines Jesus' trial before the high priest and Pontius Pilate, highlighting His unwavering commitment to speaking the truth openly rather than in secret. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, contrasting spiritual authority with earthly political power and rejecting any notion of violent revolution. By analyzing Jesus' interactions with Annas, Caiaphas, and Pilate, the text illustrates how believers are called to live transparently and boldly for their faith without fear of societal rejection or persecution. The narrative also uses Peter's denial as a cautionary example of the difficulty in maintaining one's profession under pressure, urging Christians to let their lives clearly reflect their allegiance to Christ. Ultimately, the message encourages the audience to stand firm on biblical truth, recognizing that all earthly authority is subordinate to God's sovereign will.