GraceUnlimited

Taking a stand for truth is going to involve a bold step against personal fear. Jesus, in fact, actually sends His people out like sheep among wolves. Christians seldom desire to be hated by all men. Jesus committed Himself to such a mission. A mission of sorrow. He knows that those whom He sends will face the same, but He still tells us not to fear. Why- Because God's cause wins- Regardless of what seems to be failure. We can look back, look forward, and to our present. His present perspective is that we should not fear, even in the face of death. To face even death in this world is far less dreadful than facing hell. Remember forever. There are many reasons for fear, but many more reasons for courage.

You struggle with fear. Agreed, some people do have a more fearful disposition. But as a Christian, an entirely different phenomenon is in force. God the Holy Spirit both lives in your and works in you to change you- With such power at work in you, you are obligated to tap into it. You may no longer be controlled by your own personal fears. Knowledge of the love of God is a powerhouse in the Christian life. Fear is not about circumstances, it is about unbelief. A fearless person is a person who loves God and who loves others. Selfishness drives fear. It cultivates irrational thought in a terrifying world. But just because you think a stupid and fearful thought, doesn't mean you have to believe it.

Fearing people and trusting God are incompatible. The fear of people is a false trust. It says that if people think I'm unsuccessful, then I am unsuccessful. That is why people fear gossip so much. It strikes at their God. Fear manifests in both covert and overt behaviour. Both can also be present in the same person. it can be very difficult to identify. So, not only is it deceptive, but it is distracting too. It distracts from true worship. Other people's opinions can dominate a fearful person's course of life. What does God want- Would you do this if someone didn't notice- The fear of man is also deadly. Idols lie with false promises. With Israel, thrusting God was the opposite of living in fear. You are a slave to what you fear. Fear makes you complain instead of rejoicing. It makes you do what you know is wrong because you are afraid of other people. This covert sin is something you must take before God because it will not remain private. It will overflow into external lifestyle. Are you trusting God, or are you living in the fear of people-

Scripture doesn't require Christians to be fearless but to distinguish between different types of fear. Not all fear is sinful. Jesus, for example, was alarmed in Gethsemane as He anticipated the cross. Other types of fear, however, are an expression of wisdom. A good example is the fear of doing wrong. How can we distinguish between natural fear and sinful fear- We could ask ourselves some questions such as- Has this fear stopped me from doing what I know to be right- Has this fear caused me to disobey God- Has this fear caused me to become selfish- Is this fear based on unbiblical thinking- Does this fear have unbelief at it's root- Another question you could as is whether you are sufficiently afraid of sinning in this fearful situation. In the next sermon, this consideration of the two types of fear will continue.

You have surely faced anxiety to the point where you have been eaten away by it. Public misrepresentation is a good example. When people slander you, and you are not able to respond or contain the damage. Such was the experience of the speaker. There are three common traps you are in danger of falling into when you are tempted to become consumed with fear. The first is doubt, the second is worry, and the third, envy. Doubt asks, -Why me-- -Why now-- -What is God doing-- Yet even as Christians suffer in this way, the word of God brings relief. It doesn't deny the reality of suffering, but is great enough to bring real relief. Worry questions the presence of God. It asks the questions, -What if-- and -If only-- As a result it asks whether I will survive this calamity or not. Scripture reassures us that that which is most important is not at stake. Life is found in God Himself. Envy questions the wisdom of God. It reasons that if you had what others have, your life would be significantly better. This mindset bemoans the things you don't have rather than rejoicing in the things you do. Also, you can't evaluate God by looking at him through this moment. God's salvation is eternal. Grace focuses you on what is eternal during your suffering in time. How will you interpret your suffering- Will you avoid these three traps into which fear drives you-

Wise parenting is cumulative. If you are struggling to know where to start, begin with focusing making wise decisions. Speak to your children about God's wrath against sin. Teach your children to listen. Good listening doesn't come easily so you need to put effort into teaching them to listen before they reach their teens and then leave home. Poor listeners will struggle at school, in the church, in their careers, in their marriages and in all types of interpersonal relationships. Bound up in failure to listen is a sinful unwillingness to hear. Teach your children about good friendships, family relationships, and how to distinguish wise people from fools. Consequences do follow actions cumulatively. Be open with your children about your own failures and the consequences you have suffered. Connect disobedience with pain for your children. You do that because you know that painful consequences will eventually catch up with your children. Teach them what it important in life--a God-centred worldview. This is wisdom. Pursue wisdom yourself. If you don't pursue wisdom, but rather live a foolish life, how can you expect your children to see it as beautiful and long for it-