North Main Street Church of God Sermons

When Fear is a Bad Thing

(Proverbs 29:25-26)

Yearly Theme:  “Joy is…”

Series Title:  “The Joy of Wisdom”

June 21st, 2020

Something to think about:

Among many other things, the fear of man leads to hypocrisy.

We’ve been talking about two different types of fear this month.  Last week we talked about what it means to “Fear the LORD” (Proverbs 1:7).  This week we explore what it means to “Fear Man.”  Our verse of scripture comes from Proverbs today, and it reads…

Proverbs 29:25-26 (ESV), 25  The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. 26  Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.

The Hebrew word for “fear” in this verse is not the same word for fear with regard to GOD.  As I mentioned last week, the Hebrew word for the “fear” of GOD is “Yare,” which means to be “awestruck” or to “stand in awe and wonder.”  This type of fear is attractive and has a way of drawing people to it.  However, the word for fear in Proverbs 29:25 in Hebrew is:  “Charada.”  Charada means  anxiety, quaking, or trembling. 

Now, there are times when people stand before God with this type of fear in Scripture, but what often comes from God is a calming voice saying, “fear not’; do not quake or tremble in fear before Me; I mean you no harm.

It’s the fear of man that oftentimes leads us to this type of fear due to the abuse of power within this broken and fallen world in which we live.  The structures of the world are driven by this type of control fostered by “Charada.” 

The point I want to make this morning is this:

Key Point:  “The wise person does not fear people because they know that God is with them.”

There two specific scenes from Peter’s life that illustrate this well:

Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV), 11  When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12  Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13  The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Acts 4:12-22 (NIV), 12  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

13  When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14  But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15  So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16  "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17  But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

18  Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19  But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

21  After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22  For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

Something to take home:

The world desires to force us into submission by fear, but God desires to lead us into freedom by love.  The fear of men turns us into hypocrites, but the fear of God grows integrity.

So, what part on the world stage are you playing?  Are you taking your cues from the dominant voices in this world that try to pattern you into the best the world has to offer, or are you taking your cues from God who created you complete and unique for purposes beyond what this world has to offer?

The great 19th century American novelist, Nathaniel Hawthorne, once proclaimed that, “No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the truth.”

It’s time to stand up and stand out for the right reasons, and for God’s purposes.  It’s time to take off the mask of hypocrisy and stand against the tide of popular opinion.  It’s time to stand for God amidst the push-back, ridicule, and mockery of the world.  Don’t be afraid of what people can do, rather stand in awe of the Holy God who loves you!

What is Fear?

(Psalm 56:11; Proverbs 1:7)

Yearly Theme:  “Joy is…”

Series Title:  “The Joy of Wisdom”

June 7th, 2020

Something to think about:

This month, as we come back together after two-months of staying at home due to a global pandemic called the “Coronavirus” or “COVID-19,” we can relate to generations in times past who have gone through seasons of upheaval and chaos that has struck fear in the hearts of men, women, and children alike.  But, how should we handle fear?  Should we let it consume us?  For that matter, how do we even define fear?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, fear is:

FEAR, noun [See the Verb.][1]

I will put my fear in their hearts (Jeremiah 32:39).

Slavish fear is the effect or consequence of guilt; it is the painful apprehension of merited punishment (Romans 8:15).

Perfect love (or, the love of God) casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

Though there is cause for slavish fear in every generation, there is a filial fear of God that should rule the hearts of men and women of faith and keep them undaunted from the worry and anxiety of the world.

Key Point:  “Fear of man fosters ignorance; fear of God brings true knowledge and wisdom.”

Let’s break down at these two types of fear today:

Psalm 56:11 (NKJV), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Which leads me to the second type of fear, the…

Proverbs 1:7 (NLT), Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Something to take home:

Where the fear of God exists, the presence of God dwells, and order comes out of chaos.  Where the fear of man exists (and the fear of God does not) the moral fabric of a society unravels, and the conscience of mankind dulled.

Have we been lulled to sleep by fearing man more than fearing God?  It’s time for the church to awaken to the reality of the might and majesty of God once again; to fervently seek Him in all His glorious splendor, and worship Him in spirit and in truth.  It’s time for the church to cast off restrain with regard to our love for God, and stand in awe at the power and authority that comes from His throne.  It’s time to fall on our knees in worship and in repentance, seeking His face and listening to His Word, and operating out of the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.

It’s time once again for the church to not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it is the power of God at work saving everyone who believes![2]

Key Point:  “Fear of man fosters ignorance; fear of God brings true knowledge and wisdom.”

[1] http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/fear

[2] Romans 1:16.

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We all know what it’s like to “go through the motions;” to mindlessly wander from thing to thing, activity to activity, without much thought or mental acuity.  We know what it’s like to go through the morning routines and daily monotonies emotionless and robotic-like. 

Though there is a natural tendency for the human soul to drift, there is also a tendency for the church (God’s people) to drift.  It’s subtle at first.  Just a micro degree off course.  But, then, without notice, we’re adrift in a sea of challenges, worldviews, opinions, empty philosophies, and high-sounding nonsense that confuse and distort the truth so much that we don’t know right from wrong.  It’s at this point that we’re at the mercy of a plethora of voices vying for our attention, all of whom have captivating and convincing arguments for their case.

However, the One, most important, voice we should be listening to is the One we’ve forgotten.

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Mother’s Day (regardless of personal, past experiences) does bring with it memories, pains, dreams, hopes, and many other thoughts and feelings, but the sacredness of the institution of motherhood is timeless.  God’s wonderful, perfect plan for mothers as a source of life, nurture, and love finds its source in the beginning of time when God created Eve as a suitable helper for Adam.  She would be the perfect counterpart to him in his aloneness and bring about a completeness he had not known up to that point in creation.  She would also be the mother of all those who would come into being and hold a vital role in the faith and development of all generations to come. 

Key Point:  “The genuine faithfulness of a mother is priceless.”

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What is the definition of “resurrection?”

resurrection[1]

Noun, (rez-uh-rek-shuh n).

A rising again; chiefly, the revival of the dead of the human race, or their return from the grave, particularly at the general judgement.

Today, we close out our series entitled, “For the Joy,” having focused on Jesus’ journey to the cross.  And, it was because of the joy that was set before Him that He endured the cross, despising its shame, and now He is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf.

Now, we who follow in His footsteps will also follow in His resurrection.  We who believe in Jesus, and have committed our lives to Him by denying ourselves, taking up our crosses, and following Him will also be raised to new life not only spiritually, but also physically when Jesus returns at the end of time.

It’s in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that we turn today in order to wrap our minds around the resurrection in order to have a full and complete picture of what that means for us today (as well as our loved ones who have passed on from this life).

Key Point:  “Joy truly exists for the one who knows there is hope beyond the grave.”

[1] American Dictionary of the English Language, http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/resurrection (accessed:  April 20, 2020).

Follow along in the Bible app @ http://bible.com/events/7938967

What is the definition of “resurrection?”

resurrection[1]

Noun, (rez-uh-rek-shuh n).

A rising again; chiefly, the revival of the dead of the human race, or their return from the grave, particularly at the general judgement.

Today, we close out our series entitled, “For the Joy,” having focused on Jesus’ journey to the cross.  And, it was because of the joy that was set before Him that He endured the cross, despising its shame, and now He is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf.

Now, we who follow in His footsteps will also follow in His resurrection.  We who believe in Jesus, and have committed our lives to Him by denying ourselves, taking up our crosses, and following Him will also be raised to new life not only spiritually, but also physically when Jesus returns at the end of time.

It’s in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that we turn today in order to wrap our minds around the resurrection in order to have a full and complete picture of what that means for us today (as well as our loved ones who have passed on from this life).

Key Point:  “Joy truly exists for the one who knows there is hope beyond the grave.”

[1] American Dictionary of the English Language, http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/resurrection (accessed:  April 20, 2020).

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What do you put your faith in? What brings you joy? Did you know that sometimes we can find “Joy” in something that isn’t God? Sometimes that something could even be religious. Ministries, mission trips, and even worship services can be turned into idols if we don’t keep our relationship with Christ in focus.

It’s easy for us to elevate man-made things in our lives because those are the things that we understand. In the passage of scripture, we are about to read the Israelites had begun to treat the ark of the covenant like a lucky rabbit’s foot. They began to worship and find joy in the man-made box used to house the almighty God, rather than the almighty God himself. It’s often easy for us to point the finger at the nation of Israel and think “how could they be so blind” and yet we do the exact same thing so very often. Let’s take a look at what happens when we start to put our identity in things that are man-made.

Turn in your Bibles to:  1 Samuel 4:1-11

The key point this morning is this…

Key Point:  “When the focus of our joy is on something or someone other than God, joy is just a mirage disguised as hope.”

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What is “unity?”

unity
Noun, plural u·ni·ties.
1. the state of being one; oneness.
2. a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.

Vesta Kelly said, “Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.”

One of the greatest challenges in this world, one of the greatest challenges in the Church, is “unity.” But, why is this? Why is unity so hard, especially in the Church? Well, the simple, but profound, answer to that question is that there is an enemy that is bent on destroying any and all unity, community, and peace, not only within the world, but especially in the Church. Call him Satan, the devil, whatever you like, this enemy is so consumed with destruction that he will stop at nothing in order to subtly or blatantly wreak havoc on humanity for the purpose of drawing people away from God.

We come today (the Sunday after Easter), to a passage that Jesus prayed the night before He was arrested by the Temple guards. Along with His disciples (minus Judas Iscariot who had left the group in order to betray Jesus), Jesus prayed this prayer of unity over the disciples, and all those who would become disciples because of His, and their, message. He says this just after telling them that everything is about to change. He prays this prayer of unity just after telling them that they would have sorrows and troubles of many kinds, but to take heart because He has overcome the world. Listen to the words of Christ this morning with a fresh ear…

Turn in your Bible to: John 17:1-26

Key Point: “Unity with God through Jesus, and unity with the Body of Christ (the Church), is the catalyst for true joy.”

One of the greatest tools of the enemy within the Church is division.  If Satan can (and he often does) divide the Church, then he can hold sway over the direction of peoples’ hearts.

What can we learn from this passage of Scripture that could keep us moving in the right direction with unity?

John 17:4-5 (NLT), 4  I brought glory to you here on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do.  5  Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

John 17:13-14 (NLT),  13  “Now I am coming to you.  I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with joy.  14  I have given them your word.  And the world hates them because they did not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.”

John 17:17 (NLT), Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

 Something to take home:

I contend, that apart from unity, there is no joy.  Jesus the great Unifier/Reconciler between us and God brought us great joy by offering us so great a sacrifice.  In Christ, God has pulled out all obstacles and all rituals and freely offers us a path to salvation and wholeness.  Apart from God there is not unity, and apart from God there is no real, lasting joy.

 It’s time to be light and salt once more.  It’s time to work toward being one as Jesus and the Father are one.  It’s time, once again, to share in the glory of God the Father and Jesus Christ, by reflecting the light of Christ to the world around us and drawing others to Him.  It’s time to work together, not because it benefits us in some practical way, but all because it glorifies God in every single way.

 Key Point:  “Unity with God through Jesus, and unity with the Body of Christ (the Church), is the catalyst for true joy.”

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Something to think about:

The key point this morning is this…

Key Point:  “Sometimes losing is winning.”

Today, Easter Sunday, we come to a passage not about resurrection, but rather the hope of resurrection, with a look at Jesus final moments with His disciples around the table of the Last Supper in an upper room in downtown Jerusalem.  Jesus knows His time has come, but the disciples are still oblivious to the fact that Jesus (in just a few hours) will be arrested by the Temple guards in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He will lead His disciples to pray with Him through the night.

In our passage from John 16, we read the words of Jesus’ encouragement to His closest followers.  In the midst of what is about to happen to Jesus – the tragedy of death and sorrow and grief – the disciples will see Jesus come into His full glory as He fulfills the Father’s purpose for His life.  Jesus even tells them the devastating truth of their coming betrayal of Him in the midst of His darkest hour and need, but wants them to understand that these words aren’t meant to discourage them, but rather to give them peace in the coming days knowing that this is not the end.

Let’s take a closer look this morning…

Turn in your Bibles to:  John 16:16-33