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/Sunday, October 26, 2008 am/
/ /
*WHAT NOT TO FEAR*
As we look around we can see that we are living in trying and uncertain times.
People are very concerned (worried) and many are afraid of the unknown that lies just ahead.
When times are difficult we should be concerned, but how will we manage it?
That is the big question.
Much of dealing with difficult times (and the good times as well) has to do with our attitude.
So with that in mind I want to talk about a certain attitude.
Today I want to talk about fear.
Fear is an interesting study in the Bible.
In the Bible there are different words for our English word fear.
It is a multileveled term that is describe as something we ought to possess in some circumstances AND something we should overcome in other situations.
Our task in this lesson to look at the word and then distinguish between the things we ought to fear and note some things we should NOT fear.
*I.
**What is fear?*
a. Fear is actually a complex concept in the Bible - Because it is at times associated with terror and at other times with reverence.
b.
The prominent word in the New Testament is from the Greek word, “/phobos/” from which we get our word, phobia (which means a fear of something).
\\ The primary meaning in Greek is, “/to flee from/.”
(Word Study Dictionary).
\\ Thayer describes the word as, “/fear, dread, terror/.”
Secondly, he describes it as, “/reverence, respect/.”
\\ Louw & Nida’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament define it as, “/A state of severe distress, aroused by intense concern from impending pain, danger, evil, etc. or possibly by the illusion of such circumstances./”
(25.251,
Louw and Nida).
What is interesting to me about this definition is it speaks of the “illusion of such circumstances.”
While there are things that promote real fear, quite often it is an exaggeration of the REAL circumstances.
c. Fear is a natural thing that we all have, though what we each fear is different.
In fact, as we shall see, it is a good and needed thing.
\\ The problem with fear lies in how we deal with it – will we let fear master our lives or will we master our fears?
*II.
**We need fear – *
a. Rom.
11:20, “Do not be haughty, but fear.”
A text that distinguishes between arrogance and the fear we need.
So what (and Who) are we to fear?
b.
We need to fear
i.
God – 1 Peter 2:17 calls for us to fear God. \\ Matt.
10:28 – fear Him because He is in control not only of what happens in this life, but also our destiny after this life.
IF we are not living right and serving Him we better BE AFRAID! \\ When we fear God it can perfect holiness within us.
NOTE: This involves both reverence and terror – both properly placed.
ii.
Rom.
13:7 – fear (or reverence) to whom it is due - a passage dealing with government.
We ought to respect our government and acknowledge their power.
The one who ought to view the government with terror are those who do evil (see vs. 3).
iii.
Phil.
2:12 – as we work out your salvation, it should be with fear and trembling.
The point being a realization of the consequences of failure to obey God.
Heb.
12:28 speaks of serving God with reverence and godly fear.
iv.
Hebrews 4:1 - Failure to enter heaven
*III.
**What NOT to fear - *
a.
In Revelation 1:17 John sees a vision which we know is descriptive of Christ, but what he saw frightened him.
In fear, he falls at the feet of Him in the vision.
The Lord speaks and the first thing He says is, “Do not be afraid.”
The message was one designed to let him know that there was no need to be frightened.
The reason is because John was now in the presence of his Lord.
BUT, the saying also notes that there are times when we do NOT need to be afraid.
\\ In scripture we also find circumstances where we SHOULD NOT be afraid.
Let us notice a few of these.
b.
But let us first notice that when we speak of not being afraid, we are not saying that apprehension in these circumstances is wrong or unnatural.
It is how we handle our fear in these things that we need to address.
\\ Fear becomes a problem when we start fearing the wrong things and let that fear influence us in the wrong way.
Far too many today fear the wrong things.
It keeps them from doing the right things.
The Bible speaks of some things we should not fear.
c.
Some things we should NOT fear:
i.
*/What man can do to you/* – Hebrews 13:6 – when we learn to trust God, we have no need to be afraid of what man can do to us.
The reason is because God is more powerful (1 John 4:4) \\ 1 Peter 3:14, “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
Instead “Sanctify God in your hearts.”
\\ This comes from one who at times did fear man – Galatians 2:11-12 states that Peter played the hypocrite because he feared those of the circumcision.
\\ John 9:22 – the parents of the healed blind man feared the Jews which caused them to give a weak answer (at best) to their inquiry about their son.
\\ Hebrews 11:27 – Moses forsook Egypt because he did no fear the wrath of the king.
ii.
*Failure* - Matthew 25:25 – the lazy servant was afraid of failure (and the results).
How many of us do nothing because of our fear of failure?
In such situations we have chosen the WORST option.
While failure might be bad (but not always), we see here that a failure to try is AUTOMATIC condemnation.
We should ALL take that warning seriously.
iii.
*/Of losing temporal things/* – \\ We are living in troubling times physically.
Right now we are headed to a worldwide recession (or so they say).
Physical net worth is not what it once was.
But who is most adversely affected by this?
The one whose trust is in THINGS!
\\ Luke 12:32 says, “Do not fear, little flock.”
This is in a context dealing with worry.
What is worry?
It is usually undue concern for things.
\\ Are we content with what we have?
Phil 4:10-13 \\ Are we living for heaven instead of for this world?
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