Fear Not: Unveiling the Real Message of Christmas
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Service Notes
Service Notes
No service tonight
Candlelight Service Next Week
Bible Reading
Bible Reading
Different Languages: Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Nata, keu-ri-seu-ma-seu jal bonaeseyo, Happy - Happy Christmas
Target: Happy Holidays
Common greeting around the first Christmas was “Do not be afraid” or “Fear Not”
One verse I memorized many years ago and I want to help you memorize today.
2 Timothy 1:7 “7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
Funny Story / Andrew requesting that we send him a document. Not responding in time. The Christmas Shoes song starts playing the Hallways. It stopped when he got what he wanted. So much emotion.
Many emotions at Christmas time.
Fear is not one we typical expect.
Kids deal with fear. When they grow up, so does the fear. We give it a new name; anxiety.
Fear: It is a natural emotional response to a real or perceived immediate threat.
Anxiety: Anxiety is the fearful response to a real or perceived future threat.
Transition: For me give you this year let me give you somethings that you could stress about and one reason why you should “fear not.”
Transition: For me give you this year let me give you somethings that you could stress about and one reason why you should “fear not.”
Desire this morning is to help you “fear not” as we approach this wonderful day. (we)
Desire this morning is to help you “fear not” as we approach this wonderful day. (we)
There are many reasons you may feel anxious at Christmas time, including:
Awareness you only have so many of these days with your kids at home.
Seeing all the things that others are doing and thinking you are missing out if you don’t. (Don’t worry you wont be the only family not in matching PJs)
Remembering tradition with lost loved ones.
Dozens of small decisions about who to see and where to go creates a decision fatigue.
The pressure of buying presents: Will they like it? Can I afford it? What will the other kids feel when the other kid opens their present.
We don’t often use the word “Bedlam.” It comes from an abbreviated form of the word Bethlehem. comes from the name of a hospital in London, “Saint Mary of Bethlehem,”which was devoted to treating the mentally ill in the 1400s
Transition: Today I want to do what the Apostle Paul said he was doing for his friends and co-laborers. I want to be a “helper of joy.” Let’s set our hearts to little town of Bethlehem and not to Bedlam.
Transition: Today I want to do what the Apostle Paul said he was doing for his friends and co-laborers. I want to be a “helper of joy.” Let’s set our hearts to little town of Bethlehem and not to Bedlam.
The Bible speaks a great deal about fear especially around the story of the birth of Christ. (God)
The Bible speaks a great deal about fear especially around the story of the birth of Christ. (God)
When we reread the biblical account of Jesus’ birth in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, we discover that fear played a significant role for each of the main characters.
Angels visited Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds with messages that brought fear or anxiety about the unknown.
Now, just seeing an angel appear would strike fear in the hearts of most of us. / they would not appear as Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life
More than a fear of seeing an angel we see other fears addressed that are still very much relevant to our fears 2000 years later.
Overview
FEAR #1: God is unaware and unconcerned about our struggles
FEAR #2: We are not enough for the assignment that God has given us
FEAR # 3: Not knowing what is next
FEAR #4: Not being the best choice to share the best news with others
FEAR #1: God is unaware and unconcerned about our struggles
FEAR #1: God is unaware and unconcerned about our struggles
The Fear of Zechariah
The Fear of Zechariah
Luke 1:12–13“12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
The Story of Zechariah
The Story of Zechariah
An elderly priest named Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth
Many have dealt with the pain and loss of infertility, this couple thought they had passed the point of hope
We find Zechariah at the beginning of Luke, faithfully going about his ordinary priestly responsibilities.
Zechariah was going about the “order of his course” burning incense in the Temple
The lot fell on him for this task.
Something extraordinary happens when he is chosen to enter the temple and offer the incense offering: a declaration from an angel of the Lord saying he and Elizabeth would bear a son.
Zechariah’s skeptical reaction to the angel’s promise showed that he had given up on having a child of his own a long time ago.
Unanswered prayer appears to be unheard prayers
Unanswered prayer appears to be unheard prayers
It was an unanswered prayer completely crushed over years of discouragement and doubt.
One of our greatest fears is unanswered prayer.
Unlike Abraham Zechariah was weak in body and in faith at this point. Romans 4:19 “19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:”
We must not fear unanswered prayer because God does hear.
We must not fear unanswered prayer because God does hear.
Luke 1:12–14“12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.”
Because of Zechariah’s questioning and disbelief at the angel’s announcement, he is rendered mute until the birth of his son, John the Baptist.
We would would not dare to respond to an angel warrior like this, but we are quick to question God’s provision, timing, and even goodness when He does not answer our prayers.
Zacharias overcame fear by trusting the Word of the Lord now has God’s Word on the Matter
Luke 1:18–19“18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”
Does God hear me?
Does God care about my reproach (how he describes his struggle)?
Is it too late in life?
Story I heard years ago of an orphanage in Russia where little children who had not eaten for many days would hold on to a piece of bread to help them sleep at night. I expect Zacharias held onto the fact that He had a message from the Lord very tightly as he slept that night.
Believer, if you are living in fear God does not hear your prayers. Hold on to this tonight as you sleep. 1 Peter 3:12 “12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
FEAR #2: We are not enough for the assignment that God has given us
FEAR #2: We are not enough for the assignment that God has given us
The Fear of Mary
The Fear of Mary
Luke 1:26–30“26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”
The Story of Mary
The Story of Mary
When the angel appears to a young, humble teenager, the Bible tells us that Mary was: confused, shaken, disturbed, troubled, and concerned.
What God asks Mary to do will change her life forever.
Remember, this is a young, engaged virgin in love with possible dreams of a wedding, a home of her own, and children.
God breaks in on the scene and asks her to do the unimaginable: trust him with the impossible.
The Questions you might ask if in this situation
What will I tell my parents?
Will Joseph stay with me?
What will people say behind my back?
Will anyone believe this crazy story?
What will happen to my reputation?
Mary’s fears are not based on her reputation, relationships, or people’s responses.
She only asks a single technical question in verse 34. Luke 1:34 “34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
Her fear is not of believability but biology.
It was not a question of “if” but of “how.”
Would she be able to do what called her to do?
The response to Mary’s fear is that she has found favor with God
The response to Mary’s fear is that she has found favor with God
What is this? Tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.
How do I get this?
Isaiah 66:2 “2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
2 Chronicles 16:9“9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.”
Overcoming Fear of insecurity by knowing that God will do the work in and through us
Overcoming Fear of insecurity by knowing that God will do the work in and through us
Though not to the same degree many will be faced with the impossible
How will I care for a child with special needs?
How will we move to another country to share the Gospel?
How can I live a joyful life with so many challenges?
You can overcome this fear by accepting and trusting His purpose and plan for your life.
Answer to Mary’s question: Luke 1:37 “37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
The angel explains that God will do the work in and through her. She will just need to trust Him.
Here we will see a contrast between Mary and Zacharias
Here we will see a contrast between Mary and Zacharias
Mary obeyed the command with fear-filled faith.
In her song of praise to God, Mary commends the fear of the Lord. Luke 1:50 “50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.”
Zechariah initially disbelieved with fear-filled doubt.
His fear-filled doubt will be removed.
He recalls that Israel was shown mercy and delivered in order that they would not fear. Luke 1:74–75“74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”
Which is it. Are to be a fearful people or not?
Which is it. Are to be a fearful people or not?
John Newton (writer of Amazing Grace) got to the heart of this biblical paradox:
The Lord bids me “fear not”—and at the same time he says, “Happy is the man who fears always.”
To the believer in hear that is unsure how they are going to fulfill the assignment rest in this.
Luke 1:30 “30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”
FEAR # 3: Not knowing what is next
FEAR # 3: Not knowing what is next
The Story of Joseph
The Story of Joseph
Matthew 1:18–21 “18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for Matthew that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
“They say that marriages are made in heaven … but so is thunder and lightning.” This certainly reflects the personal storm that he must have been going through.
The Fear of Joseph
The Fear of Joseph
We all are afraid of the unknown.
Think of all the variables in Joseph’s story.
When Joseph hears that his fiancé is pregnant, he is unsure what to think.
He is an honorable man who wants to do the right thing, but Mary’s story seems unbelievable.
The Questions
How do I know if I am making the right decision?
Will we be shunned and ostracized?
Where will we go?
How will we survive?
How can I protect my family?
What does the future hold for us?
Joseph overcomes fear with simple, one-step-in-front-of-the-other OBEDIENCE
Joseph overcomes fear with simple, one-step-in-front-of-the-other OBEDIENCE
Joseph listened to the angel who brought him a direct message from God and obeyed, not knowing the consequences of his decision.
He did not fully understand, could not see the whole picture, and doubted his next move.
Yet, Joseph believed the Lord and did what the angel told him to do.
He did the next right thing by marrying Mary and continued, faithful step by faithful step, following God’s leading as he raised Jesus.
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ~Corrie Ten Boom
FEAR #4: UNEXPECTED NEWS
FEAR #4: UNEXPECTED NEWS
The Story of the Shepherds
The Story of the Shepherds
How many of you played a shepherd in a Christmas play. Well you all know you have a very important part. Don’t let your siblings tell you otherwise.
Luke 2:8–12 “8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
The Fear of the Shepherds
The Fear of the Shepherds
The Bible does not tell us who they were by name, nor how many there were.
It is reasonable to describe them as humble, common laborers working the night shift.
Not the likely group to receive such an important announcement.
Surrounded by a host of angels. / Quick story from NBT in Boulder
Message to the Shepherds
Message to the Shepherds
Anytime God showed up on the scene in the Old Testament, it was traumatic, and a holy God only reminded the people how separate, sinful, and small they were.
Luke 2:10 “10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
BEHOLD: look beyond what frightens you and perceive the truth of the message.
This is a new and radical message: you will no longer have to be afraid if you look (behold!) at what we are showing you.
No wonder the shepherds hurried to see the baby lying in the manger.
Despite their fears of the unexpected announcement, they needed to see for themselves this Savior who would bring peace to everyone.
The wonder of the message overcomes the fear of sharing it
The wonder of the message overcomes the fear of sharing it
Luke 2:16–20 “16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Common people were given the privilege of sharing the greatest news.
Shepherds were not the normal people to make these type of announcements.
They couldn’t help but tell “all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
2 Timothy 1:8“8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”
How will you keep this to yourself?
“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” -TK
How we respond after hearing “fear not” is our opportunity to worship the Lord.
How we respond after hearing “fear not” is our opportunity to worship the Lord.
Made a whole line of Christmas products around this theme since I knew it would be accepted so well. ;) SLIDES
I do not know what fears you are struggling with today but I do know that God answers each one of them with the truth of the gospel.
The Gospel is the good news that surpasses all bad news. Merry Christmas and Fear Not
You think you need many things to overcome you fear, what you really need is to do what the Shepherds did and BEHOLD.
My nephew Silas is a great gift receiver. When he opens a gift “he says this is what I have always wanted.”
Let us mark somethings off your Christmas list
Let us mark somethings off your Christmas list
Not speaking of the gift list, speaking of the list of things that are robbing your joy.
FEAR #1: God is unaware and unconcerned about our struggles
FEAR #2: We are not enough for the assignment that God has given us
FEAR # 3: Not knowing what is next
FEAR #4: Not being the best choice to share the best news with others
Let say this together.
2 Timothy 1:7 “7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”