Paralyzed by Fear 9/8/2019

5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It's OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"

This young boy was pretty sharp even though his fear was irrational and we adults are aware that it was irrational.

Fear, something we have all experienced is one of the tactics Satan uses to cause us to not act on our faith in God.

Fear will motivate us to break God’s law.

Genesis 12:10–12 NKJV

10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. 12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live.

Fear motivated Abram to lie about Sarai.

God rescued Abram from his own self.

Genesis 12:17 NKJV

17 But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

You would think that Abram had learned that when it came to keeping Sarai and himself safe in a foreign land, God could be trusted.

But in Genesis 20 Abram who had now become so close with God that God changed his name to Abraham was motivated by the same fear.

Genesis 20:2 NKJV

2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

Again God intervenes to save Abraham from himself.

Genesis 20:3 NKJV

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.”

Both times fear motivated Abraham to lie about his relationship with Sarah.

You cannot convince me that Abraham did not know that God looked negatively on lying. But fear motivated him into a lie.

Fear will motivate us not to fight.

In 1 Samuel 17 it was fear that motivated Saul to not fight against Goliath.

It was the place of the King to lead God’s armies into battle. Saul feared death and he feared losing the battle to Goliath. He feared losing the kingdom God had given to him.

When he should have been ending the war. He was instead hiding in his tent allowing fear to overcome the camp.

Every time that Goliath called for Israel to send a man, Saul should have been that man. Saul stood above all the other Israelites.

1 Samuel 9:2 NKJV

2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

Each time Goliath called out “give me a man that we may fight.” Saul ignoring his request brought fear to the entire camp.

1 Samuel 17:24 NKJV

24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.

Fear motivated Saul to stay in his tent. Fear motivated Saul to allow a shepherd boy to walk onto the battle field to face a giant.

Fear will motivate us to deny Jesus.

Fear motivated Peter to deny Jesus.

John 18:15–18 NKJV

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

Three times Peter would deny Jesus because he feared the uncertainty of the situation.

Matthew 26:69–74 NKJV

69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

Fear will motivate you to lie, to hide, and to deny Jesus. God has not called us to fear, but to faith. Faith trusts God even when fear is telling us to abandon that trust.

If fear has been plaguing you. You need to be baptized in the Spirit.

Romans 8:14–15 NKJV

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Instead of the spirit of fear. He has given us His Spirit.

Power

Jesus said;

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

You shall receive “dunamis” miraculous power. The same word used in 2 Timothy. When you receive the Spirit you will receive power that you have not had.

Love

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:12–13 NKJV

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

1 John 4:17–19 NKJV

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

He has given us love. Love toward one another. It is easy to love Him, because He loved us first. But how do we treat the believers around us? Do we love them?

In that love fear is cast out. If you love God, you will love His children.

Sound Mind

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

A sound mind is self control. He has given us self control in troubled times. When fear should cause us to react, the Spirit he gives us helps us to have self control.

Altar Music

Fear

Fear caused Abraham to lie, Saul to hide, and Peter to deny.

None of them had the Spirit. Peter did receive the Spirit and we can see a radical transformation.

Acts 2:1–4 NKJV

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:5–6 NKJV

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:12–13 NKJV

12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Acts 2:14–15 NKJV

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

Thirty days after denying Jesus because of the uncertainty of what may happen. Peter under great pressure, stands to proclaim Jesus and His promises.

The baptism of the Spirit will change your life. It will make you do things you never thought you could or would.

Where Peter would have hid and denied what was happening before, now he lifts up his voice to be sure everyone can hear him.

Acts 2:37–38 NKJV

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.