Sermon 03304

“The Hands and Feet of Jesus”

Matthew 6: 25-34 Part 2

Cf. Nehemiah 4: 7-23

FEAR FACTOR

I. Introduction

A. Opening Illustration: “Fear Factor”

1. There is a reality show called “Fear Factor,” that displays people facing up to their fears.

a) Some things they have to do are really disgusting.

b) They eat worms, bugs, and parts of formerly living creatures!

c) I do not qualify [ever] as a contestant!

d) Although it might be fun to have our own little church family “Fear Factor” production (my grandmother used to love to eat the tongue of a cow).

2. What is your greatest fear?

a) Is it sickness?

b) The unexpected big bill or foreclosure?

c) An accident?

d) Growing old? Loosing your good looks? Death?

e) Relationship rejection?

B. Picking up the Pieces from last week.

1. Last week we looked at the first part of this passage in Matthew where Jesus told His followers not to worry about the things in this life.

2. Today I want to give you some steps on how you can accomplish this commission.

3. And then we are going to look at latter part of His commission.

C. Defining Fear

1. What exactly IS fear? There are many synonyms used to identify fear ¡V worry, nightmare, terror, phobia. There are all kinds of words to describe that most common life-paralyzing event called fear. There is fear of closed-in places, claustrophobia. There are people who are afraid to leave the familiar confines of their homes, agoraphobia. I used to love to climb trees as a kid; now I can¡¦t stand heights¡Kit¡¦s a phobia, a fear! I even heard a new one recently, audio-biblical-peda-phobia ¡V a fear of sermons that step on your toes! (Only kidding¡Kdon¡¦t be fearful).

2. Apart from the technical names, there is a less technical approach to understanding fear. We have all experienced what it feels like to fear. Dr. Walter Cannon, a pioneer researcher in psychosomatic medicine at Harvard Univ., describes what happens to the human body when it becomes angry or fearful: "Respiration deepens; the heart beats more rapidly; the arterial pressure rises; the blood is shifted from the stomach and intestines to the heart, central nervous system, and the muscles; the processes of the alimentary canal cease; sugar is freed from the reserves in the liver; the spleen contracts and discharges its contents of concentrated corpuscles, and adrenalin is secreted." (1)

3. Whatever the definition or correct terminology, fear can rob you of your life. One day in July, a farmer sat in front of his shack, smoking his corncob pipe. Along came a stranger who asked, "How’s your cotton coming?" "Ain’t got none," was the answer. "Didn’t plant none. ’Fraid of the boll weevil." … “Playing it Safe.”

4. Well if playing it safe is so wrong, what’s the game plan, coach? In a word – FAITH!

5. Turn to Nehemiah 4: 7-23 as we examine a game plan for carrying out Jesus’ command to avoid worry.

II. Body: Steps to Minimize the Fear Factor

A. EXPECT IT

1. Problems never come at a good time and often your in the middle of trying to fix one problem when another comes your way.

2. The fact is the Bible tells us that as long as there is un-holiness or sin in the world, there is going to be a cosmic struggle and it is not going to be easy.

a) You can expect it.

b) Look at Ephesians 6: 12.

3. Ultimately our fears do not come from facing the everyday cares of life, they come because there is a larger struggle going on in this fallen world.

B. EXPOSE IT

1. Fear is contagious.

2. In Nehemiah’s situation the job of rebuilding the walls seemed (and was) next to impossible (like paying off that high mortgage).

a) The grumbling started when the long hours and hard work began to overwhelm some of the weaker builders. (v. 10 and 11)

b) That played right into the hands of the enemy. They threatened constantly. They began spreading rumors; trash talk was born!

3. This is a common ploy of enemies.

a) The radio voice of Tokyo Rose communicating messages of hopelessness to the G.I.’s in WW II.

b) We dumped pamphlets and papers in Iraq.

c) We see it in politics (spread rumors and slander).

4. Nehemiah dealt with the rumor mill in two ways.

a) He prayed

b) He gathered the people together and dealt with it, exposed the problem.

5. In your life there are fears that can cause you to come unglued.

a) Commit yourself and your family to prayer.

b) Gather together with other Christians.

(1) Not to wear you out.

(2) Consider Jude 1: 20-21

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

6. Expect fear, and when it shows up, expose it and then…

C. ENGAGE IT

1. Playing safe means staying on the sidelines. Playing safe is what Dr. Seuss’ Zode did:

Did I ever tell you about the young Zode

Who came to two signs at a fork in the road?

One said "To place One," and the other "Place Two"

So the Zode had to make up his mind what to do.

Well, the Zode scratched his head and his chin and his pants

And he said to himself, ’Now I’ll be taking a chance...

To go to Place One. That place may be hot.

How do I know if I’ll like it or not.

On the other hand, though, I’ll feel such a fool

If I go to Place Two and find it’s too cool.

"Play safe," cried the Zode. I’ll play safe, I’m no dunce

I’ll simply start off to both places at once.

And that’s how the Zode who would not take a chance

Got to no place at all with a split in his pants.

Series: The Hands and Feet of Jesus -- Fear Factor