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Don’t Be Afraid

Posted on 29 Jul 2018, Pastor: Tolu Makinde

Title: Don’t Be Afraid

Text: 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Introduction

Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy to stir up the gift of God which is in him.
For God has not given us the spirit of fear
But of power and of love and of a sound mind
The gift of God in us is of power, love, and sound mind, and NOT FEAR.
If fear is not from God, then it must come from somewhere else – The devil

Main Topic

What is Fear

Fear is a spirit – 2 Tim 1:7, but not Holy Spirit
To be afraid or frightened of something or a situation
To be uneasy or apprehensive
To be in awe or revere
Fear is a feeling, a state of mind by which one cannot function in the way one was created.
Fear can be controlled.
F.E.A.R => False Evidence Appearing Real

Where did fear come from?

There are 12 strong men mentioned in the Bible and fear came from one of them
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Fear comes from the strong man called the spirit of bondage
It is also responsible for bitterness, addiction, and spiritual blindness
You may need to bind the strong man to overcome the fear

What is the purpose of fear

The purpose of fear – the two types of fear

Oppressive or Satanic Fear (from the spirit of bondage)
- To keep one in bondage (whatever one fears will continue to oppress the person)
- To prevent one from reaching their purpose and fulfilling their God given destiny (Children of Israel)
- To make one a slave of the situation when meant to be the master
- To make one a doubter – even to doubt God
- To make one a runner – who flee situations one should face
- To make one a coward
- To make one a loser in life – you don’t win out of fear.
Godly Fear (from the Holy Spirit)
- To make one reverence God at all times
- To make one run away from sin or prevent one from sinning (Joseph and Potiphar’s wife)

Examples of Fear

Numbers 13 – The children of Israel refused to enter the promised land out of fear of the giants in the land.
- Num 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak,which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
- Where God saw them as giant killers, they saw themselves as grasshoppers
- Fear prevented them from reaching the promised land at the appointed time
1 Samuel 17:45-47
- The children of Israel could not approach Goliath out of fear
- David did not approach Goliath with fear
- He approached him with boldness
The Life of Peter
- The Lord Jesus made several promises to Peter.
- The destiny of Peter is to build the church of God – Matt. 16:16-19
  - Mat 16:16-19 – (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
- Satan tried to derail the destiny of Peter – Luke 22:31-34
  - Luk 22:31-34 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to haveyou, that he may sift you as wheat: (32) But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (33) And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. (34) And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
  - The devil did not want Peter to accomplish his purpose, so through fear, Satan wanted to get rid of him.
- Peter denied Jesus 3 times out of fear of what man will do to him – Math 26:69-75
- Peter walked on water. However, when he saw the wind boisterous, fear gripped him and he began to sink.
  - Mat 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. (23) And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (24) But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. (25) And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (32) And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. (33) Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
  - The boisterous wind created fear in Peter, then he began to doubt Jesus, and he began to sink.
  - Anytime fear causes us to change our focus away from God, we sink further into the situation. As soon as we put our focus back on God, He comes to our rescue.
- Peter was supposed to lead the disciples to preach the gospel. After the death of the Lord, because of fear, he told the disciples he was going back to fish.
  - (Joh 21:3) Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
  - Fear almost prevented him from reaching his destiny. Fishing for fishes was not his destiny; fishing for soul was his destiny.
- Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
- Act 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
- After the day of Pentecost, Peter was no longer living in fear. He became bold as a lion. Every form of fear in his life was burned by the fire of the Holy Spirit.
  - The first time he preached, 3000 souls were won to the Lord. Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto themabout three thousand souls.
  - The Peter that went back fishing, is now being used to make the lame to walk. Act 3:6-7 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (7) And he took him by the right hand, and liftedhim up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
  - The Peter that denied Jesus 3 times because of the fear of man, is now performing miracles even with his shadow – Act 5:14-16 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) (15) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. (16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
  - When Peter conquered his fears through the power of the Holy Spirit, he fulfilled his purpose in life and reached his destiny.
- Fear will want to derail your God given destiny. You must face your fears to fulfill your destiny, and you will overcome that fear – it is a guaranteed win because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world – 1 John 4:4
Fear of God
- Act 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
- [Psa 23:4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psa 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Pro 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Conclusion

Fear is a spirit that did not come from God
You can conquer fear with the help of the Holy Spirit
If you do not conquer that fear, it will continue to oppress and dominate you
Understand that God has given you the Spirit of power, love and sound mind
The end result of the fear will not come to pass, but you must face that fear
You cannot fulfill your God given destiny if you allow fear to oppress you

Sermon

Don’t Be Afraid