Today we continue with another article

... about “Do Not be Afraid” and I pray it will be an encouragement to you.

1. What to do when fear knocks. Max Lucado: “Fear, it seems, has taken a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop.  Oversize and rude, fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Happiness complies.  Do you ever see the two together? Can one be happy and afraid at the same time? Clear thinking and afraid? No. Fear is the big bully in the high school hallway: brash, loud, and unproductive.” For all the noise that fear makes and all the room it takes, fear does little good. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to walk out of the prison that fear makes? Wouldn’t it be great that when fear knocks we refuse to answer the door?

Imagine your life wholly untouched by fear and anxiety. What if faith, not fear, was your default reactions to threats? Imagine living a day, just one day, absent of the dread of failure, rejection, calamity, and insecurity. 

2. Why be afraid. Matthew 8:23‑27 (NKJV) “Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 

And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" 

Jesus asked...Why are you fearful...why are you so afraid? Is He serious...He must be kidding. Teasing obviously. Like one swimmer asking the other one - why are you wet? Jesus is not kidding...He is sincere...why are you so afraid? You see, believers in Christ are not set apart by the lack of storms...they are set apart by Whom they find in the storm with them. He was sleeping.

3. Does God care when we are fearful. Mark 4:38 (NKJV) “But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" This is very interesting...they do not ask Jesus about His strength...Can you still the storm? Or His knowledge - Are you aware of the storm? Or His know how - Do you have any experience with storms? They raise doubt about Jesus’ character...Do you not care? Fear does this! Fear corrodes our confidence in God’s goodness...if God can keep His eyes shut when mine are wide open and He can sleep when I think I am going under...Does He really care? Fear unleashes doubts, anger stirring doubts. Lucado – “Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia. It dulls our miracle memory. It makes us forget what Jesus has done and how good God is.” Do not be afraid!

On Wednesday nights we

... have been doing a series on “Do Not be Afraid” so for the next few weeks I want to share with you what we have been talking about. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT2)  “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” What would you guess would be one of the most common commands in the Scripture? The single command in Scripture that occurs more often than any other—God’s most repeated instruction is formulated really in these words…Do not be afraid or fear not.

1. Let’s look at why God tells us to not be afraid. I believe the number one reason God tells us to “not be afraid” is because fear is the reason humans are tempted to avoid doing what God asks them to do...to trust Him.

2. We must know based on God’s Word that He can be trusted even when we are afraid. Isaiah 43:1‑2 (NKJV) “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Father God can be trusted as long as we acknowledge Him. John Ortberg – “I believe the reason God says “fear not” so often is that fear will sink us faster than anything else.  Fear disrupts faith and becomes the biggest obstacle to trusting and obeying God.”

3. Fear and the cost of living in fear. When we are not willing to face our fears...it will definitely cost us...What? Fear will cost us our self-esteem. Fear will cost us a loss of destiny. Fear will cost us a lack of joy. Fear will cost us a sense of real intimacy. Fear will cost us our availability to God. –This is key: you will never know God is trustworthy if you do not risk obeying Him. When you come to the end of your life all those “what ifs” becomes “might have beens”. What might have been if I had trusted God? Fear gets passed from generation to generation. What are we passing to our children...faith or fear? Psalm 103:15‑18 (NLT) 

“Our days on earth are like grass; like wild flowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! 

The disciples were confronted...

 ...with the care of widows in the church so they told the people: Acts 6:3-5 (NKJV) “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip…” The disciples needed help because the church was multiplying. It must be understood between those called into the ministry as pastors and those raised up as the laity, to go from normal to supernatural, there has to be love and co-operation. There has to be Holy Spirit too.

1. Going from Normal to Supernatural Requires Laity to be Spirit-filled. Based on God’s Word, when the church needed people who would serve and truly take care of the widows, they chose people filled with Holy Spirit. Their qualification: Seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. No one is telling you not to serve if you do not have these qualifications. What we are saying is to seek God until He baptizes you in Holy Spirit power so that you can be more effective in your ministry.

2. Going from Normal to Supernatural will Require the Laity to be Focused on the Great Commission. Stephen and Phillip were not pastors or missionaries in the traditional sense. They were laity. Hear your pastor, just because God has not called you to be a pastor or missionary does not mean God cannot use you in an amazing way. Stephen, a deacon, full of Holy Spirit, full of power, full of wisdom, being used by God to do signs and wonders. Stephen could have been anything in the church (usher, greeter) but he wanted God to use him. Philip was a deacon but he was being used by God in such an incredible way. Why? Same reason. He was full of Holy Spirit, full of power, full of wisdom, and being used by God to preach the Word.

3. Going from Normal to Supernatural took Philip into a Chariot Ministry. Your ministry as a layman or as a pastor may be a chariot ministry or a golf ministry or shopping ministry but the point is to go from normal to supernatural you must be filled with Holy Spirit and willing to go. In his ministry:

A. Philip was sensitive to hear the voice of the Lord and to do what He said.

B. Philip was observant to what is happening with the person he is trying to share Jesus.

C. Philip was sensitive to know now is the time to preach Jesus.

The disciples are being persecuted...

 ...and much like today the leaders were trying to silence the church. They were bringing persecution until Gamaliel spoke up with wisdom. Acts 5:38-39 (NKJV) “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." Is what we are doing, as a church, of God or human effort? If it is human effort it will fail but if it is of God, they can’t stop us. Matter of fact, they will find themselves fighting against God. Our Distinctives at Life Church:

1. Our First Distinctive: We should be passionate about the lost. Luke 19:10 (NKJV) “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." What does it mean to be passionate about the lost? It means we love them, pray for them, share with them, and live in such away in front of them that exemplifies Christ.

2. Our Second Distinctive: Home and world missions. Mark 16:15&20 (NKJV) “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” 

3. Our Third Distinctive: Being filled with Holy Spirit. Acts 4:31 (NKJV) “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” The disciples had been initially filled with Holy Spirit power in Acts 2, they are going from normal to supernatural, and they are getting opposition and persecution. They need Holy Spirit power to speak the Word of God with boldness.

4. Our Fourth Distinctive: Generous giving. Acts 2:44-47 (NLT2) “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Generosity was one of the first signs they were Spirit-filled. 

5. Our Fifth Distinctive: Worship. Luke 24:52-53 (NKJV) “And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.” Worship will lead you to being baptized in Holy Spirit power.

Today I want to do something that I have wanted to do for a long time...

I want to tell all of you where to go! Matthew 28:18‑19 (NLT) “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Jesus has told us to go and we must be obedient!  First, we must go after God with all of our hearts.  The truth is: we will never go after “them” until we go after Him! Tommy Tenny:  “We must go after God until we catch Him or He catches us!”

Second, we must go after the lost. Ezekiel tells us there is a great and mighty army just waiting to come up out of their graves to be used for God. Ezek 37:13 (NKJV) "Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.”  Third, we must go to the church and say it is time to wake up out of your sleep!  Eph 5:14 (NKJV) “Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."  Fourth, we must go after revival! Revival is when you are tired of the status quo and you truly want Jesus to be Lord. It is when you are tired of altars not being filled with those who need salvation, when you want Holy Spirit to lead a service instead of a man, when dry bones come to life, when God’s Word is believed and acted upon with signs following, when children and adults alike are in the altars pouring out their hearts to God. Revival is a blast of the breath of God coming into a church and community changing everything in its path.

Fifth, we must go on to maturity. Hebrews 6:1 (NLT)  “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.”  Finally, we must go to the gates of hell and rescue those who are about to fall off the edge. Life Church, Jesus said we must go so we must go! Now you can tell your friends and family your pastor told you where to “go”. 

COVID 19 or the Coronavirus or the giant is before us...

... so what are we going to do? 1 Samuel 17: (NLT2) “Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall!” We all have to admit that Goliath, a nine-feet tall giant, is a large enemy and that he is the ultimate warrior. Just his coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. This is a foe that Israel had not anticipated and obviously had not asked for but there he was right in front of them taunting and challenging them. I think we all can admit that this Covid 19 is a giant that is coming against the United States and the World. Obviously we did not ask for or anticipate that we would be where we are today with this virus. Many are fearing, even those in the church, and my job today is to bring calm in the storm. How can we face this giant? 

1. Realize family may not be on your side. David has been sent by his father to take food down to the battle lines where his brothers are fighting (supposedly) and to bring back a report. Anytime you try to do something great for God, there is a good chance there will be family there to try to stop you in your tracks. This was not David’s first run-in with his brother. What are you going to do when there is a giant in front of you and you believe God wants you to take it out? Your family opposes you. David could stand against his brother because he knew he was doing the will of his father. He knew his father had sent him. Before we try to slay this giant that is before us we must know that our God, our Father, has sent us and we are being obedient to what He is directing us to do.

2. Realize leaders may not see what is in you. How desperate was Israel for someone to take care of Goliath? How desperate are we for someone to take care of Covid 19? Israel was so worried that they sent a young shepherd boy to the king.David has already had to get past family who were discouraging him and doubting him and now the leadership is telling him he can’t beat Goliath. There is no way you can win. I love David’s response. Whether it was a bear or a lion, when they came after the sheep something rose up in me. You see he had been spending time, not just watching sheep, but worshiping God and praying. This is the time for the church to shine. 

3. Goliath wants to take you out but you kill him. David has already had to overcome the attacks of family, he had to overcome the lack of faith from leadership, and now he is faced with Goliath. Goliath says, “Am I a dog?” Yep! But you are not going to roll over and play dead, you are going to roll over and be dead. Our enemy comes against us with fear, sickness, and confusion but we come against him in the Name that is above every name…the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every knee will bow. The Lord will conquer Goliath!

This week we continue sharing about the fear of the Lord.

This message has a way of making us uncomfortable. That is my job sometimes. There is a great promise for those who have the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 33:5-6 (NIV) “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” The more I look into this subject of the fear of the Lord the more I realize God wants us to understand how serious it is for us. The fear of the Lord can be defined as a continual awareness that you are in the presence of a holy, just, and almighty God, and that every motive, thought, word, and action is open before Him and will be judged by Him. I hear people say, Pastor Rick, the fear of the Lord is just an Old Testament thing. Really?

The Word says Psalm 89:7 (NKJV) “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” I am afraid that in the church we are serving a Jesus Who is not depicted in scriptures. We have made Him into the image of God that we want Him to be. We have no fear or reverence for Him. Romans 1:22-23 (NKJV) ^“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man…” Is the Jesus you serve the Jesus of the Bible or is He the Jesus you have created Who winks at your sin and lets you live anyway you want with no consequences? Romans 1:18-25 (NKJV) tells us of a dangerous downward spiral of those who know the Lord. You may call it losing your fear of the Lord. You may call it backsliding or falling away from the Lord. Maybe drifting away from the Lord. Whatever you want to call it but hear this, it says although they knew God v. 21:

A. Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God.

B. Although they knew God, they were not thankful.

C. Although they knew God, they became futile in their thoughts about Who God was.

D. Although they knew God, their foolish hearts were darkened. 

E. Although they knew God, in professing to be wise, they became fools.

F. Although they knew God, they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man.

G. Although they knew God, they exchanged the truth of God for a lie.                                                        

H. Although they knew God, they worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.

Let’s rap up this word by saying what Hebrews 10:26-31 (NKJV) says “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The book of Romans and Hebrews are New Testament books.