Overcoming Fear with Faith

SETBACK CERTAINTIES I NEED TO REMEMBER THIS SEASON:

1. Setbacks are a matter of “WHEN” not “IF”.

When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers…  James 1:3a (Phillips)

2. My ATTITUDE is crucial to OVERCOMING

…don’t resent them as intruders, welcome them as friends! James 1:3b (Phillips)

3. Setbacks are meant to DEVELOP me not DESTROY

Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character…James 1:3b-4 (Phillips)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BEHOLD & BECOME?

“BEHOLD” is used 1275 times in the KJV Bible.

BEHOLD – To hold in focus for an extended time To gaze in awe or appreciation Pay attention! Think about the meaning!

We BECOME what we BEHOLD.

CHRISTMAS IS A SCARY TIME FOR MANY

• Mary FACED the fear of INADEQUACY.

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”  Luke 1:29-34 (NLT)

• JOSEPH FACED the fear of DISAPPROVAL.

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. ²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 1:18-20 (NLT)

• SHEPHERDS FACED THE FEAR OF UNEXPECTED CHANGE.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. Luke 2:8-10 (NLT)

• KING HEROD FACED THE FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ² “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” ³ King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1-3 (NLT)

• ZECHARIAH FACED THE FEAR OF LET DOWN/DISAPPOINTMENT.

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. ¹² Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. ¹³ But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer…¹⁸ Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”  Luke 1:11-13 (NLT)

HOW CAN I OVERCOME MY FEARS WITH FAITH?

1. DAILY SURRENDER MY LIFE TO GOD COMPLETELY.

Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true.” And then the angel disappeared. Luke 1:38 (TLB)

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. Romans 8:28 (VOICE)

2. SING PRAISES TO GOD.

Then Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord; ⁴⁷ my heart rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ because he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl. From now on, all people will say that I am blessed, ⁴⁹ because the Powerful One has done great things for me. His name is holy. ⁵⁰ God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him. ⁵¹ He has done mighty deeds by his power. Luke 1:46-56 (NCV)

Mary sang! Luke 1:46-56, Elizabeth sang! Luke 1:42-45, Zechariah sang!
Luke 1:67-79, The angels sang! Luke 2:13-14, The shepherds sang! Luke 2:20

You lose your FEAR when you sense God is NEAR!

3. REPLACE MY FEAR OF PEOPLE WITH FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISES.

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”  Luke 1:45 (NLT)

If you fear other people, you are walking into a dangerous trap; but if you trust in the Eternal, you will be safe. Proverbs 29:25 (VOICE)

When I am afraid, O Lord Almighty, I put my trust in you. ⁴ I trust in God and am not afraid; I praise him for what he has promised… Psalm 56:3-4 (GNT)