DESTROYING FEAR-MONGERING

SERMON STARTER

The Power of Intimidation

        Fear has always held a fascination for the country's media newspapers and tabloids. They have exaggerated the exploits of a few colorful thieves and made them seem bigger than they actually are. Take for example this one wild West character.

        He was a professional thief. His name stirred fear in the hearts of the people. He terrorized the Wells Fargo Stage Line for 13 years. He spooked even the most rugged frontiersman. During his reign of terror between 1875 and 1883, he is credited with stealing the bags away from 29 different stagecoach crews. He did it all without firing a shot. His weapon was his reputation. His Ammunition: fear and intimidation. a hood hid his face. No victim ever saw him. No artist ever sketched his features. No sheriff could ever track his trail. Black Bart was his name and fear was his game.
        There interesting thing about Black Bart, when the hood finally came off, there was nothing to fear. After the authorities finally tracked him down, they didn’t find a bloodthirsty bandit—they found a mild-mannered druggist from Decatur, Illinois. The man the newspapers pictured storming through the mountains on horseback was, in reality, so afraid of horses he rode to and from his robberies in a buggy. His name was Charles E. Boles—the bandit who never once fired a shot, because he never once loaded his gun.

(Illustration by Max Lacado)

Why did Charles Boles become the ruthless Black Bart? It was the power of newsprint, pulp fiction and dime novels. By the late 1940's these evolved into the modern comic book. These early writers discovered that FEAR sold their books and papers. So they infused their writing with fictionalized stories built around real people.

        Our culture today is greatly influenced by these deep roots of fear. This sermon explores some of the areas where fear has infected the hearts and minds of many areas of politics, religion, morality and environment. My thanks to roving evangelist and long time friend, Jonathan Cring for bringing this to my attention. We dedicate this message to his discernment.

 

Pastor Phil   <><<

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2011 - Sheepfold Ministries

Pastor Phil Roland

 

DESTROYING FEAR-MONGERING

John 3:1-17 - Isaiah 43:1-7

"There is so much Fear Mongering in our culture today. The fear has permeated religion, commercialism, consumerism, politics and even religion. Fear is rampant. God's love is stronger."                Pastor Phil <><<

"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."    1 John 4:18

 

I. FEAR-MONGERING IS AN END-TIME SIGN - Luke 21:25-26

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken."

            A. Men's Hearts will Fail them For Fear - KJV

                        a. Cardio Vascular problems increasing among the young

                        b. People under 30 are dying: Obesity, Lack of Exercise, Stress

            B. Political Fear Mongering, "Unless you vote for us. . ."

                        1. The Government will go Broke!

                                    a. You won't get your monthly check

                                    b. Money will become worthless

                        2. Senseless wars will empty the National Treasury!

                        3. The United Nations will rule our country

                        4. Iran will make an Atomic Bomb and Destroy Israel

                                    a. More than 12 Million people will lose their lives

                                    b. Israel has the Bomb, and will retaliate

            C. Religious Fear Mongering, "Unless you vote for us. . ."

                        1. God's Anger and retribution is Coming!

                                    a. Lost Prayer in the schools, God will make us pay

                                    b. Must restore Bible Reading in Schools

                        2. Religion will be eliminated from our Society

                        3. God will Give Up on America!

                        4. God's Hand of Protection will be lifted

            D. Cultural Fear Mongering, "Unless you vote for us. . ."

                        1. Millions more Babies will be aborted

                        2. Heterosexual Marriage will Die

            E. Environmental Fear Mongering, "Unless you vote for us. . ."

                        1. Our Carbon Footprint will kill the Polar Bears, Penguins

                        2. Global Warming will cause Natural Disasters

                                    a. Earthquakes and Tsunamis

                                    b. Tornados and Hurricanes

                       

                       

DESTROYING FEAR-MONGERING, cont., p.2

                                               

                        3. We will Destroy the Ozone Layer in the atmosphere

                                    a. What about the massive unrestrained pollution of                                                           developing nations?

                                    b. We are supposed to be the mature leader in this Anti-                                                    Pollution Crusade!

 

II. NICODEMAS WAS MOTIVATED BY CURIOUSITY AND FEAR

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him. . ."   John 3:1,2a

          A. Who were the "Pharisees" of the Bible?

                        1. They were part of the Ruling Class of Israel

                                    a. Pharisees had a Dizzying Array of Man-Made Laws

                                    b. Black and White thinking legalists

                        2. Pharisees where the Ayatollahs and Imams of their time

                        3. Had social, religious and political power in the community

            B. The name "Nicodemas" meant in Gk, "Conqueror of the People"

1. The Religious Rulers, Pharisees and Sadducees ruled

                                    a. Sort of like the Democrats and the Republicans

                                    b. The Political, Judiciary, Religious Leaders

                        2. They were together called the "Sanhedrin" - Ex. 18:21,22

                        "Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as

                         fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over

                         them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,

                         and rulers of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times.

                         Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but

                         every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier

                         for you, for they will bear the burden with you."

a. The word, "Sanhedrin" in Greek, "The Seventy"

                                    b. Moses Father-in-Law, Jethro suggested the Group

                                    c. Their job was to relieve Moses and Judge Israel

            C. Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus "by night?" - John 3:2

1. Fear for his own Safety and Rejection of his Peers

"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but

                         because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should

                         be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men

                         more than the praise of God." John 12:42,43

                        2. Fear of his peers, "What would THEY think?" 
            D. There are a lot of "God-Fearing Nicodemases" in churches today

                        1. Afraid to Confess Christ Openly

                        2. Fearful of what other will think of them

                                    a. They'll think I'm a religious nut/freak

                                    b. They'll ridicule and reject me
           

III. THERE'S NO FEAR-MONGERING IN GOD'S LOVE - Isa. 43:1-7

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you;

DESTROYING FEAR-MONGERING, cont., p.3

                                               

A. There are Seven Reasons why we do not need to be afraid:

            1. YOU ARE GOD’S PROPERTY – v. 1b

            "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;

            You are Mine.”

                        a. You have His DNA

                        b. His Son is both With You and In You

 

            2. YOU ARE PRESERVED BY GOD – Isaiah 43:2

            “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.”

 

            3. YOU ARE PROTECTED BY GOD HIMSELF –Isaiah 43:3a

            “For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”

 

            4. YOU ARE GOD’S PASSION – Isaiah 43:4     (The Apple of His Eye)

            “Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have

             loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.”

 

             5. YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY THE PRESENCE OF GOD – Isa 43: 5a

             “Fear not, for I am with you;”

 

             6. YOU HAVE HIS PROMISE OF SPIRITUAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS

             Isaiah 43:6

            “I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them

             back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the                   earth;”

 

            7. YOU HAVE THE PURPOSE OF GOD – Isa 43:7

            “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I

             have formed him, yes, I have made him."

 

Destroying Fear-Mongering

John 3:1-17 (NKJV)
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

Isaiah 43:1-7
1 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.
2 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.
3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth--
7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

 

 

 

DESTROYING FEAR-MONGERING

THE DAISY TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

Probably the best-known example in American politics is the Daisy television commercial, a famous campaign television advertisement beginning with a little girl standing in a meadow with chirping birds, picking the petals of a daisy while counting each petal slowly. When she reaches "9", an ominous-sounding male voice is then heard counting down a missile launch, and as the girl's eyes turn toward something she sees in the sky, the camera zooms in until her pupil fills the screen, blacking it out. When the countdown reaches zero, the blackness is replaced by the flash and mushroom cloud of a nuclear explosion.

As the firestorm rages, a voice-over from President Johnson states, "These are the stakes! To make a world in which all of God's children can live, or to go into the dark. We must either love each other, or we must die". Another voice-over then says, "Vote for President Johnson on November 3. The stakes are too high for you to stay home".

 

 

 

 

 

SHOCKVERTISING

Advertisers have also entered the arena with their discovery that "fear sells". Ad campaigns based on fear, sometimes referred to as shockvertising, have become more and more popular in recent years. Fear is a strong emotion and it can be manipulated to steer people into making emotional rather than reasoned choices. From car commercials that imply that having fewer airbags will cause your family harm, to disinfectant commercials that show bacteria lurking on every surface, fear-based advertising works.[3] While using fear in ads has generated some negative reactions by the public, there is evidence to show that "shockvertising" is a highly effective persuasion technique, and over the last several years, advertisers have continued to increase their usage of fear in ads in what has been called a "never-ending arms race in the advertising business".

 

Subliminal Messages Hidden in Advertising - Fear thru Images, Threats, Intimidation