ADVENT "FEAR NOTS"
SERMON STARTER
30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30 (NKJV)
Fear is a problem for many in this post-election time of transition from one government to another. Some fear is hand-wringing over the loss of the illusion of control. Some are rejoicing over their choice winning. Few recognize that win or lose, God's always in Control.
There are 365 “fear not’s” recorded in the Bible. God knows our hearts and understands how crippling the emotion of fear can be. Many have been devastated by fear and become a slave to it. For the born-again believers fear indicates one of two things: Either she/he doesn’t know what the Bible promises about victory over fear, or if he/she doesn't trust what God has promised.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:18,19). The greatest act of love in human history was the sending of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth to die for the sins of mankind. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Advent celebrates God's arrival on the planet in human flesh. Almighty God is our Creator and Giver of Life. His coming to us through the Advent is also an event called the "Incarnation." God who is spirit, has taken on human flesh. He has become the great Deliverer, Healer and Restorer of broken lives. In Him we have a good reason to hope.
My sermon this morning explores four "Fear Not's" concerned with Jesus' Advent.
Pastor Phil <><<
First Week of Advent - November 26, 2016
Pastor Phil Roland - Sheepfold Ministries
ADVENT "FEAR NOTS"
Various Biblical Texts
"Fear is a problem for many in this post-election time of transition from one government to another. Some fear is hand-wringing over the loss of the illusion of control. Others are rejoicing over their choice winning. Few recognize that win or lose, God's always in Control." Pastor Phil <><<
"The fear of man brings a snare: but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe." Prov. 29:25
18 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.
19 We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19
There are Four Biblical Advent Fear Not's:
I. THE "FEAR NOT" OF SALVATION - Luke 2:9-11
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
A. Disobedience in the Garden of Eden - Genesis 3:17-19
17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You
shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall
eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring
forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your
face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you
were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."
1. Adam and generations of Mankind - Cursed
2. Two Scourges, Sweat - Death
B. Adam Sinned, we all pay the price for his sin
1. For all have sinned and fall short of God's glory - Rom. 3:23
2. The wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23
C. Mankind was sorely in need of a Deliverer / Savior
1. Moses was the Great Deliverer of God's chosen people
2. He delivered them from Egypt's cruel task masters
D. God sent a greater deliverer than Moses: His only begotten Son
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. Jn. 3:16
1. Jesus set us free from the oppressive hand of the enemy
2. We have freedom from sin, death and the devil
E. Salvation is within the grasp of every man, woman, boy or girl
ADVENT, "FEAR NOTS," cont. p. 2
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess
with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation. Romans 10:8-10
1. Confess Jesus is your Lord
2. Believe in your heart God resurrected Him
3. Confess - Believe - Receive
The Second Biblical Advent Fear Not:
II. THE "FEAR NOT" OF THE HUMAN IMPOSSIBLITY - Luke 1
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favour with God. 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:30,36,37
A. Impossible with men, with God, possible - Luke 18:27
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
1. God is not "Illogical," He is "Ah-Logical"
2. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts - Isaiah 55:8,9
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My
ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts
than your thoughts.
B. The Virgin Birth is within the Realm of God's Possibilities
1. Divine Seed planted in a virgin girl
2. God's Breath gave Him His Spirit / Mary gave Him flesh
C. Mary's Conception by God Produces the God / Man
1. An Unprecedented, Unique Life Form
2. Duality of God and Man existing in Human Flesh
D. Her Offspring had to be Unique to be a Perfect Sin Offering
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 (NKJV)
1. The Perfect, Sinless Lamb of God
2. He was sent to take away the Sin of the World
The Third Biblical Advent Fear Not:
III. THE "FEAR NOT" OF UNANSWERED PRAYER - Luke 1:13
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
A. God's Angel appears in Answer to Zacharias' prayer - vs. 11-12
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of
the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was
gripped with fear.
ADVENT, "FEAR NOTS," cont. p. 3
1. God heard Zacharias before he opened his mouth to pray
2. God listens to the deep cries of our heart
B. Zacharias challenges Gabriel's message
1. How can this be? I am an old man and my wife also
2. John's birth was miraculous like Abraham and Sarah's
3. John was unable to speak because of his unbelief
C. Anything is possible when God says it is. . .Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1. Has God called you to do something men deem impossible?
2. NOTHING is impossible with God
The Fourth Biblical Advent Fear Not:
IV. THE "FEAR NOT" OF IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE - Matt. 1:20,24
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
A. Joseph Heard the Messenger and Obeyed
1. The town gossips were ready to stone her for unfaithfulness
2. Joseph's obedience saved her from the mob
B. God favors Obedience over Sacrifice - 1 Samuel 15:22
22 So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
1. Obedience is partly fear of NOT doing what is before you
2. Obedience is mostly Courage to do what God Commands
C. Joshua, Moses successor was fearful about entering the Promised Land - Joshua 1:7
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do
according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you;
do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper
wherever you go.
1. Courage is taking the first step of faith
2. Courage in believing God is leading even when you cannot see the steps beyond
Four "Fear Not's"
1. The "Fear Not" of Salvation
2. The Fear Not of Human Impossibility
3. The Fear Not of Unanswered Prayer
4. The Fear Not of Immediate Obedience
CLOSING ILLUSTRATION
Two hundred years ago, in the early 19th Century, as astonishing as it may seem, Christmas in Great Britain had become almost extinct. The Times newspaper did not mention Christmas once between 1790 and 1835. Not once!
However, Charles Dickens was instrumental in reviving Christmas during the Victorian era. He wrote his book ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 1843 for several reasons. Unemployment and famine was widespread. About 1 in 10 people were as poor as you can possibly imagine, or worse than we can probably imagine. Dickens wanted to challenge the Government and the wealthy to act with generosity and with compassion and so his character Ebenezer Scrooge brings that challenge into focus. Nowadays, not many people want to be like Scrooge at the start of the book. I guess we all hope we can become more like the joyful, genial, generous Scrooge from the last scenes of the book or film. Dickens’ book helped to revive Christmas traditions of generosity within our country.
Even Linus gives up his fear
IN TIME OF TROUBLE SAY:
First —
He brought me here. It is by his will I am in this strait place; in that will I rest.
Next —
He will keep me in his love and give me grace in this trial to behave as his child.
Then —
He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons he means me to learn, and working in me the grace he intends for me.
Last —
In his good time he can bring me out again, how and when he knows.
Say, I am here —
1. By God’s appointment.
2. In God’s keeping
3. Under his training.
4. For his time.
