VICTORY OVER FEAR

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Isa. 12:2; 41:10 - What words of comfort!
   B. We have many fears that surround us and keep us from living as
      God wants.
      1. The word "afraid" in Isa. 12:2 is defined as "Fear in       
         general: to be startled, to stand in awe, to be afraid or   
         made to shake." (Strong)
      2. This kind of fear is what we are not to have. This kind gets
         into the heart and creates tension, worry, anxiety.
      3. Some are fearful about everything: sickness, accidents,
         finances, the future, death.
         a. They are enslaved by fear.

I. THERE ARE SOME KINDS OF FEAR THAT ARE GOOD:
   A. Fear of DANGER.
      1. We warn our kids about staying out of the street. We must
         put within them a healthy fear of being struck by a car.
      2. Hopefully, that infantile fear will be replaced by common
         sense. 
      3. But, until that happens, we dare not take any chances.
   B. Fear of PUNISHMENT. 
      1. One of the highest motivators of obedience is the fear of
         what will happen if we do evil. Rom. 13:3-4
         a. Remove that fear, and society suffers. Remove fear and
            crime increases. Eccl. 8:11
   C. Fear of the LORD. 
      1. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Prov.
         1:7
      2. "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life." Prov. 14:27
      3. "His mercy is on those who fear Him..." (Luke 1:50)
      4. This kind of fear involves proper respect and reverence for
         God.
      5. It's not the cringing fear of a slave before a brutal       
         master, but the respect of a child before a loving Parents.
         a. This kind of reverence opens the way for a proper
            relationship with God. Luke 12:3-5

II. WHAT CAUSES FEAR?
   A. IGNORANCE - The fear of the unknown!
      1. Children are afraid of the dark. Why? They don't know what
         the shadows are, or what lurks in hidden places, and their
         imagination runs wild.
      2. Even adults can be frightened of the unknown.  
      3. To overcome this: gain knowledge.
         a. Ex. One can be fearful of teaching the book of
            Revelation; but when he studies it thoroughly, the fear
            goes away.
   B. OUR OWN FEELING OF WEAKNESS
      1. Often when a bad circumstance comes, we feel helpless and
         weak.
         a. We must learn to cope with problems as they arise.
         b. To overcome: gain strength.
   C. UNBELIEF
      1. The secret to victory over fear is FAITH in God!
         a. There is no problem too great for God to solve. 
         b. No burden too heavy for God to carry.
         c. No battle too overwhelming for God to fight - and
            WIN.
         d. God is big enough to conquer the things which rob us of
            peace and leave us fearful.
      2. Here's our confidence - Isa.12:2 doesn't say, "When I am
         afraid, I will trust," but it says, "I will trust and not be
         afraid!"
         a. Faith is medicine to kill the disease, but more than     
            that, it is the spiritual power to keep us from being    
            infected in the first place.
         b. If you want to overcome fear, get your eyes off
            yourself, your feelings, your circumstances, and put
            them on God.
         c. Num.13:30-33 - "Grasshoppers in our own sight."
         d. The answer to unbelief: gain faith. Rom. 10:17
   D. GUILTY CONSCIENCE
      1. A simple thing like "a job well done" can make us feel      
         better about ourselves.
      2. However, when we disobey God, we become fearful.
         a. When Adam and Eve sinned, they felt guilty, became
            afraid, and tried to hide from God.
         b. The consequences of sin make us afraid. Ex. Does
            anybody know? Will I be found out? What will happen if
            they do?
         c. We need to admit our sin and seek His forgiveness.  Prov.
            28:13; 2 Cor. 7:10; 1 John 1:9; Micah 7:18-19

III. WHAT STEPS DO WE TAKE TO OVERCOME FEAR?
   A. Trust in God.
      1. Spend time in praise, worship and prayer. Result: Phil. 4:7;
         Isa. 40:28-31
   B. Lay hold on God's Word - Rom. 15:4
      1. The New Testament gives comfort and strength as well.
      2. His Word gives us strength and comfort in every problem we
         might face.
   C. We as children of God have nothing to fear. 2 Tim. 1:7; Rom.   
      8:15
      1. Christ never meant for us to be enslaved by fear. It's      
         amazing how many times God's Word says, "Fear Not" or "Do   
         not be afraid."
         a. This is the first time Peter fully understood that Jesus 
            was the Christ. He fell down at Jesus' feet saying,      
            "Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Jesus    
            said, "Fear Not." Luke 5:4-11
         b. When Jarius received the bad news that his daughter had
            just died, Jesus told him to "fear not, only believe."   
            Luke 8:49-56
         c. Jesus wants us to conquer fear and He is there to help   
            us win the fight. Phil. 4:13

Concl.
Read Psalm 23