Sunday Sermon

God is in the House

Dave Shaner

January 12, 2003

Introduction: Many people are entering this year with a lot of anxiety. Our country is in turbulent times. Fear has always been one of Satan's best weapons. The message of scripture is "have no fear, Jesus is near."

Text: Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

The walk of faith is hindered by the tyranny of timidity. Fear keeps us from receiving all God has for you.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  - II Timothy 1:7

But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  - Isaiah 43:1

I. Because Jesus is near

A. We should _______________ his _______________.

1. When God asks you to do anything, he gives the power to do it.

2. FEAR = F________ E________ A________ R________

3. Store up in your heart ammunition for when fear shows up.

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."  - Joshua 1:6-7

"...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  - Matthew 28:20

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  - Luke 12:7

4. Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

B. We should _______________ his _______________.

1. Our fear problem is really a faith problem.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...
The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  - Psalm 46:1-3,7

Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?  - Psalm 27:1

2. The church has a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate to the world what courageous living looks like.

II. Overcoming fear and walking by faith?

A. ______________ your fears to yourself and God.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  - Psalm 34:4

B. ______________ Your fears to the light of the ___________.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.  - Hebrews 2:14-15

C. ______________ your fears and your ____________ to Christ.

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect  - I Peter 3:14-15

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