Sunday Sermons
Faith or Fear
Faith or Fear?
Life can be terrifying. Why do some allow fear to rule their hearts and worldview day by day, while others find life is less frightening and more peaceful and joyful by siding with an all powerful God? Because the latter see with spiritual eyes, the bigger, more real picture of reality. One morning, the attendant of the prophet of Elisha awoke early to find that the city in which they were living was surrounded by a hostile army (2 Kings 6:15). In a panic, he said to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ Elisha said, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (6:16). He then prayed that the Lord would open the eyes of his attendant. God honored this prayer and of all of sudden the attendant saw the greater reality, “Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17). Such is always true for the believer in God's power(1 John 4:4), even in the most intimidating circumstances. For they understand that it is not God’s people, but God’s enemies who are actually surrounded and helpless (Psalm 34:7).
Remember what Jesus said to Peter in Gethsemane? “Or do you think I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). In Gethsemane it was as if Jesus turns and says quietly, ‘Peter, I don’t lack resources’” (2 Kings, Dale Ralph Davis p. 113). Then there's Daniel. Because he and his three friends decided to view reality from the perspective of faith, they were intimidated neither by powerful Nebuchadnezzar, his threats nor the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:16-18). How freeing it is when fear does not rule us.
The Differences Between Faith and Fear
- Fear Exaggerates Problems
We saw this recently when we studied the account of the 10 spies who brought back a bad report concerning the Promised Land in Numbers chapters 13-14. The exaggeration became so pronounced that the 10 spies confidently said, “It is a land that devours its inhabitants…and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight” (Numbers 13:32-33). Fear views problems as so insurmountable and so complicated that we are virtually helpless before them. Or, like the servant of Elisha said, “What shall we do?” Our Heavenly Father wants better for us.
- Fear is Often the Majority Point of View
The Holy Spirit says that when Israel left Egypt they numbered 600,000 men (Exodus 12:37). Some have noted if we were to count the women and children, the nation probably numbered closer to two million. We see in Numbers 14:1 the contagious nature of fear when we see that only ten spies, with their fearful report, were able to turn just about every Israelite into a fearful person. We should never be surprised when a majority opinion might sound something fear based like:
- “The best policy is to do nothing—we don’t want to make other people mad”.
- “There is just nothing you can do about that”.
- “We are just helpless”.
- “No use even trying—that won’t work”.
The truth of the matter is that the mentality on the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14) is often a fearful point of view (Revelation 21:8).
- Fear Misses the Opportunity
God was giving the nation an undeserved opportunity to go up and take the land, and yet they were afraid and missed their chance. The next day when they wanted to go up and take it—it was too late (Numbers 14:40). Note that in “trying to play it safe” this particular generation of Israelites was consigning themselves to an earthly future of wandering in a bleak wilderness. Their Deliverer had wanted something so much better for them. What a waste fear can cause. What loss in the quality of life enslavement to fear costs us.
When Jesus was in the Garden praying before His execution, He exhorted His disciples to watch and pray to prepare themselves for the coming challenge (Luke 22:40; 45-46). Yet since they choose instead not to pray, when the challenge arrived, they were entirely unprepared to face it.
- Fear is Wrong about Friends and Enemies
I am amazed that the Israelites, after hearing the fearful report of the 10 spies, opted for the illogical plan of action: “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt” (Numbers 14:3). As if Egypt would welcome them? As if Egypt was a “safe place”? I am also reminded of those in John 12:42-43 who, though they believed in Jesus as the Messiah, still refused to confess Him for fear of offending those in control of the local synagogue. The Holy Spirit then says, “For they loved the approval of men rather than approval of God”. They forgot that the synagogue officials were not their friends, but were actually their real enemies, for such men were attempting to come between them and eternal life. Faith remembers that the person who helps us grow spiritually is a true friend, while the person who hinders, discounts, ignores, downplays or discourages such growth, is no friend. Let's determine to surround ourselves with people who are good for our souls.
- Fear is Afraid to Live
“Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness” (Numbers 14:2). Fear does not want to move forward, it is afraid of living, and often views death as some kind of wonderful solution to our problems.
- Fear is Wrong about the Reward
Many of the people who rejected Jesus and would not confess Him thought they were making a safe choice. Yet the reward they thought they were getting: the reward of human praise or a supposed earthly security, turned out to be very short-lived and completely undependable. The men who argued that Jesus needed to die so they would keep their position and power would see their supposed power fade and evaporate some 30 years after Jesus was crucified (John 11:47-50). Pilate— who condemned Jesus in the end because he was worried about his political future—was recalled to Rome just a couple of years later. Plans made in fear are no protection at all.
- Fear is Afraid of the Wrong Things
In Numbers chapter 14 I am struck that while the Israelites claim to be fearful of the inhabitants of the land this does not prevent them from murmuring and offending a holy, righteous and all-powerful God. When we are fearful, we tend to be fearful of everyone—except the Person we really need to respect , who really does have the power, who really will have an impact upon our future (Daniel 5:23). How much sense does it make to be fearful of offending everyone except the Person who has the power to issue the final verdict on our life and eternal fate (Matthew 10:28).
Walking by Faith: 2 Corinthians 5:6-11
- Faith Remembers the Other 99.9 Percent
Every time I run into someone who decided years ago to choose this world instead of Christ, and I see how their lifestyle has ravaged them, I am struck by the fact that 99.9 percent of our existence will be spent somewhere other than this life, and that time in the passing pleasures of sin is limited, goes by so quickly, and in the end results in such meager rewards. Sin is the world's biggest rip off. Don't be fooled.
Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net
