Overcoming Fear

Pastor Mike brought a thought provoking and insightful message entitled “Overcoming Fear”. So that we may be doers of the Word and not hearers only let’s reflect on some key points of that message.

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Where we focus our attention is critically important. Where you focus your time is your most valuable thing you have.

Sone people are fearful of things you may not even know about. Some are afraid of elevators breaking down, roofs collapsing, or horror movies.

Fear comes from what you’re looking at. What you focus your attention on can be what causes fear. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something is dangerous is going to cause a problem or is a threat. Fear holds people back and can cause people to do some crazy things. It can paralyze, confused, make people feel or act powerless, can cause people to misinterpret things or cause people to act in unreasonable ways. It can affect health, cause worry, and sap creativity.

Fear can lead to panic which is a a sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety. Panic comes from a Greek word panikos. It is derived from Pan the name of a Greek god Pan who was the god of shepherds, woodlands and meadows and a god that was thought to cause fear.

Many times we’re afraid of stuff that doesn’t make sense. There’s a lot of common human fears such as darkness, predators, death, isolation, and especially snakes.

In the beginning in the Garden a snake brought temptation to Adam and Eve leading to sin and death showing up in the garden. And sin and death is what we should really fear.

Numbers 21:4-9 NKJV

“Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.”

Because of their sin judgement came. And because of our sin judgement comes. But God delights in showing mercy. God told Moses to make a bronze serpent.

Bronze was symbolic to the Israelites. The brazen altar was covered with bronze and that was where there was animal sacrifice for the removal of sin. So God had them make a place where sin is dealt with and then look at it. And when the Israelites sinned, God had them look at a bronze serpent to deal with their sin.

So what we need to consider today is what we are looking at. Because if we look at the problem which is our sin, it will just cause fear and panic. But when we look at Jesus we can overcome fear.

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

Fear and faith don’t come from us internally. Fear and faith come from what it is that we are focusing on. When we look at Jesus we have faith.

John 3:14-17 NKJV

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Moses lifted the snake for the people to look at to deal with their sin. Jesus had to be lifted up to deal with our sin. When we look upon Jesus with faith (belief) we have forgiveness for our sin.

Revelation 1:12-15 NKJV

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;”

Looking and believing is a continual process so we must do it continually. We must continually look to Jesus. Faith comes through hearing the Word. We must continually be in the Word. When we get aren’t in the Word or get distracted we take our eyes off Jesus. So when we realize we have taken our eyes off Jesus we must be quick and immediately get our eyes back on Jesus.

What are you focused on today? If it’s not Jesus, will you choose to change your focus and keep your eyes fixed upon Him?