Bible Text: Hebrews 11:1-16 |  

“Fear to Faithfulness”

Isaiah 12:2, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.”

I.        Fear Factor

A.     Cup ½ Full fears:  Snakes, water, elevator (enclosed spaces), marriage, disease, death, inadequacy, roller coasters, becoming weak

1.      SelfHelp web site: flying, public speaking, heights, dark, intimacy, death, failure

2.      Tony Campolo and the flying nun

B.     Coping: face fear, stay busy, hypnosis, surround with positives, grow roots, prayer, medication

1.      Recognize that some fear is healthy in that it is protective.

C.     Physical effects: brain perce4ives events as negative and remembers them that way.  Senses are heightened and memories impacted in durable fashion.  Future events can trigger fear response.

1.      Appetite, natural sleep cycle, logic, and heart are affected.

Isaiah 12:2, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.”

II.       Faithfulness (Hebrews 11)

A.     (v1) “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

1.      (v6)”Without faith it is impossible to please God… [He] rewards those who seek him.”

2.      Isaiah 7:9, Said to King Ahaz, “If you do not stand by faith, you will not stand at all.

B.     About Noah, Abraham, and Moses

1.      (v13) “All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance…”

2.      (v16) “They desire a better country, that is a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Isaiah 12:2, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.”

III.      Holding Onto Promises—The Tether Line in the Mall

A.     Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you.”  [See Joshua 1:5, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Hebrews 13:5]

1.      “Be not dismayed, for I am your God.”

2.      “I will strengthen you.”

3.      “I will help you.”

B.     1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1.      (v6) “Humble yourselves…that he may lift you up in due time.”

2.      (v9) “Resist [the devil], standing firm in your faith, because you know…”

Conclusion:   And what of fear?  How does it impede our Christian life?

The mogul run and Isaiah 12:2