God Answers Prayer God Keeps His Promises God Has a Purpose “Fear Not” God Answers Prayer God Keeps His Promises God Has a Purpose

“Fear Not” The world is full of fear! Our constant stress turns into fear! Fear was present at the first Christmas! God wants to replace our fear with joy! God’s antidote to fear is Answered Prayer Promises Kept Purpose Given

“Fear Not” God Answers Prayer Have you ever prayed about something and it felt like God wasn’t listening – Luke 1:5-14?

Luke 1:5-14 (NASB) 5  In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6  They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 7  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

8  Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 9  according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10  And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

12  Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. 13  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14  You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

“Fear Not” God Answers Prayer Have you ever prayed about something and it felt like God wasn’t listening – Luke 1:5-14? Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous. They had prayed for a long time without an answer. Fear gripped Zacharias, his faith wavered, and doubts crept in. The angel told of a son filled with the Holy Spirit on a great mission to turn people back to the Lord.

“Fear Not” God Answers Prayer Rest in this God is listening! He does hear you! He does understand – Hebrews 4:14-16!

Hebrews 4:14-16 The Message (MSG) 14-16 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

“Fear Not” God Answers Prayer Rest in this God is listening! He does hear you! He does understand – Hebrews 4:14-16! God will answer according to His will, His way, and His timing!

“Fear Not” God Keeps His Promises Have you ever doubted God’s promises in your life – Luke 1:26-30; Matthew 1:21- 23?

Luke 1:26-30 (NASB) 26  Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28  And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29  But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

Matthew 1:21-23 (NASB) 21  She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

“Fear Not” God Keeps His Promises Have you ever doubted God’s promises in your life – Luke 1:26-30; Matthew 1:21- 23? Notice that the event is strange to Mary but not the angel’s presence. Mary believes but is hesitant because of what the angel said. God fulfills His promises and His prophecies.

“Fear Not” God Keeps His Promises God has an answer to our fears and doubts – Isaiah 41:10.

Isaiah 41:10 (NASB) 10  ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

God will strengthen you. “Fear Not” God Keeps His Promises God has an answer to our fears and doubts – Isaiah 41:10. Command #1 – Do not fear … why? Because God is with us Command #2 – Do not be anxious … why? God is your God. God will strengthen you. God will help you. God will “uphold” you.

“Fear Not” God Has a Purpose Have you ever doubted or feared the purpose of God in your life – Luke 2:8-16?

Luke 2:8-16 (NASB) 8  In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12  This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

. 15  When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16  So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

Yet they obeyed and checked it out. They obeyed immediately. “Fear Not” God Has a Purpose Have you ever doubted or feared the purpose of God in your life – Luke 2:8-16? Shepherds were tough guys and yet seemed to be overwhelmed by this event. Fear gripped those who knew no fear! Yet they obeyed and checked it out. They obeyed immediately.

Jesus came to seek and to save the Lost! “Fear Not” God Has a Purpose What is the purpose of God? It is our joy in Him through the redemption and reconciliation found in Jesus Christ. What is God’s mission statement in His Son? Jesus came to seek and to save the Lost!

“Fear Not” What Were the Results? Zacharias praises God publicly – Luke 1:64. Mary can’t contain her joy and sings a song – Luke 1:46-49. The shepherds return to their stations, glorifying and praising God.

Bethlehem is not associated with fear but with joy, hope, and singing! “Fear Not” Why “Fear Not”? Bethlehem is not associated with fear but with joy, hope, and singing!

The opposite of fear is not courage but is … “Fear Not” The Bottom Line The opposite of fear is not courage but is … Love