Black Bart

"Do not be afraid; only believe.“ (Mat. 9:18-26; Mk. 5:21-43; Lk. 8:40-56)

Fearing Others (John 12:42) Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; (NKJV)

Faith is the Answer (Mark 5:34) And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (NKJV) (Mark 5:36) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." (NKJV)

We Must Evangelize (1 Peter 1:1-2) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. (NKJV) (1 Peter 3:15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (NKJV)

Faith Even Makes Passing Into Death Easier (Philippians 1:21-23) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (NKJV)

Fearing Because We Doubt the Ability & Faithfulness of the Lord (Judges 6:13-16) Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man." (NKJV)

Fearing Because We Doubt the Ability & Faithfulness of the Lord (John 11:39-40) Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" (NKJV)

Fearing Because We Doubt the Ability & Faithfulness of the Lord (John 20:25) The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." (NKJV)

Proper Fear: Should Be Fearful NOT to obey the Lord’s Commands (Job 28:28) And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (KJV)

Fear of the Lord is Not Equal to Feelings of Terror (Acts 9:31) Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. (KJV)