de·fine/di ' fīn/ What defines us? Do we have any say in it?

What defines us?

Your past does not define you Unless you let it…

What people say about you does not define you It's not what they call you… but what you answer to

Your weaknesses do not define you They are opportunities to Trust God and experience his Presence

People Do not define you God defines you as his Child and sets you free to Live with Purpose

We all have "if onlys"

Jesus is your "even now"

What defines us Enslaves us Or sets us free

What do you fear?

What do you fear? No one defines themselves by their fear… but their fear can define them

What you fear Owns you

What if I step out of my shell and people don't like me?

What if I get fired?

What if I have that talk and he doesn't want to stay in the marriage?

What if I see the doc And it's cancer?

What if I try and find out I'm not enough?

"If only" ties us to the past So that we can't move forward In freedom

"What if" paralyzes us In the present So we're unable to walk in faith

Timothy is a "what if" Kind of guy

Young, Scared, In Over his Head

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Young, Scared, In Over his Head "Let no one look down upon your youth"

Young, Scared, In Over his Head "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses"

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands

Fear has caused Timothy To stop leading, teaching, trusting

Fear has caused Timothy To stop leading, teaching, trusting Paul reminds him of: The reality of his Faith The Gift of God

God's gifts ceased to be empowered When God's people cease to Walk by faith

Fear of being people displeased Fear of being Laughed At Fear of Persecution Brought the work of God Through him To a standstill

What you fear Owns you

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Power (dunamis)- to do what he has called

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. Power (dunamis)- to do what he has called Love (agape)- to love people regardless of how they respond

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. Power (dunamis)- to do what he has called Love (agape)- to love people regardless of how they respond Self-discipline- to control thoughts so fear doesn't rule

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace - 2 Tim. 1:5-9

What you fear Owns you

"What if?" It just may!

If God led…will God be enough?

Risk-averse is faith-less

"What if?" Leaving the family business Stepping out of the Boat During a storm Preaching where they killed Jesus Getting beaten and threatened

What ifs are mind-tricks That paralyze us As we try to control outcomes

But we were never really In control

But we were never really in control The relationship may be dead anyway It might still be cancer Some people won't like you People get fired

What you fear Owns you …and keeps you from really living

The anti-dote to "what if" Is "nevertheless"

Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Jesus knows…

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

The battle was won In the Garden Before it was ever won On the cross

In your life The battle will be won In prayer Before it is ever won In action

Jesus, facing the dread of reality…Prayed "Nevertheless" is obedience by faith That overcomes the inaction of "what if"

I'm scared God. Nevertheless… I don't want to. Nevertheless… Let someone else. Nevertheless…

"Nevertheless" God I trust you to be enough When my fears tell me I'm not

What you fear Owns you

Our problem usually isn't With knowing what's right But doing what we know

Our problem usually isn't With knowing what's right But doing what we know But that's where faith becomes real And God is more than enough

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” - Matthew 26:36-46

He's ready Because of "nevertheless"

…he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! - Philippians 2:8

…he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! - Philippians 2:8 He did it this way: "Nevertheless, not my will be done, but Yours"

Our "What ifs" Are demolished But our "Nevertheless" "Nevertheless, not my will be done, but Yours"

What you fear Owns you

"What if?" may happen anyway The greater risk: A life controlled by fear, faithlessness and regret

IF it's from God Pray about it Then act on it

If you're in Christ… Fear cannot own you Unless you let it

…fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you… …fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…

…fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you… For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. …fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you… For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him - 2 Chronicles 16:9

Keyed to your relationship with Jesus

Where am I allowing fear To keep me from trusting Jesus and stepping out in faith?

Where am I allowing fear To keep me from enjoying the freedom Christ died to give me?

Where am I allowing fear To keep my life from glorifying God and be used for his purposes?

Will I live out "nevertheless?" A fear not faced Is a fear that owns