1. ICEL Ron Michener 22 December 2013 Title: There’s no need to fear as Jesus draws us near. Scripture: Luke 2:8-13; Ephesians 2:11-16

2. ICEL Introduction: What are your fears? Nothing to fear but fear itself?

3. ICEL 1. Fearing God in the Bible

4. ICEL 2. The Shepherds’ fear of the angel of the Lord— Luke 2:8-9 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

5. ICEL 3. Do not be afraid! Luke 2:10-12 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

6. ICEL 4. Don’t be afraid of God – but fear Him!

7. ICEL 5. The Gospel dispels fear and draws us near a. Jesus drives away fear by drawing us near to God Ephesians 2:11-16 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision”(that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

8. ICEL 5. The Gospel dispels fear and draws us near a. Jesus drives away fear by drawing us near to God Ephesians 2:11-16 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

9. ICEL 5. The Gospel dispels fear and draws us near a. Jesus drives away fear by drawing us near to God Ephesians 2:11-16 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

10. ICEL 5. The Gospel dispels fear and draws us near a. Jesus drives away fear by drawing us near to God b. Jesus drives away fear by bringing peace – He is the Prince of Peace! Luke 2:13-14 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”

11. ICEL Conclusion: Let us fear God by looking to Jesus, who has drawn near to us. Do not be afraid—God is with us! This is the good news of Christmas.