1. What is the most repeated command of the Bible? “Do not be afraid” Fear Fear: anxiety caused by approaching danger Some fear is good; some is bad

2. I. Good Fear: Things To Fear 1. Sin. Ex.20:20; Ph.2:12 2. Wrath of God. Mt.17:2 3. Judgment. Hb.10:27 4. Hell. Lk.8:28

3. II. Bad Fear: What Are We So Afraid Of? 1. Physical dangers Why leave Athens? War Plague Lawlessness Immorality Sophists Lawsuits Modern list: Criminals Accidents War Disease Death Poverty

4. Rejection 2. Rejection Jer.1:8 Ezk.2:6; 3:9 Jn.9:20-22 Common People Jn.7:13 The Rulers Jn.12:42f A Counselor Jn.19:38 The Disciples Jn.20:19

5. Truth 1. Dangers 2. Rejection 3. Truth Isa.30:10-11  Afraid to admit errors…  Fear that truth may demand a change (beliefs; life; friends) “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light” (Plato)

6. 1. Dangers 2. Rejection 3. Truth Cost 4. Cost  Lk.14:28  “The trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more”

7. I. Good fear: things to fear II. Bad fear: what are so many afraid of? III. Fearing Fear Itself: Its Consequences

8. 1. Defeatism, Disobedience Nu.13-14 “It won’t do any good”  Why try?  You don’t want to study the Bible w. me do you?

9. 2. Discouragement Dt.20:8 Jg.7:3 3. Compromise 1 Sm.13:5-8

10. 4. Paralysis Mt.28:4... 25:14…25  Sinners typically paint God in the worst light (it’s His fault)  All their excuses merely keep them from their reward

11. “Death comes w. a crawl, or comes w. a pounce, And whether he’s slow or spry, It isn’t the fact that you’re dead that counts, But only how did you die”

12. I. Good fear: things to fear II. Bad fear: what are so many afraid of?D IV. How To Overcome Fear III. Fearing fear itself: its consequences

13. 1. Grow in faith Josh.1:9, do not be afraid… Mt.8:26, faith stifles fear

14. 2. Fear God, Not Fear Nu.13, giants are fearful Dn.3:16-18, greatest king on earth Lk.12:4-5, to be or to be? Hb.10:31, real fear Rv.21:8, fiery fear

15. 3. We are not alone Ac.7, Stephen (Hb.11) Ac.18:9 (2 Tim.1:7)  How will we respond to charges? Ac.28:15  “Let death and exile and every other thing which appears dreadful be daily before your eyes; but most of all death: and you will never think of anything mean nor will you desire anything extravagantly” ( Epictetus )