November 15, 2020

Facing Fears

Preacher:
Passage: Ephesians 6:10
Service Type:

Introduction

Looking at Eph 6:10

The people were saved out of an occult background
Yet a church was born
Satan from the start wanted to destroy this church right from the start
The Church in Ephesus was in a Spiritual battle

The Ephesian people were fearful

Paul reassured the people to be strong in the Lord
We have fears but a number of these fears can be unnecessary
We should not replace faith with fear
Jesus often said ‘fear not’ or ‘do not be afraid’

Today – overcoming fear (in the Lord)
Overview:

When are we most prone to fear?
What are the resources we have to overcome fear?
How do we overcome fear?

When are we most prone to fear?

When we feel out of our depth

Example of David last week

When we feel inadequate – we can be fearful when asked to do something we feel incapable of doing

Example Example of Joshua and Moses
Remember the words of the Lord and be strong in Him
When we are weak – God can work in our lives

Can be due to temperament – some are naturally fearful or timid

Example of Gideon
We should not use this an excuse, but pray Lord strengthen me

Be aware of the devil’s devices:

Often when we are alone

Example of David, Eve, Paul and Jesus
God is gracious at such times and so often the Lord comes to us in our weakness

The depth of our weakness

Example of Jesus in the wilderness and the garden of Gethsemane

Days of evil that come upon the Christian – Eph 6:6

Yet in the midst of the battle, the Lord says ‘be strong in Me’

What are the resources we have to overcome fear?

We are to be strong “in the power of His might”
What does this mean? – reading through Ephesians, you will discover many things

Examples
Eph 1:19 – the exceeding greatness of His power – explanation

There are resources in Christ

Eph 1:23 – the Church is the “fullness of Him who fills all” things
Eph 2:6 – we have been “raised up together and made to sit together in the heavenly places”
Eph 2:22 – we are “being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”
Eph 3:16 – “to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man”
Eph 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

Only God can strengthen people
Believe and take hold of this truth

How do we overcome fear?

Example of David and Samson
We are to face the situation with the little that we have – we must take our little actions
Fear the Lord

If we fear the Lord more than the circumstances – God will give us grace
Ps 34:9 – “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.”
Ps 34:7 – “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.”
Example of Elisha and his servant

Keep our eyes on Jesus

Example of Peter walking on water

Rejoice in the Lord

Paul encourages his readers

Keep to God’s word

Example of Joshua
Personal example – a burden for the Church during these Covid-19 times

Trust in God’s word
Hold onto God’s word

Spend time with the Lord

Praying with God
Ps 91:1 – “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
2 Cor 7:5-6 – God often comes to us in a special way

God ministered to Paul by sending another worker
God often provides a way out

Closing Remarks