Category: Fear
Subject: Fear
Sermon: Fear’s Snare and Faith’s Haven
Guest speaker Jeremiah Cox discusses Proverbs 29:25, showing that trust in God overcomes any fear that is caused by man.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: “Is There Not A Cause?”
The 1 Samuel 17 narrative of David’s Battle with Goliath reveals certain applications that we can use as we are confronted with our own enemies (spiritual and physical).
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Sermon: The Court of Public Opinion
Public Opinion and peer pressure can bring fear to Christians, and even lead men to do things that God condemns. The wise man, who has discernment, listens to men rather than God.
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The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear
The apostle Peter, in his first epistle, emphasized the importance of living holy lives. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The text continues with a discourse on the redemption of his readers. They were redeemed with “the precious blood of Christ” (19). Christ was raised from the dead, “so that your faith and hope are in God” (21).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear”
Sermon: Spring Meeting, 2021 with JR Bronger
JR Bronger from Blue Springs, MO preached a wonderful series of gospel sermons for the West Side congregation, May 1-6, 2021:
Saturday PM: The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9)
- A discussion of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. A religious terrorist who became a wonderful example of the saving power of God’s grace.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 1st Service: Evangelizing the World
- In the first century, Christians were able to spread the gospel throughout the known world, despite opposition and challenges. If we have the same mindset today, we can be just as successful!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday Class: Successful Marriages
- Foundational teaching on the subject of marriage. Principles which, if followed, will guarantee strong marriages existing in accord with God’s desire.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians
- The world hated Jesus Christ because of His mission and righteousness. He promised that the world would hate his followers as well. In our day such hate is prominent.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race
- A runner himself, brother Bronger uses the Hebrew writer’s imagery in Hebrews 12:1-2 to establish a few important truths regarding the race the Christian runs.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns
- A powerful lesson on rebellion and redemption, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Young people need to hear this message!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Wednesday PM: Do You Want to be Made Well?
- If you really wish for spiritual healing, you must stop thinking of yourself as a victim, stop blaming others for your failings, free yourself from fear and recognize the difference between wanting relief, and wanting a cure.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Thursday PM: Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
- There were three responsible parties in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. God Himself with His demands. The wicked court magicians. And most prominently, Pharaoh himself.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
COVID-19 (22) Processing a Pandemic
I came across a gem this morning from Warren King. He shared a chart (see the picture accompanying this article), with the premise “Who do I want to be during COVID-19? Though Warren didn’t make the chart, he shared it on Facebook. In the comments, a point was made that the chart mirrored the process that we go through when grieving. The five famous steps of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.
In this chart are listed three ways people are handling the pandemic. Fear, Learning and Growth. The process is seen over and over again in life, and is certainly valid here. I would like to share a few thoughts about what is noted in the chart.
The Patternists: Fear Him
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:4-7).
We all have read these words from Jesus, but do we know what they mean? To wit, how does fearing the One who has the ability “to cast into hell” impact your life?
Sermon: Felix Trembled
When Paul spoke to the Roman governor concerning “the faith in Christ” it caused Felix to tremble with fear. Why? He spoke of righteousness to the sinner, self-control to the intemperate, and judgment to one unprepared. Felix’s fear was well founded.
Sermon: Wisdom for the Family
The lesson, based on texts in Proverbs, indicates the important things that must be provided for a family to thrive. Things like, instilling a fear of the Lord; providing peace, love, sufficient material support, and discipline.
In God I Have Put My Trust
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust; I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
(Psalm 56:3-4)
Fear is an understandable and common emotion. Men fear the unknown, the strange, the violent, the painful. We do not here refer to phobias, which are unreasonable fears that have no basis in reality. There is much in life that would instill a natural and appropriate fear response in men.
However, the Christian has a perspective that can help him cope with fear. In fact, our relationship with God can allow us even to overcome fear in our lives.
There are numerous examples throughout history of Christians proclaiming with joy their faith in Christ even as they suffer martyrdom. The most horrendous tortures — boiling oil, fire, the sword — were unable to quell the joy and courage of God’s people.
With God on our side, eternal victory is secured. “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57).
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FB: “You, Yourself, are to be feared”
In Psalm 76, the poet proclaimed of Jehovah, “You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once you are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to deliver all the oppressed of the earth” (7-9).
An angry God is a truly awful sight. When you consider His power, and that it is “a righteous thing with God” to take vengeance on those who do not obey Him (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9), it makes clear that we should seek rather to please Him.
Lest any take from this the idea that God is hateful or capricious, we emphasize that the Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He loves us, and desires the salvation of all. Alas, not all will come to Him. Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).
In short, God is always ready to bless those who serve Him. But, there is reason to dread the awesomeness of our God if we choose rather to disobey. Fear Him!
Sermon: Reverence in Worship
The Psalmist (Psalm 89:7) calls for fear and reverence in the assemblies of the Saints. The lesson emphasizes the benefits of joy, gladness, quietness and orderliness in attaining this ideal.
“Him who ought to be feared”
“You, Yourself, are to be feared; and who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; with the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself. Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them; let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared” (Psalm 76:7-11).
Fear of God is sadly lacking in our day. Men have forgotten previous judgments, and a generation has arisen that scoffs at the Almighty. They really shouldn’t do that. It is not in their best interest to anger the Divine. And yet they rage in their ignorance, and secure for themselves the eventual, eternal judgment of God.
When that day comes, no man will stand before Him. All will be brought to their knees, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10-12).
If we confess Jesus today, it will bring us the salvation He offers (cf. Romans 10:10). If we wait until judgment, it will be a confession of His power and authority over us, and the justness of our condemnation. Regardless, the Almighty God of heaven “ought to be feared.”
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Sermon: The Christian’s Responsibility to God
The most important of our responsibilities is toward the eternal God of Heaven, our creator and the author of our redemption. We should worship, fear, obey & love Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.
FB: How to Gain Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
Wisdom begins with a “fear of the Lord.” That means that if one does not fear God, he can not be wise. Perhaps that is why Paul wrote so dismissively of the wisdom of men, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1:21). If you truly desire to be wise, fearing and knowing God is the place to begin.
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