Don’t be afraid; just believe (John 14:1-4)
Gary McManus, 05/03/2020Part of the Sermons for a Pandemic series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
May 3, 2020 The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Do you have “pandemic fatigue”?
Are you , like Pastor, Coronavirus crazy?
We all read and see what is going on in the U.S.
Welcome to pandemic 2020. Neither you NOR Pastor have any experience with a pandemic.
Matthew 15:14 Jesus said,
“And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” See also Deuteronomy 27:18
One reality in the U.S. in the pandemic is fear.
The fear travels many different roads in a pandemic.
DCC has studied Pastor John Ortberg’s book:
”If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat” DO make sure Jesus is right there!
Some fear is natural/God given.
Fear in God’s presence is also natural.
So, how can we “not be afraid”?
And Proverbs 1:7?
But we do need to show up and listen up.
God’s people have had reasons to be afraid
all through history. The Bible addresses those
fears. Last week we looked at Jesus facing down
disease.
Our Lord God IS indeed with us.
AND the Lord God is FOR us. (Acts 13:33,
Romans 5:8, Romans 8:31, Galatians 4:1,
Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 5:2, Hebrews 9:24).
You know that, right?
What about faithful responses in the U.S.?
(Consider Jesus, Matthew 4:12)
See Proverbs 12:26, Proverbs 14:16.
Afraid of dying?
( See Philippians 1:20-24, Matthew 10:24)
What is it that we fear?
Take that fear to the Lord.
Pray with assurance (Hebrews 10:22).
Pastor always needs to ask, “What, exactly,
am I trusting the Lord for?”
--not safety while putting self in harm’s way
(See Acts 8:1, Acts 9:23-25, Acts 14:19. Pastor is not
guaranteed safety.)
Pastor prays for discernment that he might be
cautious.(Philippians 1:10; Jesus:
“Beware” , Matthew 10:17).
Jairus (both in Mark 5 and Luke 8).
Jesus said to him , “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
BELIEVE WHAT?
Jesus responded to the faith Jairus had.
Jesus responded to the faith Martha had.(John 11:21) (Little as it was.)
Our Lord is in charge of prayer results.
Our job, Pastor understand is to be faithful in prayer.
Luke 18:1: Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Amen.
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