Fear Itself (Luke 13:1-9)
Gary McManus, 06/25/2022Part of the Life With Jesus is Better series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Fear and being afraid. Why? Because many of us are afraid. Certainly, fear is not a popular topic. Still, the Bible addresses fear (it is the most common commandment: “Do not be afraid.” (Either 100 or 170 or 207 times in the Bible!)).
Therapists recommend talking about our fears.
Many children (and some adults) fear the dark.
One helpful option. . .turn on a light. Jesus said that YOUR light will bring light to an entire room that was dark. (DCC’s VBS theme for this year, 2022.)
These sermons intend to bring our fears into the light.
There are common fears. . .
Top ten? Aren’t three enough?!
Some you know, or experience. Pastor did/does.
Real fears: Americans’ Top 10 Fears, 2021
[And likely, still, in 2022.]
2020 has been labeled the most stressful year on record.
And now a note from your doctor:
fight or flight hormones pumping every day for
very long is harmful to your health.
We should be afraid of BEING afraid-all-the-time.
Americans are fairly fearful all the time.
Now here is a note from your Pastor:
Good for you. Being in worship often reduces your
fears and improves your health.
Do I need to repeat that?
You are less fearful because you claim Jesus.
It is a scientific fact for 2020.
The good news is that WE CAN DO EVEN BETTER.
Remember our affirmation of faith, Romans 8:14-16.
Jesus’ words today speak to some of our modern fears. Notice that the Bible is VERY concerned for your spiritual safety and well-being.
Jesus reminds us saying that we all will die but no one HAS to perish (John 3:16).
Jesus emphasizes that there is a better way and it is a life lived in relationship with the Heavenly Father, from whose love we cannot be separated. (John 10:28-29, Romans 8:31).
One political statement: be wary of ALL media.
The only difference is which issues cause fear. All media make us more fearful.
Problem: we vote based on emotions and not reality and not issues. We see this every day: shark attacks, bison attacks. We respond to the two animals differently. We approach the National Park and the beach differently based ONLY on emotions.
Depressing? Kind of, yes.
We can do something about it. Since it is our media feed that makes us more fearful, then need to spend less time on media --any kind of media.
You are already reducing your fear factor by being in worship.
Jesus offered the disciples and still offers you and I peace. Amen.
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