Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene
Afraid Not
Once again, Happy New Year! We hope 2020 is already off to an awesome start for you. Today, we begin a brand new series. Let's fear not as we begin a brand new decade!
Locations & Times
Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg
1871 Boyers Rd, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
This week at HFCN
1. Don't miss our midweek opportunities In January to follow up with Wednesday night workshows to tackle the topic of fear! Each workshop will go right along with our current series content! More info below.
2. If you're not already in a Life Group, we're between semesters, so January would be a great month to get plugged into one. You can sign up on the Church Center app OR come see us at the Connect Center and we'll help you find a group that works!
January's bulletin---> https://indd.adobe.com/view/63f8cbdd-77d1-4161-b0d7-713233579e05
2. If you're not already in a Life Group, we're between semesters, so January would be a great month to get plugged into one. You can sign up on the Church Center app OR come see us at the Connect Center and we'll help you find a group that works!
January's bulletin---> https://indd.adobe.com/view/63f8cbdd-77d1-4161-b0d7-713233579e05
The first example of fear in Scripture is from Adam in the garden:
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Genesis 3:10 NIV
•When sin enters the world (in Genesis 3), fear is rampant.
•While it began at the fall of creation, in 2020 we are being tormented by fear, anxiety and worry like never before.
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Genesis 3:10 NIV
•When sin enters the world (in Genesis 3), fear is rampant.
•While it began at the fall of creation, in 2020 we are being tormented by fear, anxiety and worry like never before.
•Spirit of fear – pneuma deilos – fearfulness, torment, dread, cowardice
•The term gives the sense of being tormented or haunted by something that begins outside of oneself but, once entertained, enters in.
•Paul contrasts the idea of this spirit with three things:
-Power
-Love
-A sound mind
•The term “sound mind” doesn’t really mean “peace” or “calm” but rather self-control or self-discipline.
-Freedom from fear means it doesn’t control you anymore.
•The term gives the sense of being tormented or haunted by something that begins outside of oneself but, once entertained, enters in.
•Paul contrasts the idea of this spirit with three things:
-Power
-Love
-A sound mind
•The term “sound mind” doesn’t really mean “peace” or “calm” but rather self-control or self-discipline.
-Freedom from fear means it doesn’t control you anymore.
In describing this “spirit of fear” Paul is establishing it as separate from another kind of spirit:
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 (NIV)
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 (NIV)
Fear is the perversion of faith.
•Fear is faith that God can’t be trusted
•Fear is faith that God will abandon you
•Fear is faith that God is not in your future
•Fear is faith that God can’t be trusted
•Fear is faith that God will abandon you
•Fear is faith that God is not in your future
•Jesus presents two ideas that are deeply connected: Faith & Fear
•Consider Jesus’ response to fear in John 14:1, “Do not LET your hearts be troubled…”
-Jesus is saying “Don’t allow it!”
-The battle against fear is not passive.
•Consider Jesus’ response to fear in John 14:1, “Do not LET your hearts be troubled…”
-Jesus is saying “Don’t allow it!”
-The battle against fear is not passive.
Bottom Line:
Passive faith cannot defeat pervasive fear.
•Fear loves the passive soul.
•You can build your faith or build your fear but you can’t build both
Passive faith cannot defeat pervasive fear.
•Fear loves the passive soul.
•You can build your faith or build your fear but you can’t build both
How to Build Faith:
1. Immerse yourself in the word
2. Focus your thoughts on your faith
3. Linger on the promises of God
4. Surround yourself with hopeful people
5. Listen diligently to words of Truth.
1. Immerse yourself in the word
2. Focus your thoughts on your faith
3. Linger on the promises of God
4. Surround yourself with hopeful people
5. Listen diligently to words of Truth.
How to Build Fear:
1. Immerse yourself in the world
2. Focus your thoughts on your fears
3. Linger on the pains of life
4. Surround yourself with doubtful people
5. Listen lazily to words of Truth
1. Immerse yourself in the world
2. Focus your thoughts on your fears
3. Linger on the pains of life
4. Surround yourself with doubtful people
5. Listen lazily to words of Truth
Other verses for reflection:
Proverbs 12:25
Isaiah 41:10
Joshua 1:9
Proverbs 12:25
Isaiah 41:10
Joshua 1:9
Giving at HFCN
Thank you so much for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!
https://abeaconofhope.churchcenter.com/giving