Believers Church Of Sylvania

(1 Corinthians 13:11-13 NLT) When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love -- and the greatest of these is love.

We want people to know God how we know God.

(1 Peter 1:21-22 NLT) Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

(2 Timothy 1:7-8 NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. . . .

(2 Timothy 1:13 NLT) Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned ... a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.

Fear always takes -- Fear always consumes -- Fear always overshadows

• Fear steals hope.

(Psalm 143:4-5 NLT) I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed (desolate) with fear. I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.

(Psalm 39:7 NLT) And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

• Fear overwhelms

(Psalm 55:5 NLT) Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can't stop shaking.

(Matthew 6:34 NLT) "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. -->--> Fear for tomorrow and today is wasted.

• Fear steals strength.

(Psalm 112:7-8 NLT) They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.

(1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT) Then David continued, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. . . .

• Fear feeds on the unknown.

(Psalm 56:9 NLT) My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!

(Psalm 20:6 NIV) Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.

Stop letting fear be the focus.

Start letting faith be his focus.

In a sea of knowns shift focus to the only thing that is certain.

(Psalm 34:4 NLT) I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed mefrom all my fears.

• Fear is conquered by perfect love.

(1 John 4:18 NLT) Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

• Fill your space with God & His Word.

(Romans 10:17 NLT) So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

(Colossians 3:16 NLT) Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. ...