How do we live fearlessly every day?

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

I SOUGHT THE LORD, and HE ANSWERED ME; HE DELIVERED ME FROM ALL MY FEARS. (Psalm 34:4 NIV)

• The answer to fear is not found in becoming mentally stronger is it found in the presence of.
• God did not remove David’s problems, but God delivered him from all his fears: HE DELIVERED ME FROM ALL MY FEARS.

In God’s presence, not only you will be delivered from the bondage of fear, but courage will come.

#1: God’s Presence Produces Strength and Courage

“The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). WE SEEMED LIKE GRASSHOPPERS IN OUR OWN EYES, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:32-33 NIV)

• “WE SEEMED LIKE GRASSHOPPERS IN OUR OWN EYES”
• The wrong measurements will feed the voice of fear.
• Joshua and Caleb who came back with a different measurement

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14:7-9 NIV)

• They recognized the presence of God produces courage and strength.

Courage and strength come when you get in the presence of God daily.

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (Joshua 1:5-6 NIV)

• God is reminding Joshua now that His faithfulness is everlasting His presence is constant.

“BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7 NIV)

• Strength and Courage come when we walk in obedience.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8 NIV)

• Success and prosperity come from speaking, obeying and doing.

Have I not commanded you? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

• The source of strength and courage is in the presence of God walking beside you.

#2: Fear Loses Its Power In God’s Presence

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV)

• Fear loses its power when you remain in God’s presence.

When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, EVEN THEN I WILL BE CONFIDENT. (Psalm 27:2-3 NIV)

• His confidence rested not in the absence of enemies but in the presence of God.

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: THAT I MAY DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27:4 NIV)

• Being in the presence of God became a daily habit for David

Living fearlessly starts by being in the presence of God daily.

• Then he ends the psalm with great confidence in God’s promise and presence.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:13-14 NIV)

#3: Jesus Has Broken the Bondage of Fear

Because God’s children are human beings made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. (Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT)

• Notice what the writer says: People were held in bondage because of the fear of death. But Jesus came to break that bondage.
• The devil had the power of death. But Jesus came to take that power from him.

 CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?