The Battlefield Of Fear

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, February 01, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

THE BATTLEFIELD OF FEAR

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 6:1-15

Text: Nehemiah 6:13

Nehemiah 6:13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

Introduction: PREPARE FOR WAR IN 2004! Christians are under attack, and many of them do not even know it! Forces are at work, endeavoring to undermine the things of God in the lives of people.

One of the greatest areas of spiritual warfare is that of fear. 

Our country is in a war against terror and terrorism.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, at his inaugural address in 1933, said: “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”

The Bible says a lot about fear. The word

fear occurs in 385 verses
feared in 72
fearing in 8
fearful in 11
afraid in 189
affright in 1
affrighted in 9

I want to point out to you that one of the great arenas of Christian warfare in America is:

THE BATTLEFIELD OF FEAR

How to Win On The Battlefield of Fear

I. RECOGNIZE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD FEAR

1 Peter 3:14-15 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

Good fear is to fear God!
Bad fear is to fear anyone or anything else!

A. Good fear is sensibility; Bad fear is stupidity
1. Psalms 111:10a The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom …

B. Good fear is security; Bad fear is a snare
1. Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
2. Psalms 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

C. Good fear is spiritual; Bad fear is sinful

II. REALIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF BAD FEAR

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

A. Eternal damnation
1. Afraid they can’t live it
2. Afraid of a spouse
3. Afraid of friends

B. Evasiveness and disobedience
1. Preachers who are afraid to deal with issues and preach against sin
2. Preachers afraid of losing members
3. Christians afraid to get baptized; to join a church; to win souls; to make any other kind of commitment

C. Embarrassment and disgrace
1. Peter feared man in this way and denied Christ

III. RESOLVE TO CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

Luke 12:4-5 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 

A. Learn to fear God
1. Psalms 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

B. Like what God likes; hate what God hates

C. Love Him perfectly (completely, entirely)

D. Look for Him to return