Agape Christian Center

‘FRAID NOT

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


1. Fear is a spirit.


2. Giving in to fear is submitting to satans presence
.

a. because it doesn’t come from God


2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.


3. Self-discipline is the ability to say “No” to fear.


4. We have been empowered to say “No” to the influences that comes from this spirit.


1 John 4:18 (MSG)
18 There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.


5. Once you grow secure in God’s love, fears will diminish.




THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LOVE AND FEAR


Love - believes everything will be ok...God’s got it



Fear - thinks that something bad will happen


Love - focuses on the present


Fear - worries about the future


6. The foundation for love is believing in the Word.


7. The foundation for fear is over-thinking and emotions.


Love - motivates you to get involved with others


Fear - forces you into withdrawing and isolating from others


Love - is based on truth and faith


Fear - based on emotions


Love - is inspired by believing God’s Word


Fear - is a reaction from a bad experience real or not


Love - is evidence that you trust God


Fear - is evidence of doubts and a lack of trusting God




COMMON FEARS

1. Abandonment 2. Approval/Rejection


3. Darkness/Helplessness 4. Failure


5. Poverty 6. Unworthiness


UNCOMMON FEARS


1. Balloons 2. Clowns


3. Chalkboards 4. Outside World


Deuteronomy 31:6 (MSG)
6 "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you."


8. Here we are told not to panic.


9. Panic is uncontrolled thoughts and emotions.


a. in this case it is having to deal with people


second thought - one is overthinking the matter



Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”


10. Fear usually results in discouragement.


a. discouragement is the forerunner to defeat



Psalm 27:1 (NLT)
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?



11. If you really believe God is with you...



a. ask yourself ...”



Psalm 27:3 (NLT)
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.



12. Notice that it doesn’t exempt you from being attacked...



a. but when you are attached, what spirit do you submit to


Psalm 27:3 (MSG)
3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool. \


13. When fear tries to overwhelm you, take soul control.


Psalm 56:3 (NLT)
3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.


14. Overcoming fears is an act of your will.


a. a decision that you have to make as it occurs


Psalm 3:6 (NLT)
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.


15. At times, multiple fears will strike like an approaching army...


a. fear of the dark leads to


b. fear of being raped or killed


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


16. The beginning of being liberated from fear is to stay connected with God.


a. not just on Sunday mornings


Psalm 46:1-2 (NLT)
1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.


17. We are not exempt from tings happening in this world:


a. it may manifest around us but...


b. we don’t have to let it get to us


Psalm 91:4-5 (MSG)
4 His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them, you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. 5 Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day,


18. The spirit of fear is always looking for an opportunity.


a. and it’s always looking for a victim


Proverbs 1:33 (NLT)
33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”



19. Fear has a voice.


a. it tries to crowd out God’s voice by using emotions and uncontrolled thoughts


Proverbs 3:24-26 (MSG)
24 You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. 25 No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, 26 Because GOD will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound.


20. Fear will cause you to lose sleep.


a. especially during times of unexpected circumstances


b. this is to wear you down


Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)
25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.


21. The fear of people manifests in many ways. Your afraid of:


a. people judging you


b. looking foolish in front of them


c. making a mistake or being out of bounds


d. unknowingly breaking the rules/crossing
boundaries


Proverbs 29:25 (MSG)
25 The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that.


22. Today, you really cannot share your opinions anymore because...

a. people have a tenancy to read into it

b. what was not intended at all

23. This is especially true between men and women.

Isaiah 41:13 (MSG)
13 That's right. Because I, your GOD, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.'

24. Panic reveals that one's trust in God has been breached.

Isaiah 54:4 (MSG)
4 Don't be afraid—you're not going to be embarrassed. Don't hold back—you're not going to come up short. You'll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory.

25. Fear robs people of opportunities for greatness.

26. Some convince themselves that they will be:

a. chastised or gotten onto

b. especially in front of others


27. We have a tenancy to put more value on people's approval than we do God’s approval.


Luke 12:32 (MSG)
32 Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.


28. This is the number one reason people do not step out in faith.


a. they are afraid that they are going to miss God


b. so they end up doing nothing


29. Spiritually, fear usually manifests to stop people from:


a. giving or sowing a seed


b. getting involved in ministry


c. giving a word to someone


d. laying hands to heal


e. why...


Galatians 5:6 (KJV)
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


worketh - Gk - energeo - energized


Galatians 5:6 (NLT)
...What is important is faith expressing itself in love.


30. Fear is the absence of love.


a. no love, no faith


b. no faith, no signs, wonders and miracles


31. Usually, when people pray for others their fear is that their prayers won’t work or be heard and answered.


a. the recipients are afraid it won’t happen either


John 14:27 (NLT)
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.


32. Most people ignore God’s gift to be unafraid.


33. This is evident from:


a. childhood fears still active even though you got saved


b. unpleasant or traumatic situations that happened


- many years ago


- but still controls that persons life


Romans 8:15 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.


34. Fear is a crippler.


2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.





35. It keeps you locked up through your imagination.


a. your mind is blinded by the enemy


b. and your fears override your faith


- your ability to believe God’s Word



Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.


36. Fear draws your attention by having you focus on


a. present situations beyond your control


b. future concerns that usually never happen the way that you thought


37. But notice what the spirit of fear targets...love.


38. Fear tries to convince you that what you are facing is because God doesn’t love you anymore.


Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)
6 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.


39. When fear is present, the key to overcoming is to pray
.

a. connect with God immediately


Hebrews 13:6 (MSG)
6 we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?


40. Begin your transformation by confessing...


I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?


41. If you ave a tenancy to blurt out your fears without thinking...


a. change your stinkin’ thinkin’


42. Don’t wait until it happens, start now.



1 John 4:18-19 (MSG)
18 There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.


43. Fear tries to replace the presence of God.


a. but God has already banished that spirit


44. Here we see that if you still have fears of


a fearful life - always afraid something is going to happen to your kids, spouse, health, finances


fear of death- this begins to manifest as we get older
especially the fear of losing a spouse


fear of judgment- how people perceive you


45. All these are indicators that you are not yet fully


46. How do you develop a stronger love walk?



Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
24 No man can serve two masters...


47. Choose to make a break from the spirit of fear.


Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.


48. Retrain your brain t become compliant to God’s Word.


Matthew 22:39-40 (NLT)
39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”


49. Purpose to love people, not be intimidated by them.


Luke 6:27 (MSG)
27 "To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.


50. Learn to respond, not react.


a. don’t let them intimidate or influence you


John 12:43 (MSG)
43 When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God's glory.


51. Purpose to be a God pleaser.


a. focus on God, not people

John 14:15 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.


52. Do what the Word says and what He shows you personally.


John 14:21 (MSG)
21 "The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that's who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him."



53. The gateway to seeing manifestations is to be obedient and submissive to Him and His Word.


a. because love chooses to surrender to Him


b. especially when fear shows up


John 15:12-14 (MSG)
12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. 13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. 14 You are my friends when you do the things I command you.


54. Instead of waiting on others to see how they will treat you, choose to be a blessing before fear strikes.


55. Let your healing and deliverance begin!


E N D


Biography:
Dr. John Pelizzari has been serving God since 1982. He is married to Dr. Karen Pelizzari. He is the founder and Senior Pastor of Agape Christian Center in Belton, Texas. He is a Certified Teacher in Theology from Calvary Bible Institute. He has a Bachelors degree from Calvary Theological Seminary, Ph.D. from Southwestern Christian University, and a Doctorate of Sacred Literature from Agape Bible College. In addition, he is a Certified Faith Based Counselor from the Faith-Based Counselor Training Institute, a Certified Faith Based Clinical Counselor and a Board Certified Faith Based Clinical Therapist from the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling. He is a Certified Pastoral Member, Teacher and International Representative of the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling on Creation Therapy. His memberships include the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministries International, the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the International Charismatic Bible Ministries.
His apostolic calling has founded Called and Chosen International: a fellowship of churches and ministries working together for the cause of Christ that spans the globe.
Dr. John has a vast multimedia ministry which includes a library full of sermon notes and life-changing messages, along with in-depth study guides ranging from the Book of Revelation to the Hosts of Heaven. He is a teacher of the Word and a trainer of the ministry, desiring to mould disciples after the Kingdom of God and launch ministers into their gifts and calling.
For more information please contact us at:
Agape Christian Center
321 North Penelope Belton, Texas 76513
www.agape-tx.org 254-939-WORD


Bibliography

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4. Mears, Henrietta. What the Bible is All About. Ventura: Regal, 1999.
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7. Young, Robert. Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmann’s, 1970.
8. Dake, Finis Jennings. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. Lawrenceville, GA: Dake, 1963.
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11. Robert T. Boyd, World’s Bible Handbook. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1983.
12. Dake, Finis Jennings. God’s Plan for Man. Lawrenceville, GA: Dake, 1949.
13. Flavius Josephus. The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged. Trans. William Whiston. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1987
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17. The Book of Enoch. Public Domain.
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Prayer of Salvation

Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask that you forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross to save me. You did for me what I could not do for myself and I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life. Lord, I love you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. Thank you that I will spend eternity with you.
Amen