Introduction: “Fear not!”

The dictionary defines “fear” as “a distressing ________ by an impending ________, evil, etc. or by the _________ of such.”

A Little Boy’s Fear

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Dr. Charles Stanley wrote…

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”

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“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Tim. 1:7).

I. What are some ________ of fear?

A. We can learn fear from our ___________.

B. We can create it in our mind – ______________.

C. We can bring fear into our lives when we _____. “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Gen. 3:10)

D. We can ________ something that just isn’t true.

E. We can ________ what we believed was true.

F. We can have a ________-self image.

G. We can have too high of __________.

H. We have a wrong _______ of God.

II. What are some of the ______________ of fear?

For every action there is a _________. For every thought there is a __________. And for every decision there is a

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__________. People who choose to live in fear will face the following consequences:

A. ___________ (A divided mind) – James 1:8

“he is doubled-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

B. ______________ – We stay in one place.

C. ______________ – We procrastinate thinking that we can’t do it just right.

D. Lack of _________ – I can’t do that. I don’t have enough skills.

E. ________ - This is out of control fear.

F. ____________ – Ongoing fear about health issues, or relationships, finances, or job decisions.

G. Destroys ___________ – fear of commitment.

H. Steals _____, peace, happiness, and contentment.

III. What are the ways we _________ Fear?

1. ________ your fear/s.

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“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). 2. Replace fear with ________.

Deuteronomy 31:8 - “The LORD…will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Romans 8:37-39 - “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2. Focus on Your ___________.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 4. Seek the LORD and ________.

Psalm 34:4 - “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears”

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