Title: Fear is rather a luxury
Contents
Fear is rather a luxury
Jeremiah 10:1-16
Isn't today's sermon title a bit odd? How is fear a luxury rather than a luxury? .The definition of luxury in the Korean dictionary is “to spend more money or things than necessary, or to live too much in a fraction”. Therefore, fear is rather a luxury, which means excessive actions and minds.
Yet, how much do many Christians have the luxury of such fear?
What was the first thing the resurrected Jesus said when he suddenly appeared to the disciples who were hiding in Mark's upper room? It's saying don't be afraid. Then he breathed out and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Earlier, Jesus said to the disciples, why are you afraid, you who have little faith in them even in the stormy sea? Our God treats our lives in fear in this world as the most disbelief. Do not be afraid, do not be surprised, for I am your God. Amen. In the book of Revelation, those who are afraid are included in the list of those who go to the lake of fire and hell. Therefore, the fear of being a child of God is to remain at the level of luxury.
So, why do people fear?
Let's see why people are afraid
Today's text teaches God about the 'essence of fear'. Why are people afraid? This is probably due to several reasons:
1) Probably due to insufficient knowledge. Taking medical common sense as an example, some people only know the fact that “bacteria cause disease”. However, normal humans do not know that they have the ability to defeat bacteria. Although they have such knowledge, they fall into anxiety because their knowledge is insufficient. In that sense, you don't know how important continuous learning is. As long as you don't lose your humility, knowledge is a tremendous strength.
2) It may be because the purpose of life is not clear. A person with a clear purpose has a clear attitude and no hesitation. When you sweat towards that purpose, the fear goes away considerably.
Sometimes when fear strikes in your life, you need to renew your dreams and visions.
3) It is probably because you do not have faith in the absolute. This is arguably the biggest cause of fear. Humans instinctively seek the Absolute. Therefore, man was created so that he could enjoy rest only in God. Therefore, if you do not believe in God, fear always overwhelms your soul.
what we shouldn't be afraid of
We have things to fear and things we shouldn't be afraid of. Believers must live with a clear distinction between the object and reality of this fear. First of all, what should you not be afraid of? Today's text teaches us a few things we shouldn't be afraid of.
1) Signs of Heaven
Look at the second half of verse 2 of the text. “The nations fear the signs of heaven, but do not fear them.” Don't be afraid of the signs of heaven, broadly interpreted, means that you don't react too sensitively to changes in your environment. Once upon a time, when the Seongsu Bridge collapsed, there were people who said that they could not bear it because they were anxious whenever they crossed the Han River Bridge. How unhappy are you? Of course, we have to be careful to some extent, but we must entrust the life and death of man to God and live boldly.
2) The rules of the nations
Look at verses 3-5 in the main text. “The ordinances of the nations are in vain, and those that serve them are spruce from the forest, and the hands of the smiths work with the axe/ They adorn it with silver and gold; “Do not be afraid, for it does no harm or good for you.”
This means don't pay too much attention to worldly things and don't care too much about how others see you. Believers should not expect too much from people's praise and should not be too discouraged by people's criticism. The important thing is to be honest with God. honest in God
So if our good conscience backs us up and we can live with confidence in such a situation, what are we afraid of?
3) The way of idols
Look at verse 8 of the text. “They are all ignorant and foolish; the idols are only trees.” Superstitions of all kinds bind people with all sorts of dreadful superstitious laws. Therefore, we cannot set the wedding date, move in, or set the burial site. Our members must be sure of God's grace and blessings and be able to enjoy freedom from such shackles.
what we should be afraid of
So what should we fear? We must only fear Jehovah God.
The word of reverence in verse 7 refers to ‘godly fear’. We should only have a godly fear of God. Why should I fear only me?
1) Because there is no one like God (verse 6). 2) Because the name of the Lord is a mighty name (verse 6). Therefore, there should be no use of the name of the Lord in vain. 3) Because God is the living and true God (verse 10). 4) God is sometimes angry and angry.
Because it is me (verse 10).
If we really fear God, and we fear God with a heart of great reverence for God, the fear that brings fear to anything will disappear. If we fear God, we can live the most daring lives. In other words, awe-inspiring fear becomes the cornerstone for dispelling terrifying fear.
Why the Apostle Paul lived a bold life
According to the Bible, the apostle Paul lived a life of suffering enough to frighten him.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, his painful life is well described. “... I worked so hard, I was thrown more in prison, I was beaten countless times, and I almost died; I was beaten by the Jews five times, forty-one less than one, three times with rods, and one
He was stoned three times, he was shipwrecked three times, a day and a night in the depths, and on many journeys he traveled in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from his own people, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, in danger among false brethren. He suffered and suffered and labored and struggled, many times he could not sleep, hunger and thirsty, many times he starved and was cold and naked.
None of what the Apostle Paul said does not inspire fear. Fear sometimes strikes us in our lives, but when we think of the painful life of the Apostle Paul, that fear is rather a luxury.
Nevertheless, how could the Apostle Paul live a bold life? Because he had a firm faith in Jesus. Go ahead and take up the cross for Jesus
Because I was determined. What fear has anyone who is ready to take the cross? Paul's suffering was not because of his fault, not because of his mistake, nor because of his sin. Paul's suffering was purely because of Jesus. But he never once regretted, never resented. Who will touch that life? Who can disappoint, who can knock down?
He liked the more he was cursed because of Jesus, and the more he suffered because of Jesus, the more satisfied he was. If they were imprisoned, they sang praises, and if they were put in court and questioned, they preached the gospel. Who can resist?
We too can live like that if we live with Jesus in the lead. Because we are ahead of Jesus, there are many obstacles, many traps, and many obstacles, and we have no choice but to fear in front of such obstacles, traps, and obstacles.
The Apostle Paul told us to rejoice in those who are outside even in prison. Whether we live or die, we have always confessed that we live only for Jesus. What kind of resentment, regret, or fear could reside in such a life? Isn't it the beauty, power, and strength of faith to live such a life?
I hope that you will always be able to stand in the firm faith that fears God. And in that faith, let's look ahead and do our best to live. Then your life will be a wonderful, blessed life, and also a bold life full of God's power. I hope that everyone can become the owner of such a bold faith.