Chris Holcomb is the Executive Pastor of Age Group Ministries at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma. Pastor Chris was the guest speaker for the 2020 Virginia District Teen Winter Retreat. Friday Night of Retreat he ask the question How do we see God? Saturday Night he ask How do we see ourselves? Sunday Morning he ask How do we see others? He preached from Mark 11:12-25.

http://bible.com/events/7039028

Afraid Not, Part 2 – Love Conquers

“I believe fear is the number one barrier that keeps us from experiencing God’s best for our life.”
Pastor Adrian Mills
January 5, 2020

Today’s message is in two parts:

Part 1: A look at fear, worry and anxiety in our world and at HFCN – exposing our enemy.

To consider: When you hear how others are experiencing fear, worry or anxiety, how does it impact that way you feel about your own?

What’s one important takeaway for you personally as it relates to the state of fear in our culture/community?

Part 2: Fear from a biblical perspective (Romans 8:14-15 and 1 John 4:16-18)

Key Texts

The Bible fights the idea of fear, the concept of anxiety, with two fear-overpowering concepts:

Romans 8:14-15

Fear Fighter #1: If you are in Christ you are a child of God Himself.
You no longer have to return to the prison of fear that once held you – “so that you live in fear again.”

1 John 4:16-18

Fear Fighter #2: The love found in God obliterates fear. Drives it out.

We mostly think about fear from our own perspective. We consider how WE process anxiety…how it makes US feel.
But what about fear from God’s perspective? The One who loves you. How does God feel when you worry?

How will you respond today?

Supplemental Texts

2 Timothy 1:7

Romans 8:11-17

Mark 14:32-36

Hebrews 2:14-15

Lamentations 3:22-23

http://bible.com/events/7017982
Afraid Not: Fear and Faith

The first example of fear in Scripture is from Adam in the garden:
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭

* When sin enters the world (in Genesis 3), fear is rampant.
* While it began at the fall of creation, in 2020 we are being tormented by fear, anxiety and worry like never before.

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 (NKJV)

* Spirit of fear – pneuma deilos – fearfulness, torment, dread, cowardice
* The term gives the sense of being tormented or haunted by something that begins outside of oneself but, once entertained, enters in.
* Paul contrasts the idea of this spirit with three things:
    * Power
    * Love
    * A sound mind
* The term “sound mind” doesn’t really mean “peace” or “calm” but rather self-control or self-discipline.
    * Freedom from fear means it doesn’t control you anymore.

Romans 8:15

Fear is the perversion of faith.
* Fear is faith that God can’t be trusted
* Fear is faith that God will abandon you
* Fear is faith that God is not in your future

Matthew 8:23-27

* Jesus presents two ideas that are deeply connected: Faith & Fear
* Consider Jesus’ response to fear in John 14:1, “Do not LET your hearts be troubled…”
    * Jesus is saying “Don’t allow it!”
    * The battle against fear is not passive.
Bottom Line:
Passive faith cannot defeat pervasive fear.
* Fear loves the passive soul.
* You can build your faith or build your fear but you can’t build both

How to Build Faith: 
Immerse yourself in the word 
Focus your thoughts on your faith 
Linger on the promises of God 
Surround yourself with hopeful people 
Listen diligently to words of Truth.

How to Build Fear:Immerse yourself in the worldFocus your thoughts on your fearsLinger on the pains of lifeSurround yourself with doubtful peopleListen lazily to words of Truth
Other verses for reflection:
Proverbs 12:25
Isaiah 41:10
Joshua 1:9

http://bible.com/events/6928282

Luke 2:41-52 (2011 NIV)

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

God with us (Emmanuel), became God like us.

I. Gives value to our humanity.

a. Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on Luke 2 (John Wesley)

i. St. Luke describes in order Jesus the fruit of the womb, Luke 1:42; an infant, Luke 2:12; a little child, Luke 2:40; a child here, and afterward a man. So our Lord passed through and sanctified every stage of human life. Old age only did not become him.

b. Our value and our worth does not come from what we can produce, what we can do, what we have, who we know, or how attractive we are. We are loved, we are valued, and we have dignity because of who we are before God. Human beings, created in his image.

II. Shows our need for a Savior

a. Romans 5:12-17

III. Provides Opportunity

a. Hebrews 2:14-18

b. Hebrews 4:14-16

IV. Points to our mission

a. Matthew 28:16-20

http://bible.com/events/6761338

Here Comes Heaven – Christmas Eve

Luke 1:26-38 
There are so many things about Mary that we do not know, but what we do know is how she responded in the midst of fear and uncertainty.

Luke 1:38

•At no point are we told Mary understands all this, but she believes and obeys.
•And her response – “I am the Lord’s servant…” can be your response – to every call of God on your life, whether you understand it or not, whether you can grasp what the future holds or not.

Perhaps God is calling each of us to respond exactly like Mary did:
“Lord, I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but I know You and I trust You.”