Thanks to Jason Turner for preaching in my place this weekend, and for providing us with discussion questions.
So fear is something that all of us deal with, but we can decide how it affects us.
How does fear bubble up in your life?
What’s your reaction to the statement, “Fear is caused by us being out of control?”
Have you ever been crippled by fear?
Because of Jesus, You don’t have to be afraid, even when there’s something to be afraid of. What’s your reaction to this statement?
Matthew 8:23-27
Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed (or in awe.) “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, …
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
How did Jesus prove he had control over the circumstances his disciples were going through?
In the first Supervolcano message, Steve said pride was “the mother of all sins.” Do you think fear is a form of pride? Why or why not?
Do you believe that Jesus wants you to live free from fear?
Trust is the Antidote to Fear
How did Jesus gain the trust of his disciples? Not by miracles or through his teaching, but by being raised from the dead!
The Resurrection completely changed their lives. Jesus defeated the final enemy, death. He proved he was God and could be trusted.
He lives with you today and doesn’t want for you to live in fear
Is trusting Jesus in the middle of our fear easy to do? Of course not…
But if we trace our fear back to it’s source, we’re not in control anyway
Solomon said in Proverbs 29:25, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.”
How do we battle fear on an ongoing basis?
Breathe, Turn & Trust
What will that look like in your life this week?