I. FAITH AND FEAR
(The difference makes the difference.)
TEXT:MARK 4:35-41
The word fear has always been connected or equated in the life of a person. Each one, regardless of status in life, rich or poor, strong or weak has fears. Maybe that’s the reason why the word “phobia” has been invented and connected to almost all kinds of things.
Why did I say this? What do phobia really means? Dictionary defines phobia as an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. In most cases, the phobia involves a sense of endangerment or a fear of harm. It is also an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation. In short, it is something that has been created by our mind.
In most situations in the Bible where Jesus mentions the word fear, He also mentions the word faith. It is because these two words contradict one another. The presence of fear is the absence of faith. What do faith and fear does, or how do they affect our lifestyle?
WHAT DO FEAR DOES IN PEOPLE’S LIVES?
A.It prevents us from resting. (35-36)
Fear is stealing our time which is supposed to be used for resting. The real purpose why the disciples were traveling to the other side is to rest but the fear of drowning has prevented them from doing it so.
B.It kills our trust to others. (38)
Because of fear, the disciples accused Jesus that He is not concerned with them. They accused Him without carefully thinking because they were overwhelmed with so much fear.
C.It weakens our faith in God. (40)
Having so much fear is enough to weaken our faith. It clouds our ability to trust God that He can do much beyond our situation, because everything that we see around us is tainted with hopelessness.
D.It blurs our ability to understand and think clearly. (41)
Because of fear they have never thought that the Son of God is with them. They easily forgot the miracles that Jesus did, and that they can be safe and secured with Him.
E.It nullifies our authority as a Christian. (39)
Jesus, unlike the disciples, was able to stand up and use His faith. The disciples were not able to exercise their faith and authority, not even to think wisely. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares that fear is not a part of us, thus, will enable us to do what is right as a Christian.
F.It overlooks the opportunity to pray. (35-40)
The whole time of the incident, the disciples weren’t able to have thought of praying because they have been filled with fear. They have never thought that prayer can do much for them, that this will open an opportunity for them to see how God moves in their situation.
G.It destroys our focus in life. (38)
The disciples were thinking negative things that are about to happen to them. They thought of destruction on themselves rather than look upon God to help them. Fear became a very big hindrance to their faith and failed to see the bright side ahead of them. We should choose to have faith rather than be fearful. So that we may be able to see what lies ahead of us - the blessed life that God has for us.
II. FAITH AND FEAR: THE BIG DIFFERENCE.
There is a big difference that will happen in us if we choose to have faith in God in everything that we do. The same also shall happen if we do the opposite of it - to be fearful means living in pessimistic world and will not be able to see God at work in us. Let us always contemplate on the big difference that fear and faith does in our lives.
A.Fear looks at the situation…
Faith looks at the solution.
B.Fear cries destruction…
Faith proclaims salvation.
C.Fear sees defeat…
Faith focuses on victory.
D.Fear thinks confusion and delusion…
Faith clear direction.
Let us always remember what Jesus said: “Do not fear… have faith!”
There is hope for you… Be blessed!
(The difference makes the difference.)
TEXT:MARK 4:35-41
The word fear has always been connected or equated in the life of a person. Each one, regardless of status in life, rich or poor, strong or weak has fears. Maybe that’s the reason why the word “phobia” has been invented and connected to almost all kinds of things.
Why did I say this? What do phobia really means? Dictionary defines phobia as an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. In most cases, the phobia involves a sense of endangerment or a fear of harm. It is also an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation. In short, it is something that has been created by our mind.
In most situations in the Bible where Jesus mentions the word fear, He also mentions the word faith. It is because these two words contradict one another. The presence of fear is the absence of faith. What do faith and fear does, or how do they affect our lifestyle?
WHAT DO FEAR DOES IN PEOPLE’S LIVES?
A.It prevents us from resting. (35-36)
Fear is stealing our time which is supposed to be used for resting. The real purpose why the disciples were traveling to the other side is to rest but the fear of drowning has prevented them from doing it so.
B.It kills our trust to others. (38)
Because of fear, the disciples accused Jesus that He is not concerned with them. They accused Him without carefully thinking because they were overwhelmed with so much fear.
C.It weakens our faith in God. (40)
Having so much fear is enough to weaken our faith. It clouds our ability to trust God that He can do much beyond our situation, because everything that we see around us is tainted with hopelessness.
D.It blurs our ability to understand and think clearly. (41)
Because of fear they have never thought that the Son of God is with them. They easily forgot the miracles that Jesus did, and that they can be safe and secured with Him.
E.It nullifies our authority as a Christian. (39)
Jesus, unlike the disciples, was able to stand up and use His faith. The disciples were not able to exercise their faith and authority, not even to think wisely. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares that fear is not a part of us, thus, will enable us to do what is right as a Christian.
F.It overlooks the opportunity to pray. (35-40)
The whole time of the incident, the disciples weren’t able to have thought of praying because they have been filled with fear. They have never thought that prayer can do much for them, that this will open an opportunity for them to see how God moves in their situation.
G.It destroys our focus in life. (38)
The disciples were thinking negative things that are about to happen to them. They thought of destruction on themselves rather than look upon God to help them. Fear became a very big hindrance to their faith and failed to see the bright side ahead of them. We should choose to have faith rather than be fearful. So that we may be able to see what lies ahead of us - the blessed life that God has for us.
II. FAITH AND FEAR: THE BIG DIFFERENCE.
There is a big difference that will happen in us if we choose to have faith in God in everything that we do. The same also shall happen if we do the opposite of it - to be fearful means living in pessimistic world and will not be able to see God at work in us. Let us always contemplate on the big difference that fear and faith does in our lives.
A.Fear looks at the situation…
Faith looks at the solution.
B.Fear cries destruction…
Faith proclaims salvation.
C.Fear sees defeat…
Faith focuses on victory.
D.Fear thinks confusion and delusion…
Faith clear direction.
Let us always remember what Jesus said: “Do not fear… have faith!”
There is hope for you… Be blessed!
Read previous articles from Treasures of Hope:
JANUARY 2008 - THE PLAN! (Putting our future in the right path.)
We are all concern of our future. That is the reason why out of curiosity people are resorting to any ways just to find out what lies ahead of them. But for the people of God, we shouldn’t be resorting to any belief or occult thing that this world is offering. We can be sure of our future because it all lies in the hand of the Master Planner.
FEBRUARY 2008 - THE LOVE JOURNEY (Steps to step into the realm of Christian Love Affair.)
One of the well-known topic that most of our young people in church wants to discuss is about Boy-Girl Relationship. Well, we cannot avoid it because almost all of us in some point of our life have experienced to have some crushes and puppy loves.
JANUARY 2008 - THE PLAN! (Putting our future in the right path.)
We are all concern of our future. That is the reason why out of curiosity people are resorting to any ways just to find out what lies ahead of them. But for the people of God, we shouldn’t be resorting to any belief or occult thing that this world is offering. We can be sure of our future because it all lies in the hand of the Master Planner.
FEBRUARY 2008 - THE LOVE JOURNEY (Steps to step into the realm of Christian Love Affair.)
One of the well-known topic that most of our young people in church wants to discuss is about Boy-Girl Relationship. Well, we cannot avoid it because almost all of us in some point of our life have experienced to have some crushes and puppy loves.
