Whiteboard: No Fear

Lets be honest, we all get scared.

It happens to the best of us.

Sometimes we get jumpy or afraid or terrified. Sometimes we just can't keep our thoughts from drifting into those dark places. Sometimes an uncertain future, a downward trend, and a slippery slope bring out the very worst in us and send our fear responses into a frenzy.

We all get scared.

Which is why it is so interesting that the Bible repeatedly tells us "Be not afraid." It says it over, and over, and over, and over again.

You'll find that phrase (or some permutation of it) in every section and subsection of the Bible -- In the Old Testament and in the New Testament; in the Creation Stories, in the Law, in the Prophets, in the Gospels, in the Epistles, and every single time an Angel of the Lord shows up with something important to say.

Everywhere you look in the Bible you'll find that consistent chorus, "Be not afraid."

So I guess that is pretty important.

When our fearful nature is met with a genuine expression of faith the response is consistent, clear, and true: Be not afraid. Fear not. Have no fear.

This Sunday we'll be talking about fear and faith. We'll be talking about what I'm afraid of (hint: it isn't just my very well known phobia of snakes) and what we can do about it. And we'll be talking about Jesus' instructions to us found in Matthew 10:26, "So have no fear."

I'll see you on Sunday morning!

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Matthew 10:24-33 Have No Fear

24 ‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master;25it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

26 ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. 30And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

32 ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.