Fear Not!

Notes: Fear Not!

Luke 2

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Welcome to Harvest!

Thursday, December 24, 2015 — 3:00 p.m.

There was fear in the air 2000 years ago and there is fear today. But just like then, we are to Fear Not!

The first Christmas there was no stockings hanging in homes over fire places. There was fear of the government and the rulers, the people were unhappy.

The messiah was coming then, and the answer to our fears now is the messiah coming again.

"Fear not" was used three times in the Bible.

When the Angels appeared to people, the angels were always men.

Angels say "fear not" when they appear.

1. God still answers prayers.

Luke 1:11-16 NKJV

[11] Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. [12] And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. [14] And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. [15] For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. [16] And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

John's job was to set the way for Jesus.

The Lord can intervene.

Psalm 50:15 NKJV

[15] Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."

Psalm 34:4 NKJV

[4] I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

2. God still keeps His promises

Luke 1:26-31 NKJV

[26] Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. [28] And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" [29] But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. [30] Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.

700 years earlier the prophet Isaiah predicted that Jesus would be born to a virgin.

Christmas will let you down, but Christ will never let you down.

We don't need Christmas presents, we need to be in Christ's presence.

Luke 2:8-12 NKJV

[8] Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. [10] Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. [11] For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

God is in control, God has a plan and God has a purpose for you.

Revelation 1:17-18 NKJV

[17] And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. [18] I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

For the Christian, death is not the end.

The angels were saying, don't worry, be happy.

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

[10] Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Hebrews 13:6 NKJV

[6] So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

Accept the gift of Jesus Christ and eternal life.

God will not force this gift upon you, it is up to you to receive it.