Sermon
# 91 Series: Isaiah
Title: ”Be Strong, Fear Not!”
Text: Isaiah 35:4
Subject: Some Fears Believers Have
Date:
Sunday Evening – November 3, 1991
Introduction:
Harry Graham said to me, more than twenty-years ago. “I’ve never had a doubt about my salvation since the day God saved me, never a doubt.” If I had heard those words from most any other man, I probably would not have believed him. But I believe Harry was telling me the truth. Yet, when he made that statement, my astonishment must have been evident, because he repeated himself, “never a doubt, not once!” Here was a man who had been walking with God for years, who never had a doubt—But I had so many! How could that be?
Not
all of God’s saints are so full of confidence and assurance as my friend, Bro.
Harry Graham. Most of us are like John
Newton. One day our hearts soar to
heaven singing—
“Amazing grace, how sweet the
sound.
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am
found,
“Twas blind, but now I see!”
The next
day, we sigh, with deep bass notes of sorrow, concern and grief—
“Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought,
Do I love the Lord, or no?
Am I His, or am I not?”
My message tonight is especially intended for Bro. And Sis Fearful Heart. The Lord God says to his prophets and preachers, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, Fear Not!”
This command is God’s word to
all his prophets. All God’s saints in this world
need continual comfort and encouragement (Isa. 40:1-2). And God takes great care to supply us with
comfort – (Isa. 43:1-5).
The word “fearful” in our text
is “hasty” in the margin. Fearful men and women are
always hasty. They jump to
conclusions. Fear is never wise,
patient, or reasonable. The fearful
heart says with Jacob, “All these things are against me” Bro. Fearheart forgets
the promises, the providence, and the power of God. Sis. Fearheart forgets the truth, wisdom and faithfulness of God. Acting on impulse, they get into
trouble. They judge the Lord by feeble
sense and fail to see his grace. They
see the cloud of providence, but not God’s smiling face. They taste the bitter, bitter bud, but not
the sweetness of the flower. To you
especially, Bro. And Sister Fearheart, this is my message tonight- “Be Strong, Fear Not!” Fear and unbelief their hearts flood, Increasing hour
by hour.
Proposition: I do not say that fear and faith cannot live together
in the same heart. I know they do (Ps.
56:3). But I do say that fear is
terribly inconsistent with faith and robs the believer of much joy.
Tonight, I want to share with you some of the experiences I have had with fear. Some of them I had as a young believer. Some of them I still struggle to overcome. As I talk about my experiences with these things. I am sure I will be talking about some of yours too.
I. I know the Bible teaches the doctrine
of God’s Sovereign Election – and I love it!
(Matt. 22:14; John 15:16; Eph. 1:4;
II Thess. 2:13). And I know that all of
God’s elect shall be saved (John 6:31-40; Rom.
8:28-30). And I know that Only God’s elect shall be saved (Rom. 9:11-13). Now, here is a question that caused me much
fear as a young believer – What if I am not one of God’s
elect? That is the wrong
question. Do I believe?
Faith
is the fruit of election. And you
cannot have the fruit if you do not have the root. The evidence of election is faith in Christ (I Thess. 1:4).
5 Marks of
Election:
II. I know that Christ Jesus
effectually redeemed his people by his great blood atonement, and that not one of those for
whom Christ died shall ever perish – (Isa. 53:9-10; John 10:11, 15; Rom.
8:32-34; Gal. 3:13; Tit. 2:14; Heb. 9:12).
What if I am not
one of those for whom Christ died? Do I
trust this Redeemer?
If
the blood has been applied to me, I am redeemed. If God has purged me with the hyssop of Immanuel’s
sacrifice. I am redeemed. The blood cannot be applied in the wrong
way! The fruit of redemption is
pardon. If I am pardoned, I am
redeemed.
Have I been
called by the Spirit?
III. I know that no man can come to Christ
unless he has been called by his Spirit (John 6:44-45, 63). If I have come, I have been
called!
Illustration: The woman with the issue of blood came to the Savior,
though she perceived no call from him at the time.
“You
may never know exactly how you were convinced of sin, nor how you were
quickened by the Holy Spirit, but if you have really come to Christ, that is
enough, for you would never have come to him unless he had drawn you.” Spurgeon.
IV. Only those who preserve unto the end
shall be saved. (Matt. 10:22; I Pet.
2:20-21). How can I hope
to preserve? (Phil. 1:6; Heb. 13:5; John
10:28). (Jer. 32).
Illustration: Our thoughts about.
“Salvation is like the three blind men looking at the elephant” But
God’s salvation is not an elephant and I am not blind!
Security by the:
V. How can I be a believer when my comforts are so few and my conflicts are so many?
“Behold, your God!” There is a true faith and there is a false
faith- Is my faith?
1.
Knowledge
2.
Assent
3.
Commitment
“I am
a poor sinner, and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my All in All.
This is the cure for all fear - “Be strong, fear not: Behold, your God.”
The Lord God is your God!
Your salvation is
accomplished!
Your Savior rules the
universe!
The glory of God (your
desire and concern) is certain!
Your troubles will soon
be over!