The world has much fear. Can we overcome this in Christ?

Followers of Jesus should feel secure in His fellowship; but there is evidence that we do not enjoy that freedom as we should. Fear of what others will think. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of sinning. Fear of misusing the blessings we receive. Fear of failing to get what we want. You may think of other fears that make life less than perfect.

Peter was fearful when he saw the miraculous catch of fish.

Fear not; from now on you shall catch men.

Followers wanted security, Jesus wanted followers to believe he is our security.

Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no where to lay his head. Follow me. Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead; but you go preach the kingdom of The Father. No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of The Father. Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. Why are you so fearful, O you of little faith? Peace be still. Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?

Physical and emotional suffering shall happen but we are to walk in faith which eliminates fear.

But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will abuse you in their synagogues. And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak. For it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaks in you. Brother shall deliver brother to death and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake, but he that endures to the end shall be saved.

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, which shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father which is in heaven.

The importance of forgiving our fellowmen and the fearful condition of those who don‘t.

I say not unto you, until seven times, but until seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king which would take account of his servants. When he began to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents but forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had; and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him saying Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants which owed him a hundred pence. And he laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying, Pay me what you owe. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him saying, Have patience with me and I will pay you all. And he would not, but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you desired me. Should you not also have had compassion for your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? The lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Doubt causes fear to trouble us.

Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.

Come.

O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

Peter, James and John heard The Father’s voice and fell on their faces in fear.

Arise, and be not afraid. … Tell the vision to no man until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear. Fear him, which after He has killed has power to cast into hell. Yes, I say unto you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings and not one of them is forgotten before The Father? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. I say unto you, whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of The Father. But he that denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of The Father. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him. But unto him that blasphemes against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven.

We should not fear, or worry about a response to, those who persecute us.

And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates and powers, take no thought how or what you shall answer, or what you shall say; for the Holy ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say.

Fear not little flock, for it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms. Provide bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not; where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about and your lights burning, and you yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he comes shall find watching; …

Unhealthy fear can limit productivity and the use of our talents.

And another came saying, Lord, behold, here is your pound which I have kept laid up in a napkin; for I feared you, because you are an austere man. You take up that you did not lay down, and reap that you did not sow. And he said unto him, Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not strewed, and I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the earth. There you have what is yours. His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed. … Take the talent from him and give it unto him which has ten talents. For unto every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has. And cast the unprofitable servant unto outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Scripture is paraphrased.

Those who have not or do not accept Jesus as the only Begotten Son of The Heavenly Father.

Those who claim to accept Him but do not value and follow His teachings.

Those who refuse to forgive fellowmen.

We who humbly accept His words as our guide and allow the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach us have nothing to fear. We can and should go forward proclaiming the gospel to the whole world: especially to people we see often.