Letting Go of Fear
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Charles Drew
Sermon Series: Wisdom from God on How to Engage Politically
2 Timothy 1:1-7; Romans 8:28-32, 38-39 (ESV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sermon Outline
Opening: Political fear is not a proper Christian motivation: God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Tim 1:7)
I) A sampling of political fears
II) How do we bring such fears under control?
A) Paul’s experience
Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)
B) The reasons for Paul’s fearlessness in Romans 8.
God’s got everything covered.
V. 28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.The ‘good’ God promises involves the restoration of every loss.
v. 32: He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?The ‘good’ goes beyond restoring what we have lost and is far more satisfying.
V. 29: For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Good people (conformed to the image of his Son):
Marvelous, vast, and satisfying community (firstborn of many brothers).The ‘good’ is guaranteed by his love
vv. 31-32: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
“Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money; not Pilate, for fear; not the Jews, for envy;--but the Father, for love.” (Octavius Winslow)
Summary: vv. 38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Conclusion: Thinking of what Romans 8 can do to our fear-based behavior.
Prayer of Confession
Our great Redeemer, your love covers all contingencies and is guaranteed by the gift of your Son. Not even the worst-case scenarios can separate us from the good that you intend for us in him. And yet we continue to be afraid, and our fears often hurt others. They make us angry and impatient. They make us mistrustful and cruel. They make us cold, unwilling to listen, and prone to accuse. Our friends need to see gospel driven love and hope in us, and often they do not. Forgive us. Fill us with the Spirit as you filled Paul and Timothy. Cause your cross to increase our joy and confidence. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Imagine the worst-case scenario for America’s political future over the next ten years. What is it about this scenario that makes you fearful? Why does it make you afraid? What, specifically, do you fear losing or not having?
Reflect on Paul’s words to Timothy: 2 Tim 1.7: God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Tim. 1:7). According to Paul, what three things does the Spirit give to us as antidotes to fear? What makes them good antidotes?
2 Corinthians 11:24-27 describe Paul’s experience after since he decided to follow Jesus. Imagine enduring such a life. What sort of emotional toll would it take on you?
Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.Read Romans 8:28-32, 38-39. Describe and reflect on Paul’s tone as he writes, especially in the light of the life experience he has had. How can you explain Paul’s tone?
Reflect on Romans 8:28-32, 38-39 phrase by phrase. What reasons does each phrase give us for why, despite all his suffering and hardship, Paul was so filled with joy and confidence?
How might believing what Paul believed impact the way in which you conduct your public and political life?
Spend some time praying through Romans 8:28-32, 38-39. Pray with the world-wide church, New York City, America (or your home country if you are not American), and the broader world in view.