Here we are just days before our nation celebrates its freedom as a country.  Freedom means different things to different people.  Some people see it as being free to do anything they choose to do.   They disregard the rest of the people around them because they say they are free.   They feel they are free to be critical, rude, vulgar, profane and abusive to others.  They see it as their right.  Other people understand that their freedom comes at a huge cost to someone else. Some other person gave something up, so that we could enjoy the freedom to pray, worship or speak publically about any subject.

Today I would like to address one of the most needful liberations we all struggle to achieve.  This freedom was also acquired at great cost.  The cost was the very life of Christ. 

In my life I’ve seen the debilitating power of fear make people completely ineffective in almost every environment.  Fear of failure strips people of the courage and commitment to move forward and so they stand still or worse, move in reverse.  Satan tells them that if they try they will certainly look foolish or be rejected.  Then he captivates them with this fear of rejection.

I’ve watched as fear of authority makes people poor followers and ineffective leaders.  They dread correction and declare that their fears are the fault of their leadership or boss.  People rebel against authority and we think they’re courageous for doing so.  But God says we have no need to be afraid of those in authority, if we do what is right.  Read it in God’s word, He’s not kidding.

Romans 13:1-3… Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. God has established the authorities that exist. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.     

I love the fact that we have been honored to have law enforcement people as part of our church.  We don’t ask them to put on their church hats before they come but regard their role as a public authority with respect.  We want our children and teens to get the picture of God’s word first hand.  People in authority are not our roadblock but instead are our ally if we do right.

Are you normal and you struggle with some form of fear?  Are you afraid of the dark? Are you afraid of relationships or afraid of being mugged?  Maybe your fear is related to money, retirement or the end of the month.  Maybe your fear is based on a bad past experience so you feel extremely justified in being afraid.  I don’t want to demand you release your fear but I do feel compelled on this eve of celebrating our nations freedom to declare you can be free from the power of your fear because the cost has been paid.

Many people think that if they could just eliminate the feeling of fear then they would be successful but I must tell you that fear will always be offered to you even though you are a Christian.  The difference is not the absence of fear but rather the presence of perfect, powerful love.

1 John 4:18…There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

Have you ever heard the statement “do it afraid”?  This isn’t a scriptural truth but it contains a bridge to scriptural truth.  Fear comes from Satan and we are in the desert he lives in.  Keep this simple image in mind however, just because Satan delivers a package to your door, doesn’t mean you have to sign for it.  When fear comes, resist it by ingesting a dose of the Bible.

2 Timothy 1:7…For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.     

For humanity, fear is an inside force but for Christ followers fear is an outside force.  Fear is delivered to our thought life and we must choose to accept it or reject it.  Inside the believer is perfect love because we are God’s kids. (Spirit, Soul and Body)

Romans 8:14-15… because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”    

We are kids of the king, sons and daughters of the most high God.  We have almighty God providing us assurance and confidence.

My dad instilled in his kids a serious case of confidence.  We knew that we were safe because we were his children.  Because of this role modeling, as a Christ follower, I understand that God is my heavenly father and my confidence level has sky rocketed because God is a far more powerful ally even than my natural dad.

How about the fear of sharing your life of faith with your neighbor or coworker?  Are you aware that God has actually given us all the courage and confidence we need to tell others our story?  Our problem is that we think we have to tell something we are unfamiliar with.  We feel obligated to use enough memorized Bible verses.  We think we need to sound intelligent regarding the issues of theology.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  We are afraid of the repercussions for being found out as not telling the true story, so we say nothing.  Telling about how God has changed your life is good for others hear.

1 Peter 3:13-16… Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.     

So if fear is your problem, then invite Jesus Christ to transform your heart.  Ask Him to take up residence inside you and refuse to let fear of any kind bully you around.   Choose today to be free from fear.

Romans 8:31-39… What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.     

The above notes are from Pastor Pasch’s June 28, 2009 message.  If you like to get a free CD of the complete message, please contact Christ’s Family Church @ 651.437.2340.